REJOICE! Alleluia Dance Theater (ADT) is a Christian, not-for-profit, public benefit corporation, founded in 1977. We encourage people of all faiths and denominations to participate in our dance retreats and classes. We also perform in concerts, worship services and celebrations. Stella Matsuda is the artistic director; other company members are Emmalyn Moreno, Evelyn Okamoto and Marti Ryan. Each dancer has trained in dance, danced professionally and teaches dance in studios, schools and/or colleges.

The Alleluia Dance Theater was founded in 1977, by Stella Matsuda and Marti Ryan. Since that time, the Company has dedicated their talents to affirm God's love through dance.

The Board of Directors include Marti Ryan, President; Emmalyn Moreno, Vice President; Carolyn Barbian, Secretary. Other members are Sue Brantingham, Catherine Foley, Marilyn Mosley-Gordanier, Stella Matsuda and Rita Warren.

Stella is the Founding Director of Alleluia Dance Theater.  Stella earned her BA in Dance at UCLA and her MA in Education from California Lutheran University and taught at San Gabriel High School, UCLA, CLU, and Moorpark College. As Director of Dance at Moorpark, she retired as Professor Emeritus in 1997. Stella was a principal dancer for 15 years with Gloria Newman Dance Theatre.  She has been the keynote speaker and taught and performed throughout the U.S. and Canada for various churches, organizations, and festivals. She also served as president of the International Sacred Dance Guild. She currently teaches dance and tai-chi in the Conejo Valley and Westlake areas and serves as the Administrative Director for ADT.

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Evelyn is the current Artistic Director for Alleluia Dance Theater, studied under Fred Strickler and Cynthia Quinn at UC Riverside for her BA in Dance and under Judy Mitoma at UCLA for her MA in Dance, with an emphasis in Dance Ethnology.  She has taught and performed at UC Riverside, Santa Monica College, UCLA, and California Institute of the Arts, as well as at various churches, workshops, and retreats.  She currently choreographs, performs, and teaches dance at churches throughout Southern California. 

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Emmalyn has an AA in Dance, Palomar College, BA in Liberal Studies (Performing Arts emphasis) CSU San Marcos, and an MA in Ethnomusicology (Dance emphasis) SDSU.  Emmalyn is an accomplished musician, singer and composer who is deeply involved in the music and dance ministries. Presently serving both military and civilian communities in and around Camp Pendleton, she is also Dance Minister and retreat facilitator for Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center.  Emmalyn also taught at SDSU and Southwestern Colleges and was also co-director, choreographer and costumer for the African ensembles at  both colleges.

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Marti, co-founder of Alleluia Dance Theater, received her BA in Kinesiology with Dance emphasis from CSU Northridge and her MS in Guidance and Counseling at California Lutheran University.  She studied dance with Stella Matsuda, Sallie Whalen and Carolyn Barbian, as well as  in private studios.  In addition, Marti taught dance at CSUN, and directed programs at the Pacoima Magnet School for the Performing Arts, St. Maximillian Kolbe and Hughes Aircraft Company.  She currently works as a counselor at Century High School.

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Dance faculty at California Lutheran University and also teaches for both the Conejo Recreation and Park District and Dance Ten Studio. Also taught at University of Redlands. Danced professionally with Donna Sternberg & Dancers. Studied dance with Bill Evans, Joann Dierdorff, and others.

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