Our Team

Laveen Fitness LLC (comprised of Laveen Karate, Laveen Dance and Laveen Yoga) is founded, owned and operated by Claudine and Marcel Dulaney. They are long time Laveen residents, parents, Senseis and local, small business owners. Marcel is a police sergeant with the Glendale PD and Claudine teaches at Heritage Academy, Laveen. 

We have a wonderful family who just happen to work for us here at Laveen Fitness. Collectively, nearly every one lives, works, learns and plays here in Laveen. In total, we employ 17 teachers, 5 admin staff and 5 wonderful dance assistants. Meet them all below!

Sensei Claudine Dulaney

Claudine Dulaney is co-owner of Laveen Fitness LLC (Laveen Karate, Laveen Dance, and Laveen Yoga). She is also one of the Senseis of the dojo.  Sensei Dulaney was introduced to Okinawan Karate in 2001 by Sensei Dave Cloud and resumed her training under Sensei Marcel Dulaney. She has competed in local, state, and national martial arts tournaments in both sparring and kata.

Sensei Dulaney coaches the Demo Team for Laveen Karate and also helped develop its bully prevention program. Sensei Dulaney earned a Bachelor’s degree in African-American Studies from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D. from the University of Miami College of Law. She has over 15 years of experience in education - mostly in teaching and administration of higher education programs.

Sensei Dulaney has lived in Laveen since 2005 with her husband and 3 children.

Sensei Marcel Dulaney

As the leader of the Laveen Karate dojo, Sensei Marcel Dulaney has been teaching karate for over 15 years. He is a Godan (5th degree black belt) in Matsubayashi Ryu Shorin Ryu, a traditional style of Okinawan karatedo, designed for life preservation. As a lifelong deshi (student) of martial arts, his training extends well over 30 years, from St Louis (under Sensei Dave Cloud), Florida (under Sensei Don Caponigro) and eventually settling here in Laveen. He is a member of Shorin Ryu Karatedo International. Sensei Dulaney specializes in practical hand-to-hand defense based on his experience using karate as a police officer. Additionally, he has over 15 years of experience in behavioral health and continues to pursue learning the art of Ji Jitsu (where he holds a blue belt). His focus is on life preservation, character building, fitness and discipline.

Melissa McAdams - Dance Director

Melissa grew up in Tempe and is a proud native of Arizona. She started dancing when she was five years old in various genres (tap, jazz, ballet, modern, and gymnastics). She competed at the state and national level and continued at the McClintock High School Dance Company for all four years. She graduated from college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Education at ASU. She danced for the ASU Dance Team and had the privilege to compete nationally.
Upon graduation, she went on to be a dance teacher at Higley High School and was the coach for the McClintock Dance Team. She then was the dance director at Estrella Foothills High school, where she was also the Varsity Dance Team Coach. They competed at state and national competitions. She has a Master of Arts in Education/Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix.
Melissa has been married to her husband, James for over 15 wonderful years. She has four children; Norah, Connor, Declan, and Scarlett. Their family enjoys camping, scouting, and traveling. She’s looking forward to this new experience and hopes to make a great difference to the dancers of Laveen.

Shiloh Allen - Ballet, Creative Dance, Jazz, Combo, Skills & Thrills

"Dance has always been a part of my life in one way or another. My Mother was a ballroom dancer at BYU. She taught me the love of movement, and that a little confidence in yourself can really go a long way. Creative Dance is where my heart lives. Seeing dancers understand and create movement with there bodies is a beautiful sight to behold.  And my absolute favorite thing is to be a part of it. 
I danced at Central High School, with their performance team, all through high school. After graduation I was given a scholarship to MCC for a summer of dance classes. After getting married, and in between having my 3 babies, I took dance classes at the Phoenix Center of the Arts, down town. I later decided to turn my front room into a dance studio, and opened “Dancing Around The House”.  For 2 years I taught all dance types, mixed with creative dance and in the last few months, danced pregnant with my 4th child. 
We moved to Laveen 7 years ago, and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It has fit our family perfectly. I’m looking forward to teaching and getting to know the beautiful dancers of the Laveen area."

Brianna Strawn - Tumbling

"Brianna Strawn (Ms. Bri) has been living in Arizona for over 10 years. She is originally from Pennsylvania where she was a gymnast for 8 years, reaching Level 8 competitive status. Ms. Bri also taught gymnastics for a number of years afterward throughout the remainder of high school. She demonstrates the proper forms and techniques to ensure the safety of students. It is a top priority!

Ms. Bri is now married with two kiddos, 4 fur babies, and has a Photography/Design business. However, once a gymnast, always a gymnast!"

Sukie Keita - Contemporary, Tap

Susannah “Sukie” Keita has spent equal portions of her career as a public school educator, college professor, and performing artist. A student of the Joffrey tradition, she broadened her palette in New York City before traveling westward to dance and choreograph with regional companies including Orts Theatre of Dance and New Articulations. She earned an MFA at the University of Arizona and then became a certified instructor of the Dunham Technique, which guided her work as a dance educator in public schools. She later led the Dance Department at Grand Canyon University from 2010-2020, establishing two successful dance degree programs. She resides in Phoenix where she continues to write, teach, dance, choreograph, and consult through @SukieDance, as well as serve with the Institute for Dunham Technique Certification and the Arizona Dance Education Organization.

Marisol Gastelum - Ballet

"Marisol is a proud Mexican American artist born and raised in Phoenix. Her love for the performing arts began at age 5 when she became a dancer for "las Palomas" a baile folklórico dance company where she competed and performed for 10 years. One of her highlights was being invited to perform as a solo act at the Arizona state capital.
At age 15 she joined her high school's dance company ("Dance Fusion") at Cesar Chavez, where she trained in modern and interpretive dance. It was in her senior year that she received the most dynamic dancer award from her dance director Candy Jimenez.
After dancing her way through high school Marisol became a dance instructor for Sun Dance Studios, where she taught a variety of styles for 5 years. She is now a proud mommy of two and is a current member at Ignite Collaborative modern dance company. Most recently she joined the Laveen Dance studio, as dance instructor where she couldn't be happier to share her love for dance again."

Ashley Watchman - Tumbling

"Ashley was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri and got involved with gymnastics by the 3rd grade. She quickly began competitive gymnastics through the Jr. Olympics program and competed up to Level 9, essentially living in the gym throughout her high school years. After competing, she began coaching gymnastics for ages 18 months to high school-age while attending college. She received a license as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2004 and uses her skills for treating the body to assist with teaching tumbling through appropriate progression and form.
Her family moved to Phoenix in 2018 and enjoy the "dry heat"! You can find her hanging out with family, going on hikes, working on a puzzle or reading."

Lydia Arnold - Ballet

"Dance has always held a special place in Lydia’s heart as a rich means of artistic and emotional expression. She was raised in a home where creativity and performing were strongly encouraged. She has always said that she lives in a musical and, consequently, has always reserved the right to burst into song or dance at any moment!
Lydia began dancing at the age of 5. She spent much of her free time working on her craft in the living room, a practice that would be dubbed by her parents as "swanning." While attending Mountain View High School in Mesa, AZ she was part of the pomline and the dance company, and earned a varsity letter in dance. She was her dance teacher's unofficial assistant, often taking charge and subbing for the lower level dance classes. After high school, Lydia and her sister co-directed a children's performing group while attending Southern Utah University. In college, she studied all styles of dance and was privileged to perform as part of a traveling singing and dancing troupe that performed throughout the western United States and Tahiti.
After falling madly in love and marrying her forever sweetheart, Lydia gave up active performance on the stage to start a family. Lydia danced with each of her babies and has spent much time exposing them to the works of different choreographers, forms of dance, and other Fine Arts. Their homeschool is full of artists, musicians, and, of course, dancers! Lydia has always been an active dance mom and costume seamstress at a variety of studios over the last 18 years.
Lydia and her husband have lived in Laveen for 7 years. They are the proud parents of 12 children- 5 daughters and 7 sons! Their girls have been active with Laveen Dance since its founding. They love its caring staff, nurturing environment, and all that the studio has to offer. Lydia is excited to return to teaching and to combine her love of children with her love of dance!"

Brooke Sheffer - Contemporary, Hip Hop

"Brooke has loved dance since the 6th grade when she started at Heritage Academy - Laveen and progressed through High School to complete all levels of dance. She participated heavily in drama, art, choir, and dance of course. All 6 years she did as many musicals as she could including Newsies, The Lion King, and West Side Story.
While participating in Dance Company, she learned how to create and learn choreography at a fast pace. Brooke currently studies Dance and Elementary Education at South Mountain Community College. She has a deep passion for teaching and loves working with kids as she shares her love for dance with them. Brooke participates in SMCC’S Theatre program and has been appointed dance captain by the director for the fall production. Brooke currently works as a substitute teacher at Heritage Academy Laveen.
When she isn't teaching or doing school work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as playing piano, reading, and hiking. She is excited to help students in their dance journey!"

Tristen Hooks - Hip Hop

Morgan Walker - Tap

Morgan is an Arizona native and grew up dancing from the age of 2. She competed nationally and trained in a variety of styles including jazz, lyrical and ballet. She has taught dance for 15 years in both the Phoenix valley and Tucson to ages 2 all the way up to adults. She loves teaching combo tap/ballet preschool classes as well as jazz and lyrical! Morgan has been married for over 10 years and has three daughters. As a family they love playing board games, having family movie nights and going to the beach. When Morgan isn’t dancing and spending time with her family, she loves to read and bake sourdough!

Alexis Dolce - Tumbling

Alexis was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She started dancing at the age of 4 in primary ballet. At the age of 8, she began dancing competitively in a variety of styles such as Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, Acrobatics, Tumbling, Modern, and Contemporary. In her sophomore year of high school, she got into the convention LA Dance Magic’s Senior Company and continues to travel across the United States with them. She was also involved in her high school’s theater department and became their vice president her senior year. She is now a freshman at Grand Canyon University and is majoring in Dance Performance.

Emma Arnold - Ballet, Pointe

Coming Soon! :)

Coming soon!

Agnes Goodwine

"Apart from elevating the lives of the community through Level Up Tribes LLC and the Level Up Tribes Podcast, Agnes is also a Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher.
Agnes loves to work with with individuals who suffer from anxiety, trauma, and PTSD to find healing and overcome their physical and mental barriers, one deep breath at a time. Agnes follows a love-based approach to help students embrace their imperfections and claim the best version of themselves on the mat and off the mat.
With a career of over 30+ years in public service, Agnes has dedicated her career to guiding others on journeys towards happiness, success, freedom, and greater understanding of their own power. She is a strong believer in actions that require stepping out of one’s comfort zone to identify and break through roadblocks to create their “best selves.”
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Agnes relocated to Delaware and then to Georgia before making Arizona home.
Agnes is a 200 hr RYT and has several certifications in Trauma Yoga and Restorative Yoga. Learn more at Leveluptribes.com"

Tami Blake

"Started yoga teacher training in 2018 @ Scottsdale Community College and completed teacher training in Dec. 2020.
Continued on with yoga therapy training and graduated from Scottsdale Community College in May 2022.
Over 800 hours of training in yoga and yoga therapy and 200 hours training in yoga therapy for trauma. Continuing education in different types of yoga with online courses.
Yoga is a passion for me as it brings your whole being together, the mind, body and soul.
My focus is on the physical body to help lower pain and have better flexibility and the emotional body to help my students learn to not live in the story of past trauma and to overcome the trauma.
Along with being a yoga therapist, I am also a certified Light Therapist, a simple effective, non-pharmacological alternative for pain and greater well being.
Teaching experience includes Hatha yoga, Restorative yoga and yoga for kids, kinesiology, guided meditations, yoga workshops, Equine Therapy coaching and private sessions."