Gayton Staff

All our teachers feel strongly about the role of dance in building character, discipline and self-esteem. We guarantee a positive and productive learning environment. We encourage parents and students to talk to teachers, ask questions and discuss new and shared experiences.

Jody Gayton

Owner and Operator

Jazz/Tots

Jody has been the owner of Gayton Dance for 49 years! She is a huge advocate for the arts in public schools and teaches at numerous schools in the North Metro area. Including Studio School, North Mor, McElwain, Hunters Glenn, Tennyson Knolls, North Star, and several others. Jody 's hard work and dedication to the fine arts programs comes from an enthusiasm and appreciation she receives from teaching and mentoring the kids!

Santana Trujillo

Owner and Artistic Director

Hip-Hop/Jazz/Production Company

Santana Trujillo is the Owner and Creative Director of Gayton Dance Studio. She graduated with Bachelors of Fine Arts concentration in Dance Theatre from American Musical and Dramatic Academy ("AMDA") College of the Performing Arts. She has created a name for herself as a dancer and choreographer domestically and internationally. She is the Head Varsity Poms Coach at Horizon High School and a regular guest artist at Denver School of the Arts and Colorado Thespian events. She continues to carry on the Gayton dance legacy and enrich the lives of young dancers as her later mother, Robin Gayton, did for so many years.

Natalia Viasus

Hip-Hop/Production Company

Natalia Viasus was born in Thornton, Colorado and has been dancing for 16 years. She has been a Gayton Dance Alumni for 8 of those 16 years! Currently she dances for the Colorado Mammoth Wild Bunch and studies Psychology and Business at University of Colorado, Denver. Natalia is passionate about dance and her students absolutely adore her!

Katie Villela

Ballet/Pre-Point/Technique

Katie is a Colorado native and home grown at Gayton Dance. She has her Associates Degree in Occupation Studies and has been a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant for 10 years. She spent 4 years on her Varsity Poms team and was fortunate enough to perform with the Moscow Ballet in their rendition of 'The Nutcracker'. Outside of dance, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, Roxxy.

Hope Schwanke

Lyrical

Hope is born and raised in Colorado and grew up in competitive dance at Artistic Fusion dance academy along with pre-professional performances. On the competition team, she worked with numerous well-known artists around the country. Before she graduated in 2019 from California State Long Beach with a Bachelors Assocaites in Dance, Hope was also trained in American Ballet Theater ("ABT").

Marissa Moschette

Tap

Marissa Moschette is a born and raised Jersey girl who moved to the beautiful foothills of Golden, Colorado about 8 years ago. Marissa has been studying dance since the age of 3 and heavily involved in the Competition Dance world since 5 years of age. She has studied: Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip-Hop, Tap, and Ballroom. Marissa attended Rutgers University and graduated from Mason Gross School of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Marissa has loved tap dance for a lifetime and wants to spread her love to as many young dancers as possible.

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Katie Hopkins

Front Desk Administrator

Katie has been the front desk administrator with Gayton Dance for 21 years! She is the lifeblood of Gayton Dance Studio Operations and is one of the most humble individuals you will ever meet. Katie has a heart for people and takes great care with every student that walks through the studio doors. You will see her smiling face greeting you with a warm welcome as soon as you walk through the door. The Gayton’s value her time, talent and commitment to the studio all of these years!