About Our Twinkles Dance Program

An Inclusive Program for the Community

Our Vision

Our vision for Twinkles on Dance Street is to be a leading inclusive dance program for the community, that fosters opportunities for creativity and adaptive pathways that empowers individuals of all abilities to achieve their dancing dreams. We hope to inspire all dance studios to encompass inclusiveness in their own dance programs and to help light the way.

Our Goals

Our goals for the future at Twinkles are to promote enjoyment in all aspects of assisted ballroom dance learning, enabling participants to graduate through our medal program with the confidence to engage in performances and competitions. We also aim to foster lifelong friendships by sharing the love of dance.

Our Story

In 2004, Maria Nikolishina, a special education graduate and champion ballroom dancer, laid the first brick for the Twinkles program at Dance Street studio in Pasadena, California. Competing globally with Nikolay Voronovich, she became a top world dancer, earning the American Champion title. Inspired by her academic background and dance’s transformative power, Maria initiated Twinkles to empower neurodiverse children and adults through sensory-friendly dance education.
Rebekah, a ballet and ballroom dancer with extensive experience teaching neurodivergent individuals, leads as studio manager and instructor. Sho, equally skilled in instructing neurodivergent dancers, brings analytical precision. Caroline, a professional American Rhythm dancer and expert with neurodiverse learners, completes the team.
Twinkles offers sensory-friendly classes, guided by exceptional instructors with distinct yet equally remarkable expertise. Rebekah’s artistry inspires confidence in neurodiverse dancers, Sho’s analytical approach ensures tailored instruction, and Caroline’s empathetic pedagogy fosters inclusion. Join us in July 2025 to celebrate every individual’s potential.