Rise Up Andra Day Dance Tutorial
Contemporary dance tutorial to “Rise Up” by Andra Day. The Rise Up Andra Day dance tutorial is from ADTC’s Free To Dance Friday live-stream class on May 15, 2020.
Contemporary Dance Classes @ ADTC Overnight Camps
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or experienced performer, we have a fun & challenging contemporary dance class that will be perfect for you. You’ll dance to upbeat popular songs while playing with balance, floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation. In addition to learning a full performance piece, you’ll be encouraged to explore emotions through dances which push against traditional boundaries.
Contemporary dance is offered as one of the four core dance classes each session-week at American Dance Training Camps. It’s personal, it’s nebulous, and it’s philosophy in motion – best of all, you’ll love it!
Preview Contemporary Performance Videos from ADTC Dance Camps Nationwide
Watch contemporary 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 contemporary dance choreography.
ADTC Virtual Contemporary Dance Camps & Classes
In contemporary dance, we express emotions & physically communicate a choreographer’s vision. By allowing our feelings to move through us, we learn to move others. A contemporary dance piece at ADTC may take the form of a personal narrative, an allegory, a commentary on society, or an integration of a wide variety of dance techniques.
Our virtual contemporary 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 Contemporary Dance Camp Staff
Our top-notch contemporary 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.
Ashley Peter
Ashley Peter is a New York City based professional dancer, choreographer, adjudicator and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in Jazz and Ballet from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Ashley grew up in Central Florida, but she holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada. She travels all over the US and Canada to dance competitions & conventions such as Beyond the Stars, Breakout Dance, SHINE, Starquest, Legacy Dance and Impact Dance in pursuit of her passion – to educate young dancers.
Ashley has been on staff with Universal Dance Association, DivaDance NYC, the Broadway Theatre Project (founded by Ann Reinking), and The Jimmy Awards. Ashley has choreographed for Flash Mob America, the OMMA Awards, Florida Dance Masters, and singer/songwriter Joey Contreras.
Some of Ashley’s favorite performance credits include the Brooklyn based contemporary dance company, UrbanHumans, the NYC Jazz Dance Festival, the Walt Disney Company, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, and RWS & Associates. She has also done national industrials, original Broadway workshops, and numerous shows & festivals throughout NYC.
Ashley has been a Program Director and Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Vermont, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, North Carolina & virtually since 2016. She has a twin brother and is obsessed with her senior dog, Trotter. Another passion of Ashley’s is painting with acrylics – especially painting nature and pets!
Ellen Mihalick
Ellen Mihalick grew up dancing at NJ Ballet and the NJ Dance Theater Ensemble. She live in NYC where she has been a Radio City Rockette since 2013.
In addition to performing at Radio City, Ellen’s professional dance credits include the Broadway National Tours of An American in Paris and South Pacific.
Other favorite career moments include West Side Story (Graziella/DC), Shrek the Musical (ensemble/DC), TV appearances on Amazon’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and HBO’s Succession, as well as walking in NY Fashion week.
When not performing, Ellen is a personal trainer, barre teacher & choreographer. Her recent choreographer credits include Matilda The Musical!
Ellen has been an Instructor & Director at ADTC summer dance camps in California, 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.”
Outside of dance, Ellen’s loves include her cat Toni, her six nieces and nephews, and traveling the world… 29 countries and counting. You’ll always see Ellen with her coffee in hand and lots of energy!
Eileen Boyle
Eileen Boyle is a New York City based dancer, choreographer & educator specializing in contemporary, jazz & heels. Originally from Virginia, she moved to NYC to study at the Joffrey Ballet School as a Jazz and Contemporary trainee.
Eileen recently completed Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester where she worked with industry-leading choreographers such as Meghan Sanett, Theresa Stone & Marc Kimelman. Eileen has 10+ years experience choreographing, directing productions & teaching dancers of all ages.
Eileen is thrilled to be returning to ADTC for her 16th summer (she started as a camper at ADTC in Vermont in 2006). She is now Program Director of our dance camps in North Carolina & Mayland!
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.”
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!
Delight Moore
Shanik “Delight” Moore is an artist and educator based in Atlanta, GA. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from Brenau University, and is currently working on her Ph.D in Organization & Management.
Delight founded her 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 traveled to Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
In addition to performing, Delight has been teaching and choreographing for over ten years. Her emphasis as a dance educator is to create an environment that encourages self-expression and provides opportunities for self-discovery.
Delight has been on staff at ADTC in North Carolina, Maryland & virtually since 2018. She can’t wait to be back!
Alli Gallant
Alli Gallant is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer in the NY area. Originally from Massachusetts, Alli grew up dancing competitively in a multitude of styles including jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, tap, ballet and Irish step dancing.
Alli recently completed the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in NYC where she worked with leading choreographers in the dance industry. She has also performed Improv Comedy throughout the city with her team, “Good For You.”
Alli’s recent performance credits include being a featured dancer in the award winning short film, Youthful Faces (directed and choreographed by Lane Napper), dancing in NY Fashion Week and performing at Six Flags for the Halloween Season Unleashed!
Alli so excited to be back for her 17th summer at ADTC! She has been a camper, CIT, JIC, IC, APD and PD in Vermont, Colorado and Wisconsin, and has directed and taught many ADTC virtual camps!
Kim McClay
Kim McClay is a multi-disciplined artist based in New York City. A native of St. Louis, she grew up training at Krupinski Academy of Dance and performing at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre (The MUNY).
Kim graduated Magna Cum Laude from Millikin University in Decatur, IL with a degree in Musical Theatre. She has performed in regional houses across the US, including Ogunquit Playhouse, The Arvada Center, and The Cape Playhouse. One of Kim’s favorite performance credits is playing Maggie on the 2018 National Tour of A Chorus Line.
Kim is a passionate advocate for arts education & enjoys making music whenever she can. In addition to a dancer, she is a singer/songwriter and performs with her band across the NYC music scene (most notably Birdland Jazz Club and Rockwood Music Hall). She also teaches dance and musical theatre with an after-school program in NYC called Applause!
Kim joined ADTC in 2018 as an Instructor-Counselor in North Carolina. She stepped up as Program Director in Wisconsin in 2023. 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.
When she’s not performing on the stage, Kim can be found biking down the Hudson River Pathway, catching some live music, or holed up in a coffee shop with a good book.
Lauren Goodman
Lauren Goodman Lauren Goodman grew up dancing mostly ballet 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.
As a Dance Major & Merit Scholarship recipient at Wright State University, Lauren began exploring more genres (modern, jazz, contemporary, improv, etc.). After her sophomore year, she was accepted into Alonzo King Lines Contemporary Ballet Company’s trainee program in San Francisco and moved there to further expand her dance training.
Lauren is currently on the Dean’s List at Northern Michigan University where she is pursuing a degree in Exercise Science with a Minor in Dance. Her favorite dance roles include Black Swan in Swan Lake, Cinderella in Cinderella, and Balanchine’s Serenade.
Lauren has been an Instructor-Counselor & Assistant Program Director at ADTC dance camps in California, Wisconsin, Texas, Illinois & Maryland since 2021.
Sakina Ibrahim
Sakina Ibrahim is a performer, teaching artist, and coach based in Los Angeles. She has a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she earned “Dance Outreach” and “Excellence in Performance” awards.
Sakina also received scholarships to the Bates Dance Festival, University of Illinois, and The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance. Most recently, she 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.
Gina Daugherty
Gina Daugherty is a professional dancer and choreographer in Chicago. She currently performs with the Season 61 Ensemble of Giordano Dance Chicago, “America’s original jazz dance company.” When she isn’t performing, Gina also adjudicates and teaches for many competitions and studios around the country.
Gina previously resided in NYC where her associate choreographer credits include The Elf On the Shelf (Nat’l Tour), The Quiet World (Jerome Robbins Foundation), Newsies, Saturday Night Fever, Evita, Noël (Nat’l Tour), and BCEFA charity events. While in NYC, Gina also participated in Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester and studied at Peridance Capezio Center, and Axis Connect NY/LA.
Gina’s favorite performance credits include Dance Captain/Swing of the 2nd National Tour of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, DanceBreak 2019, Battery Dance Festival, and Danza Heights Festival. Gina has worked with world renowned choreographers including Tony Testa, Peter Chu, Mandy Moore, Jaci Royal, Michael Mindlin, and Ephrat Asherie.
Gina has been with ADTC since 2018, teaching in Vermont, North Carolina, Illinois & virtually.
Jayme Wappel
Jayme Wappel is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Connecticut. She has a B.A. in Dance from Point Park University and is the Owner & Director of Monroe Dance Academy.
Jayme is originally from North Carolina and began her dance career in Raleigh at CC & Company Dance Complex where she trained in all genres of dance, ranging from ballet, to jazz, tap and broadway. At Point Park she trained with Kiesha Lalama, Doug Bentz, Garfield Lemonius, and Jason McDole.
Some of Jayme’s favorite performance credits include Finding Neverland (1st National Tour, Swing/Dance Captain); West Side Story (Paper Mill); Guys & Dolls (Goodspeed); Mary Poppins, Starlight Express (Tuacahn Amphitheater); Yo, Vikings! (Pittsburgh Playhouse); and Royal Caribbean (aerialist). And she recently worked closely with Tiler Peck (NYC Ballet Principal Dancer) on a project at Carnegie Hall.
Jayme has directed & taught at ADTC dance camps in Illinois, North Carolina, Maryland, Wisconsin & virtually for 12+ years. She started as a Junior Instructor-Counselor in Illinois in 2011.
When she’s not dancing, you’ll most likely find Jayme listening to a podcast, playing with her goldendoodle, Teddy, or baking with her husband, Clancy! She also loves global travel, roller skating, hiking, pineapples, and, of course, chipmunks.
Emma Randall
Emma Randall is a professional dancer & choreographer based in Denver, Colorado. She has a B.A. in Dance and English from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Emma began dancing when she was 10 years old at the Singapore American School. She moved to Marin County, CA when she was 13 and continued her dance training at Roco Dance Studio.
While at CU, Emma found a passion for Hip Hop and House dance and she was a Team Captain and choreographer for the school’s street dance team, VeRVE Collisionz. She is dedicated to spreading the knowledge she continues to gain about the rich history of these dance styles.
Emma is currently a member of VisKosity Dance Collective; a Contemporary-Street Dance fusion company. Emma attended ADTC in California as a camper for six years and she has taught at ADTC in California & Colorado since 2016.
Jo Liebenberg
Joanne Liebenberg is a professional performing artist and dance instructor from South Africa based in New York City. She recently performed on the First National Tour of The Thorn as Dance Captain and Associate Choreographer, and in Shade Productions’ cirque Halloween show, Unleashed.
Joanne has completed two contracts cruising and performing for audiences around the world with Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines. She 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.
When Joanne is not performing, she is teaching Hot Yoga and Sculpt classes at Corepower Yoga NYC as well as Dance and Choreography at many different studios along the east coast. She is also a certified Nutritionist and Adv PADI scuba diver.
Joanne has been an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Vermont, Maryland and Colorado for two summers. She 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 is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New York City where she is a member of Hanna Q Dance Company.
Sophia grew up dancing at her mom’s studio in Massachusetts and started teaching when she was 14. She trained pre-professionally at The Bolshoi Ballet Summer Intensive, The American Academy of Ballet, Koltun Ballet Academy, and the Joffrey Ballet School Trainee Program. She completed the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester at eighteen.
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 XY Dance Project.
When she’s not performing, Sophia teaches contemporary & hip hop in NYC, in addition to continuing to teach at her mom’s dance studio, The Center for Performing Arts in Methuen, MA.
Sophia joined the ADTC team in 2022 and has been an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont, Maryland & California for two summers.
Katelyn Martin
Katelyn Martin is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Los Angeles. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Dance and Communication Studies.
Growing up in New Hampshire, Katelyn’s mother always encouraged her to be a performer and she has been dancing and performing since she was three years old. In addition to dance, she loves theatre and performing in musicals.
While at LMU, Katelyn danced with Radix Dance Crew and Kuumba Beatz Dance Crew. She also trainined with Jason Myhre, Chad Michael Hall, Tony Czar, and Rogelio Lopez, and performed works by Marjani Forte, Holly Johnston, Paige Porter, Laila Abdullah, and J.T Hornstein.
Katelyn started as a Junior Instructor-Counselor (“JIC”) at ADTC in Vermont in 2010. She’s been an Instructor-Counselor (“IC”) in Vermont, California & Maryland for more than 10 summers, as well as Program Director (“PD”) at ADTC in Colorado for 2 summers.
Carissa Bellando
Carissa Bellando is originally from New Jersey but she is currently based in Burlington, Vermont. She holds a MFA in Contemporary Dance from Case Western Reserve University and a BA in Theatre and Speech with a concentration in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from Wagner College.
Before moving into teaching and choreographing full-time, Carissa performed professionally for thirteen years throughout the US, Taiwan, and at sea with Norwegian Cruise Line and Aida Cruises. She has taught and choreographed in the US and Germany for colleges, conservatories, theaters, dance companies, and studios.
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.
Carissa was an Adjunct Professor at her alma mater, Wagner College, for four years. During that time she taught Musical Theatre and Dance majors and minors in multiple levels of jazz, modern, contemporary, ballet, pointe, and choreography/composition. She also choreographed five original full-length dance concerts and multiple musicals.
Some of Carissa’s 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.
In addition to being a professional dance teacher and choreographer in VT, Carissa is a Registered Vinyasa and Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RYT, RPYT) and a certified Zumba teacher. She has been an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Vermont & Maryland since 2021. She loves bringing her high energy and extensive dance training and knowledge to dancers of all ages and levels.
CJ Johnson
Christina Johnson (“CJ”) is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New York City. CJ fell in love with dance back in the 1900’s in 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 and performed all over the world with The Love Show and Shir Dance Theater, She also choreographed and produced the Jerboa Dance NYC premier “Back from the Brink.”
CJ’s choreography has been featured on Fox 5, America’s Got Talent, and “Loosen My Tie” video. She has also performed for P Diddy, Beyoncé, Martha Stuart, and was an opening soloist for Diana Ross.
CJ has directed and taught at ADTC locations in California, Colorado, Vermont, Texas, New Jersey, Maryland & Wisconsin since 2010.
Joule Valdez
Joule Valdez is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Victoria, Texas. She has a degree in Business with a minor in Dance from Victoria College.
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. Joule is also the Executive Director for the Calhoun South Texas Strutters in Port Lavaca, TX.
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. When not dancing, Joule is a preschool teacher, but her goal is to own her own studio one day!
Jessalyn-Wilson
Jessalyn Wilson is a dancer, choreographer & educator based in Wisconsin. She recently graduated from Viterbo University with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a minor in Dance. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics through Viterbo.
Jessalyn grew up competing with Miss Andrea’s Dance Factory in Rockton, IL. She was Valedictorian of her high school class and won a full-tuition scholarship to college. At Viterbo, she was a four-year member and captain of the University Dance Team and earned four All-America titles. She was also a dancer and choreographer for Viterbo’s biannual Dance Kaleidoscope showcase.
This is Jessalyn’s 12th year with ADTC! She spent five summers as a camper in Illinois, and then two summers as a Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Illinois & Wisconsin before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2019. She has been an Instructor Counselor in Illinois, North Carolina & Maryland, as well as Assistant Program Director in Wisconsin!
When Jessalyn isn’t dancing, she can be found enjoying a good book, training for a half marathon, listening to Taylor Swift, or working on an embroidery or crochet project! Read Jessalyn’s ADTC Idol Story!
Makenzie Murdock
Makenzie Murdock is a New York City based dancer and creative, originally from Los Angeles, California. She has a B.A. in Human Biology and a minor in Dance from the University of Southern California.
Makenzie began dancing at a young age with Pacific Festival Ballet while training in the summers with the Joffrey Chicago Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and Alonzo King Lines Ballet. Shortly after graduating from USC, she moved to New York and completed the Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester.
In NYC, Makenzie has worked with choreographers such as Marc Kimelman (Jagged Little Pill) and Chaz Wolcott (Newsies). Makenzie has been an Associate Choreographer for Chaz’s recent projects: Cats, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and the Steps on Broadway Certificate Program.
Some of Makenzie’s performance highlights have been dancing as Victoria in Cats (Interlakes Theatre), Dance Against Cancer Gala (Lincoln Center), and most recently as a dancer in the first National Tour of The Thorn!
Makenzie has a passion for teaching and was excited to share her love of dance as an ADTC Instructor-Counselor in North Carolina & Wisconsin in 2023. She also has a love for dinosaurs and all things sparkly! Makenzie’s favorite food is toast and Princess Poppy is her spirit animal.
When she’s not dancing, Makenzie can be found with her head in a book, hanging at the beach, or planning her next adventure!
Gianna McCurry
Gianna McCurry is a choreographer and dancer based in central California. She majored in Women’s Studies & Dance at California State University in Fresno.
Some of Gianna’s performance credits include Break the Barriers’ A Nutcracker Like No Other as a guest artist, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company’s summer and winter showcases, commercials for Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino as well as performing in Fresno State’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble as a featured dancer and Fresno City College’s spring and fall shows as a guest artist and choreographer.
Gianna has won contemporary choreography awards for Yosemite Dance Company. She has choreographed several shows including Guys and Dolls, Suessical! The Musical, Music Man, 13! The Musical, Newsies, and Freaky Friday.
Gianna curently teaches dance at Roosevelt High School for the Arts as well as the Central Unified School District, and she is the musical theater choreographer for Clovis West High School. Gianna won Clovis its only title for a large group ensemble with “Shipoopi” from The Music Man. She also guest teaches at Rave Dance Complex and Central Dance Academy.
Gianna is a founding member of (Kin)esphere Dance Project under the direction of Elena Razai and she continues to seek dance education and training. Gianna joined the ADTC Team as an Instructor-Counselor in California, Texas & Wisconsin in 2023.
April Lorenzi
April Lorenzi is a dancer, choreographer and teacher based in New York. She graduated with a dance major from the Long Island High School for the Arts and has a BA in Psychology & Minor in Dance from SUNY at Fredonia NY.
April has also trained at Ballet Long Island, the Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory in NYC and the University of the Arts. She has danced throughout the world, most recently onboard the MSC Seashore cruise ship.
Prior to her cruise ship contract, April played a lead rose in one of the stage shows at Motiongate Dubai Theme Parks. April was also a performer at Walt Disney World in Florida for three years. She received Disney’s Hollywood Studios Entertainment Quarterly Award in 2019.
Some favorite performance credits for April in Florida were dancing with Emotions Dance Company & FrediDance Project, as well as performing in the Ultimate Experience Barracuda Show, and Teatro Martini Dinner Show. She also taught dance at Russion Ballet Orlando and Studio K Orlando.
April joined the ADTC Team as an Instructor-Counselor in California and Texas in 2023. April has worked very hard to get where she is in dance today and she wants to inspire others to also live out their dreams!
Kiley Corcoran
Kiley Corcoran is a New York City based dancer, choreographer and educator. She graduated Valedictorian with her BFA in Dance & Minor in Musical Theatre from The University of The Arts. She is currently on faculty at American Youth Dance Theatre in NYC where her work has been shown at the Kaye Playhouse Theatre at Hunter College.
Kiley’s love of dance and theatre began in her hometown of Andover, Massachusetts. She studied ballet, jazz, tap & Horton technique under Jeannette Neill’s pre-professional dance company, Boston Youth Moves. She also worked with Jim Viera and guest artists such as Kirven Douthit-Boyd & Matt Anctil.
Kiley has trained at the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive, Rockettes Summer Intensive, and the American Dance Festival. Some of her favorite credits include performing in works by Milton Myers, Sidra Bell, Paul Matteson, and performing Tommie Waheed-Evans’ piece, “Bodies as Site…” at the International Association of Blacks in Dance in Los Angeles.
Kiley joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2023. She is friends with long-time ADTC veteran staff member, Gina Daugherty (they met when they were just 18 years old at The University of The Arts). You’ll often see Kiley decked out in Lululemon as she is the Guest Experience lead at their UWS location!
Lauren Soto
Lauren Soto is a professional dancer, singer and actress based in New York City. She has a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University.
Lauren began dancing when she was 3 years old in South Florida and started choreographing and teaching at Meg Segreto’s Dance Center in Davie, FL.
Most recently, Lauren was on tour with Jesus Christ Superstar as the Dance Captain and swing. Other performance credits include the National Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the International tours of Westside Story and Grease (The Rev).
Lauren joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2023. Outside of dance, Lauren is a PADI Scuba Instructor and has done over 250 dives – she is obsessed with the ocean!
Kelly MacMillan
Kelly MacMillan is a New York City based dancer and choreographer. She is originally from Toledo, OH and has a BFA in Dance from Indiana University.
Some of Kelly’s favorite theatre credits include the Pre-Broadway tryout of The Karate Kid the Musical (Stages St. Louis), Linda in the Wedding Singer (Gateway Playhouse), Footloose (The Muny), and DeLee in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (ACT of CT). You can also see Kelly as a Principle Dancer on Apple TV’s ROAR (choreography by Marguerite Derricks).
Kelly has danced throughout the world, including on the Holland America Line (Rotterdam) cruise ship. She was also a dancer and Show Captain for the Lights, Camera, Action! and Luminosity shows at Cedar Point theme park in Ohio.
Kelly joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2023. A fun fact about Kelly is that she has a frog that is 29 years old!! It was a birthday present for her older brother before she was born and it’s older than she is!
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 teaching and directing ADTC dance camps in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado and virtually since 2017.
Kierstyn Sharrow
Kierstyn Sharrow is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New York City. She 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. Her performance credits include the 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 and Wisconsin since 2017. Kierstyn has an amazing sense of humor and loves to make our campers & staff laugh. She also loves having such an important impact on the lives of our campers.
Kierstyn 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.”
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 (“JIC”) at ADTC in North Carolina & Texas in 2018. She’s also been an Instructor Counselor in North Carolina, Wisconsin & Illinois, and was Asst. Program Director (“APD”) in North Carolina & Maryland in 2022.
Sadie Arundale
Sadie Arundale is a dancer & choreographer in Massachusetts. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Dance and a minor in Business at UMass Amherst.
Sadie grew up dancing competitively at a local MA studio. She has also trained and performed with Pantos Project and Urbanity Dance companies in Boston. In college, Sadie is a member of the UMass Dance Company and a group fitness instructor for campus recreation.
This is Sadie’s 9th year with ADTC! She spent six summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Vermont before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2021. She has been an Instructor Counselor in Vermont, North Carolina & Colorado, as well as Assistant Program Director in Vermont!
Sadie has a passion for improv and choreography and she loves being a positive role model for younger campers. Read Sadie’s ADTC Idol Story!
Dakota Smith
Dakota Smith is a professional dancer and choreographer based in New York City. She has a BA in Dance and a minor in Theater Production and Design from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Dakota grew up in the ballet world, starting dance at the age of three. In NYC she has shifted more into the jazz/theatre scene. Dakota was recently on a contract with Celebrity Cruises for seven months traveling to Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas. Along with a Production Cast Dancer, she was also the wardrobe captain, mending older costumes to keep them in great condition.
Dakota joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Colorado in 2023. Dancing has always been her passion and she’s proud it is now her profession! Dakota dreams of being on Broadway or a Rockette in the near future…
McKenna Birmingham
McKenna Birmingham is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator in New York City. She has a BFA in Dance from Julliard.
McKenna is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Her training began at her mother’s dance studio where she studied many forms of competitive dance. As a young dancer she appeared in the USA Family Festival, performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and performed with the Arlington Metropolitan Ballet.
At Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, McKenna danced works by Robert Battle, Dwight Rhoden, Jessica Lang, and performed numerous times at The Dallas Museum of Art. In 2007, she was named Dance Spirit Magazine’s “It Girl.”
At Julliard, McKenna danced works by Jose Limon, Sidra Bell, Eliot Feld, Jerome Robbins, and Ohad Naharin. Since graduating, McKenna has worked for L.A. Dance Project, Ballet Verité, Kathy Posin Dance Company, and Catapult Productions. From 2016 to 2020, McKenna toured with Phantom of the Opera performing as an ensemble member and a Meg Giry understudy. She performed at with the Metropoltan Opera in the fall of 2023.
McKenna currently teaches dance at New Canaan Dance Academy. She is passionate about spreading her curiosity for movement and was excited to join the ADTC team in Wisconsin in 2023. McKenna also loves dogs and collects playing cards!
Kya Cafaro
Kya Cafaro is a New York City based artist. She was a dance major and acting minor at a vocational public school, spending summers in NYC training at studios like Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Peridance.
Growing up in New Jersey in a family of creative people, Kya has been dancing, singing, acting, and playing music for as long as she can remember. When she turned eighteen, she dove head first into auditioning and performing full-time. Most recently, she performed on Holland America Line cruise ships and just got off of a Grand World Voyage which brought her to over thirty countries, performing nearly 400 times.
After spending last year at sea, Kya is thrilled to be back on land nurturing her love of teaching. She’s grateful to be able to adventure, see beautiful places, and connect with others, all while making art. Kya joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor Colorado and Wisconsin in 2023.
Outside of performing and teaching dance, Kya loves animals of all kinds. She has worked for animal control rescuing and rehoming animals, her favorite being a baby racoon.
Alyssa Guardino
Alyssa Guardino is a dancer & choreographer in South Carolina. She is currently pursuing a double major in Dance and Elementary Education with a K-12 dance education certification at the College of Charleston.
Alyssa started dancing at two years old, spending eleven years at Encore Dance Center and four years at High Definition Dance in New York where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, pointe, acro, contemporary, and theatre.
This is Alyssa’s 7th year with ADTC! She spent three summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Vermont before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2021. She has been a JIC & IC in North Carolina, Wisconsin & Maryland, and virtually.
When she’s not dancing, Alyssa can be found relaxing on the beach or doing a fun craft. She also trains in many circus arts – her favorite is flying trapeze!
Jordan McBee
Jordan McBee is a dancer & choreographer in Texas. She is pursuing a degree in Dance at University of Mary-Hardin-Baylor where she is a member of the Saderbelles Dance Team.
Jordan began dancing at the age of four under the direction of Emily Cadell at Dance by Emily in Hewitt, TX. She was invited to the Jazz Company at nine and progressed through the Junior, Senior and Elite groups.
Jordan began teaching classes at the dance studio when she was eleven and she became the Assistant Director of the Junior company at fourteen. She led the Elite Company when she was eighteen.
Jordan has been an Instructor at ADTC in Texas since 2022.
Kate Kenyon
Kate Kenyon is a professional choreographer, dancer and adjudicator based in New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from the University at Buffalo.
At Buffalo, Kate won the Amanda Occhino Award for enthusiasm, commitment and dedication to the dance department, and was in the Golden Key International Honors Society. Kate teaches all levels jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, Ballet, and modern.
Kate dances for Kristin Sudeikis Dance, Hutchinson Collective, and SynthesisDANCE. She is also a Master Teacher and judge for Step Up 2 Dance.
Kate has been an Instructor-Counselor (“IC”) at ADTC in Vermont & virtually for three summers. 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.”
Erica Messonnier
Erica Messonnier is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Dallas, Texas. She has a BFA in Dance from Point Park University.
Some of Erica’s performance credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Principal Dancer Season 5), Disney’s Descendants (Audrey), Holiday Inn (Lila Dixon), Grease (Ensemble/ us Marty), Once Upon A Time (Aerialist/Dancer), Invitation to Dance (Ballroom Dancer), Shrek The Musical (Duloc Doll, Fairytale Creature), Seussical the Musical (Bird Girl) both shows at Pittsburgh Musical Theater, and Miracles (Dancer) at Busch Gardens Christmas Town.
After traveling the world as the Principal Dancer on Viking Ocean Cruise Line’s first ship, the Viking Star, Erica continued her travels across oceans performing in Grease with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. She has also traveled all over the U.S. as a featured dancer and swing with the national rout of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
When Erica is not on stage, you can find her teaching & choreographing for dance studios around the country, or coaching fitness classes. Erica has been an Instructor-Counselor at ADTC in Maryland, Vermont and virtually since 2017. She wants to help girls push themselves to be the best they can be.
Resha Holmes
Resha Holmes is professional dancer and choreographer based in Chicago, Illinois. She 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.
Resha is an interdisciplinary artist – a fusion dancer and model (instagram: @resha.re) who also sings, acts & cooks! She is currently teaching jazz & hip hop at VH Dance Center in Aurora.
Resha joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in 2021. She has worked at ADTC dance camps in Wisconsin and California. Resha is full of energy and positive vibes and she loves sharing her passion for dance with younger girls!
Corinne De Beer
Corinne De Beer is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher in South Africa. She is the owner of Diversify Dance Studio in Cape Town.
Corinne 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 Alston and 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.
Corinne was also the choreographer for South Africa’s most watched TV show, “South African Idols” for three years, choreographing pieces for top South African artists like Toya Delayze, Liquideep, Lloyd and Kurt Darren. Other choreography credits include Busta Rhymes/T-pain opening concert South Africa, Public Sector Summit with President Zuma, and the FIFA World Cup African Celebration Show (to name a few!).
Corinne is an annual judge for the South African Hip Hop Cup, South African Championships of the Performing Arts and Cape Town Eisteddfod. Her most recent credits include choreography for large corporate events like SAB and Total Mining Indaba, Nissan, British Airways and more. She also just completed work on the new music video for Die Antwoord, and is excited to begin an entertainment partnership with the South African Rugby Union.
Corinne joined the ADTC team in 2015. She has been an Instructor-Counselor at our dance camps in Vermont & California as well as virtually.
Hayley Venner
Hayley Venner is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher from Leander, TX and currently based in Austin. She earned her BA at Texas A&M where she was a member of the Fade to Black Dance Ensemble.
Hayley began training as a gymnast at age 6 before transitioning into the dance world at age 13. 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. She 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!
Ellen Henry
Ellen Henry is a professional choreographer and dancer based in New York City. She has a degree in Dance with a concentration in Jazz from Point Park University. She is also a professional masseuse
Ellen began her dance 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.
While at Point Park, Ellen 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 joined the ADTC team in 2012 in Illinois. She has also directed ADTC dance camps in Vermont and Wisconsin.
Elyse Rivera
Elyse Rivera is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Florida. She has a BFA in Dance From UMass Amerst.
Elyse is from Massachusetts, where she was a performance member of Afrobeats Dance Boston and taught dance at Medfield Dance Academy before moving to Florida to further her dance career.
Elyse joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont in 2021. She wants campers to learn never to take life too seriously and to brush your teeth twice a day!
Emilee Iuvara
Emilee Iuvara is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in Long Beach, California. She has a BFA in Dance From California Institute of the Arts.
Emilee grew up dancing competitively at Broadway Bound Dance Centre in New Albany, Ohio where she began assistant teaching at age 15. Emilee teaches all dance styles but specializes in Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet.
Emilee represented CalArt’s Dance in Taipei, Taiwan through Camping Asia, Centre National de la Danse. She currently dances with Geometry Dance Company‘s Second Company in Los Angeles and was recently a background dancer in D Cali’s music video.
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 joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in California in 2021. She 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.
Taylor Eagle
Taylor Eagle is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher based in Ohio. She has a B.A. in Dance Education and a minor in Psych & Childhood Development from UNC Charlotte.
Taylor grew up studying ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and pointe at Eagle Dance Center in Galion, OH. She was a member of EDC’s Competition Team and received many individual & group awards and titles, both regional and national.
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.
Taylor has been an Instructor Counselor & Asst. Program Director at ADTC in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado & California since 2021. She wants campers to learn that being yourself is the best version of you that you can be.
Lindsey Davis
Lindsey Davis is a dancer & choreographer in Wisconsin. She is currently pursuing a degree in marketing and taking dance classes at University of Wisconsin Madison.
Lindsey grew up dancing competitively at Studio M Dance Academy in Wisconsin and was a member of Monroe High School’s dance team. She won four titles for her solos and has performed at local festivals and even at a Harlem Globetrotter game!
Outside of dance, Lindsey can be found on a walk with her dog Bentley, playing pickleball, or going for an ice cream run to Culvers! She also loves all things Disney and she has been to Disney World over 10 times!
This is Lindsey’s 6th year with ADTC! She spent five summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Wisconsin and Illinois before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2023.
Megan Kaye
Megan Kaye is a professional dancer and choreographer based in New York City. She has a BFA in Dance from University of Arizona.
Megan is originally from Illinois. After college, she taught dance at Integrity School of Dance in Elgin, IL, and Underground Allegro Dance Company in Batavia, IL before moving to NYC to further her career.
Megan joined the ADTC team in 2015. She has been an Instructor-Counselor and Asst. Program Director at our Illinois & Wisconsin dance camps.
Dani Vernon
Dani Vernon is a professional choreographer and educator based in Maryland. She is Director of the competition team at District Dance.
Dani began dancing when she was three years old in central New Jersey. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop and Broadway. She started dancing competitively at age nine.
Dani attended OCVTS Performing Arts Academy and graduated as a dance major. 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.
Dani is obsessed with Disney and her favorite food is Mac N’ Cheese. She has been on staff at ADTC in Vermont & Maryland since 2016.
Cassidy Gaudet
Cassidy Gaudet is a dancer & choreographer from Portland, Maine. She has a BA from University of Vermont where she was on the dance team.
Dance became Cassidy’s passion when she was ten years old and her mom opened up her own studio. Since college she’s been teaching hip hop, jazz and contemporary dance at a local Portland studio.
Cassidy was an ADTC camper from 2006 – 2009 and she became a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in 2016. In 2018 she became an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont & Maryland.
Morgan Morse
Morgan Morse is a dancer in Ohio. She grew up taking ballet, pointe, jazz, musical theatre, tap, modern, lyrical and hip hop at Perrysburg Dance Academy. She was captain of the studio’s performance and competition team, and during her last two years of high school, she also assisted younger classes.
This is Morgan’s 9th year with ADTC! She spent eight summers as a camper & Counselor-In-Training (CIT) in Maryland before becoming a Jr. Instructor-Counselor in Maryland, Colorado and Vermont in 2023. Morgan loved being a camper and hopes to help younger girls enjoy ADTC as much as she did!
Sky Palacios
Sky Palacios is a professional choreographer and dancer based in Healdsburg, California. She graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Liberal Studies and a concentration in Performing Arts from Sonoma State University.
Sky has performed in the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, Mariinsky Ballet, and La Bayadère. She has also performed with Savage Jazz Dance Company and PUSH Dance Company. Commercial dancer credits include various athletic brands for film and print including FitBit and Daroo.
Sky has been a ballet, modern and jazz instructor at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, as well as the dance and cheer coach at Cardinal Newman and Healdsburg High Schools for football season. She was also “Miss Sonoma County” back in 2014 (Miss America Organization).
Sky joined the ADTC Team as an Instructor-Counselor in California in 2022.
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 joined the ADTC team in Stratton, Vermont in 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!
Akeila Sharp
Akeila Sharp is a Chicago based dancer, choreographer and counselor. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minor in Performing and Media Arts from Cornell University, as well as a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University.
Akeila works as a mental health therapist and teaches at community based dance programs in Chicago. She also works remotely as an E-Board member for Heidi’s Academy of the Performing Arts.
Akeila joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Wisconsin in 2022. She seeks to support campers not only in their growth as dancers, but more importantly in their mental and emotional wellbeing and self-discovery. She wants girls to know they don’t need to be perfect inside or outside the dance studio, and hopes to help them have fun and enjoy being kids!
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 California, New Jersey, Vermont, and Illinois locations. She loves working with children and can’t wait for another amazing summer with ADTC!
Presley Rimel
Presley Rimel is a professional dancer and choreographer based in South Carolina. She is a recent graduate of Oklahoma City University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in American Dance Pedagogy.
Presley trained at Miss Marion’s School of Dance growing up. Her favorite style of dance is tap, but she loves training all styles. She has attended the Rockettes Summer Intensive, Broadway Bound Intensive, and has performed with Disney’s Electrical Parade.
Presley joined ADTC team in 2022 and she has been an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont, Maryland & North Carolina. Outside of dance, Presley plays the violin and has taught herself piano, ukulele and guitar. She loves plants and flowers and would happily open a plant shop one day!
Erica Isakower
Erica Isakower is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New Jersey. She has a BFA in Dance from Hofstra University where she graduated Cum Laude. She is currently a Master of Fine Arts in Dance candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
During her time at Hofstra University, Erica performed in works by Larry Keigwin, Anita Feldman, Luiza Karnas, and José Limón. She is currently an instructor at Dance Artistry Center, Monarch School of Dance, Hailey Jane Dance Center, and Tiffany & Co Academy of Dance in New Jersey.
Erica joined ADTC as an Instructor-Counselor in Maryland in 2021. Sharing her knowledge and nurturing the next generation of dancers is the most vital part of Erica’s artistic journey!
Michaela McGowan
Michaela McGowan is a professional dancer, choreographer and educator based in New York City. She has has a BFA with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, class of 2012.
Michaela 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).
Michaela has worked with Mia Michaels (Mia Michaels Live), Josh Bergasse (Tisch Gala 2010), Jazz at Lincoln Center, Greg Graham (Tisch Gala 2012), Lisa Shriver (PHISH at MSG, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade), Katarzyna Skarpetowska (Jacob’s Pillow with Periapsis Music and Dance), Aszure Barton (NYU SADC ’12), Larry Keigwin (If/Then), as well as choreographers Rachel M. Hettinger (metaphors&similesDANCE), Emily Greenwell (ACE Awards), Josh Assor, Jaclyn Walsh, Calen J. Kurka, and Mike Esperanza (film).
Michaela is currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center. She can be found featured on Organic Doctor Beauty’s latest online commercial campaign and is on faculty at several other prestigious NYC dance studios.
Mariya LaFleur
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.
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.
Heather has been an Instructor-Counselor and Program Director at ADTC dance camps in Vermont, California, Illinois, North Carolina & New Jersey since 2010.
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!
Allison Slavin
Alli Slavin is from Indianapolis Indiana. She has a degree from Purdue University. Alli was an ADTC camper in North Carolina before becoming an Instructor-Counselor in Vermont, Wisconsin, Colorado, Illinois, California and Maryland.
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