Laura Nares
Dept. Head: Tap

Laura began dancing at the age of three and spent the next fourteen years training in jazz, tap, ballet, pointe, hip hop, and lyrical at Carlsbad Dance Centre. She attended Carlsbad High School, where she was a four-year member of the Lancer Dancers. Under the direction of Carrie Smith, the team earned 1st place in the Varsity Jazz division for three consecutive years in Orlando, Florida. Laura’s time as a Lancer Dancer was a life-changing experience. Those formative years helped lay the foundation for the passionate, dedicated, and respected teacher and coach she is today. 

Laura graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2008, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Arts and Education. During her time at CSUSM, she was a founding member of the Lady Cougars Dance Team, serving as a co-captain for two years and continuing to choreograph and coach the team following her graduation. 

Laura began teaching at Carlsbad Dance Centre in 2004 and has spent over two decades sharing her passion for dance and creativity with students ranging in age from five through adulthood. She has choreographed for the team for more than 20 years and currently serves as the Tap and Competition Director. 

Laura brings extensive dance team experience to her work as a coach, educator, and mentor. She served as the Head Coach and Advisor of the Carlsbad Varsity Lancer Dancers for nine years, leading the team to exceptional success at the national level. Under her direction, the Lancer Dancers earned back-to-back National Championships in Hip Hop in Florida and were named the 2016 UDA High School Hip Hop World Champions. In her final year of coaching, the team captured the NDTC National Title in Hip Hop and placed 3rd in Jazz. Today, Laura continues to expand her impact within the dance community by judging both regionally and nationally at dance team competitions, as well as consulting with high school and collegiate programs. Most recently, she helped guide the UCSB Dance Team to a silver medal finish at the 2026 UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida. 

As a dance teacher and coach, Laura’s philosophy is rooted in building a strong foundation within every dancer. Beyond technique and training, she is passionate about guiding her students to become confident humans, thoughtful leaders, and positive contributors both in and out of the studio.