Our Staff

Allison Morrissey, Director of Development

Allison holds a BA in dance and drama for University of California, Irvine and is in her last year of the Master in Nonprofit Leadership and Management program at University of San Diego. She has served on the programming committee of Rising Arts Leaders and is currently a Collette Murray Scholarship recipient with Association of Fundraising Professionals. She has worked throughout Southern California both as a teaching artist/education professional and in development and fundraising for organizations such as the San Diego Symphony and San Diego Musical Theater.

 

 

Araceli Huerta, MSW, Family Services Manager

Araceli Huerta is an Associate Clinical Social Worker, who holds a B.A. in Human Development and an MSW in Social Work from California State University San Marcos. Araceli  has more than 7 years of experience working with under-served children, youth, and families.

 

 

Christine Zaccarelli-Taylor, Academic Manager

Christine Zaccarelli-Taylor received her B.A. in Psychology and teaching credential from the University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada, and special education credential from the University of California, Irvine. She has over 35 years teaching experience in Canada, South Africa, and California. For the past 27 years, she has taught in the Escondido Union School District.

 

 

Karla Navarro, Teaching Artist/ Student and Parent Coordinator

Karla Navarro received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from San Diego State University. She was born in San Diego, and raised in Tijuana, Mexico. Prior to joining A Step Beyond, Karla was involved in Harmonium Prime Time after school program, The SDSU Educational Opportunity Program, the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty Leadership Camp (Research Study), and the American Ballet Theatre and Movement Research Intensives in New York City.

 

Casey Flores, Teaching Artist/ Administrative and Programs Services Assistant

Casey received her B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and a B.A. in Dance from University of California Berkeley.  Casey led and taught youth development programs for the EDD from 2009 – 2014 and currently teaches with local dance studios in San Diego.  Casey founded the Emerging Artist Collaborative, dances professionally with various San Diego choreographers and most recently choreographed  for Shared Spaces at Performing Arts Workshop in Encinitas.

 

 

Nhu Nguyen, Teaching Artist

Nhu Nguyen began her professional dance career at eight in Vietnam. She worked with HBSO, Vietnam for roughly 7 years while pursuing her education at Vietnam’s National School of Dance and Choreography. Since her migration in 2012, she has been involved with transcenDance Youth Art Project, A Reason to Survive, and A Step Beyond. In 2017, Nhu Nguyen was named the Outstanding Graduate in Dance, completing her BFA in Dance and minor in Visual Art.