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Bill Hotaling
Jazz, Lyrical, Theatre Dance, Hip-Hop
Bill Hotaling began his dance training in New York City. Since then, he has performed on stages throughout the world, from Radio City Music Hall in NY to the World Design Expo in Japan. He has appeared in music videos for groups such as Cameo and Sweet Obsession, and performed in many industrials for companies such as AT&T and IBM. You can see him in commercials for “Rascals” candy and “Miller Ultra” beer as well as in the film When Harry Met Sally. Teaching and Choreographing have become his main focus. He has choreographed theatrical productions of “Chicago”, “The Music Man”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Pippin”. He travels extensively, teaching workshops and master classes for the leading dance organizations (Manhattan Dance Project, Dance Masters of America, Dance Caravan), colleges and universities (Disney American College, Columbia University), and numerous dance studios across the United States and Canada. In NYC he has taught at three of the most successful studios: Broadway Dance Center, Steps and Central Park Dance Studio. Most recently, Bill has taught jazz & lyrical at the School of Ballet Arizona and at Arizona School of the Arts in Phoenix, AZ. He is the founder of the Manhattan Dance Project, now in its 15th season.
Leah Hotaling
Rockette-Style
Leah Hotaling was a Radio City Rockette for five years and has taught master classes on the Rockette style across the country. Her classes give students the opportunity to learn the precision technique that has made the Rockettes famous all over the world. Leah has also performed at the movie premiers for Moulin Rouge starring Nicole Kidman and Disney’s 102 Dalmatians starring Glen Close. She has danced for Chita Rivera in a benefit show choreographed by Tony award winner Chet Walker. Leah has appeared in numerous dance instructional videos as well as on television and radio as a public relations spokesperson for Radio City Music Hall. When she is not at the studio she enjoys spending her time with her children, Will and Drew, and her husband, Bill.
Josh Bergasse
Jazz, Hip-hop, Theatre Dance
Josh Bergasse’s Broadway and National touring credits as a performer include Movin Out, Hairspray, The Life, and West Side Story. He also appeared in the ‘Gap’ West Side Story Commercials. As a choreographer Joshua has worked on benefits for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, The Pediatric Aids Foundation, Kids Kicking Cancer and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. He also worked on the new Stephen Schwartz family musical Captain Louie which played limited runs at The York Theatre and The Little Shubert Theatre in NYC before beginning its US National tour. He has also choreographed regional productions of The Whos’ Tommy, South Pacific, Beehive, Smokey Joes Café, multiple productions of West Side Story (original Jerome Robbins choreography) as well as the national tour of Fame. World premieres include the Off-Broadway hit Bomb-itty of Errors; Crash Nation (Cherry County Playhouse,) Manhattan Magic (Sands Resort in Atlantic City,) A Holiday for Hope (Bushnell Theatre), The Rose of Corozon (Contemporary American Theatre Festival,) My America (Kravis center for the performing arts.) He has also Directed and Choreographed Revue shows for Princess Cruise line and Regent Seven Seas Cruise line. In addition to being a guest faculty member at the Broadway Dance Center, Joshua is also a guest faculty member at the Manhattan Dance Project, James Madison University, Shenandoah University, and the University of California, Irvine Satellite Program.
Russell Clarke
Ballet
Russell trained at the Royal Ballet School in London. In his final year he danced the principal role in Natalie Weir’s Jabula, which the school took on tour to Dubai. During his time at the Royal Ballet School he performed with the Royal Ballet Company in productions that included The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. He also worked with Scottish Ballet in their production of Romeo and Juliet. Russell joined Ballet Arizona in 2007, and has been featured in Don Quixote and Ib Andersen’s Play, 1052 and The Nutcracker. Russell received acclaim for the role of the Poet in George Balanchine’s La Sonnambula and praised by The New York Times for his role in Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments. Russell originated a principal role in Andersen’s Diversions which was seen on the Kennedy Center stage in June 2010.
Patrick Cook
Tap, Contemporary & Hip-Hop
A Los Angeles dancer/performer/teacher, Patrick has performed with the dance companies, Still Motion (choreographed by SYTYCD’s Stacey Tookey) and Shaping Sound (with Travis Wall and Nick Lazzarini). He has danced on TV shows such as “GLEE”, “Disney’s Austin and Ally” and “Two and A Half Men”. He has also performed with Taylor Swift at the 2012 American Music Awards.
Todd Flanagan
Hip-Hop
Teaches at Millennium Dance Complex Los Angeles, California. Has choreographed for Lisette Bustamante, Britney Spears, Taleen, America’s Best Dance Crew and choreographed the Michael Jackson tribute for Jermaine Jackson.
Tyler Hanes
Theatre Dance
An accomplished dancer, singer, actor, on camera, Tyler has had guest spots on One Life to Live and 30 Rock. Tyler has also been casted in several Broadway shows including: Oklahoma!, Urban Cowboy, Sweet Charity and Hairspray.
Ryan Kasprzak
Tap, Theatre Dance & Physical Comedy
Currently, Ryan Kasprzak is an assistant choreographer for Smash on NBC and can be seen as the Sun Drop Guy in TV ads for Sun Drop soda. Also serving as the Associate Resident Choreographer and dance captain for the national tour of Billy Elliot, the Musical. Along with his brother, Evan, he has appeared on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance. Ryan continues to choreograph and create new work with Parallel Exit: Physical Comedy Theater. Their show Cut to the Chase was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and This Way, That Way prompted the NY Times to say Kasprzak, “can get laughs simply by breathing.” Their comic tap musical Time Step has been seen in New York at the New Victory Theater, Joyce SoHo, Lincoln Center Institute and at the Cos Festival in Spain. Ryan was nominated for a New York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Choreography and served as dance captain for the International Tour of Fosse. Ryan has been honored to work with such legendary entertainers as Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, Ben Vereen, and Gregory Hines.
James Kinney
Contemporary
James has been performing professionally since the age of 15. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and began his classical training with The Florida Ballet, later melding his training into Jazz and Musical Theater. His Broadway credits include: Fosse, Dance of Death, Barry Manilow’s Harmony and the most recent revival of Sweet Charity, starring Christina Applegate, where he also served as the production’s Assistant Dance Captain. He continued preserving the “Fosse style” when he became the Dance Captain for choreographer Wayne Cilento’s First National Tour of Sweet Charity, starring Molly Ringwald. Film and Television appearances include: The Producers, The Dave Chappell Show, PBS’ “Dance in America, Fosse, Good Morning America and The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Tours and regional productions include: Oklahoma!, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Cabaret, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Phantom, and the legendary Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall, at The White House and has danced alongside Liza Minnelli for Rosie Live on NBC. Today, James Kinney’s work can be seen on stages and television screens around the country. He has become known as a vital asset in creating new and innovative movement for musical theatre, the concert dance world, and television, all while staying uniquely true to his artistic vision of smart, meaningful movement, oozing with style.
Ade Obayomi
Contemporary
Ade Obayomi has been dancing since he was 6 years old. Early on in his dance career, Obayomi toured with the film, A Diva’s Christmas Carol and competed in contemporary, jazz and African dance competitions nationwide. A semi-finalist on SYTYCD Season 5 who has danced for Beyonce and Alicia Keys, the SYTYCD National Tour and Alicia Keys’ World Tour and can be seen currently in Rihanna’s “Hard” music video. Ade taught contemporary and hip hop dance class nationwide before rejoining SYTYCD for its Season 7 All Stars edition.
Todd Shanks
Hip-Hop, Tap, Contemporary
Todd Shanks has been teaching and choreographing all over the country since 2000. His travels have also taken him to Canada, Mexico and Columbia. His choreography has been featured on The View, ABC Nightly News, the MSG Network, NY1, CW 11, NYC’s Carnival, Steps on Broadway’s Faculty in Performance, the 2007 Yankee FanFest and “The Game Is In Us” (a Nike spec commercial). He has also choreographed for CityKids, the Cancer Dancers, and numerous award winning dance studios. As a performer Todd has danced in music videos, commercials, industrials and television programs. Some of his credits include, The Electric Company, Kimberly Clark, The View, Sean Kingston, Volvo, Ford Motors, Race for the Cure, Wrigley’s, Paramount Pictures, Good Day NY, Pilsen Beer, the United Way, 1010 WINS, Hope and Heroes, and the Lyme Disease Foundation. On stage he has performed with Synthesis Dance Project, Jette Performance Company, The Westchester Philharmonic, SDCF Dance Break, the 2006 Miss Florida Pageant, and Off Broadway Workshops of Halftime and On the Edge. He also co-created and starred in From Tap to Hip Hop, a brief history, an educational show for teenagers. Todd has taught for the University of Florida, Ballet Hispanico, the Ailey Extension, Dance Masters of America, Princeton Dance and Theater Studio, Dance New Amsterdam, Florida Dance Masters and many private dance studios throughout the United States. He currently teaches at Steps on Broadway.
Katee Shean
Contemporary & Jazz
Katee Shean was voted America’s top female dancer on season four of Fox’s TV series So You Think You Can Dance and completed a nationwide tour with the show. She began her training at the age of four with Atlas School of Dance in San Jose and Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area. She has danced in various stage, television, and film projects such as Step Up 3D, Leading Ladies, Glee, 82nd Academy Awards, 61st Emmy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Ellen, Jenifer Lopez stage performances, Bonnie Hunt Show, Disney’s Hannah Montana promo video and music video, Nickelodeon’s “Jump Around” series, and Paris by Night. Katee is dedicated to sharing not only the art of dance but the joy in performing and following your dreams. She has taught master classes throughout the U.S. and Canada and is enthusiastic about being able to help young dancers as a positive female role-model.
Tony Vitale
Contemporary Tap & Hip-Hop
Dancer, Choreographer, Restaurateur and Published Author, Tony brings more than just dance experience to the classroom. His energetic teaching style has been described as contagious and inspirational. His credits include Sister Act II, Clueless, The Young and the Restless, tours with Reba MacIntyre and Harry Blackstone, commercials and industrial work and the Broadway show A Few Good Men Dancin’. Students who have trained with Tony can been seen on television shows, movies as well as teaching on conventions. His choreography can be seen in shows and competitions from coast to coast.
Michael Vernon
Ballet
Born in England and trained at the Royal Ballet School, Michael Vernon performed with the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera Ballet and London Festival Ballet before coming to New York to join the Eglevsky Ballet as Ballet Master and Resident Choreographer; he later became its Artistic Director. His choreography has been performed by such esteemed companies as American Ballet Theatre, Eglevsky Ballet, Baryshnikov and Friends and Hong Kong Ballet. He was also choreographer for the celebrated Ken Russell film Valentino starring Rudolph Nureyev for which he coached a stellar dance performance from Michelle Phillips. Michael has taught ballet literally all over the world; the National Ballet of China, BerlinBallet, the Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and School are but a handful of such companies.
INTERNATIONAL FACULTY
Jose De La Cruz
Hip-Hop & Contemporary
Danced for some of the top Rock/Alternative artists in the world such as Limp Bizkit, Korn, Evanescence, Linkin Park, The Prodigy, Marilyn Manson. Choreography credits: Converse All Stars, MTV, Red Bull, BMW, Tommy Hilfiger, Nike, Razor Skateboards, Orangina/Schweppes, iPod, Hard Rock Cafe, Mars Candy, X Games, Crunch Fitness, Disney, Universal Studios. Jose was the Judge/Director for “Shake that Orangina’s” International Dance Contest at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Jose also has appeared in dance magazines around the world as the model for BLOCH Dance World. Guest Instructor : Broadway Dance Center USA, Millennium Dance Complex USA, Theater School Amsterdam Holland, Studio Harmonic France, AILS Rome Italy.
Rick Odums
Jazz
A graduate of the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Houston,Texas, Rick recognizes Patsy Swayze and Frank Hatchett as the choreographers and teachers who have been the most influencial throughout his artistic development and his professional and very eclectic career. Dancing from the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet to the Houston Jazz Ballet Company with whom he began his choreographic career, he was hired by Louis Johnson to dance on Broadway in the Scott Joplin Opera Treemonisha. He danced in several major Broadway and off Broadway productions. He assisted and worked with such choreographers as Talley Beatty, Arthur Faria, Louis Johnson, and Claude Thompson before establishing himself as a young choreographic force after choreographing the National Broadway Touring Company of the all black version of Guys and Dolls, featuring Debbie Allen and Maurice Hines. Which led to him being named Artistic Director of the Contemporary Chambre Dance Group for whom he created nine ballets, simultaneously working on several films and theatre productions before moving to Paris, France, where he went originally to stage a show for Vivian Reed, at the time star of the Broadway musical Bubblin’Brown Sugar, for l’Espace Cardin. Falling in love with France and the French culture, he chose to stay there and continued his career creating and staging shows for several of France major cabarets, televisions shows, such films as Claude Lelouche The Ins and the Outs or The Unique avec Julia Migenes. More recently he choreographed musical comedies directed by Robert Hossein such as la vie en bleu et Jesus. He also created choreographies for major international ballet stars such as Patrick Dupont and Rudy Bryans and outside of France, choreographed ballets for the National Ballet in Norway, for the Dortmund Opera in Germany, and several companies in Nederlands, and Germany and recently Russia. Extremely sensitive to the situation of jazz dance in France, it is here that Rick chose to found his company “les ballets jazz Rick Odums” in 1983 and his school for the formation of professional dancers and teachers, which eventually has become a government acredited school, working in close relationship with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the University of Amsterdam, and the Canon School in St Petersbourg, Russia. He created “les jeunes ballets jazz”, a second company founded in the school to permit promising young artists to have their first professional experience in Modern jazz Dance.
