Kathryn Burns, President
Kathryn Burns is a Two-time Emmy-winning choreographer, actress, dancer, director, and Co-Governor of the Television Academy. She got her start studying improv at Upright Citizen’s Brigade and gravitates towards story driven movement with joy and comedy. She has choreographed nearly 200 episodes of TV including Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2016 & 2019 Emmy winner for Outstanding Choreography), The Simpsons, Reno 911, The Other Two, Key & Peele, The Morning Show, Why Women Kill, Dancing With The Stars, Better Things, The Dropout, The Shrink Next Door, The Afterparty, Drunk History, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, and many more.
Brian Friedman, Vice President
Brian Friedman is an Award-Winning pioneer with a multifaceted legacy in the Entertainment Industry, spanning 3 decades. As a dancer his credits include Films such as Newsies, Charlie’s Angels, You Got Served, She’s All That & Austin Powers. He performed with top music artists such as Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Prince & Paula Abdul. As a Choreographer, Creative Director & Producer he worked on shows such as Dancing with The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, Will & Grace, The X Factor, America’s Got Talent, VMA’s, AMA’s & Billboard Music Awards. Artists such as Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ciara, Usher, Pink, One Direction, Cher & Normani have called on Brian to collaborate with for Iconic performances.
Charm La’Donna, Vice President
Charm La’Donna is a dancer, choreographer, and creative director motivated by one thing: instinct. An assiduous prodigy, Charm went on her first tour with Madonna at 17 before attending UCLA to study World Arts and Culture. She put herself through college as the protégé of renowned choreographer Fatima Robinson and has since become one of the most adored and in-demand multi-hyphenates in entertainment.
Dana Wilson, Vice President
Dana Wilson is a bright and vivacious content creator, choreographer, and performer. She may be best known for performing alongside Justin Timberlake on three world tours and the Super Bowl Halftime Show, but Dana’s feature in Dance Magazine declares her “Anything But A Backup Dancer.
Kyle Hanagami, Vice President
Kyle Hanagami, an award-winning choreographer and creative director, bridges the gap between digital and mainstream entertainment. Recently, Kyle choreographed Mean Girls, the 2024 Paramount feature produced by Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels. Kyle’s film credits also include the Academy Award-nominated Over The Moon, Red, White, & Royal Blue, and My Old Ass, set for a summer 2024 release. Within the music industry, Kyle has worked with internationally renowned artists, including BLACKPINK, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Justin Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter. In the digital space, Kyle has built an online empire with over 8 million followers across channels and has partnered with globally recognized brands such as Google, Apple, Nike, Disney, Netflix, Givenchy, and Calvin Klein.
Luam Keflezgy, Vice President
Luam Keflezgy is a global sensation in dance and choreography. Through her choreography and artistic direction, it has brought her to artists and projects such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Kelly Rowland, Step Up Revolution, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Kanye, Reebok, John Legend, X Factor, American Idol, and more, she has obtained cult popularity among the dance community all over the world with her teachings and passion for spreading inspiration.
AJ Harpold, Secretary-Treasurer
AJ has built her career as a choreographer, stage director, and movement coach, as well as in artist development and production. Choreography & Appearances on the Oscars, the Super Bowl LII, the MTV Video Music Awards, the VH1 Music Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music Awards, the CMT Awards, the BRIT Awards, Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards, the Young & the Restless, the Jimmy Fallon show. Choreography & performance for the Dreamworks Animated films Shrek Forever After, Trolls, Trolls 2 World Tour & Trolls 3 Band Together. Dancer for Justin Timberlake, Brittney Spears, Mariah Carey & the R&B group Next. Live Performance & Stage Direction for One Direction, Justin Timberlake & the Tennessee Kids, Sean Kingston, Brandon Flowers, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett & RaeLynn and Helene Fischer. Assistant Choreographer on Commercials for Caress Body Wash, DHL, Old Navy, Wild Turkey, NBA2K and Target. Road Manager for Christina Aguilera.
Alek Paliński
Alek was born and raised in Poland, where he earned a degree in Choreography and Jazz Dance Instruction from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Growing up in a nation transitioning from a communist regime to a free-market economy, he found dance opportunities to be extremely limited. This challenge inspired Alek to leverage European Union funding to open a dance studio in 2011, which evolved into a premier hub for international choreographers and educators. After a successful career in Europe, Alek moved to Los Angeles in 2015. Since restarting his career in the U.S., his work has been featured in Dita Von Teese’s “Art Of The Teese” and “Glamonatrix” World Tours, the Cannes Film Festival, and Dancing With The Stars (Poland). He has choreographed for Polish pop stars Natalia Nykiel, Marcin Maciejczak, and Viki Gabor, as well as rising American artist Nick Hissom. Alek is a Founding Member of the Choreographers Guild and a recipient of the 2024 “Outstanding Leadership In The Independent Sector” Award from the National Dance Education Organization.
Amita Batra
Amita Batra is a story-driven choreographer who wholeheartedly believes in the boundless nature of dance with respect to those both who practice it and those who consume it. Formally rooted in Kathak, the Indian classical art of storytelling, and balletic styles, Amita is an explorer of the technical & ideological intersect between the two with an emphasis on using movement as a language for storytelling. In addition to formal dance training, character-driven improv & global movement frequently inform her movement language.
Credits + Clientele include NBC-Universal (Choreographer/Instructor), The Academy of Motion Pictures (Choreographer/Instructor), Now & Then – SAG Feature (Choreographer), Broadway-bound Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical directed by Aditya Chopra (Ensemble/Hardipa), ETDC’s NC Grant Recipient for INERTIA – premiering at Martha Graham Theater (Choreographer), NY Black Arts Festival’s Aladdin (Choreographer), UCB South Asian AAF’s Sketch Series (Nina) & more.
Angela Harris
Angela Harris is a choreographer, director, and Founding Executive Artistic Director of Dance Canvas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting emerging professional choreographers. She trained at The Baltimore School for the Arts, Dance Theatre of Harlem, the School of Hartford Ballet, and Eglevsky Ballet, and performed professionally with The Georgia Ballet, Columbia City Ballet, and Urban Ballet Theater in New York City. As a choreographer, she has created works for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Oklahoma Arts Institute, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Tech, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, and Aurora Theatre, where she received a Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Choreography for the regional premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song & Dance. She currently serves on the Mayor of Atlanta’s Arts Advisory Task Force, the Board of Directors of the Women in Dance Leadership Conference, and is on faculty at Emory University, Spelman College, Brenau University, and DeKalb School for the Arts; she holds a B.A. in Journalism from the City College of New York.
Anita Mann
Anita Mann is an Emmy Award-winning choreographer, producer, and director, whose extraordinary career spanned more than six decades. Beginning as a dancer on iconic music shows like Shindig! and working alongside legends such as Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, and Michael Jackson, she quickly became one of Hollywood’s most respected creative forces. Her choreography credits include Solid Gold, The Academy Awards, Miss America Pageant, and the film, The Great Muppet Caper earning her multiple Emmy Awards and countless industry honors. As the founder of Anita Mann Productions, she has produced and directed acclaimed stage productions, including Sesame Street Live, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Live Tour and the long-running Las Vegas hit Fantasy: The Strip’s Sexiest Tease. Anita is also the creator and co-founder of the Dance Hall of Fame, where she proudly serves as President of the Board, continuing her mission to honor and preserve the legacy of dance for future generations.
Chloé Arnold
Emmy Nominated choreographer, Chloé Arnold, was discovered at a young age in Washington, DC by Debbie Allen. Chloé’s choreography has been featured on hit TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, Good Morning America, the Ellen Show, The Talk, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Hello, Jack!, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s A Legendary Christmas, and over 50 episodes of The Late Late Show With James Corden featuring A-list actors from Will Smith and Hugh Jackman to pop superstars Ariana Grande and BTS. Chloé most recently choreographed the upcoming Apple TV+ musical film Spirited starring Will Ferrell, Ryan Reynolds, and Octavia Spencer.
Comfort Fedoke
Nigerian American Comfort Fedoke is a multi-talented choreographer, actor, singer, and Emmy award-winning dancer, who first gained recognition on Season 4 of “So You Think You Can Dance,” returned for several seasons as an All-Star, choreographer, and mentor, and is now a judge on Season 18. Comfort has performed with acclaimed artists such as H.E.R., Missy Elliott, John Legend, and Harry Styles. Her choreography credits include “The Funny Dance Show” on E!, “That ’90s Show,” “The Big Leap,” “The Santa Clauses,” and associate choreographer for the upcoming film “Wicked.” She can currently be seen on Disney+ as “Drosselmeyer” in “Hip Hop Nutcracker.” Beyond dancing, Comfort has collaborated with Sway Calloway for Red Bull TV, served as a judge on Nigeria’s “Maltina Dance All,” and been featured in major campaigns for Nike, Apple, and Pepsi. Comfort currently resides in London, completing her work as an associate choreographer on London’s #1 West End show “Cabaret.”
Dominique Kelley
Dominique Kelley has been named one of the most promising up and coming choreographers of his generation. An avid tapper and percussionist, Dominique tries to fuse rhythm patterns with classical movement to create a visual and aural experience. “Black and Blue” was his first Broadway tour at age 12, and then “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk national tour at 15, and ever since he has had a love of performing, choreographing, and movement coaching.
Eboni Nichols
A Southern California native with a B.F.A. in Theatre and Dance from Chapman University in Orange, California, Eboni Nichols honed her skills first as a dancer for various artists such as Beyoncé, Usher and Jennifer Lopez. While her career has taken her from backup dancer to sought-after choreographer, it is Eboni’s passion for dance and talent for choreography that continue to set her apart.
Ivan Koumaev
Ivan Koumaev is a Los Angeles-based creative executive, producer, choreographer, and veteran dance professional with a career spanning film, live performances, world tours, and national commercial campaigns. With extensive experience both onstage and behind the scenes, his choreography and creative work have been featured across entertainment platforms ranging from concert stages to screen productions. As Director of Monsters of Hip Hop, he now channels that industry experience into leading large-scale events, developing talent, and shaping the next generation of performers and creatives.
Jamal Sims
Jamal Sims is one of the most in demand Director/ Choreographers working today. His most recent credits include directing an episode of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies as well as choreographing the entire season for Paramount Plus, Disney’s blockbuster hit Encanto, Netflix’s musical 13: the Musical, and Disney’s Aladdin directed by Guy Ritchie.
Jemel McWilliams
With over 17+ years of professional experience, Jemel McWilliams is a highly regarded Emmy Nominated Creative Director, Choreographer, Director & Producer. As a Creative director, Jemel has the power to consistently draw out organic, inspiring performances from the world’s most notable entertainers on prominent stages. His creativity and skilled techniques have been displayed domestically and globally – in performances for artists inclusive of Alicia Keys, John Legend, Janelle Monae, Kelly Rowland, Nick Jonas, Jon Batiste, Mickey Guyton and Tracee Ellis Ross, among other A-list and emerging performers.
Jillian Meyers
Jillian Meyers is an Emmy nominated Los Angeles based choreographer and dancer. She works at the nexus of commercial, stage, film, and site-specific performance. From choreographing Hozier’s “Work Song”, to dancing on multiple tours with Janet Jackson, Jillian was also an assistant choreographer for the award-winning film, “La La Land.” She most recently wrapped the second season on the NBC show, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” as an episodic co-choreographer. She wears many hats and makes many faces—and both reconciles and indulges in all of these disciplines in her collaborative ongoing genre-bending project, “The Seaweed Sisters.”
Kenny Ortega
Kenny Ortega is a multi award-winning director, choreographer, and producer.
One of the top creatives in television and film today, Ortega is known for the “High School Musical” franchise, which earned him a Primetime Emmy and Directors Guild of America Award. He is also the executive producer for the film’s multi-platinum soundtracks.
Lindsey Blaufarb
Lindsey Blaufarb is an award-winning and Emmy & Grammy nominated choreographer, movement coach, director, producer, and creative director. Her work spans film, television, commercials, music videos, touring, and live stage productions, with credits including The Voice, The Masked Singer, America’s Got Talent, The X Factor, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as campaigns and collaborations with Apple, McDonald’s, Old Navy, Southwest Airlines, and EA Sports’ Madden. She has also provided choreography and creative direction along side her creative partner Craig for artists and talent including Kelly Rowland, Lykke Li, Karol G, Ricky Martin, Avril Lavigne, Pentatonix, Usher, Tori Kelly, Jacob Collier, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Weezer, and Tom Segura, among many others. Known for blending cinematic storytelling, movement, and visually driven experiences, Lindsey brings a contagious passion, sense of play and out-of-the-box creative approach to every project she touches.
Liz Imperio
Liz Imperio is a highly acclaimed director and choreographer in the entertainment industry with an impressive list of achievements. Born and raised in Hollywood, California, she has worked with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, including Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Cher, and Michael Jackson. She has directed and choreographed Jennifer Lopez’s world tour, Dance Again, as well as Gloria Estefan’s last three world concert tours. Liz also directed and choreographed two of Madonna’s world tours: the Re-invention Tour and the Confessions Tour. Her work has been seen in various television shows and specials such as American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, American Music Awards, and Disney Channel’s Gotta Kick It Up. Liz has also directed and choreographed for movies and commercials.
Luther Brown
Luther’s exceptional work speaks for itself and as a result, has allowed him to work with some of today’s most popular artists including Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Daddy Yankee, Ciara, Diddy, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Mario, French Montana and many more. Luther has been a featured choreographer on the critically acclaimed hit series, So You Think You Can Dance (seasons 9–16) for which he was Emmy nominated and was also a resident judge and choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance Canada for 4 seasons.
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore is a world class Choreographer, Director, and Producer who has garnered 3 Emmy Awards among her 11 collective nominations. She is best known for her ground-breaking work as a producer and choreographer on the global television hit SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. In 2017 Mandy made history by being the first choreographer to choreograph for the GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, ACADEMY AWARDS, GRAMMY AWARDS, and EMMY AWARDS in the same year! Projects on the horizon include Paramount’s BABYLON directed by Academy Award Winner Damien Chazelle and Disney’s live action feature SNOW WHITE.
Martha Nichols
Recipient of the 2021 Princess Grace, Brian and Amy France Choreography Honor, Martha Nichols is an award-winning choreographer, notable dancer, master teacher, dynamic speaker, and multifaceted artist who believes dance is an experience. Physical, emotional, energetic, musical and spiritual; Dance should be felt on all planes. Her choreography credits include the films Spirited and Welcome Home, Louis. Recently, Martha wrapped as Associate Choreographer on Disney’s newest live-action film Snow White to be released in 2024. Martha has worked on tours with music artists Khalid, Madonna, Mariah Carey, and Demi Lovato. On Broadway, her work can be seen in the Tony Award winning MJ The Musical and The Cher Show. Television credits include The Oscars, The Grammys, Dancing with the Stars, and more.
Mykell Wilson
California native Mykell Wilson is an all-around entertainer with experience as a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, choreographer, artistic director, motivational speaker and published author. Dance has allowed him to work/tour with Prince, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Pharrell, Kanye West, Backstreet Boys, Saay, Dean and many more artists. He’s danced in awards shows across the globe, movies, national commercials and television series. Known to many as Mighty Mykell, his dream is to inspire, entertain, and encourage dancers of all levels to be the best they can be.
Nancy Dobbs Owen
Award Winning Stage Direction and Choreography credits include Skeleton Stories, Have You Seen Alice, and Welcome to the White Room at Theatre of NOTE, Assassins with Sight Unseen Theatre, M. Butterfly, Sweeney Todd, Working, and Enron, at the Production Company, The Snow Queen at the Fremont Centre Theatre, Where’s Charley for 42nd St. Moon, War Bride at Sky Pilot Theater, I’d Rather Be Right at the Hudson Theater, Dolls! at the Santa Monica Playhouse and Pacific Opera Project’s The Mikado. She was the resident choreographer for the Marina Del Rey Symphony’s Summer Dance Concert, creating four original ballets. She has received award recognition from the Ovations, Stage Scene LA, and BroadwayWorld.com. Film, TV, and Film Choreography highlights include the feature Hollywood Fringe (now streaming) and Ghostlight (now streaming), the viral sensation Lullaby, a Zombie Musical, Too Many Bodies, and Floating, Falling, Flying; A Dance Film. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Dance at Southern Utah University. She is on the leadership team for Dance Data Project® and a staff writer for LA Dance Chronicle.
Rhapsody James
Bringing a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in dance education and choreography, Rhapsody James stands as a highly sought-after figure in the Commercial Dance industry. Renowned for her exceptional teaching skills and choreographic prowess, Rhapsody has left an indelible mark on the industry, with an impressive portfolio that includes collaborations with iconic artists such as Beyoncé, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Ciara, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Gwen Stefani, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Emotional Oranges, and Cassie, just to name a few. Venturing into the realm of film and television, her choreography graces hit shows like All American, All American: Homecoming, and Truth Be Told. Rhapsody is passionately involved in her own projects, including the development of The Sin Sisters Society and Siren Assassins, as well as showcasing her multifaceted talents through her hybrid dance company, R.ED (Rhapsody En Dance).
Tina Landon
Tina Landon is an Emmy Award-nominated creative director and choreographer known for her sensual and provocative dance moves that have influenced popular music choreography for the last 15 years. She has worked with many high-profile artists, including Willow Smith, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Tina Turner, Britney Spears, and Shakira. Tina’s passion for dance began at an early age when her mother insisted on dance lessons. She landed her big break as a principal dancer in Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” music video and later toured with Janet Jackson during her Rhythm Nation Tour, which opened doors to other high-profile artists. Tina’s talent, hard work, and determination have resulted in many awards and accolades, including being a nine-time MTV Choreography Award nominee and MTV Award recipient for Michael and Janet Jackson’s “Scream” and for Ricky Martin’s “Livin La Vida Loca”. She also received an Emmy nomination for her outstanding work on the Velvet Rope Tour, which was an HBO special.
Tyce Diorio
Tyce Diorio’s greatest passion in life is telling stories through dance. His enthusiasm and love of the art form have led him to choreograph award-winning works for television, film, and stage. As one of the most recognizable choreographers on Fox Television’s hit show, “So You Think You Can Dance,” where he was also a guest judge for six seasons, Diorio has become known as one of the most versatile in the industry. As the innovator behind Taylor Swift’s Red, 1989, and Reputation albums, live performances, and world tours, Tyce has become one of the most sought-after choreographers in Hollywood, counting the “Shake it Off” and “Look What You Made Me Do” music videos as some of his most popular works.
Vincent Paterson
Vincent Paterson’s career as a director and choreographer includes creations in film, theater Broadway, concert tours, opera, music videos, television and commercials. Vincent directed and choreographed Berlin’s first original production of the musical CABARET at Bar Jeder-Vernunft, a mirror-tent from 1918. It is the longest running play in Berlin’s history. He directed and choreographed EVITA for Vienna’s Ronacher Theater.
Staff