Donna Dellaria

As founder, co-owner and  artistic director of Mission Dance & Performing Arts since 1978, Donna takes great pride in each student's development. Her own career began at age four under the guidance of her mother, Jean Dellaria, a former professional dancer in England. Like Donna, Jean also operated her own dance studio in Fremont.

Donna held the title of Miss Dance of California in 1982 and has appeared in television commercials, videos and motion pictures. She is an active member of Dance Masters of America. She continues to enhance her own dance education by attending classes and symposia in the Bay Area as well as in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York.

Donna, whose attention to detail with each student is total and personal, is in great demand as a choreographer for competitions at both state and national levels. Her soloists and group performers are extremely successful and have won such awards as Miss Dance of California,Teen Miss Dance,Junior Miss Dance and California Miss, as well as many California State Talent Championships. Under Donna's guidance, many students have further enriched the art by becoming professional dancers, teachers and choreographers. For others, the study of dance continues to benefit them over a lifetime of appreciation and enjoyment.

When Donna is not coaching her students, she works closely with the teachers on the students progress and development and the future vision of Mission Dance.

Donna has judged many local and national competitions, she has been a guest teacher at several Bay Area studios and has choreographed for pageants & fashion shows. Donna takes great pride in coaching those individuals who want to pursue a career in dance and performing arts.