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.
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!
Jessica De La Rosa
With over 15 years of experience working with children and families, Jessica brings warmth, patience, and a friendly, helpful presence to the front desk. As a longtime dance mom, she understands the pace and energy of studio life and is always ready to help families feel supported and informed. She has spent years coordinating school events, leading Booster and PTA programs, and managing the behind-the-scenes details that keep things running smoothly. Jessica enjoys building connections with both parents and dancers and takes pride in making each visit to the studio feel welcoming. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or part of the studio family, she’s here to greet you with a smile and ensure your experience is seamless from the very first step.
RILEY BENDEL
Riley has been a part of Murrieta Dance Project for most of her life, She has been dancing since she was 2 and went to MDP at 7 years old growing up within its walls. Over the years, she has trained in a variety of styles like Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Contemporary, and Hip Hop and developed a deep passion for both dance and the community that surrounds it. Now, as part of the studio staff, Riley loves giving back to the place that shaped her not only just as a dancer, but as a person. She is excited to share her love of movement, creativity, and hard work with the next generation of dancers. Murrieta Dance Project has been like a family to her and she wants everyone else to feel the love that there is at the studio.
Angelique Villasenor
Angelique is a Murrieta Dance Project alumni who is proud and honored to contribute to the same environment that nurtured her training and passion for dance. Angelique shares her extensive dance background through teaching Jazz, Technique, and Lyrical where her focus in class is on precision, control, and expressive performance. She believes in nurturing each dancer’s individual strengths while challenging them to grow both artistically and technically. Angelique blends discipline with positivity creating a safe space for each dancer to feel confident, motivated, and prepared to succeed.
Angelique has had the privilege to compete on 2 highly respected collegiate dance teams, Orange Coast College and San Diego State University, where she refined her technical foundation and gained extensive experience in performance and team dynamics. Angelique brings aspects of competitive and collegiate experience into the dance room to leave students with lasting knowledge extending far beyond the studio walls.
Belle Hatchel
Belle Hatchel, born and raised in Southern California, started dancing at the age of two in Tiny Tot classes. She quickly developed a passion for dance and was dancing at home, the studio, school, or wherever she could. At the age of ten Belle made the decision to move to Murrieta Dance Project to further enhance and push her in her dance training. Murrieta Dance Project is where she continued to train in styles like ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and tumbling, but was also where she was exposed to new dance styles like hip hop, jazz funk, musical theater, and contemporary as well. She continued to train in these styles all the way through to her post high school graduation, and has taken a special interest & appreciation in tap.
When Belle began dancing in the teen age group, she had decided she wanted to start learning to assist, teach, and learn how a studio runs and works. She began volunteering around the studio as well as at MDP’s annual Revue show. Her senior year of high school she joined the Assistant Program at MDP and was able to see and experience first hand how to run classes for younger dancers in beginning level classes.
Belle was a competitive dancer (outside of school dance teams) for a total of six years. She competed in numerous styles and began taking master classes and competed for specialty awards offered at numerous competitions.
While in primary school, Belle was on the dance team for a total of five years, all the way up until graduation. This is where she learned and began training pom and where she went on to compete with her schools. Her senior year of high school, she was captain of her dance team, where she got to teach, choreograph, and lead a team.
Belle joined the administrative staff at Murrieta Dance Project in 2024, and she has now joined the faculty, beginning in 2025 to teach tiny tot classes. She looks forward to teaching classes and helping to inspire children of all ages to find a love, appreciation, and passion for dance.
When she is not dancing or at the studio, Belle is going to school at California Baptist University in Riverside, California, where she is majoring in Exercise Science. She hopes to use this degree to give better instruction to her students and to help prevent injury among dancers.