We promised to bring you the "Best in the Biz" and We have!
Doriana Sanchez (Fox's SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Cher's Farewell "Living Proof" Tour, the Grammy's, the American Music Awards, Dirty Dancing, CHER-Las Vegas)
Bubba Carr (Cher's Farewell "Living Proof" Tour, Austin Power Gold Member, Friends, Nikki, Batman & Robin, Wild Wild West, Levi's, the GAP, Fame, Step Up & Dance)
Al Blackstone (Footloose Dance Captain, NBC's American Dreams, Assistant Choreographer & performer for Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh, Nights on Broadway 3 at Caesars)
Special Guest Choreographer: AC Ciulla (Broadway Choreographer for Footloose, Emmy Award Winner, Tony Award Nominee. Chess, Gray Matters, David Letterman, Toni Braxton's Revealed, VH-1 Fashion Awards)
Anthony J. Russo (Anything Goes,Tap Dogs, Iron Beats, Microsoft, MTX Audio, Marriott)
Mike Wittmers(Tap Dogs, A Chorus Line, Crazy for You, Tap Heat, Double Bass Productions) (Anything Goes,Tap Dogs, Iron Beats, Microsoft, MTX Audio, Marriott)
Keith Fitzpatrick (Dove Awards, CMT Awards, Toyota, WSIX)
Serena Soffer (Footloose, Phantom of the Opera, All my Children, Saturday Night live, McDonald's, Mattel Toys, Panic at the DIsco, SOBE') (
Ernesta Corvino (Julliard, Dance Circle, Jose Limon Dance Company, Metropolitan Opera Ballet School, Radio City Music Hall Ballet, Kennedy Center, Jacobs Pillow, STEPS on Broadway)
Merrida Childress (Ballroom Instructor at International Award WInning Studio)
Kevin Wilson(Mandy Moore, Britney, Janet Jackson, Cher, Mariah Carey, Lion King, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, IHOP, Target)
Anthony LoCascio (Tap Dogs, Natalie Cole, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, MTV LIVE, Regis & Kathy Lee, Macy's 4 of July spec., featured in Dance Teacher Mag. Feb '05)
As a dancer, her image is forever remembered as the “polka dot dress girl” which opens and closes the iconic dance film Dirty Dancing.
Well known for creating beautiful and extraordinary images for stage and screen Doriana Sanchez has gone on to become one of the most successful Director/Choreographers in entertainment.
Ryan Seacrest on E News! Has called her the “Dancing Queen” and Tu Ciudad magazine named her one of the 25 “Hip Hot Now” Hispanics in arts and entertainment for 2006.
DorianaConceived, Directed and Choreographed Cher’s Farewell “Living Proof” Tour which received 4 Emmy Awards including the Emmy for Outstanding Musical Variety Special. The show played 325 dates, was one of the highest grossing tours ever, playing to over 3 million people worldwide, and grossing over 200 million dollars, making it the most successful tour in history for a female artist. Doriana was also nominated for an Emmy for choreography on Cher’s HBO Special. Doriana was honored to choreograph the World Premier of Frank Loesser’s musical “Senor Discretion Himself”, for which she received a Helen Hayes Award Nomination for choreography. The show won the award for Best New Musical. Her great love of circus arts led her to China where she created “The Galaxy Star Circus” in Guangzhou, China. Other circus credits include “Circo Fantastico”, an all Latin circus which she directed, choreographed and wrote, as well as “Odyssey”, the first circus ever on a cruise ship, for Princess Cruises. She has directed and choreographed numerous live stage productions and concerts, including the groundbreaking Video Games Live and Jane’s Addiction’s “Jubilee Tour.” Doriana also choreographed Peter Gabriel’s “Secret World Tour.” Her production of Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” was nominated for best New Musical at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. She has worked with musical legends such as Gladys Knight and the Pips, Natalie Cole, Rita Moreno, and Latin superstar Shakira. Her television credits include the Grammy Awards, the American Music Awards, the Euro VMA’s, Divas Live, and 2 seasons as resident choreographer on Fox’s hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Corporate clients include, Redken, Target, Toyota, Gillette, Mattel Toys and Canon.
Currently she is working on a documentary film, and is creating installations for major entertainment venues in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and thru out the world.
She is a two time American Choreography Award Nominee.
Representation: Julie McDonald – Tony Selznick – Andrew Jacobs Phone:323-957-6680Fax:323-957-6688
Bubba Carr
Bubba Carr
Bubba Carr's career began with his move from Alabama to Los Angeles in 1984. Armed with a veracious drive and big talent he took Hollywood by the horns. With his first professional gig touring with MGM star Mitzi Gaynor he adapted to a fast paced lifestyle early on. His next big job as a regular on the television show "FAME" exposed Bubba to the ins and outs of the early to rise long days world of the network series. He later went on to assist the choreographer of "FAME", Jaime Rogers on television shows in Spain and Italy. In the middle of all this came the win of "Starsearch" in 1987, with the all male group "Boys Club", winning all seven shows they appeared on including the series finale securing the $100,000 prize. During this busy adolescence in his career Bubba found time to fit in video appearances with the likes of Cher and Prince, as well as, shooting national TV commercials for Sprite, Coors, The Gap and Levi’s 501 to name a few. Bubba has also been seen on the television programs "The Nanny", "Friends", "Nikki", “Scrubs” and "Oprah" including award shows such as "The Academy Awards", "The Grammy Awards", “American Music Awards” ,"MTV Music Awards" and several TV Specials and "Movies of the Week". In addition to Bubba's work on television, he has appeared in numerous feature films including "Austin Powers: Goldmember" with Mike Myers, "Batman & Robin" with George Cluney & Uma Thurman, "Wild Wild West" with Wil Smith & Kevin Kline to name a few. In addition to the TV and film work, Bubba has spent much of his career on the road with national and international tours for Jane’s Addiction, Porno for Pyros andDirty Dancing Live, not only performing on stage but lending his choreographic talents as well. But the bulk of his touring has been dancing on stage with legendary entertainer Cher in her "Heart of Stone" 89', "Love Hurts" 91', "Believe" 99' and her latest record breaking "Living Proof" world tour which he embarked upon in 2002, with the last "sold out" performances being at the world famous Hollywood Bowl at the end of April 2005. Recently Bubba has worked on the past two seasons of “So You Think You Can Dance” including the live tour and choreographed for Hysterica Dance Company for their commissioned performance at the Los Angeles Museum or Art. The next venture for Bubba is taking on a managerial position at 11 Restaurant & Nightclub in West Hollywood, where he will be scouting, creating, and overseeing nightly entertainment.
Al Blackstone
Al Blackstone
Al Blackstone began his training with his parents at their school in New Jersey. He has been featured in various television and live events including NBC's AMERICAN DREAMS and dancing with Paige Davis in a commercial for TLC's TRADING SPACES. Al was a performer and Assistant Choreographer for an episode of Nickelodeon's DRAKE & JOSH SHOW and was dance captain for a revival of AC Ciulla's FOOTLOOSE in 2005. He has performed at the International Dance Festival of Korea with Liz Imperio's Instincts Live Media Dance Co. and in NIGHTS ON BROADWAY 3 at Caesars in Atlantic City. He currently teaches and choreographs all over the US and is on faculty at The New Dance Group in NYC. He is excited to share his unique style and energy with DANCERS ROCK!
Special Guest Choreographer AC Ciulla Las Vegas Nationals
AC Ciulla
AC Ciulla Special Guest Choreographer for Las Vegas Nationals
EMMY Award winning choreographer AC Ciulla has enjoyed an eclectic career spanning a wide range of work in different creative arenas.
AC was honored with a Tony Award nomination for his choreography in the hit Broadway musical Footloose. He also choreographed the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway musicals The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin starring Tony Award winner LaChanze and Ghetto Superstar starring Billy Porter. Most recently he worked with six time Grammy Award winning recording artist Toni Braxton Co-Creating and choreographing her hit Vegas show Toni Braxton Revealed currently playing at the famous Flamingo showroom and also staged her celebrated 2006 Libra tour. In February of 2007 AC's work will be seen in the film Gray Matters starring Heather Graham, Tom Cavanaugh, Bridget Moynahan, Alan Cumming, Sissy Spacek and Molly Shannon.
In 2003 AC won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in a Television Special for his innovative choreography in Stars on Ice. AC's choreography has been seen in such commercials as Dr.Pepper, Intel and E*TRADE.
After a successful performing career consisting of Broadway, Television, Film, Music Videos, live performances with major recording artists and Dance Companies AC now travels throughout the world choreographing, directing and teaching.
Mike Wittmers is originally from Cupertino, California. He's been tapping for 24 years and has 13 years of musical theater experience. Mike is a former cast member of Tap Dogs, where he played the role of THE RAT. Some of Mike's other professional musical theater credits range from “A Chorus Line” to “Crazy for You”. Mike has been a tap teacher in Los Angeles since 1998, and has been on staff at both EDGE Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex. Industrial and commercial credits include SONY, ABSOLUT VODKA, KIRIN BEER, and various print work. Mike's choreography has been seen everywhere from showcases in LA and Disneyland theme parks, to dance competitions in Australia. The combination of athleticism and drumming skills, contribute to Mike's very aggressive tap style. His independent film credits include Tap Heat and the widely acclaimed short film, Generation: LOST. Aside from dance, Mike enjoys playing hockey, guitar and the drums.
Kevin Wilson
Kevin Wilson
Kevin Wilson grew up in Rockford Illinois. Soon after moving to LA his professional career took off rapidly. Kevin's first job in LA was with legendary icon Madonna for the MTV video music awards. Kevin has since then toured the world with artists such as Mandy Moore, Janet Jackson (All for You), Cher (Living Proof), & Britney Spears (Onyx Hotel). He is no stranger to the theatre either, Broadway's Lion King, Radio City's Christmas Spectacular, & the new musical Rock of Ages. He can be seen in numerous music videos & commercials for IHOP, Blue Cross, & Target. Kevin currently has been focusing his creative energy into choreography. He has choreographed numerous stage shows including the New Years Eve extravaganza held at the world-renowned Wynn, Mirage, and Bellagio hotels. He also has worked as creative director/choreographer for 3 new recording artists who will release albums this spring. Most recently, Kevin returned from Paris after working as assistant choreographer for Mariah Carey.
Anthony J. Russo
Anthony has trained with some of the best from Savion Glover and Henry Le Tang to his two aunts and mother, Tracy Davenport. Anthony's professional performance career began at age 15 when he was offered his first Equity contract in "Anything Goes" at The Muny in Forest Park, St. Louis. By age seventeen, Anthony was hired for the 6th national tour of Tap Dogs and continued with the show for several years performing 3 of 6 roles in the show. Russo also danced with the Tap Dogs at various festivals, industrials, and an NFL half time show in 2003. Other performance and choreography credits include the Off-Brodway production of "At the Diner", various Off-Broadway productions of "Break The Floor", and "Iron Beats" China tour and Tampa Bay - Busch Gardens. Anthony has entertained for numerous corporations such as Microsoft, Circuit City, Chevrolet/GMC, Mitsubishi, MTX Audio, Charles Schwabb, and Marriott Hotels. Russo is currently the director of his own production company, TAPademics INC. Anthony gives thanks to his family, friends, fellow artists, and musicians for their daily inspiration and support.
Serena Soffer is a versatile dancer and choreographer who has worked extensively all over the world.Miss Soffer professional performing career started at age ten in The Milliken Breakfast Shows where she danced side by side with such legends as Donald O'Connor, Ray Bolger (Scarecrow from The Wizard of OZ) and Gregory Hines.As part of the children's ensemble Miss Soffer had the honor of performing in tap dance trio with Donald O'Connor and actress Jane Krakowski.
Performing credits:
The Broadway workshop and Original Cast of Footloose (Director: Walter Bobby, Choreographer: AC Ciulla), Bernadette Peters Live at Radio City, Broadway Bares (Director: Jerry Mitchell), Broadway workshop of Lone Star Love starring Jim Belushi, three years on the International Tour of Phantom of the Opera and a concert performance “Mia Michaels Live”.In addition to Broadway Serena has also performed as a featured dancer in many Cabaret Shows and Industrials all over the world.Although not an aspiring video dancer, Miss Soffer has also enjoyed working as a principal dancer on the Foo Fighter's MTV music video for their hit single, "The One."
Television credits include: Principal dancer on many national commercials such as Mattel Toys, McDonalds, Intel and E-Trade. Serena was recently featured on ABC’s All My Children, as well as several episodes of Saturday Night Live as a Weekend Update Dancer with Dennis Miller, The Late Night Show with David Letterman, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and was cited as CNN's Spotlight Performer of the Week.
Choreography credits:
Serena jump started her choreography career by assisting Tony nominated and Emmy winner, AC Ciulla on many projects including the original company of the Broadway Production of Footloose, Playwrights Horizon's Bubbly Black Girl as well as several national commercials such as Dr. Pepper and E-Trade. Serena also assisted Emmy winner Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance) on the Eurovision Song Contest in Kiev, Ukraine.
As a solo choreographer Serena’s credits include:ABC’s All My Children.Recent TV commercials: Super Bowl 2006 Chevy Car Wash, Super Bowl 2006 Snickers, and Axe Body Spray “Bomchickawawa.”Stage choreography:North American arena tour for platinum selling rock band / MTV’s 2006 Video Music Award winner for Video of the Year, Panic! At The Disco.Additional stage work includes The Jazz Singer (NJ Regional Theatre) and various Cabaret Shows at TrumpPlaza, Bally’s Grand and The Sands Casino in Atlantic City.Serena was the choreographer for Story Salad Theatre, a touring children’s theatre company that performed throughout public school systems the show, “Amelia Bedelia 4 Mayor, and Other Storybooks.”
Training:
Serena was inspired by her mother Eva Soffer, who was a performing contortionist in the German Circus, Krona in Berlin, Germany in the early 1930's.Eva provided much of the early support and encouragement to young Serena, who began working professionally at age 10.After years of competing at a very young age and enjoying the successes of being a title winning dancer, Serena received a full scholarship to the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts.Miss Soffer has extensive training in classical ballet, training with Dr. Alfredo Corvino from the prestigious Juilliard School of Dance, Drama, and Music in New York City.Serena also studied with Andra and Ernesta Corvino's Dancecore Ballet Company. Other training includes David Howard and Catskill's Ballet Company, NJDTG, Alaska Ballet Theatre, and New York City's finest ballet masters, Peter Schabel and Finus Young.Jazz training includes Chuck Kelly, Frank Hatchet, Richard Pierlon, Joe Lanteri and AC Ciulla.
Serena is currently on faculty at The Broadway Dance Center
teaching jazz, yoga and floorbarre.In addition to this Miss Soffer practices and teaches yoga at The Laughing Lotus in New York City and had the wonderful opportunity to teach yoga for the summer program at The American Ballet Theatre in New York City.She continues to teach and inspire students throughout New Jersey and around the world with her love of art and the world of dance.
Keith Fitzpatrick
KEITH FITZPATRICK
Keith Fitzpatrick was born in Nashville, TN.A self taught dancer, he has choreographed for the Dove Awards, and the CMT awards.He has also been featured in several TV spots for Toyota, WSIX, and a pilot episode of a television show.He has also taught several workshops across the country, and is currently teaching Hip-Hop for VanderbiltUniversity, and several Top dance studios in the Nashville, TN area.Keith is also a talented music producer, working with hip-hop and R&B acts in a joint venture with Skyline Music Group in Nashville, TN.With a dance style that has an urban edge, with a lyrical twist, Keith is fast becoming a very sought after and respected Choreographer
Ernesta Corvino
ERNESTA CORVINO studied ballet with Margaret Craske, Antony Tudor, Alfredo Corvino and Andra Corvino. At the age of 14 she joined the Maryland Ballet as soloist then went on to dance with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company. She toured the U.S. with the American Chamber Ballet and went to Asia with the Opera Theatre of New York. She has also performed with Ruby Shang, Bill Badolato, Roberto Cartagena and ethnic dance specialist, Matteo. In 1991 she became a member of the New York Baroque Dance Company appearing in New York City, the Carmel Bach Festival , The Kennedy Center and in Europe. Ms. Corvino has also performed as a baroque soloist with Apollo's Banquet.In 1981 she formed her own company, ERNESTA CORVINO'S DANCE CIRCLE COMPANY, which appeared annually at the Riverside Dance Festival in New York City from 1982-87. The company has also performed at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, the Downtown Dance Festival, the Meet-the-Artist Series at Lincoln Center, USDAN Center, Randolph-Macon Womans College, the Nikolais/Louis ChoreoSpace and Marymount Manhattan Theatre. Ms. Corvino has choreographed over twenty pieces for the company ranging from a Charlie Chaplin two-reeler to a ballet about the Kentucky Derby. Well-known for her wry treatment of popular culture in ballets such as the critically acclaimed Holmes, Sweet Holmes, Ms. Corvino is equally adept at crafting works of pathos and tragedy. Her recently created The Early Morning Hours of the Hard Moon is a tender and heroic treatment of one man's struggle with AIDS and of Somnus, Jennie Schulman of Backstage wrote, "This is one of the most novel utilizations of the Ravel score ever conceived."From 1968 to 1993 she was teacher and co-director of her own school, DANCE CIRCLE in New York City. Her teaching credits also include the Juilliard School, the Inner-City Ensemble, the Governor's School of New Jersey, Randolph-Macon Womans College, the Tappan Zee Dance Group, SUNY/ Purchase, and Stephens College (all for whom she has choreographed), as well as Sarah Lawrence College, SUNY/Brockport, Long Island University, Hofstra University, STEPS ON BROADWAY and Danspace of Oakland, CA. Ms. Corvino frequently teaches, choreographs and performs as Artist-in-Residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and recently served as Guest Artist at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign. In 2001, she appeared at the Kaye Playhouse in New York City and The Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival in From The Horse's Mouth, a live dance documentary and in 2003, performed in the U.S. and Denmark with BALLET MINK COLBERT. She currently teaches open classes in New York City, conducts workshops throughout Europe, and is ballet master for both the Jose Limon Dance Company as well as Pina Bausch/Tanztheater Wuppertal.
Dancers ROCK is blessed to have this amazing, multi-talented woman on it's faculty this season! Merrida is a ballroom dancer/instructor, actress and print model. She recently moved from Lubbock, TX to Nashville, TN...where she was instantly swooped up by one of the Nation's largest and most prestigious Ballroom Dance studios, and currently is one of their top instructors. She is in intense training with a new partner for National competition. She not only tours with Dancers ROCK teaching ballroom, but in her "spare time", she also handles their Merchandising. A true gem to have on board!
Anthony LoCascio: Performer, Master Teacher, and Choreographer has been associated for over 7 years with the Broadway show Tap Dogs.As recent as Nov. 2004 he was on tour with the new version of Tap Dogs nicely named, Tap Dogs: ReBooted. He has played two different roles and performed the show over 1000 times. He started at the Union Square Theatre in New York City and performed there for over 4 months. He also performed in Monte Carlo at the Sporting Club and opened shows for people such as Natalie Cole, Earth Wind and Fire, and Stevie Wonder. He made TV appearances on MTV LIVE, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, and MACY'S Fourth of July Spectacular as well as local news programs all across the nation. Currently he is on the faculty of PDTA, Hoctor's Dance Caravan, and is a Guest teacher at studios, Conventions and Festivals all across North America. In February of 2005 he was featured in "Dance Teacher Magazine". He is also a published author as well in the April, 2005 edition of "On Tap International".
Quincy Lamar
Quincy Lamar
Quincy Lamar is an amazing choreographer and dancer. He has worked with several Major Directors and choreographers, and is joining the ranks of "Top Choreographers very quickly for his innovative choreography. Film credits include The Notebook, Boycott for HBO and Step Show. Quincy's tv credits are just as impressive, Passport to the Arts, Electric Circus and Becoming Britney Spears. He is a dynamic performer and has worked as a top Runway Model in the Atlanta market. Dancers ROCK is excited we caught Quincy in between tours, he has choreographed and danced with Macy Gray, Da Brat, Monica, Blaque, Pussycat Dolls, FUBU, Revlon and the Dirty South Awards. His choreography has been viewed by millions at the Superbowl XXXIV. QL is ready to put the ROCK in Dancers ROCK!
Misty Clark
Misty Clark
Misty Clark has been involved inthe performing arts industry for over 30 years, accumulating knowledge and experience as a “triple threat” performer, a dedicated student, a devoted teacher and an award-winning choreographer. Her broad performance career spans musical theatre, theme parks, concerts, workshops, film, print and industrials. Regionally, Misty earned a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street and received a Best Supporting Actress award for the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line. Misty is a respected and sought after dance instructor and has had the honor of teaching both jazz and tap at the famous Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Her choreography has won numerous accolades. In addition to her personal pursuits and accomplishments, Misty has had the great pleasure and privledge of working for legendary composer Charles Strouse and his director/choreographer wife, Barbara Siman.
Rebecca Fournier
Rebecca is from Bay City, Michigan and has been dancing her entire life, since the early age of three. After signing with Bill Bohl at the Dorothy Day Otis agency, she spent some time dancing and auditioning in Los Angeles, California.She also found time to graduate from MichiganStateUniversity and receive a bachelor’s degree in Marketing with honors. While attending MSU, she was on the award winning dance team.The team received National recognition after receiving third place at the UDA Nationals which aired on ESPN. Currently, Rebecca is back in Bay City where she co-owns a Nationally recognized Dance Studio with her twin sister and mother. They have traveled all over the United States winning top awards for choreography and technique. Most recently, she played the role of Louise in an off Broadway Musical Premiere " A Shine on Your Shoes.” She also choreographed this production as well as "Reefer Madness" this past summer. Rebecca still choreographs for MichiganState dance team. This multitalented young woman is also a costume designer for Starmaker Designs. When she’s not at the studio dancing, on the road choreographing, she's most likely at Starmaker Designs creating new dance wear, costume designs or purchasing new fabrics. Rebecca is an instructor that dancers of all ages will truly enjoy!
