B.A. in dance from the University of California, Irvine, M.A. in Expressive Arts Therapy from the European Graduate School
Prior to ASB, Oliver served as the Education Director, Associate Director and Interim Executive Director for Young Audiences of San Diego (Arts for Learning, San Diego)
Founding member of The San Diego Creative Youth Development Network
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from San Diego State University
American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher - Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT National Training Curriculum
A Mexican-American Artist committed to providing professional dance opportunities to youth while embracing their cultural heritage and developing their personal artistic expression
B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies and a B.A. in Dance from the University of California Berkeley
Led and taught youth development programs for the EDD from 2009 – 2014. 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
B.A. Third World Development Studies at the University of California, San Diego, and Bilingual Elementary Education at San Diego State University
Currently a teaching Artist at Bocon Community Arts and a Dance Artist at Omo Aché Afro-Cuban Dance & Music Co
A lifelong learner of Latin American dances that celebrate indigenous & African roots, performing Peruvian dance with Sumaq, Mexican ballet, Folklorico, and Flamenco with DancZArts
B.A. in Sociology (Children, Youth and Families) from California State University of San Marcos
Started at A Step Beyond in Fall 2018 as an Academic Volunteer and became an Academic Leader a year later. Has worked with all age groups, but primarily 7th graders to high school students
Passionate about learning from A Step Beyond students and preparing them for college and career
B.A. in Psychology and Education Studies at Yale University
Studied culturally-responsive pedagogies: designing curricula that fosters critical consciousness in youth through ancestral dance practices
Passionate about empowering youth through holistic, healing services
KARLA PENA CABRERA
Academic Support Specialist
B.A. in Social Work at San Diego State University, A.A. in Social Work and Human Services at MiraCosta College, A.A. in Psychology at MiraCosta College, and A.A. in Liberal Arts Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences at MiraCosta College
With 6+ years of tutoring experience spanning elementary to college levels, Karla joined A Step Beyond in Fall 2022 as a Social Work Intern in the Family Services Department
Career goal is to pursue a Master's of Social Work degree to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and mental health professional for underserved communities
A.A. in University Studies: Emphasis in Education and A.A. in General Studies: Emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences at Palomar College. B.A. in Liberal Studies from California State University San Marcos in hopes of becoming a teacher
Has been an Academic leader for almost 2 years. Usually works with our third, fourth and fifth grade students
YAHAIRA ITZEL MURILLO
Family Services Manager
B.A. in Psychology from California State University Fresno
M.A. in Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara
Has worked with youth in the social services and educational setting for 8+ years
Passionate about Trauma-Informed Care, evidence-based prevention practices, Community/Social Psychology and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
