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FEATURED FACULTY |
| Al Cattafi |
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Albert Blaise Cattafi started his dance career at the young age of five in New Jersey. His training includes both the renowned faculties of the Joffrey Ballet School and Kelly Allen's For Dancers Only. Albert has performed with the Urban Ballet Theater, toured the US and Holland in A Few Good Men... Dancin' and performed as Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats. He has also appeared at The Astaire Awards, in a Coke Zero commercial, and just recently worked with Mia Michaels for world-renowned Greek artist, Anna Vissi. Albert originated the role of Toto in the revival of The Wiz, which proved to be America's largest regional theater production to date. |
| Andrew Brader |
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Andrew Brader was born in New
Orleans, Louisiana and began his early dance training under
the direction of Karen Hebert. Later, he attended the New
Orleans Center for the Creative Arts studying with Jan Miller
and Miguel Lopez. Andrew also studied on full scholarship
at the world-renowned Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida,
where he graduated with honors. Upon graduation he was selected
to attend the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American
Ballet Theatre on scholarship. Before joining Houston Ballet
as an apprentice in 2005, Andrew danced as an apprentice with
American Ballet Theatre for their 2005 season. |
| Angela Carter |
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A native of Toledo, Ohio, Angie Carter graduated from the University of Toledo, and now resides in Los Angeles. Her credits include dancing the opening act for Mary J. Blige, performing for the televised N.A.A.C.P. Awards, working with Brian Friedman and Nick Florez on a music video for Brittany Murphy, and performing on the WB “Junior Achievement Awards” television show. Angie can also be seen in the independent short film “M-O-V-I-E”, directed by Phil Dornfeld (Scary Movie 3), and the tap show “Sealed With a Kiss,” presented by Mark Goodman. Angie travels throughout country teaching master classes and working for 3D Dance Network, Inc. She is featured in the live tap show, “7 Days Underground!” and is currently a member of Gregg Russell’s Tap Sounds Underground and the acting troupe, Open Window Entertainment. |
| Christie Sirota |
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Christie Sirota, originally from Pittsburgh, now resides in Los Angeles where she trains and works along side of some of LA's hottest choreographers and upcoming artists. Christie travels nationally with numerous conventions, workshops and competitions as well as teaching master classes in her specialty areas of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Tap. Her credits include Disney's NLT, dance/pop group TAXI DOLL, workout sensation HIP HOP ABS and many others. Christie has choreographed for regional productions of Footloose, West Side Story and 42nd Street. Christie is excited to join VIP DANCE this year and looks forward to sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with the performers in each city. |
| Christie Zimmerman |
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Christie is currently based
in New York City where she has been choreographing, teaching,
and performing for the past year. Prior to that, she completed
her M.F.A. in Dance from the University of California, Irvine.
She has worked extensively with young dancers, as both a teacher
in private studios and the university system, as well as serving
as dance director and choreographer for the Columbia Gorge
School of Theatre, a summer theatre camp that specializes
in the cultivation of young talent in the performing arts.
Christie has choreographed and performed in numerous productions
including Grease, Anything Goes, Promenade, Carousel, My Fair
Lady, and West Side Story, to name a few. |
| Gina Starbuck |
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Gina Starbuck began her formal training in Fresno, CA where she soon became a member of the jazz dance company, MKF Altered Modalities, winners of the 2000 Jazz World Congress. Gina received academic and dance scholarships to Chapman University where she was named Chapman University’s Freshman of the Year and was selected to perform at the Kennedy Center in 2002. Gina has appeared in music videos for Prince, Lindsey Lohan, Gavin Degraw, Josh Kelly, Westlife, and Gene Simmons. Choreography credits include a promo tour for Alexandra Bachelier and work with new pop sensation Nikki Fox. She has worked with many influential directors such as Spike Lee and Kevin Tancheron and will appear in an instructional DVD, Dance Driven, created by Blake McGrath. Gina is already making her mark in the industry and will continue to strive and grow with her art. |
| Janet Langer |
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Janet Langer is an international choreographer and educator who's credits include The Beach Girl5, Elisha Cuthbert, Miley Cyrus, Trump's Miss Universe 2008, Groovaloo: The Stage Show, Nike, Broadway Dance Center Tokyo, The Edge, and Essence Ladies. Janet is the founder and creator of the original Funkanometry Dance Company and as an advocate of dance education; Janet continues to train regularly in all genres of dance at top studios in Los Angeles. She is happy to have the opportunity to travel the nation teaching and judging and can’t wait to share her wealth of knowledge with the dancers she will meet at the VIP DANCE events this year! |
| Kevin Wilson |
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Kevin Wilson grew up in Rockford, Illinois, where he attended Creative and Performing Arts (C.A.P.A.). After graduating from this program, he then enrolled in Oklahoma City University’s world-renowned dance program to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After two years of study he was offered a scholarship to study at one of the top studios in Hollywood, CA. Soon after moving to Los Angeles, his professional career took off rapidly booking his first big job with legendary icon Madonna for the MTV Video Music Awards. Kevin has since toured the world with artists such as Mandy Moore, Janet Jackson, Cher, and Britney Spears. He is no stranger to the theatre either; Broadway’s The Lion King, Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, and the new musical Rock of Ages. He can be seen in numerous music videos and commercials for IHOP, Blue Cross, and Target. |
| Laura Williams |
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Laura Williams has performed as a Radio City Rockette for the last nine years. As a member of Actors Equity and American Guild of Variety Artists, she has performed in Beauty and the Beast, My One and Only, 42nd Street, Pajama Game, and Evita. Her training includes scholarships to major studios in LA, Broadway Dance Center, and graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She has performed with dance companies, industrials, and musicals in Texas to as far away as Malaysia and Singapore. Her work in New York includes workshops at Radio City, Lincoln Center, and the National Tap Extravaganza. Now residing in Orlando, Laura teaches for several studios and universities, is a STOTT Pilates trained instructor, and is the owner of Artistic Evolution. |
| Lauren Garson |
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Lauren Garson graduated from Point Park University with a BFA in Dance with a concentration in Jazz. As a four-year member with the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, she worked with noted choreographers Peter Chu, Salim "Slam" Gaulwoos, Robert Battle, Jason Parsons, Pattie Obey, Kate Skarpetowska, and Eddy Ocampo. Lauren has trained at the José Limón Institute, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Jazz Dance World Congress, as well as participated in pre-professional programs at both Point Park University and STEPS on Broadway. She was Assistant Director for the Houston Met Too, a youth training company, and continues teaching and judging throughout the country. She recently relocated to Chicago where she works at the Lou Conte Dance Studio and is pursuing her Stott pilates education. |
| Marcel Wilson |
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Marcel Wilson, currently living in Los Angeles, has been dancing since the age of 8. He attended a Creative and Performing Arts program until his senior year in high school. He then attended Oklahoma City University and received a bachelor's degree in performing arts. He's worked with artists such as the legendary Whitney Houston, Cher, and Mary J. Blige. He's toured the world with Christina Aguilera and was swing dancer for Janet Jackson's All For You World Tour. He can also be seen in films such as Dreamgirls and Austin Powers III. He is proud to have been co-choreographer for the Daytime Emmy winning Wayne Brady Show, which also won an American Choreography Award for best choreography. His work, A Show In The Sky at the Rio Hotel Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, has received numerous accolades for it's innovative, creative and up-beat choreography. |
| Meghan Way |
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Meghan Way is originally from St. Peters, MO, and now resides in Los Angeles, CA where she is pursuing her career as a dancer, choreographer, and master teacher. Meghan is a part of Gregg Russell's company, Tapsounds Underground, and his in-studio Convention, 3D Dance Network. Her credits include industrials for Redken Hair and Tarbell Realty, and a feature in a Carvel Ice Cream commercial. Meghan is also a part of the performing arts team, Urban Poets, at her church, Mosaic, in Los Angeles. Traveling on the convention circuit, Meghan has assisted Doug Caldwell, Nichelle Bane, Liz Imperio, and Mandy Moore. Most recently, Meghan was a part of Disney’s Snow White show at Disneyland. |
| Melanie Creek |
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Melanie Creek, founder and artistic director of Xpress Dance Company, continues to be active in the entertainment industry as a choreographer and guest teacher for countless studios throughout the U.S. After earning her Bachelor of Performing Arts degree, Melanie’s journey in New York began in regional theatres, industrials, and television. Her credits include; Grease, Crazy for You, Showboat, Hard Rock Café Live, a Nickelodeon video shoot, Pepsi and many more. Melanie is deeply dedicated to furthering quality dance education and devotes a great deal of time to teaching. Her choreography has been awarded many prestigious titles as she brings a “spin” to contemporary style. |
| Nick Drago |
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Nick Drago, a native Texan and graduate of Oklahoma City University, now resides in Los Angeles as a professional dancer and actor. His earlier credits include the WNBA Houston Comets Dance Team NRG, lead roles in Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma, and The Music Man, and annual performances of the Nutcracker with the Houston Dance Theatre. Recently, Nick appeared in Jessica Simpson’s “Boots” music video, My Chemical Romance’s “Helena” music video, and Jillian Michael’s (The Biggest Loser) Fitness and Training video. In addition to numerous film and television credits, Nick has also appeared with Adam Parson’s Commonality Dance Company and Jeff Amsden’s A Few Good Men Dancin’. He has also worked with Ru Paul, Mariah Carey, Jem, and Aaron Carter. Excited to continue his career in film and television, Drago also enjoys teaching and choreographing as the co-founder of Flow 40 Dance Workshops. |
| Nicki Loud |
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Nicki Loud has lived in both NYC and LA pursuing her career as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. She worked on “So You Think You Can Dance-Season 2” as assistant choreographer to Tyce Diorio. Nicki also assisted Mark Meismer with his choreography for “Dancing with the Stars” guest artist, Martina McBride. In 2007, her choreography debuted at the Joyce Theater in NYC in the Rock n’ Roll Dance show “REVOLUTION.” Most recently she was awarded “Outstanding Choreographer” at Youth American Grand Prix in San Francisco for her piece “The Hills,” which was then asked to be performed at the YAGP Gala. Nicki is currently working in Seattle as Resident Choreographer for Trilogy Dance Company while continuing to teach & choreograph across the US. |
| Patrick Pugh |
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Patrick is an Atlanta native who began dancing professionally at age 16 with the Carolina Opry. In 2005, he relocated to New York where he performed for choreographer Lauren Adams and toured the country as a demonstrator for New York City Dance Alliance. He has appeared as a guest artist with The New Jersey Ballet, Maryland Festival Ballet, and American Dance Artists. Most recently, Patrick has been touring Europe with Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance in the show Rock the Ballet. He has been featured in several international newspapers and television shows including Switzerland’s no. 1 rated Bennissimo. Other industrial credits include work for Hardrive Productions, Harley Davidson, and Sports Illustrated. Patrick is also in demand as a teacher and choreographer across the country. |
| Preston Mui |
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Preston Mui began his earlier training in San Francisco studying modern, jazz, and ballet. Preston then went on to complete the Edge scholarship program after relocating to Los Angeles. Preston has traveled on world tours with Paulina Rubio and Mariah Carey, and has performed with major recording artists such as Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Today Preston resides in Los Angeles where he continues to pursue his professional dance career. In addition, he spends the remainder of his time choreographing, teaching, and judging across the country. Preston is very excited to be a part of VIP Dance this year and looks forward to seeing some great up-and-coming talent! |
| Ryan Lohoff |
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Ryan has choreographed and performed pieces for Gregg Russell’s tap company “Tap Sounds Underground,” the Miss Kansas Pageant, the Tampa Bay Tap Festival, and has choreographed award-winning routines at dance studios across the US and abroad. Ryan appeared on CBS’s “Star Search” with Arsenio Hall, on FOX’s “30 Seconds to Fame,” and just recently, he worked with Broadway Choreographer Keith Young on the skeleton crew of the Sammy Davis Jr. musical “Sammy.” He has recorded his tap sounds for Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” as well as the demo tape for the remake of the movie “Fame.” He has appeared in numerous shows including industrials for both Adidas and Nike, performed the Buddy Epson Tribute, and was the Nutcracker Prince in the San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker. |
| Stephani Kammer |
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After earning her Bachelor of Performing Arts degree from Oklahoma City University Stephani began her professional career in New York performing in regional theatres, industrials, and primetime television. Upon relocating to Los Angeles Stephani performed alongside many famous recording artists, most notably Janet Jackson. Stephani has co-choreographed the Miss USA pageant for the last three years and worked on the 2009 Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas with Kelly Rowland and Flo Rida. She has taught internationally in Tokyo, Japan at Broadway Dance Center as a guest instructor. Stephani most recently had the honor of performing in the Michael Jackson tribute on the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Stephani is the founder and artistic director of NTG Dance. |
| Tracey Zimmerman |
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Tracey Zimmerman graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University at Buffalo where she was a member of the prestigious Zodiaque Dance Company for four years. After graduation, Tracey traveled throughout the United States performing principle and ensemble roles in many regional theaters. Some of her credits include Swing!, High School Musical, White Christmas, Cats, Guys and Dolls, and Singing in the Rain just to name a few. Tracey has also taught, judged, and choreographed on both the Regional and National level where she has received recognition for both her outstanding classes and choreography. Tracey is extremely excited to be traveling with VIP DANCE this year and is looking forward to a great competition season! |
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