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| | Manny Castro Latin Jazz 2026 Dance Company Choreographer | 2026 June Master Teacher Hip Hop 2026 Dance Company Choreographer | Amelia Burkhardt 2026 August Master Teacher Musical Theater | Timothy Coronado 2026 July Master Teacher | |
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Beth Mondzelwski Ballet 2025 July Guest Instructor | Rachel Neitzke Ballet 2026 July Guest Instructor | Paige St John Jazz 2025 August Guest Instructor | Jessica Ice Musical Theater 2026 August Guest Instructor | |
 | Billy Griffin is a New York City-based choreographer and dance educator with a BFA from NYU/Tisch. Select choreography credits include the National Tour of "Friends! The Musical Parody", as well as work for the Hudson Valley Dance Festival featuring "So You Think You Can Dance" winner Ricky Ubeda, The Red Bucket Follies for BC/EFA, The Drama League Gala At The Plaza (honoring Steve Martin), Hershey Park, Issac Mizrahi for QVC, The Miss America Organization, The National YoungArts Foundation, New York Musical Festival (nomination for choreography), The Joffrey Ballet School, The Steps Conservatory, Fordham/Ailey, New York University and Pace University. As a performer, Billy was in the Broadway/National Tour Productions of "Mary Poppins", "White Christmas", and "Young Frankenstein". Associate/ Assistant credits include work with Sonya Tayeh, Josh Bergasse, Andy Blankenbuhler, and Al Blackstone. Billy teaches weekly at both Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. Billy is also a proud Legacy Ambassador for lululemon. IG:@SillyBillyGriffin | | Manny Castro is the Studio Director of DanceZone in Miami, Florida. His many television credits include; "America's Got Talent", "Dance Moms", "World of Dance", "Live to Dance", and many Spanish productions. Manny has toured with many popular recording artists such as; Paula Abdul, The Black Eyed Peas, Ricky Martin, and Shakira. He judges for many national dance competitions and teaches jazz, contemporary, and hip hop dance, but is mostly known for Latin ballroom and Latin fusion dance styles. | | 2026-27 Hip Hop Master Class & Dance Company Choreographer Raised in Mt. Pocono, Pennsylvania, Akia did not have many creative outlets/options growing up. He gained most of his inspiration and initial training via the internet by studying popular industry choreographers, music videos from the greatest artists/entertainers of his time, and dance television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance & America's Best Dance Crew. He always dreamt of starting his own dance company to train others, perform, compete, and eventually tour worldwide and have the opportunity to book his dancers for professional gigs. He turned the dance crew into a company in 2017 following graduating with his Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications & Dance at Bloomsburg University. The company is currently an award-winning team that has also had the opportunity to open up for Pharrell Williams at the Something In The Water Festival 2019. Akia strives to remain innovative with his unique style of choreography and creative visions. Every year the company elevates and reaches newer heights and bigger accomplishments. He has so much more in stores for the company and continuously aspires to inspire others. He has an immense passion for seeking growth in other talented individuals. With Akia's leadership qualities and commercial experience, the success of the company has continued to thrive throughout the years! Credits include; BET HipHop Awards, The Color Purple Musical Film, Praise This, BET Awards, Superbowl 56 Halftime Show and more! | | Amelia is a professional Dancer, Choreographer, Performer, Dance Educator, and Seasoned Adjudicator based in New York City. She is currently finalizing her summer teaching schedule and is reaching out to see if there is interest in Guest Classes or Choreography. She would absolutely love the opportunity to work with your studio this summer. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Amelia has worked with Dance Studios and Dance Teams across California, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as at universities including UCLA, LMU, CSUN, and the University of Delaware. For the past four years, she has taught at the iconic Steps on Broadway in NYC. She has also been an instructor for the Liberate Artists Intensive, traveling nationally and internationally to teach in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu, and locations in Australia. As an adjudicator, she has judged for SDA competitions for the past decade. Amelia is currently represented by Suite Talent in NYC. Originally from the Los Angeles area, she trained extensively as a commercial dancer—taking classes, attending auditions, performing in shows and companies—before joining The Hello Kitty National Tour as a Principal Dancer and Female Dance Captain. After the tour, she relocated to New York City to further pursue her professional and teaching career. Throughout her career, Amelia has worked with some of the industry's top choreographers, including Emmy Award winners Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo (NappyTabs), Karla Garcia, Al Blackstone, Galen Hooks, Tyce Diorio, Billy Griffin, Meg Lawson, Matt Cady, and Broadway veterans Denis Jones and Lorin Latarro. Her performance credits include In The Heights, Legally Blonde, Kinky Boots, Peter Pan, Elf the Musical, The Hello Kitty Festival National Tour, Chicago 25th Anniversary Event, Broadway Bares, The Green Room 42 Cabaret, Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush, Good Morning America, FOX’s Mobbed, Rosario Dawson’s Voto Latino Campaign, Maya Angelou’s Harlem Hopscotch music video, and NY Theatre Barn. Her teaching repertoire includes Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz Fusion, Technique, Strength Training, Progressions, Improv, Mock Auditions, and Acting through Dance. Amelia is deeply passionate about teaching and sharing her love and knowledge of dance, both within the competition circuit and the professional industry. |  | Timothy Coronado is a Houston-based dance professional with 20 years’ experience as a performer, choreographer, instructor, company director, studio owner, and competition judge. After training and working nationally at institutions including Broadway Dance Center (NY), Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Millennium Dance Complex, and The Edge (LA), he returned to Houston in 2004 and has since built a versatile career in teaching, choreography, performance, and arts leadership. As Founder, Owner, Artistic Director, and Company Choreographer of TNT Dance Xplosion (2011–present), Timothy oversees artistic vision, curriculum, company repertoire, and competition strategy. His prior roles include Associate and Guest Choreographer for International Ballet of Houston, Choreographer/Instructor for Triple Threat USA Mini Convention, and faculty/choreography positions at Dana’s Dance & Gymnastics, Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Bonnie Siscoe School of Dance, Progression Performing Arts Center, and Cindy K’s Dance Studio. Performance and screen credits include background dancing on Frankie J’s “Don’t Wanna Try” and Christina Milian’s “Dip It Low” tours, a credit dancer role in the feature film Step Up, featured performances with Planet Funk Academy and Round Rock Entertainment at The Hobby Center and The Wortham Center, and the music video “It’s Me” with Shaina Perry. Selected recognitions: Best Choreography for 20+ pieces; numerous Special Judges Awards (Best Concept, Best Open Entry, Most Entertaining); Junior Encore, Teen Encore, and Senior Best of Show winners under his direction; three-time Video of the Week winner; Top Intermediate Studio at Kids Artistic Revue Dallas Regional (2012 & 2013); and Top 10 Finalist for Live WebTV Broadcast at Showstoppers Nationals. Timothy continues to teach, choreograph, judge competitions, perform, and pursue professional training while leading TNT Dance Xplosion and mentoring the next generation of dancers. |  | Jocelyn Mastro is a dynamic and accomplished professional with 20 years of extensive experience spanning the worlds of dance, choreography, modeling, and acting. Her diverse background and exceptional talent have established her as a highly sought-after artist across various genres and platforms. A true luminary in the dance industry, Jocelyn is not only a professional dancer but also a celebrated choreographer. She has captivated audiences across the country through her work with numerous famed choreographers and mentors, and her expertise is well-versed in all genres of dance, from commercial to contemporary. Her dedication to excellence is evident in her distinguished career, which includes being featured in numerous major music videos, commercials, films, and print campaigns. Her dynamic presence has also led to collaborations with iconic brands such as Nike and Champion. Beyond her performance career, Jocelyn is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of talent. She is an esteemed educator, offering guidance and training through private lessons, workshops, and intensives. Her ability to communicate and mentor all aspects of training is highly regarded, assisting students in refining their technique and stage presence. Her choreographic prowess has also earned her Excellence in Choreography, Excellence in Technique Awards & National Recognition. She is currently on tour as a lead choreographer, faculty member, and adjudicator for premier organizations including StarDance Alliance, Dance One, Wild Dance Intensive, PowerPak Dance Tour, Imagine Dance Challenge, Backstage Dance Competition, Encore Performing Arts Dance Competition and Journey Dance Competition. Her expertise has recently taken her onto the international stage as well, as a headliner with Canada's iconic IDance Convention and 5678Showtime directed by the Fortunato family. Jocelyn's impressive credits include appearances with industry giants such as The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, The Grammys, DJ Kool, Disney, Cirque De Solei, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Jocelyn's most recent performances have powered onto the NETFLIX stage re-boot of Netflix's Star Search 2026 as 4x Dance Champions with Movement 55 making it to the Top 8. As a model and actress, she has been a featured presence in print, commercials, and television, including a cover model feature. Her multifaceted career is a testament to her versatility and dedication to her craft. Currently based in Los Angeles, California, Jocelyn continues to pursue her dreams, constantly seeking new opportunities to collaborate, create, and inspire. With a profound love for teaching and choreography, she is excited to share her passion for dance with all who aspire to reach their fullest potential. |  | A dynamic and versatile performer, Kolby has built a robust career across film, television, theater, and live entertainment. His film credits include I Heard The Bells (Sight & Sound Films), where he portrayed Mary’s Brother, showcasing his emotional range and cinematic presence. On stage, he has performed in the Winter Wonderland, and The First Noel, demonstrating his strength in theatrical storytelling and musicality. A seasoned live performer, he has graced iconic stages such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (performing with Jennifer Hudson) and the American Music Theater. Commercially, he has brought energy and precision to national campaigns such as GAP X Harlem Fashion Row, and His music video credits include Losing Game (Kontravoid ft. Chelsey Crowley) and Prime Time (Min ft. Lil Cherry), blending sharp technique with compelling screen presence. Kolby honed his training through the Professional Semester at Broadway Dance Center and has assisted Artist Simply Human. He has worked closely with renowned choreographers including Luam Keflezgy, Ebony Williams,and Neil Schwartz, among others. He was also selected for Skeleton Crew with Rich + Tone and has been featured in projects at The Pit NYC and Philadelphia’s 6ABC. His comprehensive training spans Hip Hop and Street Jazz (Luam Keflezgy, Lisette Bustamante, Kelly Peters, and more), Contemporary (Sabrina Phillip, Cat Cogliandro), Tap (Maud Arnold, Jason Holly), Theater and Jazz (Andrea McCormick, DJ Smart), and Ballet (Dorit Koppel, Michele Moreno). He has also studied voice under Bob Garrett and Eric Fotre Leach. He brings athleticism, discipline, and charisma to every project, Kolby is ready for wherever the next opportunity takes him. |  | Emily Gilligan lives in Media, Pennsylvania, and has studied dance for over 19 years. Her professional training includes jazz, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, hip-hop, and tap. In addition to working toward her early-grades education degree, Emily is pursuing a dance minor at West Chester University, with formal studies in choreography and composition techniques, dance pedagogy and teaching techniques, improvisation, modern and jazz dance. As a dancer, Emily attended some of the most prestigious conventions, including NYCDA and ASH, earning numerous scholarships and awards. Her performances as a soloist and in group numbers at top dance competitions earned her several national titles and honors, including Starpower Talent’s Dancer of the Year. Emily was the West Chester University Dance Team (WCUDT) captain for the past two years, where she coached and performed at an elite collegiate level. She achieved a Universal Dance Association (UDA) Hip-Hop National Championship with WCUDT in 2022. She is also a dancer and choreographer for the West Chester University Dance Company, where she regularly performs in several dance genres, including jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. Emily works as a professional dance teacher and choreographer for studios, professional training programs, and dance teams throughout the region. She also works for the Star Dance Alliance Power Pak Dance Intensive as a Team Leader. |  | Tori Closson is a dynamic force in the dance community, bringing over 25 years of professional experience in performance, choreography, and coaching. She has proudly coached the Pom and Hip Hop teams at Padua Academy for the past 15 years, where she also serves as a choreographer for school musicals—a role she’s held for the past four years. Tori is the co-founder and lead choreographer of Beat Addikts United, a performance-based dance company she launched in 2012, and the founder of FloMotion Dance Company in Philadelphia, a space dedicated to elevating passionate dancers and performers. Her extensive competitive background in Pom and Hip Hop, combined with her professional dance career, has shaped her into a mentor whose influence extends well beyond the studio. Tori has helped train and guide numerous dancers toward spots on professional NBA and NFL dance teams. A creative visionary, Tori created the Good Day Philadelphia Dance Team for Fox Philadelphia and spent five seasons choreographing for the Junior 76ers dance team. Her deep passion for movement, performance, and mentoring the next generation continues to make her a respected and sought-after leader in the dance industry. |  | Dana Liguori started dancing at the age of 3 at American Dance Academy and was with us for 15 years. While dancing here, she joined the Dance Company in 2007. On the dance company, she competed in numerous dance competitions, conventions, earned titles and other overall awards, and attended summer workshops. She also assisted Miss. Jess and Miss. Kelly throughout her later years in the studio. Dana attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts, where she choreographed six times for Young Choreographers Showcase and helped with group routines as a dance major. She was captain for the Cab Calloway School of the Arts Dance Team for three years and helped choreograph multiple pep-rally routines and basketball routines. On top of ADA Dance Company and CCSA Dance Team, she was also apart of FloMotion Dance Company and Beat Addikts United. Dana attended the University of Florida and received her BS in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. During her time there, she was apart of Danza Dance Company, a student-run organization. She danced in Disney World, university performances, and competitions. She was nominated as the historian on the executive board for two years, where she choreographed an award-winning contemporary piece and finale productions. She also choreographed eight contemporary group pieces for the company shows and taught two master classes to the 60+ company members. After graduating, Dana worked as a Dance Teacher for the Patriot Ice Center’s summer program. She taught the fundamentals of ballet, modern, and jazz to ice skating students ranging from 4-15 years old. In December of 2019, she was asked to choreograph for the CCSA Dance Team Competition season. She created the concept for the piece and was the creative mind behind the costuming, styling, music, and choreography. She is excited to join our ADA staff as the Lyrical/Contemporary teacher, and cannot wait to help our students grow!
|  | Bio Coming Soon! |  | Rachel has over a decade of experience teaching students of all ages, levels and backgrounds. She specializes in ballet, pointe, Horton-based modern, contemporary, jazz, improvisation, and composition. Her choreography has been awarded highly at competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, World Ballet Competition, National Ballet Competition, and more. She is currently working as the Assistant to the Ballet Program at Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School, where she works directly with Natalia Charova and Alexei Charov. Rachely has previously taught at institutions such as Philadelphia Ballet, The Rock School, and Academy of International Ballet. |  | Paige St. John holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from The Ohio State University (2019) and M.A. in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado (2023). Based in Wilmington, DE, USA, Paige travels as a choreographer and dance educator, moving with young and adult athletes and creators domestically and internationally. Her work as an educator has taken her across the globe, leading her to have either choreographed, taught, judged, or presented dance education and coaching seminars in 17 countries and counting. In the States, Paige is the former Assistant Coach of the University of Delaware Dance Team, and choreographs for a variety of studio, all-star, and nationally-ranked high school and collegiate dance teams. She serves as the IASF Panel Advisor for the Jazz and Kick Divisions at the Dance Worlds, and frequently travels as a Master Instructor. Paige specializes in technique and choreography in the styles of Contemporary, Jazz, and Pom, while also hosting lectures and seminars for other dance educators and coaches on training techniques, student-coach rapport, and curriculum consistency. |  | Jessica Ice has been dancing since age 3 and has no intention of stopping anytime soon! Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa, Jessica grew up dancing at the Maryen Lorrain Dance Studio. She danced for 15 years and competed in the regional and national spectrum for 12 years, earning many awards and scholarships including Dance Educators of America’s Miss Dance of America. Jessica attended Broadway Theatre Project at the age of 17 and began making professional connections she continues to work with today. With the training and confidence she gained at BTP, Jessica decided to attend James Madison University and pursue her Bachelor of Arts degree in Musical Theatre. While at JMU Jessica performed in 14 musical theatre and dance productions and worked as a choreographer for another 5. She graduated from JMU summa cum laude and was the recipient of the outstanding musical theatre graduate award. Jessica then moved to NYC and has been working professionally ever since. She has worked on cruise ships, backup danced for pop singer Ashley Allen, performed at many regional theaters across the country, been a resident ensemble member at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and toured during the holidays with Elf, the musical. Jessica has also dipped her toe into the professional choreography world, choreographing a piece “This Is Me” for the NYC 2020 Dancers Against Cancer Gala, dedicated to her childhood dance teacher. When Jessica is not performing, she stays busy as the owner and artistic director of a new convention/competition, The 360 Dance Experience. Jessica is currently a student at NYU gaining her Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with the intent to use her degree to help dancers and athletes struggling with disordered eating. Jessica just returned from spending the summer on the road with Sister Act, serving as dance captain and ensemble swing. Jessica, her husband, and two cats currently live in Wilmington, DE, and enjoy exploring the parks and beaches together when they have time off. |
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