Patrick Cruz | WSPA Assistant Artistic Director, WSPA Hip Hop Director
    
Patrick Rivera Cruz started his dance journey at WSPA. As a young student at the age of 6, he studied everything the school had to offer. Pat trained for ten years in many different styles including tap, jazz, ballet, and Russian character. At the age of 15 he was first introduced to Hip Hop as a dance from and instantly fell in love. Knowing that he wanted this to be his main focus, he devoted all of his time to pursuing his new found passion. At the age of 18 he met Shaun Evaristo and his life forever changed. With Shaun as his mentor, he was inspired to pursue dance professionally. Together they founded The Company, which is now considered one of the top dance teams in the world. At age 25 Pat moved to LA to further pursue his dance career. During this time and with the help of Movement Lifestyle, he found his calling as a traveling choreographer. Pat would spend the next five years teaching at camps and workshops throughout 32 different countries around the world. While in LA he would also find a brotherhood and sense of belonging in the Kinjaz. Together they have helped to elevate dance to new heights and are most recognized for competing on television shows like ABDC and NBC’s World of Dance. Pat moved back to the Bay Area a few years ago to focus on building and growing the Hip Hop department at WSPA. He is still teaching abroad and continues to pursue his dance dreams with The Company and Kinjaz.

Kira Fargas | WSPA Contemporary Co-Director & Alumni c/o 2014

Kira Fargas is afirst generation, Filipina American movement artist and choreographer. She was raised in the Bay Area and began her dance training at the Westlake School for the Performing Arts. In 2017, she received her BFA in dance from the University of Arizona. After graduating, Kira moved to Nashville, TN to dance with New Dialect under the direction of Banning Bouldin. There she worked with many highly-acclaimed choreographers, such as Rosie Herrera, Alex Ketley, Ana Maria Lucaciu, Roy Assaf, and more. Kira has performed at Jacob’s Pillow, 92Y, and Gibney NY, and in 2022 she attended Springboard Danse Montréal, where she performed works by Hofesh Schechter (staged by Kim Kohlmann) and UNA Productions. She has choreographed over 60 solos for young dancers, and in 2017 she was awarded YAGP’s “Outstanding Choreographer” award. Kira recently made her return to the Bay Area, and dances with UNA Productions under the direction of Chuck Wilt.

Katie Kerwin-Gielnak |  WSPA Musical Theatre Director & Alumni c/o 1993

Katie Kerwin is a distinguished professional in the performing arts with a wealth of experience both on stage and behind the scenes, holding a B.F.A. from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts CAP21 Conservatory. With over 30 years of experience working with both youth and adults, Katie has emerged as a key figure in cultivating aspiring performers and fostering a deep appreciation for the arts across generations. Throughout her career, which spans more than 25 years of performing professionally and teaching voice and dance, Katie has developed a mastery in a wide array of styles, including classical vocal training, musical theatre/pop vocal performance, Theatre Jazz, Broadway and contemporary tap dance technique, and dance education. Her proficiency in dance technique enriches her vocal and musical theatre instruction, providing a comprehensive performing arts education that caters to beginners through advanced students. A Bay Area native and an alum of the Westlake School for the Performing Arts, Katie has devoted the past 14 years to leading its Musical Theatre Program, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in arts education. Her experience in early childhood development further enhances her ability to connect with students of all ages, encouraging their development as both performers and confident, creative individuals.