Meet Ms. Allisha - Dance Instructor
Our lead instructor, and co-owner of Whirly Twirlies, Ms. Allisha (Cabral) Garcia, brings years of experience, passion, and heart to the studio. She studied ballet (her favorite!), tap, jazz, and lyrical dance for seven years at Lee School of Dance in Pennington Gap, VA, under the guidance of her beloved mentor, Ms. Jennifer DeRobertis.
Ms. Allisha also spent seven years as an assistant dance instructor, helping children ages 3–13 learn and perform with joy. She credits much of her inspiration to Ms. DeRobertis—a Ford Foundation Scholarship recipient and former dancer with both the Eglevsky Ballet Company and Harkness Ballet Company in New York. Ms. Jen’s legacy lives on through the passion and dedication Ms. Allisha brings to every class.
From assisting backstage to dancing stage right to help little ones remember their steps, Ms. Allisha has loved every moment of her dance journey. Teaching dance is truly her dream job, and she’s thrilled to share that dream with your family.
Meet Our Studio Team
Our dance family is made up of loving, experienced supporters who are just as dedicated to our students’ success:
Ms. Trish Cabral, co-owner of Whirly Twirlies, office manager (and Ms. Allisha’s mom!), brings 25+ years of business experience and has been helping behind the scenes at performances for years.
Mr. Luis Vega will be our official photographer and videographer for costume days, rehearsals, and recitals. With a keen eye for artistry and years of experience, Mr. Luis can’t wait to capture your child’s shining moments!
Ms. Kara Cummins, Ms. Allisha’s sister, will be one of our Assistant Instructors. She’s also a former seven-year dance student and has a deep love for working with children.
Ms. Lilly Navarro is a kind, helpful presence around the studio. A dance student and the oldest of five siblings, she’s full of energy, experience, and heart.
We hope this gives you a warm introduction to the Whirly Twirlies family. We’re excited to welcome your child into our studio and share the joy of dance with them!
For questions or to learn more, feel free to email us at trish@whirlytwirliesdance.com or follow our journey on Instagram at @whirlytwirlies.
Sign-Up Information
📅 Season Duration
Runs August through the end of the school year, following the local school calendar.
We are closed for major holidays and school breaks, including:
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Break
Christmas Break
Spring Break
💃 Dance Styles Offered
Ballet: Ages 2–18
Tap: Ages 3–18
Jazz: Ages 8–18
Ballet on Pointe: Ages 10+ with ballet experience
Lyrical: Advanced ballet students only (teacher approval required)
💵 Monthly Flat Fees
Each class is 30 minutes, once a week.
1 dance style: $50/month per child
2 dance styles: $90/month per child
3 dance styles: $120/month per child
4 dance styles: $140/month per child
At Sign-Up
A nonrefundable costume deposit is required:
$50 for the first dance style, per child
$30 for each additional style, per child
*This deposit confirms your commitment to the full season. Routines are choreographed based on class size and student pairings.*
🎭 Recitals
Story-themed and held at McMinnville Park Theater (typically in late May)
Two recital shows will be scheduled to accommodate all families and guests
💸 Additional Costs
Costumes
Approx. $100 per costume, per child
Recital Tights - $15 (usually one color needed), per child
Shoes
Ballet: $20–$24 per child
Pointe: $60–$120 per child
Tap: $32 (youth) / $36 (adult)
Jazz: $27 per child
📸 Spring Costume Photos & Recital Video
Held during regular class times when costumes arrive
Packages include:
Class photo
Individual photos
Recital video (digital delivery)
Package Pricing:
$45 for 1 costume, per child
Up to $75 for 4 costumes, per child
🎟 Recital Tickets
$14 per guest
Whirly Twirlies students attend for free
Ready to dance? Call or Text Trish for more information! (615) 697-9424
