Our dedicated team
Virginie Personne
Founder & Artistic Director /
Ballet & Modern-Contemporary instructor
Virginie began her studies in ballet at the national conservatory of France and graduated in 1999 with a diploma in classical dance. Her passion with dancing and performing extended beyond the classical and into modern and contemporary dancing. She explored her craft even further by joining national and international dance companies (France, Germany and Canada).
Everything that she undertakes in life, she does with passion and love. Virginie feels lucky to have many loves in her life, her 3 boys and her very supportive husband and also many passions. Dancing has allowed her to express her artistic nature and explore her more creative side. She simultaneously also pursued a diploma in engineering and biotechnology and eventually went on to become a Pediatrician. She has always managed to incorporate them both into her daily life while living in Paris. During her medical studies, she continued to stay closely involved with her artistic craft. She taught at many Parisians dance schools and also choreographed many of their performances. In 2015, she moved to San Francisco with her whole family and realized her dream to open her own dance school. As Ballerina at heart, she is offering classes that effortlessly integrates contemporary movements. As Next Generation Yoga® Teacher, she also gets the opportunity to teach children the beneficial powers of internal well-being.
Léna Alvino
Ballet instructor
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certified
Léna is originally from Switzerland where she trained in ballet, modern and contemporary. After graduating from an artistic high school, she joined Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in San Francisco. In August 2017, she moved to Santa Barbara, danced with State Street Ballet’s Professional Track Program and taught at Momentum Dance Company. She was very excited to come back to the Bay Area in 2018 to join eMotion Arts dance co. and Peninsula Ballet Theatre where she still has the pleasure to perform exciting ballets!
Throughout her dance training and career, Léna had the chance to dance lead roles in a variety of performances such as The Nutcracker, Giselle, Romeo and Juliette, The Carnival of the Animals, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Léna joined Petits Pas in April 2018 and has been sharing her passion with her students ever since!
Marie Walburg
Modern & theater instructor
Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certified
Marie Walburg is a practitioner and teacher of theater, dance, and yoga, working with kids and adults. She is passionate about creating community through movement art and helping people to listen to and move intuitively with their bodies to express their inner self. She received a degree in performing arts in the National Conservatory of France and toured for 4 years as a professional actress in several theater companies. Marie moved from France 10 years ago and has been enjoying teaching in the Bay Area since. She has been the program manager and Aerial yoga instructor at Zaccho Dance Theater, co-directed and acted in 2 shows with dance theater company Carte Blanche, got certified as a yoga teacher with Yoga tree and in Aerial yoga with Levity Aerial, teaches dance at the Lycée Français, teaches drama and directed 4 shows at the French American High School, and finally, she 's also a dance/theater and acrobatics teacher with Petits Pas Studio. Her special touch is to draw upon her broad experience in a variety of techniques to deliver a fun, invigorating, and joyful class experience, while creating a safe place for her students to develop and grow.
Charlotte Rosa
Ballet instructor
Charlotte Rosa is from San Diego, California, where she trained primarily in ballet at San Elijo Dance and Music Academy. There she began teaching and felt a new passion and excitement for dance. After graduating high school in 2024, she joined the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program and The Training Ground SF. There she expanded her love for dance by gaining more knowledge in the contemporary and improvisational dance fields while continuing her training in ballet.
Throughout her career she has participated in ballet and contemporary summer intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Ballet West, and LINES. She has performed in productions of classical ballets such as The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, as well as original contemporary pieces through LINES. Charlotte has also choreographed for showcases at her respective schools. She is excited to begin her journey at Petits Pas and work to inspire her students!
Perrine Conrath-Patel
Office Manager & Events Coordinator
Perrine brings a strong background in team leadership, client relationships, and event coordination to the Petits Pas team. She has recently been actively involved in organizing community events, including school galas and large community gatherings, where she has developed a passion for bringing people together and creating memorable experiences.
As Office Manager & Events Coordinator, Perrine oversees day-to-day studio operations and helps coordinate events and special projects throughout the year. She is excited to be part of the Petits Pas community and looks forward to getting to know our dancers and families!
Melanie Tobin
Sponsorship & Partnerships Coordinator
Melanie joined the Petits Pas team in Fall 2025. A native of San Francisco, she brings over 20 years of experience in community outreach, event planning, graphic design, and administrative support. She also has a strong background in ballroom dance and has previously managed a ballroom dance studio.
As Partnerships Coordinator, Melanie helps develop and nurture relationships with local businesses, organizations, and community partners, as well as supporting our sponsorship program. She is passionate about creating meaningful connections that strengthen and support the Petits Pas community.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and finding creative inspiration in theater and dance. Though French is not her native language, she is happy to have an opportunity to practice it!
She is thrilled to be part of the Petits Pas community and looks forward to getting to know our families and partners.