ERIN BABBS
OWNER/COMPANY DIRECTOR
ERIN BABBS has been dancing since the age of three. She has studied with some of the most well-known dance instructors and professional schools throughout the United States. Erin received her BA in English from San Diego State University while training and teaching at various schools dedicated to the arts.
Erin’s training has led her to dance professionally with the Brain Setzer Orchestra, the Black Eyed Peas, MTV and DJ AM, to name a few. In addition, Erin has modeled for Divine Eyewear, Juicy Couture and Shuz and has been a featured vocalist for Moonshine Records and One World Entertainment. Erin has been teaching dance for the past 20 years. She has been named a top choreographer in the industry for the past 15 years.
Erin’s passion for teaching and love for kids led her to open Murrieta Dance Project in 2006. As MDP’s main Progressions Instructor (Turn & Tricks) Erin is always studying new teaching techniques and finding new ways to collaborate the classic techniques with the most cutting edge tricks. She has a way a breaking down each movement so that her students have a better understanding of their bodies and how to use them.
Her students have been featured in film and television, won top awards and scholarships as well as agent representation and have taken the United States by storm! Erin’s students have gone on to dance with the world-renowned companies: The Nederlands Dans Theatre, Julliard, Joffery and more! Erin has also trained dancers who have been top 10 finalists on So You Think You Can Dance as well as the winner of season one of Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition! Currently Erin has a team of talented dancers that are featured on the Life Time network on a little show called Dance Moms! And just recently had students debut on America's Got Talent, Ellen, Little Big Shots, national commercials and more! Erin Babbs is a featured choreographer for the show Dance Moms and recently accepted an award for Murrieta Dance Project at the Industry Dance Awards for Choreography of the year (choreography Kirsten Russel).
Currently, Erin is excited to be heading up the Mini Program of a new convention, Art Of Movement, under the direction of Robert Prescott Lee and Mikey Trasoras. Erin will be traveling the US teaching some of the most hungry young artists! In addition to this new venture Erin will be going back to one of her long time passions as a judge for one of the top competitions on the circuit, Hall Of Fame Dance Challenge. Being able to inspire and connect with dancers on stage as a judge has always given Erin even more inspiration to take back to her amazing students at Murrieta Dance Project.
Erin is proud and excited to share her love and knowledge of dance, art and life with all of her talented dancers here at Murrieta Dance Project! Erin feels that dance will empower all of her students to move forward in life and succeed in whatever lies ahead!
Shaun Babbs
OWNER/OPERATIONS/ACCOUNTS PAYABLE-RECEIVABLE
Shaun Babbs has been one of MDPs biggest fans since opening in 2006. In 2008 after Shaun and Erin were married he began working at Murrieta Dance Project and in the next few years Shaun went on to become a partner in this incredible training facility. Shaun and Erin have a beautiful daughter, Jordyn who is 4-years-old. Shaun is in charge of all operations and accounts payable/receivable.
Bay Jackson
FRONT DESK MANAGER/CUSTOMER RELATIONS
BAY JACKSON has been involved in the Arts for many years and absolutely loves being a part of the MDP Family!
She and her husband, Noel, have three adult daughters: Erin, Lauren, and Hannah. They love spending time with family and enjoy traveling.
Bay spent many years as a performer in the Parades and Entertainment Department at Disneyland and loved every minute of it! She remains dedicated to the Arts by volunteering at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County.
She has a passion for young dancers and loves to encourage children to be the best they can possibly be.
Mariya Gonzalez
FRONT DESK/CUSTOMER RELATIONS
MARIYA GONZALEZ was born and raised in Murrieta Ca. She and her husband Ruben have a smart, sassy, beautiful daughter named Taya and a handsome new baby Brix.
Mariya loves MDP and the MDP family as it has allowed her to use her people skills and education while being a mom.
Come and say hi to Mariya at the front desk!
Fun fact: Nataya's Aunt is MDP Alumni Alex Gonzalez who is now working as a professional dancer!
Carsyn Stiff
FRONT DESK/CUSTOMER RELATIONS
CARSYN STIFF is an MDP alumni who has been dancing since she was just three years old. Carsyn is one of the most accomplished tap dancers at Murrieta Dance Project and trained under the direction of Orialis Ashley for many years. Carsyn has also trained as an assistant for multiple years as and was then hired in 2022 to take on classes of her own! Carsyn is excited to be teaching and inspiring young dancers.
In addition to her time with MDP, she has danced with the pre professional tap program at metropolitan school of the arts and Sole Talk with “Chloe and Maud”. Carsyn is so thankful to be given this opportunity within her home studio and MDP family.
Susan Barnett Lopez
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
SUSAN BARNETT LOPEZ, a California native, is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and dancer whose energetic teaching style has been seen throughout Southern California. She began dancing later than most professional dancers training with various teachers and choreographers such as Sue Gilson, Currie Pederson, Mandy Moore and Malaya. Shortly after graduating high school, Susan ventured into teaching and setting pieces throughout Southern California, Arizona and the east coast. Her love of dance has led her to perform and choreograph for many exciting venues throughout the nation.
In addition to her many years of professional dance training, she has over 25 years of teaching experience. Her commitment to the art of dance and reputation for instilling technique and artistry in her dancers motivates her to continue to find new and innovative ways to teach her students.
Her distinctive choreography has received numerous high point and top choreography awards at regional and national competitions. With her dedication and commitment to dance education, many of her students have gone on to become instructors and choreographers, winning countless awards and dance competitions and conventions. Along with this, many are signed with talent agencies and go on to find success as professional dancers in the industry. She has also, with great pride, seen her dancers be accepted to various colleges as dance majors such as, Julliard, USC, UCLA, Cal Arts, Chapman, UCI and NYU. Her dancers have been accepted into programs and danced with world-renown companies like, The Nederland’s Dans Theatre, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, LA Lakers, Golden State Warriors, LA Rams and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders to name a few. Students of Susan have also competed on “So You Think You Can Dance” as Top 10 finalists as well as appeared on shows like “ELLEN", "World of Dance” and “America’s Got Talent”.
In 2006, Susan realized her dream of opening a dance studio along with Erin Babbs when Murrieta Dance Project opened its doors. Forever grateful of the opportunity to own such an amazing studio, she decided to retire from the position of co-owner/director in 2013 to focus more on teaching and continuing her education. Susan has great enthusiasm and passion for teaching and sharing this love with all of her students. She teaches from the heart, dedicated to her students, making sure each and every dancer understands, embodies, and loves the art of dance.
As MDP's Artistic Director Susan checks in on all of our dancers making sure each person is exactly where they need to be. Susan, with the help of our MDP faculty, sends out mid-season and end-of-season Dancer Report Cards to help all of our dancers and parents set goals and gain an understanding of his/her training, achievements, and more!
Miss Susan also heads up our Monthly MDP Newsletter giving all parents and dancers a fun and interactive way to see what is going on in all of our classes and to stay up to date on all studio-wide events!