Marilou Ubaldo Lafon (she/her) is the Artistic Director and founder of Spark of Creation Studio and has over 30 years of performing arts experience as a performer and educator. She holds a BA from the University of California, Davis where she received her degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. She has trained in multiple performing arts disciplines, including Musical Theatre, Vocal, Hula, ‘Ori Tahiti, Ballet, Tap and Jazz throughout her career. She began teaching dance at the age of 14 and found her passion as an educator in performing arts, and she has taught Musical Theatre, Voice, Acting, Hula and ‘Ori Tahiti to youth and adults throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She has served an Artist in Residence at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts in San Francisco, in the World Dance Department, where she taught Hula and ‘Ori Tahiti. She has travelled to Tahiti, Japan, Mexico, and Canada where she has served on the judges panel in multiple ‘Ori Tahiti dance competitions and conducted dance workshops. Marilou is also a proud recipient of the Freddie G Fellowship award, class of 2023, honoring outstanding theater educators in the United States. Marilou founded Spark of Creation Studio in 2006 and is dedicated to the self-esteem and character building of children through the performing arts. Her diverse performing arts background has an influence on her innovative choreography and personal style of teaching, and she strives to create a space where performers can learn to build their confidence and creativity in a supportive community.