Meet our Staff
VAPA Director, Dance
Holly Gabel grew up in Visalia CA and danced competitively with the award winning studio Dancers Edge for 12 years. Trained in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, Holly earned titles of Miss Showbiz, national senior soloist at KAR in Las Vegas, and twice national senior soloist at Showstoppers in Anaheim. After graduating high school, Holly moved to North Hollywood, completed the Performing Arts Immersion program at The Edge Performing Arts Center and then signed with Clear Talent Group agency to begin her professional career. She has performed at the World Dance Championships in Austin, Texas, the Capezio 125th Anniversary Gala in New York, and at Nygel Lithgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala in Los Angeles. In 2014, Holly became a member of Talia Favia’s company, “The Difference Between” and served as Female Supporting Lead alongside Favia and Chaz Buzan in the company’s Hollywood debut. Holly has worked as teacher/choreographer at Simi Dance Center and Dancers Edge where she received awards for her choreography. After completing a Dance Teaching Certificate under the direction of professional ballet mistress Dora Krannig, she found it was time to move back to her hometown to continue her role as a teacher and choreographer for the community where her journey as a dancer began. She truly believes that dance can touch lives in and outside the classroom, and plans on continuing the special bond that Kassi created within the program. She is truly excited to continue her journey making rewarding and life changing connections with the next generation through her passion for dance and the arts.
Theatre Arts
Ryan McMahon has been involved in various performing arts programs to include Choir, drama, and dance classes through schools and other organizations in Visalia. Mr. McMahon had major leading roles in several musicals: Riff (West Side Story), Skimbleshanks (Cats), Chip (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and several supporting roles in the hit musical 42nd street just to name a few. He began working in the theater backstage and on sets nearly 10 years ago and developed a passion for the theater tech industry. He has also worked with a Children’s choir as an acting coach and stage technician. Mr. McMahon studied Arts, Media, and Entertainment at Fresno Pacific University and enjoys getting to know the students at VCIS while developing their acting skills and love for the theatre!
Instrumental Music
Tim Avila studied guitar performance, composition, and music education at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo under noted composer and educator Dr. Craig Russell. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including a Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship from the International Association of Jazz Educators. Mr. Avila has a passion for teaching music and is approaching thirty years as a music educator. At VCIS, he enjoys teaching Guitar Explorations, Guitar Performance, and Rock Band, which introduces students to the art of music performance through the study and performance of Rock, Pop and other styles of contemporary music. Mr. Avila has been a proud member of the VCIS faculty since 2007 and can't wait for his students to rock out at their shows!
