Meet Our Team
Samantha Sandstrom
Owner/Director
Hello and welcome! My name is Ms. Sam, and I’m honored to share my love of dance with you through Royalty Dance Studio.
My dance journey began at the age of four and quickly grew into a lifelong passion. Dance was always more than just movement. It was a safe space, a creative outlet, and a place where I could grow in both confidence and connection. As I got older, I discovered my heart for teaching and found deep fulfillment in helping young dancers thrive.
After the pandemic, I made the leap to pursue dance education full-time. I was incredibly fortunate to work with the talented team at South Sound Dance in Tumwater, where I refined my teaching craft and deepened my commitment to high-quality, inclusive instruction. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Hannah and her team for their guidance and inspiration.
When I relocated to Eastern Washington, I embraced the opportunity to continue teaching, and soon after, the dream of opening my own studio became a reality. Royalty Dance Studio was born out of a desire to create a welcoming, empowering, and joyful environment where dancers of all ages and abilities could feel seen, celebrated, and challenged.
When I’m not teaching, I proudly serve as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. A role that has taught me strength, resilience, and the value of community in a whole new way.
Royalty Dance Studio is more than a business. It's a dream built with heart and held up by the incredible families who walk through our doors. I’m so thankful for the support that continues to make this vision possible. This studio belongs to all of us, and I can't wait for you to be part of our dance family.
Izabella Pineda
Instructor: Little Royals, Emeralds Cheer
Ms. Bella has always loved dance and staying active, and her experience in cheer has taught her the importance of confidence, teamwork, and having fun. As a teacher, she hopes to create a positive environment where every dancer feels encouraged to grow, try new things, and most importantly, enjoy coming to class each week!
Natalia Avalos
Instructor: Little Royals
Social Media Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Avaya Thompson
Instructor: Little Royals, Rising Royals
Avaya has been dancing for 15 years, training in jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. She danced with Today’s Generation and was also a member of the Moses Lake Molahiettes Drill Team.
With her years of training and performance experience, we’re so excited to have Avaya share her passion for dance with our Royalty dancers!
Elizabeth Farias
Instructor: Little Royals
Spanish Interpreter
Miss Liz has been dancing since she was 5 years old, beginning with traditional Mexican Folklórico and continuing to explore a variety of dance styles and genres throughout the years. Her passion for dance goes far beyond learning steps—she loves helping children learn, grow, build confidence, and express themselves through movement.
As a current QSD employee, Miss Liz is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging, and inclusive environment where every child feels supported, valued, and excited to learn.
One of the things that makes Miss Liz such a special addition to our team is that she is bilingual in English and Spanish! She believes language should never be a barrier to participating in the arts and hopes to expand bilingual dance opportunities in the future, helping more children and families in our community feel welcomed, included, and connected through dance.
When she’s not dancing, Miss Liz loves exploring new ideas, learning new skills, and sharing her enthusiasm with others!