ADTC Jazz Dance Camps
A 5, 6, 7, 8…and all that jazz! Since the 1920s, the term “jazz dance” has been used to describe a forever-changing form of popular and creative dance movement. Jazz dance represents our popular culture, and as our culture changes, so does the appearance of jazz dance. This means that social dances of the 1920s like the Charleston are known as jazz dances, but so are the Broadway dances of choreographer Bob Fosse, the modern dances of Alvin Ailey, the shortened sounds of tap dancing and the popping and locking movements of hip hop.
Jazz Dance Classes @ ADTC Overnight Camps
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or experienced performer, we have a fun & challenging jazz dance class that will be perfect for you. You’ll dance to upbeat popular songs while working on basic body isolations layered over a traditional ballet foundation. In addition to learning a full performance piece, you’ll develop rhythmic awareness and individual expression while honing your jazz dance technique.
Jazz dance is offered as one of the four core dance classes each session-week at American Dance Training Camps. Styles of jazz vary and may include lyrical, Broadway or modern. Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet & jazz dance technique that uses motion to interpret music & express emotion. With lyrical dance, choreographers attempt to show the meaning of the music. Broadway dance, or “musical theatre” dance, will have you mastering the styles of famous choreographers like Bob Fosse & Jerome Robbins to music from your favorite musicals. Modern dance expands the body’s traditional range of motion and provides a non-aerobic workout that helps develop grace and free artistic expression.
Preview Jazz Dance Performance Videos from ADTC Dance Camps Nationwide
Watch jazz dance routines (by level) performed at American Dance Training Camps’ overnight dance camps nationwide. Navigate between videos by clicking the playlist icon (top right – appears after you play the first video). Subscribe to our Free To Dance YouTube Channel for more jazz dance choreography.
ADTC Virtual Jazz Dance Camps & Classes
At ADTC, jazz style layered over traditional ballet technique. Styles of jazz at ADTC vary and may include Broadway, lyrical or modern. We dance to upbeat, popular songs while working on basic body isolations, rhythmic awareness & expression. Each combo incorporates turns, kicks & jumps…and the dancer’s own style.
Our virtual jazz dance classes & camps allow girls to make new friends, learn cool moves, and grow as dancers and people from home. At ADTC, you’ll find a tight-knit, all-girl community and a unique opportunity to reconnect with YOU. We believe girls need this feeling of belonging now more than ever. Two zoom options – 1) weekday virtual dance classes &/or 2) weekend virtual camps!
Just Some of Our Amazing Jazz Dance Camp Staff
Our top-notch jazz dance teachers offer the coolest combinations from some of the best national and international dance studios, schools and performance groups! They are MTV performers, Broadway dancers and contestants from your favorite dance TV shows.
Jayme Wappel
Jayme Wappel is proud to be a North Carolina native. She began her dancing career in Raleigh at CC & Company Dance Complex in Raleigh, where she trained in all genres of dance, ranging from ballet, to jazz, tap and broadway.
While still a student, Jayme was asked to choreograph Oklahoma! for Cardinal Gibbons High School under the direction of, and buoyed by the enthusiasm of, Kevin Ferguson.
After graduating from high school, Jayme continued her dance training at the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Point Park she trained with Kiesha Lalama, Doug Bentz, Garfield Lemonius, and Jason McDole.
Jayme currently lives in New York and choreographs for studios in New Jersey, Long Island and Connecticut. She has worked with choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance in Los Angeles and New York. She also teaches for Arts Action, an outreach program through Unity Stage Company that aims to increase the physical activity of children in New York City’s public schools.
Ashley Peter
Ashley Peter is originally from Lakeland, FL where she performed with the Orlando Ballet. She has also performed with the Cecchetti International Summer Dance School, Thodos Dance Chicago, the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, Florida Dance Theatre, and the Broadway Theatre Project.
Ashley holds a BFA in Dance with a concentration in jazz and ballet from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is certified in the Cecchetti method of ballet technique.
She has choreographed and taught for many studios in the NY metro area and been on staff for Universal Dance association, DivaDance NYC and the Broadway Theatre Project. Ashley has choreographed for high school dance teams and performance companies across the U.S., and her choreography has received numerous awards.
Ashley is a member of the dance company, UrbanHumans and recently was asked to choreograph the first music video for singer/songwriter Joey Contreras.
Ellen Mihalick
Ellen Mihalick grew up dancing at NJ Ballet and the NJ Dance Theater Ensemble. She’s continued a professional dance career as a Radio City Rockette since 2014, and performing with different dance companies in NYC.
Ellen’s additional credits include West Side Story (Graziella/DC), Shrek the Musical (ensemble/DC), Amazon TV’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and modeling for NY Fashion Week. Her awards include the NJ Governor’s Award for Artistic Excellence and Leadership in Dance.
Ellen has been on staff at ADTC summer dance camps in Colorado, Texas & Maryland since 2017. She’s an #adtcidol and wants to inspire other girls to stay true & believe in themselves. “Dream BIG because hard work pays off.”
Resha Holmes
Resha Holmes is a recent graduate of Illinois State University with a BA in Dance Performance. While at IL State, she started her own dance team (AceGroov) in 2019.
Resha began her dance training at Chicago High School for the Arts where she majored in Musical Theatre. Resha studied hip hop with Tanji Harper & Brandy Ford before expanding her training to Jazz, Modern & Ballet under Brandon Dicriscio, Kaley Ozminkowski, Laina Carni, Ricardo Garcia & Gregory Merriman. She’s is a true interdisciplinary artist – a fusion dancer and model (instagram: @resha.re) who also sings, acts & cooks 🙂
Resha teaches jazz & hip hop at VH Dance Center in Aurora. She was an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Wisconsin in 2021 and has also worked at ADTC virtual camps. Resha is full of energy and positive vibes and she loves sharing her passion for dance with younger girls!
Alli Gallant
Alli Gallant began Irish Step dancing at the age of four years old. She continued training in Irish dance throughout her childhood while adding other genres to her repertoire, including jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and musical theater.
Alli trained with the Duffin-Murphy School of Irish Dance and North Shore Dance Academy in Massachusetts, where she has also taught various styles of dance.
Alli minored in dance at Stony Brook University in New York before moving to NYC to participate in the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester. She is currently the lead instructor at New Jersey Dance Academy.
This will be Alli’s thirteenth summer at ADTC in Vermont (7 years as a camper, 2 years as a Junior Instructor-Counselor, 1 year as an Instructor-Counselor, and 3 years as Asst. Program Director).
Eileen Boyle
Eileen Boyle is thrilled to be returning to ADTC for her 7th summer on staff, and 12th summer overall!
A true ADTC veteran, Eileen attended our ULTIMATE Green Mountains dance camp in VT, as well as our ULTIMATE Smoky Mountains dance camp in NC as a camper. Since joining our staff, she’s worked in Vermont, North Carolina & Maryland… and she’s held almost every position – Counselor-In-Training (“CIT”), Junior Instructor-Counselor (“JIC”), Instructor-Counselor (“IC), and Assistant Program Director (“APD”).
Eileen began her dance training at multiple schools throughout Virginia, and after graduating high school, she attended Joffrey Ballet School in New York City as a jazz and contemporary trainee. Eileen lives in NYC where she just completed the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester. She is now teaching at several Tri-State dance studios & is delving into the world of professional performance.
Eileen wants campers to leave ADTC with the sense that dance is a safe place. She says, “I think some dancers come to camp from studios that put girls down for not rising to the level of others or for not doing well in competition. I would love to instill in all campers that dance is for everyone, regardless of ability.”
When Eileen is not dancing, you’ll find her reading about anthropology, drawing or napping. Her favorite animal is the manatee, and a good grilled cheese will always be her perfect food.
Katelyn Martin
Katelyn Martin was born in New York State, but spent most of her life in New Hampshire. Her mother always encouraged her to be a performer and because of that she has been dancing and performing since she was three years old.
In addition to dance training during high school, Katelyn also started doing theater. She performed in both plays and musicals, including “Noises Off” and “Singin’ In The Rain”. She choose to attend Loyola Marymount University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.A in both Communication Studies and Dance.
At LMU, Katelyn performed works by Marjani Forte, Holly Johnston, Paige Porter, Laila Abdullah, and J.T Hornstein, as well as dancing with Radix Dance Crew and Kuumba Beatz Dance Crew. While at LMU Katelyn also trainined with Jason Myhre, Chad Michael Hall, Tony Czar, and Rogelio Lopez.
CJ Johnson
Christina Johnson (aka “CJ”) fell in love with dance back in the 1900’s in a far away land known as Oregon…
CJ began dancing professionally with BodyVox, Bent, and Kinetic Images in Portland, then moved to Seattle, where she spent quality time learning and performing with many prominent dance companies and choreographers, including Cheronne Wong; BetterBiscuit; XODO; Alethea Adsitt; Fusion; and Seattle Jazz, to name a few.
In 2003 CJ co-founded her own eclectic modern dance company, Jerboa Dance, where she choreographed, co-directed, co-produced, and starred in many successful shows, including a special guest appearance with Dance Masters of America.
CJ joined the NYC dance scene in 2005 and is proud to have shared the stage with The Love Show, Shir Dance Theater, Jordana Che Toback, Noemie Lafrance, Eva Dean Dance, Sambasa, Anahid Sofian Dance Company, Tara Quinn, Gilgamesh Theater, Witches in Bikinis, The Drum Café, and independentdancemaker/Kara Tatelbaum. She also choreographed and produced the Jerboa Dance NYC premier “Back from the Brink”.
CJ has performed with these companies and more on national and local television, and in the most authentic theaters in the big apple. CJ’s choreography was recently featured on Fox 5, America’s Got Talent, and “Loosen My Tie” video. She has has also recently performed for P Diddy, Beyonce, Martha Stuart, and was the opening dance soloist for Diana Ross.
CJ loves sharing her passion for dance. In rehearsal she shares with the dancers, on stage she shares with the audience, in class she shares with her students. For 12 years CJ has taught dance classes and workshops on both coasts in creative movement, pre-ballet, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theater, acrobatics, hip hop, break dance, and samba. Her classes focus on technique within choreography and having fun!
Another love CJ has been sharing with students young and old is the practice of Pilates. CJ has been teaching Pilates for 5 years and has recently become one of the first certified instructors of Barrelates, which combines Pilates mat work and ballet barre exercises.
CJ joined the ADTC team in 2010; she started the summer teaching hip hop and finished as program director. CJ has directed and taught dance at ADTC locations in Vermont, California, Texas, New Jersey, Colorado & Wisconsin.
Delight Moore
Shanik “Delight” Moore graduated from Brenau University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Education, and a P-K Certification. She founded her Atlanta-based dance company, Dancing With Delight LLC, in 2017 and is the CEO and Artistic Director.
Delight is trained in ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop, and West African. She has over thirteen years of performance experience and has worked with guest artists such as Jody Sperling, Kristy Nilsson, Charlotte Boye-Christensen, Carl Flink and more.
In addition to performing, Delight has been teaching and choreographing for over seven years. Her emphasis as a dance educator is to create an environment that encourages self-expression and provides opportunities for self-discovery.
This is Delight’s second summer on staff at ADTC’s ULTIMATE Smoky Mountains dance camp in Cullowhee, NC. She can’t wait to be back!
Kierstyn Sharrow
Kierstyn Sharrow graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Dance & Minor in Musical Theater from Marymount Manhattan College. Kierstyn has taught ballet, pointe, partnering, tap & jazz at renowned NYC-area studios like the Broadway Dance Center, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Kierstyn has been on National Tour with CATS (swing) and American Dance Machine (dance captain). She was also the dance captain of the Off-Broadway show, Idol: the Musical.
Kierstyn has been on staff at ADTC dance camps in Colorado & California since 2017. She’ll soon be adding ADTC’s Wisconsin dance camp to her list! Kierstyn has an amazing sense of humor and loves to make our campers & staff laugh.
Kierstyn loves having such an important impact on the lives of our campers. She wants girls to learn from her that change is OK! “Life doesn’t stop when something shifts, so we can’t stop either. It is scary and empowering to all of a sudden be pushed outside our comfort zone.”
Joanne Liebenberg
Joanne Liebenberg is a professional performing artist and dance instructor from South Africa based in New York City. Joanne recently performed in ‘Unleashed’ as a dancer with Shade Productions in their cirque Halloween show.
Joanne is thrilled to have recently signed with Stefanie Talent Agency, a theatre and film Agency. Joanne danced, performed and was Dance Captain in the production of ‘The Thorn’ which toured Colorado earlier this year. This was also professionally filmed and will be released in cinemas across U.S.A in 2023.
Joanne completed two contracts cruising and performing for audiences around the world with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines. Joanne studied Dance and Musical Theatre through Trinity Guildhall, Trinity College London and graduated from the Waterfront Theatre College in South Africa. She then moved to New York City to complete a Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center where she had the opportunity to train with many brilliant choreographers and artists, performed at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater and became BDC’s poster girl.
Before she booked her first contract with Royal Caribbean, Joanne performed in the show ’Another Day’ as Lead Dancer and Actress at the Kalk Bay Theatre in South Africa after being headhunted by Followspot Productions back when she was performing with the Waterfront Theatre Company. Growing up, she trained extensively at a high performance level, and represented her country in the World Championships for 5 consecutive years in Jazz, Modern, Ballet and Showdance winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Joanne currently teaches Hot Yoga and Sculpt classes at Corepower Yoga NYC as well as Dance and Choreography across many different studios along the east coast. She is also a certified Nutritionist, Choreographer and Adv PADI scuba diver. Joanne is a creative, passionate and life-loving artist who cannot wait to see where her future in the performing industry will take her next.
Sophia Michitson
Sophia Michitson grew up dancing at her mom’s studio in Massachusetts where she started teaching when she was 14. She has participated in the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester, and was a Joffrey Ballet School Trainee.
Sophia’s film credits include El Tigre Productions “306 Hollywood,” and Eryn Martin’s “BALLET” music video. Her performance credits include being a production cast dancer for Royal Caribbean’s “Rhapsody of the Seas” and “Voyager of the Seas,” as well as a featured dancer in Maria Caruso’s “Rearview Mirror” and performing with Hanna Q Dance Company & XY Dance Project.
Sophia currently teaches contemporary & hip hop at Shooting Stars Dance Company in New York City, in addition to continuing to teach at her mom’s dance studio and Center for Performing Arts in Methuen. Sophia was thrilled to join the ADTC team as an Instructor-Counselor Vermont & Maryland in 2022.
Erica Messonnier
Erica Messonnier is a professional dancer & teacher in NYC, fresh off the National Tour of Cinderella.
A Dallas native, Erica has a BFA in Dance from Point Park University. She has 8+ years experience teaching & choreographing for dance studios around the country.
Some of her performance credits include: Grease with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Miracles at Busch Gardens, and both Shrek The Musical & Seussical the Musical at Pittsburgh Musical Theatre.
Erica wants girls to learn to push themselves to be the best they can be. This will be Erica’s third summer at American Dance Training Camps. She’s been an Instructor-Counselor in both Maryland & Vermont.
Rachel Martens
Rachel Martens was born and raised in Illinois. She is in her first season with Ballet Quad Cities. She began her training in ballet and pointe at the Faubourg School of Ballet under the direction of Watmora Casey. After Faubourg, she performed and competed with the Visceral Studio Company in Chicago, Illinois.
Rachel recently graduated Magna Cum Lade from State University of New York at Purchase College with a BFA in Dance. At Purchase College, Rachel had the honor to perform works by George Balanchine, Norbert De La Cruz III, Hannah Garner, Rena Butler and Jenelle Figgins. During her junior year she was chosen to study abroad for a semester at Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts performing works by Raymond Chai and Anh Ngoc Nguyen.
Rachel has attended summer intensives at Colorado Ballet, Alonzo King Lines, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, B12 in Berlin and Hubbard Street Dance. She has been on staff with ADTC in Beaver Dam, WI & Lake Forest, IL for four summers.
Brynne Loberger
Brynne Loberger is from Fort Worth, Texas. She recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Dance. At UNT, Brynne received the Katherine Margaret Altermann Scholarship her Sophomore year, and the Jonathan Bostick Memorial Dance Scholarship her Senior year. She was also on the Dean’s list and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Brynne has extensive dance training and teaches all levels Hip Hop & Contemporary. She was an Elite Dance Company Member at Dance by Emily Studio in Hewitt, Texas before becoming an Assistant Teacher & Solo/Team Choreographer.
Brynne started as a Junior Instructor Counselor at ADTC in North Carolina & Texas in 2018, and returned as an Instructor Counselor in North Carolina & Wisconsin in 2019. In 2021 Brynne was the Asst. Program Director in NC and also joined our team in Illinois & Wisconsin as an Instructor Counselor.
Gianna Torres
Gianna Torres is a recent graduate of Towson University in Maryland with a degree in Elementary and Special Education. While at Towson, Gianna was a teacher and choreographer for the Fusion Dance Team.
Gianna grew up dancing competitively at New Jersey Dance Academy, and at 17 she began assisting dance classes. Gianna loves working with children as much as she loves dancing.
Gianna started as a Junior Instructor Counselor (“JIC”) at ADTC in Vermont four years ago. In 2022, she stepped up as an Instructor-Counselor (“IC”). Gianna wants to teach campers that “regardless of level, they are all so special.” She wants girls to feel empowered and supported when they are with her and hopes they take this feeling and use it to make other campers feel the same way “so that our camp environment is inclusive and filled with good energy.”
Ashley Sartell
Ashley Sartell has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from CalArts. She currently teaches and dances professionally in Los Angeles.
Ashley grew up dancing competitively at Pat Barton Dance Studio in IA where she also was a teacher for 6 years. Ashley’s dance teaching experience includes Ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and pointe.
Ashley has been an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC dance camps in California, Colroado, Texas & Maryland since 2021. She wants campers to learn that dance is fun and shouldn’t cause any frustration. “We are all here to celebrate our love of dance and have fun making new friends.”
Gina Daugherty
Gina Daugherty is a professional dancer and choreographer in New York City. She has taught ballet, musical theatre, jazz, contemporary and lyrical for the past 8 years in Minnesota, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Long Island.
Gina has studied at The University of the Arts, Peridance Capezio Center, Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester, Pushing Progress, Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary LA and Axis Connect.
Gina has been associate choreographer to Charlie Sutton on Evita and Broadway Bares: Game Night at ACT of Connecticut. She has also been associate choreographer to Brooke Wendle for the Broadway Dance Center AIM Invitational.
Gina has worked with world renowned choreographers including Tony Testa, Peter Chu, Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Michael Mindlin, and Ephrat Asherie. She has worked at ADTC in Vermont & North Carolina since 2018.
Lauren Goodman
Lauren Goodman grew up in Ohio and was Valedictorian of her High School class. She was in the Gem City Ballet Pre-Professional Company for 5 years, trained by Barbara Pontecorvo, Dan Duell and Nilas Martins, before joining the Dayton Ballet Company.
Lauren participated in the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Trainee Program as a Scholarship recipient from 2018 – 2019. She is currently a Dance & Biology Major as well as Academic & Merit Scholarship recipient at Wright State University.
Lauren also teaches Ballet & Pointe at a local studio. She has been an Instructor-Counselor & Assistant Program Director at ADTC dance camps in California, Wisconsin, Texas & Maryland.
Joule Valdez
Joule Valdez is from Port Lavaca, Texas. She is a recent graduate of Victoria College in Victoria, TX, where she majored in Business with a minor in dance. Joule currently teaches jazz, tap, hip hop and ballet to children ages 3 – 16 at Debbie Bennet Green School of Dancing in Victoria, Texas.
Joule has extensive training in many styles, but she specializes in Hip Hop & Acro. She has trained with Matt Steffanina & Marty Kudelka in Dallas, and danced with Pro Action & Nappy Tabs in Las Vegas. When not dancing, Joule is also a preschool teacher.
Joule has worked at ADTC in Colorado, Texas & Maryland since 2017, starting as a Jr. Instructor and working her way up to Asst. Program Director. She loves children & sharing her passion for dance. Joule’s goal is to own her own studio one day!
Hayley Venner
Hayley Venner is from Leander, TX and currently lives in Austin. She began training as a gymnast at age 6 before transitioning into the dance world at age 13. Hayley earned her BA at Texas A&M where she was a member of the Fade to Black Dance Ensemble.
While at A&M, Hayley’s hip hop choreography earned many awards for her students at On Our Toes Dance Studio & Expressions Dance and Music in College Station. She currently teaches dance at Center Stage in Leander and also teaches 8th grade U.S. History at Stiles Middle School!
Hayley has been teaching dance to children ages 2 – 23 in a studio and drill team setting for 10+ years. She’s studied ballet, hip hop and lyrical in Austin, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Miami, and has also performed numerous halftime shows for UT basketball games and the Dallas Mavericks.
Hayley has been on staff at ADTC in Texas since 2017. Hayley wants girls at camp to learn how to truly love someone as a friend… she believes this is an important trait to be successful in today’s world!
Carissa Bellando
Carissa Bellando is originally from New Jersey but she recently relocated to Vermont. Carissa holds a BA in Theatre from Wagner College and a MFA in Contemporary Dance from Case Western. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Wagner College. Carissa teaches ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, acro, lyrical, modern & contemporary. She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher and certified Zumba teacher.
Throughout her career, Carissa has taught and choreographed for numerous theaters, colleges and schools around the country. She has performed in Musicals and Concert Dance performances around the world, and was a Dancer and Singer for both Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Aida Cruises.
Carissa performed in Taipei, Taiwan in 2013 and spend over a year living in Hamburg, Germany. In Germany, she was a Professor at the musical theater conservatory, The Stage School Hamburg, and also taught at Tybas Dance Center, Tanzraum, Stage Up!
Some of Carissa’s favorite performance roles include Broom Queen in Wagner’s Busted Nuts: The Dance Project, Tumblebrutus in Cats, Carpet in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Die Hexe (The Witch) in Es War Einmal (Once Upon a Time), the Summer Fairy in Polaris, and Mandy in Zack Zack.
Some past choreographic credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2010) and Dance Project 2017 for Wagner College, Rivela and Sea Swept (both original Modern dance works) for Case Western Reserve University (2013), and Comeback! Das Karl Marx Musical (2015) in Berlin, Germany.
Carissa has worked at ADTC in Stratton, VT & Sparks Glencoe, MD. She loves bringing her high energy and extensive dance training and knowledge to dancers of all ages and levels.
Ellen Henry
Ellen Henry started dancing when she was three years old. Ever since then it has always been a passion of hers that will hold a special place in her heart. She began her training in Louisville, KY at 360 Dance Studio. At the age of seventeen she was chosen to take part in the Kentucky Governor’s School of the Arts summer program.
Ellen graduated from Point Park University in 2013 where she was majoring in Dance with a concentration in Jazz. While at Point Park, she performed in productions by Cirque Dreams, took classes from prestigious choreographers in Los Angeles and New York City and studied dance abroad in Paris, France.
Ellen has been on staff at American Dance Training Camps ULTIMATE Chicago Lakeshore dance camp in Lake Forest, Illinois since 2012. She has directed ADTC camps in Vermont and Illinois. She currently dances professionally in New York City.
Taylor Eagle
Taylor Eagle is from Galion, OH. She grew up studying ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and pointe at Eagle Dance Center. Taylor was a member of EDC’s Competition Team and received many individual & group awards and titles at both regional and national levels .
Taylor began teaching in 2009 and choreographing in 2013 – working with students ages 3 to 18 in ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap, and pointe. She currently choreographs for EDC’s competition team.
A 2013 Galion High School/PCTC graduate, Taylor attended Pioneer’s Performing Arts program with a focus on dance – as well as being active in GHS’s Varsity Dance Team. Following high school, Taylor went on to study dance at Maricopa College in Arizona, and is currently a student at UNC Charlotte, majoring in Dance Education and minoring in Psych & Childhood Development – after college, she plans to continue on to receive her Masters in Dance Education.
Taylor was an Instructor Counselor & Asst. Program Director at ADTC in Illinois & Wisconsin in 2021.
Emma Randall
Emma Randall is a native of Chicago, Illinois, but she grew up in South East Asia where she began dancing and acting at the Singapore American School. She returned to the U.S. for high school where she attended Redwood High in Marin County, CA.
Randall’s time abroad sparked her interest in reflecting the diversity of cultures and self identity through her movement work. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A. in Dance and a B.A. in English, with a focus in Creative Writing, in May of 2020. While attending CU, Randall was on the school’s street dance team, VeRVE Collisionz, where she regularly choreographed dances as one of the Team Captains. Randall also performed in over ten shows while at CU in various
different styles including contemporary, transnational-contemporary fusion, Hip-hop, and improv.
Randall has developed a passion for hip hop and street dance styles and she is dedicated to spreading the knowledge she has gained and continues to gain about the rich history of these dance styles. Randall attended ADTC in California as a camper for six years and has taught at ADTC in California & Colorado for four summers.
Kim McClay
Kim McClay is originally from Orlando, Florida, and later grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She’s been performing since before she can remember, whether gymnastics, singing or dancing.
Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Millikin University in Decatur, IL with a degree in Musical Theatre. She now lives in New York City and recently finished performing in the US National Tour of A Chorus Line. When she’s not performing on the stage, you can find her running through Central Park or holed up in a coffee shop with a good book.
Kim is excited to be back at dance camp! She loves working with kids, especially in an environment full of play. She wants to inspire girls to remember that dance is fun and not to be afraid to mess it up and try again.
Laura Pierpont
Laura Pierpont is an actress and dancer currently living in New York City. Originally from Baltimore, she was always involving herself in as much theatre and dance as possible. There was never any question of what she would pursue when she grew up!
Laura’s recent performing credits include: Chicago (Annie – Virginia Musical Theatre), A Chorus Line (Bebe – Shanghai Premiere), A Chorus Line (Bebe – US and Japan Tour), Revolutionary (NY Choreography Debut), ShadowPlay (Mermaid/Fight Captain – Access Theatre NYC), How To Succeed (Ms. Krumholtz/Dance Captain – Virginia Musical Theatre), and Billy Elliot (Assistant Choreographer – Ogunquit Playhouse). She also performed at the Public Theatre with the first all-female ensemble of A Chorus Line for the Women’s Gala, arranged by Baayork Lee.
Laura is the creator of her own choreography passion project called Cut Dancers of NY. She specializes in jazz & musical theatre dance and was an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in her hometown state of Maryland in 2021. Laura wants to help campers love who they are and be confident in the skills they possess.
Corinne De Beer
Corinne De Beer is from South Africa and has studied with the Cape Town City Ballet, Gaynor Harris School of Dance and Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Co in South Africa. She is classically trained in ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern and contemporary, and also well-versed in African, African Gumboot Dancing, African Pantsula, Broadway, Disco, Fusion and Street Dance. Corinne also has a Certificate of Higher Education in Contemporary Dance, Primary-Advanced 11 in Imperial Modern, and Primary-Advanced 11 in Cecchetti Ballet.
After graduating from St. Mary’s DSG, Corinne moved to London to train at the prestigious London Contemporary Dance School, where she studied under big-name contemporary choreographers like Richard Alstonand Matthew Bourne. She has since branched out into the commercial world, and teaches contemporary, hip hop, ballet, lyrical, street and jazz workshops in London and South Africa, and works with various international artists, shows and TV programs. Corinne has choreographed for London’s fashion week, So You Think You Can Dance South Africa, BBC’s “The Hussle,” the “Kylie Minogue Special,” and BBC’s “Doctors,” and performed for crowds of 30,000 + on famous world stages like Wembley Stadium and London’s West End Theatre. She has taught contemporary, jazz and hip hop workshops from Glasgow to Liverppol, Birmingham & beyond at numerous schools and studios, including Oxford University.
Lauryn Johnson
Lauryn Johnson is originally from Michigan where she performed hip hop & contemporary repertoire with Vertical Ambition Dance Company. She has 24 years of dance experience and 11 years of experience teaching dance to children ages 3 – 18 and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design (Minor in Professional Writing) from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.
After college, Lauryn moved to New York City and completed the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in 2014. She is currently working as a professional dancer, choreographer & graphic designer in the NYC area. Lauryn teaches hip hop, tap, ballet, jazz & acro at Moves & Motions in NY & Progressive Dance Studio in Englewood, NJ.
Lauryn loves seeing students find their passion and learn how to work towards their goals. She hopes to help campers find lots of joy in movement and hear new elements in the music. Most of all, she wants girls to feel pride in a job well done, no matter what their ability level is.
Kate Kenyon
Kate Kenyon is a professional dancer in Brooklyn & NYC. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo, where she also won the Amanda Occhino Award for enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the dance department, and was in the Golden Key International Honors Society..
Kate dances for Kristin Sudeikis Dance, Hutchinson Collective, and SynthesisDANCE. She is a Master Teacher and judge for Step Up 2 Dance, and is presently teaching at The Edge of Dance and Pure Barre Brooklyn.
Kate teaches all levels jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, Ballet, and modern. She wants to help campers improve in their dancing and work ethic, but most importantly, she want to inspire girls to be themselves. She loves the quote, “Self-confidence is the best outfit, rock it, and own it.”
Kate is thrilled to be back at ADTC’s ULTIMATE Green Mountains dance camp in Vermont for all three weeks this her summer.
Emilee Iuvara
Emilee Iuvara is originally from Ohio and recently graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in Dance. She grew up dancing competitively at Broadway Bound Dance Centre in New Albany, OH where she began assistant teaching at age 15. Emilee teaches all styles but specializes in Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet.
Emilee has trained with Nina Flagg, Julie Bour, Glen Eddy, Holley Farmer, Charlie Hodges, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Rosanna Gamson, Spenser Theberge, Samuel Wentz, Cynthia Young, Gina Walther, and Teressa McWilliams. She has learned & performed the Complexions Ballet repertoire, Koresh Dance Company repertoire, and Wayne McGregor Company repertoire set by Louis McMiller.
Emilee represented CalArt’s Dance in Taipei, Taiwan in 2019 through Camping Asia, Centre National de la Danse. Emilee wants campers to learn how fun and exciting dance can be! She also wants to inspire girls to use dance as a form of release. She was an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC’s ULTIMATE Sierra Tahoe dance camp in California in 2021.
Megan Kaye
Megan Kaye is from Chicago, IL. She graduated with a BFA in dance from University of Arizona in 2018.
Megan currently teaches dance at Integrity School of Dance in Elgin, IL, and Underground Allegro Dance Company in Batavia, IL.
Megan has worked at American Dance Training Camps in Lake Forest, IL & Beaver Dam, WI for five summers.
Dani Vernon
Dani Vernon was born and raised in central New Jersey, and began dancing when she was three. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and Broadway. Dani started dancing competitively at age nine.
Dani attended OCVTS Performing Arts Academy and graduated as a dance major. After high school, she continued her dance and theatre education at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York where she trained and worked with current and former Broadway performers, choreographers, and directors.
After graduating AMDA, Dani began her dream of teaching dance! Dani is obsessed with Disney and her favorite food is Mac N’ Cheese. She has been on staff at ADTC in Vermont & Maryland for five summers.
Rebecca Morris
Rebecca Morris is an Australian dancer, singer, and actor. She studied dance at Brent Street, completing her Certificate IV in Performing Arts in 2012, and Diploma of Musical Theatre in 2013. She has also studied at the Broadway Dance Center in NYC and EDGE Performing Arts Center in LA.
Rebecca’s live performance credits include Bachelor & Spinsters Ball, Big “W” Summer Fashion Show, eMerge Foundation Rugby Luncheon, and Hair Expo. Television credits include Ricki Lee “Do It Like That” film clip choreographed by Marko Panzic, “Everbody Dance Now” Promo choreographed by Jason Gilkison, and The Election Chaser CNN.
Rebecca has an extensive background in dance teaching, sand safe dance practice for the prevention of injury in Australia. She is also a Massage Therapist, completing a Diploma of Remedial Massage at The Australasian College of Natural Therapies.
Rebecca has worked at ADTC in Stratton, Vermont since 2019. She wants girls to realize their love of the performing arts and have so much fun at dance camp that they enroll in even more dance classes at home!
Sakina Ibrahim
Sakina Ibrahim is a performer, teaching artist, and coach who received her Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she earned the “Dance Outreach” and “Excellence in Performance” awards. She has also received scholarships to the Bates Dance Festival, University of Illinois, and The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Most recently, Sakina earned a scholarship to the University of California, Irvine, where she received her Masters of Fine Arts.
Sakina has worked with choreographers such as Anthony Burrell, Christopher Huggins, Troy Kirby, Brian Sanders, Zane Booker, and the legendary Louis Johnson. She has also danced with Rennie Harris Pure movement as well as in videos for Jill Scott and Raheem Devaughn.
Sakina has used her research in African Diaspora Dance to present at academic conferences and to work with children in programs such as The Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Blues Babe Foundation.
She recently published a book to help empower young girls on the journey of self-discovery. Sakina has directed & taught at American Dance Training Camps dance camps in Illinois, New Jersey, Vermont & Maryland since 2010.
Gaby Blaney
Originally from Northern California, Gabriella Blaney grew up a Nevada County native. At a young age she started competing as an elite gymnast, which in return led to the start of her career.
Gaby attended college at the University of California Irvine where she earned a full ride scholarship along with a degree in dance and education. Gaby is currently a member of SynthesisDANCE under the Artistic direction of Tracie Stanfield.
Gaby has performed at numerous venues including BAM, Jazz at Lincoln Center, High Line Ballroom, Ailey City Group Theater, and The Salvatore Capezio Theatre. In addition to performing, Gaby is on Faculty at Ridgewood Performing Arts Center where she teaches jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and acro.
Gaby has been Program Director at American Dance Training Camps since 2012, and on staff since 2010. She has worked at ADTC’s Squaw Valley, New Jersey, Vermont, and Chicago locations. She loves working with children and can’t wait for another amazing summer with ADTC!
Shannon Grayson
Shannon Grayson was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She began her professional dance training at Howard University, where she received a BFA in Dance. While at Howard, she received summer internships at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, and Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
Shannon was on scholarship at the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Jacob’s Pillow Jazz/Musical Theatre Program, Jacob’s Pillow Choreographers Lab, and Nathan Trice Summer Dance Intensive. She continues to train and teach Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, and Tap throughout the city of Chicago as a faculty member of the Lou Conte Dance Studio, Hubbard Street Youth Dance Program, Principle Dance, The Gallery, and Dominican University.
Leila Mahadin
Leila Mahadin was born and raised in New York City where she began dance training at the age of 5. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop and contemporary at a variety of schools and performed professionally in various venues including as a dancer for the NBA NJ Nets. She has trained with the Boston Ballet, Ballet Hispanico & Broadway Dance Center.
Leila is currently the Principal Dancer with the Louise Benes Dance Company, where she also teaches ballet, jazz & hip hop & serves as Creative Director. She has also choreographed 1st & 2nd place winning routings in jazz, ballet & hip hop for various dance competitions & is responsible for creating choreography and themes for their mid year and end of year recitals as well as for various community performances throughout the year. She oversees the other dance instructors and assists them in creating their pieces for these performances as well.
Aside from dance, Leila has a masters degree in education and has worked as a classroom teacher during the school year. This has given her a more well rounded view and experience with children as well as in classroom management.
Nicole Bryant
Nicole Bryant is an alumna from the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with an emphasis on Modern/Contemporary dance. For two consecutive years, she served as an intern for Urban Bush Women Dance Company in Brooklyn, NY and at their Summer Leadership Institute in New Orleans, LA.
Nicole is currently she is a company member of Bombazo Dance Company, an Afro-Puerto Rican Contemporary Dance Company that’s based in Bronx, NY.
Nicole has been a Modern/Contemporary dance instructor & Program Director at American Dance Training Camp in North Carolina & Vermont since 2010. Her favorite part about camp is white water rafting! Another major reason Nicole loves to dance because she enjoys telling a story with her body, emotions, and personality.
Michaela McGowan
Michaela McGowan began her dance training at the age of five in Northern Virginia. She was an apprentice with Loudoun Ballet Company under the direction of Maureen Miller, performing such roles as Dewdrop, Arabian Soloist, and Snowflake (Nutcracker) and Odile (Swan Lake).
In New York University’s Tisch dance program (where she earned a BFA with honors in May of 2012), Michaela performed works by resident faculty members Cherylyn Lavagnino and Pamela Pietro and guest choreographer Aszure Barton. She also had the pleasure of performing in the 2010 Tisch Gala (choreographed by Josh Bergasse) and the 2012 Tisch Gala (choreographed by Greg Graham).
She performed for Phish at Madison Square Garden at their 2013 New Year’s Eve concert and in the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, both choreographed by Lisa Shriver. Michaela was featured in a 989 Energy Drink commercial and had the opportunity to workshop the Idina Menzel musical If/Then with choreographer Larry Keigwin. Michaela was also the executive choreographer for the Birdhouse Players Youth Theater’s 2013-14 production of West Side Story.
Michaela is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center as a ballet and jazz teacher in the Children and Teen Program, as well as various studios in the tri-state area. She dances with contemporary company solWEST Dance Collaborative and performs along the east coast with the LMproject under the direction of Alisa Claire.
Tracey Boon
Tracey Boon is originally from St. Louis, Missouri and started dancing at the age of nine when her family moved to Huntsville, Alabama. There she trained at North Alabama Dance Center under directors Barbara Ellen Smartt and Melony League in the disciplines of classical ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical/modern.
Tracey also trained and performed as a Senior Company Member of the pre-professional ballet company Pointe Station, Inc. After high school, she attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science with minors in Business Management, Spanish, and Sociology.
While in college, she worked for several of Birmingham’s notable dance studios, including work under former Alabama Ballet Principal Monica Barnett Smith. She also worked as a choreographer/stager with the Oak Mountain Middle School Show Choir and with the Virginia Samford Theatre in their production of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.”
During her final year of college, she worked for the Alabama Dance Council which is housed right in the home of the Alabama Ballet. While with the Alabama Dance Council, she served as the Member Services Coordinator and aided in the organization of one of the state’s largest arts festivals, The Alabama Dance Festival.
Upon graduation, she returned to Huntsville and soon began working for Dancer’s Incorporated where she teaches all levels of dance in the disciplines of ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary. She also choreographs for the performance team where she has won several notable awards for choreography.
Martine Quigley
Martine Quigley (professional name, “La Pri”) is a native of Australia and began her teaching career at South Australia’s leading dance school, Barbara Jayne School Of Dance. Martine moved to the United States in 2000 and performed as a professional dancer in many films, music videos and live shows.
Martine trained as a dance professional at Broadway Dance Center, Millennium, The Edge, Rogers Dancesport and SDC. Certified with CSTD accreditation to examiners level in both jazz and tap, Martine is also certified in both Borovansky (BMAAD) and Checcetti methods of ballet. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Martine teaches all realms of dance: jazz, tap, hip hop, modern, lyrical, ballet, and musical theatre. Martine currently travels as an adjudicator for the performing arts across the USA. Other teaching accomplishments include students being accepted to American Ballet Theatre, School of American Ballet, Broadway musicals – Mary Poppins and Billy Elliot, So You Think You Can Dance, and Votech schools and achieving strong competitive results internationally.
Martine’s performance and choreographic experience highlights include: Grammy Awards, The Lake Show with David LEtterman, Madonna, Mario, Juvenile, Fatman Scoop and Wycleff Jean. Film: American Gangster – Denzel Washington, Russell Crow, The Tourist – Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry – Adam Sandler, Disney’s Enchanted – Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey.
Mariya Pickett
Mariya Pickett has a B.A. in Dance from Point Park University. She has been a professional dancer at Universal Studios Florida and freelance choreographer for dance competitions.
Mariya also has fitness certifications in Pilates Mat, Zumba, and Cycling. She currently teaches jazz, lyrical and contemporary dance at Sell’s Broadway Dance Center and Footworks Dance Studio in Orlando, Florida.
Lindsey Stevens
Lindsey Stevens, originally from rural Maine, most recently graduated from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, with a BFA in Dance Education with a concentration in Ballet. Lindsey has studied all genres and styles with top teachers including Christine Cox of Ballet X, Anastacia Babayeva of the Moscow Ballet, Kim Bears-Bailey of Philadanco, Zane Booker of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Netherlands Dance Theater and Scott Jovovich of the Broadway stage and Joffrey Ballet, among others.
Highlights of Lindsey’s performances include the full length musical “On Your Toes”, including “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue”, restaged classical ballet work “Classical Symphony”, and modern dance pioneer Pearl Primus’ solo “Strange Fruit”, as well as other original works while in Philadelphia including “In Memoriam…” choreographed by Tommy Waheed of Philadanco, where Lindsey was a featured performer.
In the summer of 2010, Lindsey had the privilege of working at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet summer intensive, where she also received training from Ashley Bouder of NYCB, Laslo Berdo formerly of Boston Ballet and Julie Diana of the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Since she was 6, Lindsey knew she wanted to be a dance teacher and spent the 2011-2012 season teaching at Addicted 2 Dance Company in Ambler, PA choreographing modern competition dances that received several awards and teaching musical theater jazz, contemporary and modern, as well as musical theater tap/jazz in New Jersey at Raise the Barre Dance Center. Lindsey has also returned to her alumni dance studio, Laurie’s School of Dance, in Maine to teach all genres. Lindsey’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing each student grow and enjoy themselves through movement.
Lexie Childers
Lexie Childers was born and raised in Columbus, OH. She began dancing, teaching and choreographing at age 14. After graduating high school early to pursue dance, Lexie moved to New York City to study at American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
After graduation, Lexie made her professional debut in the Off-Broadway Show, “Teen Angel” where, in addition to performing, she choreographed the opening number. Lexie is currently a company member with SynthesisDANCE under the artistic direction of Tracie Stanfield.
Lexie has recently performed with the Brooklyn Dance Festival, Young Choreographers Festival, and the JKing Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Joyce King. She has also appeared on hit television shows, commercials and print ads, including Smash (NBC), NYC 22, Powerade and Xenadrine.
Kimberly Fitch
In hopes of becoming the next Shirley Temple, Kimberly Fitch began dancing in her small hometown of Churchville, NY at 7 years old. At 17 Kimberly graduated from the prestigious Little Red Dancing School & headed to The Boston Conservatory ballet program. She has since gone on to perform in every area of the entertainment world, both nationally & internationally.
Just months after moving to NYC Kimberly was spotted in class at Broadway Dance Center and asked to dance for Britney Spears. After her first gig as the featured “Slave For You” dancer inTotal Britney Spears Live (MTV) she went on to dance in the MTV Upfronts at Madison Square Garden hosted by Jessica Alba and Kanye West, the internationally televised Bollywood Fashion Awards (airing in over 20 countries) & performed in music videos, concerts and tours with N’Sync, Avril Lavigne, Ricky Martin, Kimberly Caldwell, Wilmer Valderamma, Drake Bell, Runner Runner, Daddy Yankee, Ian Campbell, Chubby Checker, Earth Wind & Fire, Lisa-Lisa, MC Hammer & many more.
In the NYC theater world Kimberly originated the lead role in Derek Mitchell’s Off Broadway show Thin Line, played Graziella in West Side Story and Anne in La Cage Aux Folles (directed by Broadways Beauty & the Beast director, Sam Scalamoni). Her attention to detail led to her becoming dance caption of Cabaret, Brigadoon, My Fair Lady, Once Upon A Mattress and a dancer aboard Celebrity Cruiselines. She has trained closely & performed with such legends as Gregory Hines, Julie Andrews, Ann Reinking and Ben Vereen, as well as working with her mentors AC Ciulla, Andy Blankenbeuhler, David Marquez & Ray Leeper.
Along the way Kimberly ventured into the worlds of acting, modeling & voiceovers. The spunky New Yorker has been seen on screen in The Bold & The Beautiful, Law and Order, The Today Show, Broadway’s A Chorus
Line Workout, numerous commercials, independent feature films and magazines, including a feature in Dance Spirit Magazine. She starred in 13 episodes of the international drama series A Love Like This and is a busy voice-over actress. You may recongnize her voice not only from your competition critiques 😉 but from commercials and animation and as a reccurring guest host on Sirrius Satellite Radio’s Cosmopolitan Magazine Radio Show. She has worked extensively with Bill Farmer, the voice of Disney’s Goofy and thanks him for being such an amazing mentor.
When not performing Kimberly choreographs commercially (commercials, music videos, TV & film) in Los Angeles. She tours the US & Canada as Director of KFiNC Dance. She has been a guest jazz instructor at The Joffrey Ballet School, choreographed Santa Monica Ballet’s Spring 2011 contemporary ballet and is a guest artist at companies throughout America. She loves passing her passion and experiences on to the next generation of dancers is blessed to work with so many amazingly gifted & inspirational dancers!
You can also find Kimberly Fitch judging & teaching master classes at National Conventions and Competitions for Starquest Talent, American Dance Awards, Intrigue, Fluid Dance Convention, Dance Xplosion and more.
Lauren Blane
Lauren Blane is a proud native of Chicago’s western suburbs. She began training seriously at the Faubourg Ballet Academy under the direction of Watmora Casey. She later graduated with honors from Grand Valley State University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Performance. In her senior year, Lauren’s choreography was chosen to be featured in the American College Dance Festival gala.
Upon graduation, Lauren was selected by the Dance Faculty to receive The Outstanding Undergraduate Award in Dance. After she graduated from GVSU, she studied as a year-round scholarship student at the Lou Conte Dance Studio under the direction of Claire Bataille.
Lauren also performed as a feature dancer in the Lincolnshire Marriott’s production of SHOUT!, Now and Forever, The Nutcracker, and Mary Poppins. Lauren also performs both principal and soloist roles in the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble’s production of The Nutcracker. She then had the privilege of performing as a back-up dancer for Beyonce on Oprah’s Farewell Episode at the United Center.
Lauren is currently dancing with Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago’s Second Company and is the assistant coach of the Cary Grove High School Varsity Poms Team. She also choreographs for the Lake Zurich High School musicals and is a Certified Personal Trainer, soon to be a Certified Sports Nutritionist. Lauren loves to dance because she believes that dance is a language where all styles and variations are accepted and embraced. An interesting fact about Lauren is that she loves to draw and paint.
Kellie Johnston
Kellie Johnston has over 30 years of extensive dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip hop. She has taught in private studios all over California for the past 14 years and has directed and produced many shows, and led many competitive teams to victory.
Kellie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications from CSU, Chico, and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education from National University. In 2012 and 2013, she was awarded the California Association of Dance/Drill Team Directors’ “Rookie Director of the Year.”
Kellie led the Troy High School Red Hots Dance Team to victory when they won the National Title in Florida, achieving many first places and “Best in Category” awards. Her other recent credits include teaching adult dance fitness classes at Cardio Barre in Irvine and judging dance competitions through the CADTD organization.
An Orange County, CA native, Kellie has been married to her husband Kyle for 7 years and has a 2 year old son, Jake.
Kate Ashworth
Kate Ashworth has a degree in dance from the University of Oregon. She has extensive training in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop and ballroom. She was the Production Manager for the University of Oregon’s repertory company for 3 seasons, and completed a senior project in lighting design and choreography. During her senior year and the year after she graduated, Kate worked as Technical Assistant in her studio theater, and had the opportunity to teach the beginning Dance Production classes.
After graduating in 2009, Kate attended Bates Dance Festival as a technical production and lighting design intern, and was honored to work with Kate Weare Company, Tania Issac, Robert Battle and Battleworks, and Bebe Miller. Kate has also been honored to work as Production and Company Manager for Spectrum Dance Theater, under the artistic direction of Donald Byrd in Seattle, Washington, where she has also had the opportunity to teach jazz and pilates classes.
Kate began her full time dance teaching “career” in 10th grade. After that, you could say it was all up-hill! Her first real camp experience was attending the Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Workshop and Jazz Dance World Congress in San Jose, Costa Rica during the summer after 11th grade. She was exposed to all new forms of jazz and world dance, including Zumba, Samba, and Costa Rican street dancing. After that year, she organized and ran her own summer dance camps for students at her home studio. This was a great lesson in organization, curriculum development, and creativity!
Jessica Chen
Jessica Chen is the Founder and Artistic Director of J CHEN PROJECT. She is a global artist with a base in Santa Barbara and New York City. Chen received a B.A. in Global Studies from the University of California in Santa Barbara and continued her dance training in NYC at The Ailey School and Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, where she received a full scholarship.
At the Earl Mosley’s Institute of the Arts, Chen worked with choreographers such as Sharon Wong, Juan Rodriguez of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Julian Barnett, Camille A. Brown and Darcy Naganuma.
She has taught master classes, workshops and seminars at institutions such as Columbia University – Barnard College, Semester at Sea, Yale University, Boston University, Do-One (Japan), Jazz DU Funk (China), Mt. Holyoke, and Orange County School of the Arts, as well as her alma mater.
As a commercial dancer, Jessica has danced in music videos such as Ecko Red with Vanessa Hudgens and “her Hair is on Fire” with Semi Precious Weapons. She also toured internationally with hip hop artist and judge of America’s Best Dance Crew, Lil’ Mama.
Chen was honored as Keynote Speaker at Cornell University’s Celebration of Asian American Women for her work empowering female leadership within the community. She presented “If I Can Dance It, Then It’s Possible” at the 2014 TEDx organized by Semester at Sea. Her work has been featured internationally, at the 2010 World Expo USA Pavilion- Shanghai, China and the Amnesty International Arts Festival- Washington D.C.
Jamie Leneau
Jamie Leneau has been dancing for 30 years. She has taught the Middle School and Upper School dance programs at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, CA since 2007. In addition, Leneau is the Head Cheerleading Coach for St. Margaret’s.
Jamie is originally from Texas where she taught jazz, modern, ballet and tap to students ages 3 to adult. During her dance studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, she danced with the University’s undergraduate performing dance company, was awarded the Dance Ensemble Scholarship two years in a row and was honored at the Presidents Convocation. Upon graduation, she taught dance classes at UTA and directed the University’s undergraduate performing company for five years.
Leneau taught master classes in jazz at the American College Dance Festival South Central Region from 2002 to 2006. In addition to teaching, She performed professionally with Le Cabaret Burlesque and continues to appear as a guest artist for the company when she is in Dallas.
At the University of California, Irvine, Jamie taught jazz and social dance classes and was the assistant to renowned choreographer Loretta Livingston for two years. Her graduate thesis examined how to best meet the needs of dancers with physical challenges within the university’s dance curriculum. She has guest choreographed and taught for Laguna Beach High School’s dance program.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, having graduated Magna Cum Laude, and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of California, Irvine.
Jamie joined the American Dance Training Camps staff in 2008 and directed ADTC dance camps in Camarillo, CA and Squaw Valley, CA.
Heather Gaffin
Heather Gaffin is a native of Philadelphia, PA where she trained in all style of dance since the age of 3. She grew up performing at dance competitions and pageants where she was awarded numerous titles and scholarships including the title of Junior Miss Pre-Teen New York.
As an Independent Study Program student in high school, she was able to train full-time in NYC and tour nationally with Tremaine Dance Conventions as an assistant for Desiree Robbins, Liz Imperio and Joelle Martinec. She received her Associates Degree from The Borough of Manhattan Community College where she was on a full academic scholarship.
Heather assisted at numerous Broadway Dance Center Summer and Winter Intensives also giving her the opportunity to perform in NYC since the age of 11. She moved to Manhattan at 18 where she trained extensively with Tracie Stanfield, Sheila Barker, Michelle Assaf and Wes Veldink at Broadway Dance Center and Joe Lanteri at STEPS.
She taught and choreographed at many studios in the NJ, NY and PA area and also joined the The Pulse on Tour and Broadway Dance Center as a Work-Study student. Heather’s performance credits include “Fly with Me Workshop” Tracie Stanfield/SynthesisDANCE, EOS Caseology Watches Industrial Commercial “How We Roll”, along with additional performances with numerous companies and choreographers in the NYC and Philadelphia area.
After 7 years of being based in NYC, Heather relocated back home to Philadelphia to direct the junior training/performance company, Transcendance. She also worked as a regional/national judge with Revolution Talent Competition. Heather was the Assistant Studio Director of Millennium Dance Complex Philadelphia, and taught Contemporary Lyrical/Jazz.
Heather currently lives in Miami, FL where she teaches for many studios. She is the founder of Appetite for Dance.
Felicia Stiles
Felicia Stiles is from Concord, CA and has a BA from San Francisco State University. In 2015 she was “Miss San Francisco”, volunteering and attending events throughout the city and competing for the title of Miss California.
While competing with the Miss America Organization, Felicia promoted her platform, “The Importance of the Performing Arts in Schools & Community.”
Felicia currently teaches jazz, hip hop and tap dance at Studio A Dance in Pleasant Hill and is an actress with Stars Talent Agency, San Francisco.
Erin Weinberger
Erin Weinberger hails from sunny Sarasota, FL and has been dancing since age 2. She always knew she wanted a career performing, and studied theatre with a dance minor at Wilkes University in PA.
In 2013, Erin moved to the Big Apple and attended the Broadway Dance Center Summer Professional Semester. She has trained with Michael Mindlin, Richard J. Hinds, Al Blackstone, Billy Griffin, and Chip Abbot, to name a few.
Erin’s most recent theater credits include the National Tour of Cinderella, Beauty & the Beast, The Music Man, and Guys and Dolls. Her past dance performance credits include Broadway Backwards, Leg Up on Life, The Choreographer’s Canvas, and DanceHouseUSA’s Prepro.
Erin is thrilled to join ADTC in Vermont this summer! She wants to teach girls confidence and self-expression through dance. Erin believes that “if you love to dance, you’re good enough to dance!”
In addition to her “triple threat” performance resume, Erin is a licensed massage therapist and stilt walker in NYC!
Darcy Naganuma
Darcy Naganuma is the Artistic Director/Founder of NAGANUMA Dance. Born and raised in Lihue, Hawaii, Darcy currently runs her company out of New York City. Her choreography has been presented in Hawaii, Salt Lake City, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
Darcy’s heart resides in the dance studio; she is constantly invigorated by the magic that emerges as her own ideas meet the unique strengths of her collaborators.
On faculty at both Dance New Amsterdam and Broadway Dance Center in new York City, Darcy also heads the modern program at the school of the Westchester Ballet Company. Her teaching credits include workshops/classes at SUNY Purchase, PMT Dance Studio, the Utah State Dance Conference, Salt Lake Community College, and Repertory Dance Theatre. She has appeared in works by Ron K. Brown, Doug Elkins, Alwin Nikolais (solo reset by Alberto del Saz), Viola Farber, Linda Diamond, and Donna White.
Since its inception in January of 2006, NAGANUMA Dance has been selected to appear in the PMT Seasonal Showcases, the 2006 – 2009 Battery Dance Company Downtown Dance Festivals, the Earl Mosley Masters of Dance Performance Series, the 2006 Dumbo Dance Festival, the 2007 – 2009 White Wave Cool New York Dance Festivals, SummerStage 2010 (NYC), and the 2011 New Sounds, New Moves program at Joyce SoHo.
Darcy joined American Dance Training Camps ULTIMATE Green Mountains dance camp in Stratton, Vermont summer 2007, teaching contemporary, jazz and hip hop dance.
Ching Wong
Ching Ching Wong started dancing at age 3. Growing up, she was selected as “Miss Dance” and won numerous highest score honors at dance competitions nationwide, including Tremaine Dance Conventions, where she was awarded numerous scholarships.
Ching Ching has also been an apprentice for the Tremaine Conventions, assisting at various conventions and performing in their shows in San Francisco, New York, Florida, and Los Vegas. She even received the Cerritos Performing Arts Scholarship and the Jason Robins Memorial s Arts Scholarship.
Ching Ching earned her B.F.A. in Dance Performance with a minor in Psychology & Social Behavior and Education. She is currently a member of the Portland-based contemporary ballet company, Northwest Dance Project and admits she would be happiest if she could live in the dance room.
Ching Ching has worked several summers as a Hip Hop Instructor-Counselor at ADTC’s Sierra Mountains dance camp in Squaw Valley, California
Charly Wenzel
Charly Wenzel hails from Munich, Germany. She started dancing at the age of six and passed exams of the Royal Academy of Dancing. After graduating from the Iwanson School of Contemporary Dance in Germany, where she received a scholarship for studies at Ballet Academy Stockholm, Charly moved to New York to be a full-time student of the Alvin Ailey School. After completion of the program she became a scholarship student at Jennifer Muller “The Works” and atDance New Amsterdam.
Charly has danced at the Munich State Opera and performed for numerous independent choreographers in the NYC area. In addition, Charly has been touring internationally with Japanese singer Yoko Ishida, and has appeared as a dancer on MTV and for several recording artists. She has played lead and supporting roles in a number of independent films and was featured in Dance Spirit Magazine.
Charly is also the Associate Artistic Director of NAGANUMA Dance. She is simultaneously working on her own projects in collaboration with music and film artists. Her choreography has been featured in opera productions, culture competitions, and TV productions in Germany, and at The Cunningham Studio, Judson Memorial Church, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Interborough Repertory Theater, and at many other location in New York. Charly has taught ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, contemporary and theatre dance in Munich and at various locations in New York and New Jersey.
Cassia Cramer
Cassia Cramer is from Columbus, OH and has been dancing since the age of 3. She began her training at Dublin Dance Center and then Columbus Dance Arts Academy where she performed as a part of their repertoire companies, and trained extensively as a student teacher.
Cassia received her degree in dance performance from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While at Point Park she studied under Judith Leifer-Bentz (Martha Graham Dance Company), Nicolas Petrov (Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre), and Douglas Bentz, along with many others.
Cassia has danced with Vitoria Dance Company and performed with the company for 2 seasons as well as guest choreographed. Cassia has also guest taught at studios all around Ohio including: Dublin Dance Centre, Columbus Dance Arts Academy, North Pointe Dance Academy, and Performing Arts Dance Center.
In 2010, Cassia founded Seven Dance Company where she most recently directed and performed as principal dancer in “Lovely Diversions”, “A Collaboration”, “Human Design: A Simple Complex”, a “The Hour of the Unseen”, “Les Saisons D’Amor”, Nutcracker Variation” & “Alice in Wonderland”.
Cassia has also been seen in Columbus Alive and 614 Magazine for the founding and creation of Seven Dance Company. In 2012, Cassia co-founded Seven Dance Academy, where she currently teaches.
Cassia has been Program Director at American Dance Training Camps in Lake Forest, Illinois and Sparks Glencoe, Maryland.
Carl Lation
Carl Lation was born and raised in New Orleans, LA. He began his dance studies at the age of 15 at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), where he studied all styles of dance (ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, and tap).
After graduating from high school, Lation moved to New York City to continue his studies on a full scholarship to the Juilliard School.
Lation is currently performing and choreographing around the world. He has performed in City Center’s version of ” The Wiz the Musical” featuring Ashanti and was Reggie in San Francisco musical “Lost.” He also performed with Japanese artist Yosko in Tokyo, Japan. In fall of 2009 he choreographed his first Tollywood movie which opened in Feb 2010, and he also choreographed his first all female cast Cabaret show in NYC.
Carl Lation has worked at American Dance Training Camps ULTIMATE Green Mountains dance camp in Stratton, Vermont, teaching jazz, contemporary & modern dance.
Anthony Languren
Anthony Languren is a contemporary dancer, and choreographer based out of Los Angeles. He previously trained at Mount San Antonio College, under Amy Bates-Nakamura, Mike Esperanza, Will Johnston, Michelle Shear, and Lee Martino.
Anthony graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2014 with a B.A. in dance. Anthony has also supplemented his training through dancing at The EDGE PAC and Jimmie Defore.
Anthony’s performance highlights include the ACDFA Gala, two dance scholarships, Dimensions in Dance, The Carpenter Center, and Grand Prize at The Palm Desert Under the Stars Choreography Festival.
Anthony also serves as Founder and Artistic Director of his own contemporary dance company, Blurredink. He is very grateful to have the continual support of his friends, family, and mentors.
Angela Harriell
Angela Harriell is the director and choreographer of a popular NYC based downtown Nutcracker, selling out 8 seasons and touring professionally in Japan, as well as the founder and choreographer of the theatrical dance company, The Love Show.
A graduate of Fredonia University, where she received The Graduate Scholarship for ballet, she has danced with Elisa Monte and David Brown dance, Randy James Danceworks, Brooklyn Ballet, Opera Francais De New York, The Box, and was a professor teaching ballet at Binghamton University.
Angela has performed for several recording artists including Future, Gogol Bordello, Snoop, and The Trammps.
Angela has set original choreography for several dance schools and companies. Her work has been selected three times to be presented at special galas at the National Arts Club, where Angela has performed along with such luminaries as Elaine Stritch, Tammy Grimes, Charles Busch and Julie Halston.
Amy Allen
Amy Allen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Dance on scholarship from Loyola Marymount University where she studied with and performed works by Hinton Battle, Grover Dale, and Gilma Bustillo.
She has since studied with Gelsey Kirkland, Andy Blankenbuehler, the Paul Taylor Dance Company, and River North Chicago Dance Company. Amy’s performance credits include regional theatres, Holland America Cruise Line, Tokyo Disney Sea, the National Geographic Channel and the Wicked National Tour.
Touring afforded her the opportunity to teach across the country at universities including Michigan State University, UMass Amherst, and The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She has presented works at the American College Dance Festival, El Camino College, Saddleback College, Stagedoor Manor, and the University of California, Irvine which is also where she earned her MFA in Dance on scholarship.
Amy has worked as an Instructor-Counselor teaching Broadway dance at both our ULTIMATE Green Mountains – Stratton, VT & ULTIMATE Sierra Mountains – Squaw Valley, CA dance camps.
Amanda Myers
Amanda Myers is a national dancer and choreographer from Southeast Georgia. Her dance passion is for competitive jazz, lyrical, contemporary & hip hop.
Amanda has been a dancer, actress and stilt walker at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. She has choreographed competitive dances for several studios in the United States as well as print modeling for companies such as Coca Cola, Vault, Oil of Olay, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Full Throttle. She was part of a dance group called the Pussycat Angels.
In 2009, Amanda appeared on FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” in LA. She is certified as a ZUMBA Instructor as well as a choreographer for several studios throughout the Chicagoland area.
Currently, Amanda is an adjudicator for Applause Talent Competitions, Talent on Parade and is now Co-owner of an adult dance company in Chicago, called Rhythm Revolution. Amanda is also performing in the Carnival Choreographer’s Ball in Chicago for the first time this year.
Allison Slavin
Alli Slavin is from Indianapolis Indiana. She currently attends college at Purdue University of Indianapolis while also dancing. She is also busy teaching children’s theater.
This is Alli’s 7th year with American Dance Training Camps (she was a camper back in the day at our NC location). She can’t wait to be back for another awesome summer!
Aleks Wojda
Aleksandra Wojda was born in Pretoria, South Africa, but grew up dancing in the Chicagoland area. She graduated from Northwestern University in June 2006 with dual degrees in Communication Sciences & Disorders and International Studies.
While attending Northwestern full-time for four years, she trained at the Giordano Dance Center as both a work-study and scholarship student. She has performed in Dance Chicago under the direction of Nick Pupillo and Tracy Marrion. In the summer of 2006, she was seen as a top twenty dancer on the second season of Fox’s hit show, So You Think You Can Dance.
After ending a run at the Lincolnshire Marriott’s production of All Night Strut, she joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago’s second company, which she enjoyed for a year. She has been featured in industrials for Jockey, Panasonic, Barton G., Sebastian/Graham Webb/Wella, Pepsi, and the Red Hawk Casino.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, she has kept busy working in music videos with such artists as Lady GaGa, David Cook, Kaskade, and Sara Bareilles.
ADTC campers love getting to know a “celebrity” at camp and learning all about her time on their favorite TV show!
Aimee Russon
Aimee Russon discovered her passion for dance at a young age, beginning her training in Cary, IL at the Dance Academy of Cary and then Cary-Grove Performing Arts Center.
Aimee has recently graduated from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Modern Dance. Her performance experience also includes the Xtreme Dance Force Jazz Division of Naperville, IL and the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble in Schaumburg, IL.
Believing in the spirit of strengthening the next generation of dancers, Aimee teaches ballet, jazz, and tap to students of all ages and is excited to see what the future holds.
Still Need More Jazz Dance Choreography?
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