About Us
History
Studio B Academy of Classical Ballet was established in July 2007 by Jilleen Foy-Menghini. The mission of Studio B is to aspire to build strong foundations for dancers, not only in ballet, but also in everyday life.
​
The professional staff of Studio B studied ballet under the direction of Carolyn Foy-Hoffer, a respected ballet instructor in the Yuba Sutter area for over 40 years. Carolyn and her late husband, Jack Foy, opened Foy Dance Studio in 1962. The quality of instruction they provided to area dance students set the bar high for current and future area dance studios.
​
Jilleen Foy-Menghini, daughter of Jack and Carolyn Foy, continues to teach with the high standards, values and quality that her parents gave to area students for over three decades. Although tap and jazz were a large part of her training, ballet was the groundwork for all dance styles studied.
A note of community history…
​
Studio B opened originally in the former dance studio of Colleen Weber-Holt. Colleen began her dance training with Jack and Miss Carolyn over 45 years ago. Like Colleen, many of Foy Dance Studio students went on to become professional dancers and instructors themselves.
​
Now located in the Hillcrest Plaza, Studio B will strive to continue to add to this community history.
Director: Jilleen Menghini
A life long member of the local community, Jilleen began her dancing career at age three under the instruction of her parents, Jack and Carolyn Foy. The Foy Dance Studio served the Yuba-Sutter area for over 30 years, instructing thousands of students with the highest quality of dance available in tap, jazz, ballet, Pointe, baton, hula and ballroom. Jilleen literally grew up in the studio, receiving direction from not only from her talented parents, but also from many other nationally esteemed dance instructors.
Jilleen briefly left the Yuba-Sutter area to pursue her career in dance and modeling. She completed modeling courses at Manikin Manor in Sacramento and soon found herself on the east coast, represented by the Elite Modeling Agency in New York. Jilleen placed second in the Elite Agency “Look of the Year” in 1988. In addition to modeling, Jilleen was also cast as a chorus singer and principal dancer in “Mark
Twain, A Musical Drama”. The production ran for three months with eight performances weekly. Jilleen returned to the west coast to audition for Disney. After receiving an offer as a principal dancer at Disneyland, Jilleen decided that she would prefer to return to the Yuba-Sutter area to be closer to her family and friends. She soon found herself married with two beautiful children, Shay and Cailen. She also returned to the family dance studio and instructed along side her parents from 1989-1996. Sadly, Jilleen’s father Jack passed away in 1995 and the Foy Dance Studio closed its doors in 1997.
​
A new marriage placed Jilleen’s career on a different path. She and husband, Craig Menghini, opened Butte Therapy Systems in 1997, offering quality medical equipment rentals and service throughout the Yuba-Sutter region, Auburn, and Stockton. During this time, Jilleen volunteered many hours of chorography to local students and groups. She also continued to instruct at area dance studios.
​
In short, Jilleen has always found herself returning to dance. Ballet has been the core of her training, giving her discipline, strength, grace and confidence. Jilleen would like to pass that experience and knowledge on to new students. Studio B is a lifelong dream for Jilleen and an opportunity to continue training others in the art of ballet.
Jilleen Foy Menghini is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National training Curriculum.
Instructors
Artistic Director: Allison Unpingco
Born in Redding, California, Allison S. Unpingco began her ballet training with Carolyn Foy-Hoffer at age eleven. She continued her studies at the Crockett Dance Studio, under the direction of Barbara Crockett. Her teachers also included Alison Deane, Robert Kelley, and Diane McLarty, among others. In 1988 she joined the Crockett Ballet Company. Her roles with the Company included corps de ballet in Fragments, Paquita, and Stars and Stripes (choreography by Crockett). She also performed various roles in The Nutcracker for the Sacramento Ballet. In 1990, Miss Allison attended the Fort Worth Ballet and Fort Wayne Ballet Summer Intensives. While attending San Jose State University, she performed as a guest artist with Opera San Jose in La Traviata.
Miss Allison began teaching with her mentor, Carolyn Foy-Hoffer, at the Foy Dance Studio. She has also taught for the Hawkins School of Performing Arts and for Jacques’ Dance Expressions. Miss Allison was the Dance director and Ballet instructor for the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts
Landon Barrow
Landon began dancing at the age of nine at Studio B Academy for Classical Ballet. Native to Yuba City, she is now a high school senior and teaches Pre-Primary Ballet classes at the studio.
​
With seven years of experience as a Ballet teacher's aide and nine years of high level training at Studio B, Landon has honed her natural ability to help young dancers grasp the basics of Ballet. She has a talent for finding joy and laughter in her work, never straying from the best that she can be while making sure to create a fun and happy environment for those around her.
​
Landon was one of the first Yuba City Youth Ballet company members founded within Studio B in 2013. Over the past three years Landon has auditioned, and been invited to attend, several top Ballet School summer intensives including: San Francisco Ballet and The American Ballet Theatre two years running.
These experiences have given Landon the opportunity to understand firsthand what it is like to dance as a professional.
​
In the future Landon hopes to transfer her love of teaching to her studies at the college level as she pursues a teaching position in high school math. Along with her many other dreams Landon would like to attain degrees in Social Work, Physical Therapy and perhaps fulfill a dream of taking over Studio B.
​
Outside of the studio Landon enjoys raising her "fur babies", fostering kittens, babysitting her favorite "munchkins" and working out when she has a chance.
​
Landon's enthusiastic personality and knowledge of the importance of discipline melds nicely with her genuine and caring soul as evidenced in the following quote; "I know what it's like in the real dance would. I also know what it's like to grow up in this studio and atmosphere. There is no shortage of love and respect here and I strive to go beyond the expectations. Every child deserves to feel the joy of dancing freely to music while having a supportive mentor to help them along the way."
Rebecca George
Rebecca began dancing at the age of three in Roseville, California at the Roseville School of Dance. She trained exclusively in Ballet and Jazz until the age of eight when she chose to attend an all ballet studio in Sacramento- Capitol Ballet Company, to further her dancing career. There she trained extensively five days a week in Ballet and Pointe under the direction of Principal Dancers Stuart Carrol and Sharon Newton. Rebecca took part in various roles in the Nutcracker and Swan Lake. At the age of twelve, Rebecca left Capitol and began her studies at Roseville School of Dance where she trained with Tami Shamblin and Shelley Crowley. She took part in the Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary dance companies where she competed all over California.
At the age of fourteen entering Oakmont High School, Rebecca tried out and made the High School dance/drill team and the advanced dance class. There Rebecca learned many new styles of dancing including hip hop, african and military. Her Drill team competed in Disneyland and won second place in the nation under the military category. Her Sophmore year she attended the USA dance camp where she won in first place and became an All American Dancer. She was invited to dance in the London Disney Parade that summer. She also became captain and coach of her Drill team when her coach unexpectedly quit. The next three years she went on to leading her team, becoming a student director in her school dance class, and directing many shows for her peers. Her senior year she was hired and taught at Tricks Dance studio where she went on to teach there for eight years and became Manager over her staff and students. There she taught Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, and Contemporary to all ages in various levels. She produced and directed numerous dance shows and enjoyed every second of it!
​
During her time there in 2012, Rebecca married her Husband, Kaleb and lived in Roseville and Lincoln. Rebecca and Kaleb have three beautiful children together- Kayden (2013), Tucker (2016), and Savanna (2018). Rebecca and Kaleb moved to Yuba City in 2014 and while there, Rebecca was commuting back and forth to Granite Bay to teach. Rebecca and Kaleb decided to plant her roots in Yuba City buying their first home and left her Management and teaching position to stay closer to home and be more present for her children. After six months at home recovering from having her third baby, Rebecca had the itch to teach and reached out to Studio B for the opportunity to share her love and passion for dance.
Outside of the studio Rebecca enjoys raising her young children, running, fitness, and volunteering in her son’s classroom. She hopes one day to better herself in yoga and pilates when she gets the chance.
She finds that Studio B is such a happy and safe environment for dancers of all ages and abilities. She hopes to be able to teach and enjoy watching her daughter grow in the art of ballet and dance when the time comes. “Dancing should be something that comes from the heart and brings a spark to everyone’s life. No matter if you are a beginner or have danced for 25 years, everyone deserves a chance to feel the happiness and creativity that it can bring to your soul. I am extremely blessed to take part in Studio B and can’t wait to make a difference in my dancers heart, mind and soul.”
Shelby Miller
Shelby began dancing at the age of 3 and started training at Studio B Academy of Classical Ballet when she was 9 years old. She gained not only a love of all things ballet, but also a second family. Throughout her time at the studio she learned the importance of discipline and the positive consequences of striving for excellence in every aspect of life. This was instilled in her by Jilleen Menghini who wanted to make sure she had every opportunity possible. When she began Yuba City Youth Ballet, it was apparent that provision of outside opportunities was Menghini's goal. Because of this organization, Shelby was accepted into/attended American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Idaho, and Sacramento Ballet.
Because of her training in Ballet, the foundation of all dance, Shelby was able to advance her dance portfolio by expanding into Contemporary/Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop and Musical Theatre classes; which shaped her as a rounded dancer.
​
Shelby first attended San Diego State University during Covid which lead to a break in schooling to obtain a license in cosmetology. During this time she began instructing at Studio B and fell more in love with dance and teaching. She is currently working on her credentialing to become a full time teacher. "I am most fulfilled when I am in a classroom with students who share my passion, and there will never be a time dance is not part of my life."
Bella Zucco
Bella began dancing at Studio B Academy of Classical Ballet when she was 3 years old. She grew up at the studio, and most of her best memories occurred within its walls. Her time here shaped her as a individual, supplying her with opportunities and lifelong friendships that she wouldn't trade for the world. During her time as a company member of the Yuba City Youth Ballet, Bella was given the opportunity to attend several ballet summer intensives, including The Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Idaho, and Sacramento Ballet.
In addition to her ballet training, Bella has also always had a strong connection to tap dance, which was instilled in her by Jilleen Menghini. Bella was one of the first members of the studio's Tap Troupe, and can rarely spend time away from tapping.
​
Bella attended UCLA and obtained degrees in Neuroscience and Biology. She plans to pursue higher ecucation locally as a Physician Associate. During her undergraduate degrees, Bella missed dancing at her home studio, which led her to volunteer as an instructor for the UCLA Ballet Company. Bella's passion for teaching took off from there. After finishing her degrees, Bella was eager to return to Studio B and teach classes of her own. Bella is happiest when she is teaching at the studio, and she plans to teach dance to children for as long as her body will allow it.
​
Guest Instructors
Tiffani Frost
Bio Coming Soon