Our Faculty

Tude Della Maggiore

Tude started dancing at the age of seven with Madam Hildegard Bruell. She studied with Glen Shipley and Benny Smith and spent eight years teaching at Mr. Smith’s studios. During this time, Tude assisted Mr. Smith in choreographing various dance concerts and was a member of his production line for five years. This gave her the opportunity to perform in Palm Springs with Ed McMahon, in Lake Tahoe, at the Circle Star Theater, and at benefits throughout the Bay Area, including the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Tude studied with Ann Marie Garvin for over 20 years. She has been a wonderful inspiration to Tude’s dancing and teaching.

Tude opened her own studio in 1976 in Santa Clara and formed her own production line – Tude’s Rhythmic Movements. Many of her students have performed in places such as Union Square to promote the musical “Dancin”, and the William Wizard Wonder Show – both in San Francisco. Tude also taught jazz dancing at San Jose State University in 1991 and taught at Wilcox High School for three years. Tude’s production groups recently performed at SJDance 3rd Annual Downtown Dancing in downtown San Jose.

This is Tude’s 36th performance, and she is very pleased that nearly all her students chose to participate in it. She appreciates their hard work that makes these performances successful year after year.

Tude shares her life with her two children, Travis (22) and Kelly (17).

Wendy Della Maggiore Callahan

Wendy’s professional dance career spanned from 1973 to 1989, at which time she started teaching with her sister, Tude. Her first professional job, as a Benny Smith dancer at the Hyatt in Lake Tahoe, was followed by a special performance at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos. From there, she became part of the Bay Area Ballet Company after years of training with Madame Hildegard Bruell. Then she was on to her first full-time job dancing in the Bugs Bunny Follies at Marriott’s Great America for their opening season in 1976.

After Marriott’s, Wendy started dancing abroad in Japan, Acapulco, Monte Carlo, South America and throughout the United States. This included major shows in Las Vegas, Reno and Lake Tahoe, in some of which she was the lead dancer and dance captain. While in Los Angeles, she had the honor of choreographing the Magic Act for Sebastian’s Dinner Theater.

Some of the stars Wendy has performed with include: Sammy Davis Jr., Danny Gans, Jerry Lewis, Suzanne Sommers, Charo, Gaylord and Holiday, Susan Anton and Lee Greenwood. She also danced in the movie, “Sergeant Pepper” at MGM Studios with George Burns, The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton. Her TV experience includes performing the Can-Can from the Moulin Rouge, Jerry Lewis’ Telethon, The Dick Clark Happy New Year Special on CBS, and in commercials filmed in Palm Springs, Reno, Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. Now here she is with us – teaching tap and truly loving it.

Wendy has been happily married for 14 years. She and her husband Terry are the proud parents of Kevin (16).

Wendy wishes to thank her parents for their constant love and support. She especially would like to thank God for blessing her with the gift of teaching these awesome students that she dearly loves.

Elizabeth Hargrove

Liz has been dancing with Tude since she was six years old. Liz was a member of Tude’s Rhythmic Movements for 10 years. During this time she was given the opportunity to dance in countless performances and competitions. Those years taught Liz the true meaning of commitment and responsibility and filled her life with hard work and good friends. In 1975, Tude introduced Liz to the rewarding and exciting world of teaching. Liz has truly loved watching her students grow and improve year after year. They are very important to her.

In addition to her many hours in the studio every week, Liz balances a career and family, which includes her husband Ric and two children, Ricky (27) and Laural (22).

Liz wants to thank her entire family for allowing her to continue her dancing and teaching – it has been an important part of her life for 40 years. She also wishes to thank Tude for being such a great friend and mentor.

Elaine Grantham

Elaine has been dancing with Tude for over 25 years. At the age of 12 she received her first dance scholarship from the Dupree Dance Convention, and at the age of 17 received another scholarship to study at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. She was a part of the color guard and dance team in high school, and it was during her senior year that Elaine started teaching for Tude. That same year she was also hired to choreograph for the color guard competition team at Gunn High School and joined Tude’s Rhythmic Movements production line. She danced in Tude’s production line for four years until she received her first opportunity to dance professionally in a new show in Reno.

Elaine has since performed in several shows, including the award winning show “Aireus”. She assisted with the dancing animation for the Disney film “Monkey Bone” with Brendan Fraser, and has danced throughout the bay area. In addition to performing she loves to teach and has been teaching for Tude for over 15 years.

Elaine wants to thank her family for all of their support including her husband of ten years, Gabe, and two kids, Brent (10) and Sophie (5). Her mother and daughter are in the dance show this year too!

Alisha Rodrigues

Alisha started dancing with Tude when she was 4 and was part of her Junior Rhythmic Movements for 6 years. During high school Alisha was a member of the Wilcox Varsity Spirit Squad as well as the Varsity Dance Team all four years. Through these teams, Alisha was able to compete in Regional and National competitions all throughout California. After high school, Alisha attended Sacramento State University and became a member of the Jazze Dance Company. After 2 years in Sacramento, Alisha moved back to Santa Clara to further her education and graduated from Santa Clara University with a BS in Sociology. When she returned to Santa Clara she began teaching dance for a local dance company called School House Sports, continued to take classes with Tude and began to dance on a Bay Area Hip Hop team.

Alisha would like to thank her family and friends for the continuous love and support they have given her throughout the years. Alisha would also like to thank Tude for giving her the opportunity to share her love for dance with her students and for being a great mentor throughout her life.

Laural Hargrove

Laural began dancing at Tude’s when she was 2½ years old. She has literally grown up in the studio, which has become her second home and her second family. She owes her love of dance and the studio to her parents Ric and Liz. Laural was a part of Tude’s Rhythmic Movements for 7 years, performing at Marine World, the Santa Clara Arts and Wine Festival, and the Santa Clara County Fair. She was an assistant teacher for 4 years and is now ecstatic about being a special addition to Tude’s Faculty. Laural cherishes her time with the stars of the future on Saturday mornings. They have taught her as much as she as taught them. It’s an amazing feeling to watch the younger dancers grow and learn to be beautiful performers.

In addition to her time at the studio, Laural has recently received a degree in Chemistry at California Polytechnic State University.