leighanna kennett
founder, CONTEMPORARY
LOS ANGELES, CA
Leighanna Kennett is a Los Angeles based Professional Dancer/Choreographer/Educator.
She grew up studying all styles of dance and acrobatics in upstate NY at
The United Academy of The Performing Arts and The Mohawk Valley Ballet in Central NY.
Before moving to Los Angeles, Leighanna attended The University of The Arts, in Philadelphia, with a "Promising Artist" Scholarship and received her BFA in Dance with honors. While in Philadelphia, she was a company member of the captivating Eleone Dance Theatre.
Some of Leighanna's credits include, The Ellen Degeneres Show,
Disney Channel, NBC's "This Is Us", ABC's Localish, Freeform's "The Twins", The Mindy Project, So You Think You Can Dance, Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with MOMIX Dance Company, Sarah Silverman, Amber Rose, Brooke Fraser, DJ Mustard, LA Philharmonic, Adidas, Onzie Fitness Apparel and More.
Besides being a performing artist, Leighanna has built an empire of Artistic Companies, including her Dance Company "Impavid." which has been featured in many Choreographer's showcases in Hollywood. Her Photography and Cinematography company "LK Films & Photo"@lkfilmsdance, features commercials, music videos and dance photography from all over the country. Her dance convention company "Industry Dance Workshop" @industrydanceworkshop, which tours the country, gives the next generation of dancers unique opportunities to train and connect with amazing industry professionals. Seeking to create supportive dance communities and dancers that are more than just their steps
Just recently completing her empire of creativity and art, she launched the beginning of her active wear brand, "Avant Garde Active" @avantgardeactivewear, that prides itself on championing art and athleticism in the same space.
Leighanna loves to inspire, encourage and work with the next generation of dancers and artists to share their passions and go after their dreams.
MARIAH HILLIARD
JAZZ FACULTY
LOS ANGELES, CA
From Drake to Doja Cat she is no stranger to the touring life as a dancer, but what we really love about Mariah is her genuine care of encouraging the next generation to go after their dreams.
She is definitely an educator that sets dancers up to succeed. We love her expertise and her ability to empower dancers.
Mariah J. Hilliard, hailing from the vibrant city of Newark, Delaware, found her passion for dance at an early age. Now, she calls Los Angeles, CA her home. With an impressive 20(+) years of experience in the world of professional dance, Mariah's journey has been nothing short of remarkable, encompassing a diverse range of styles including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and heels.
Over the course of her illustrious career, Mariah has graced stages, music videos, and showcases across the globe, leaving an indelible mark in the entertainment world. She's had the privilege of sharing her extraordinary talent with some of the biggest names in the industry.
Notably, Mariah has been an integral part of performances alongside superstars like Doja Cat, Future, Saweetie, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, and Chloe Bailey, electrifying audiences with her unparalleled dance prowess.
Beyond her incredible performances, Mariah's current success has opened doors to new horizons. She now travels the world, captivating audiences and sharing her knowledge by teaching choreography, technical dance, and youth training on a global scale. Mariah’s journey is a testament to dedication, talent, and the enduring power of dance to inspire and connect people worldwide. She is looking forward to working with the amazing dancers at Industry Dance Workshop this season!
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charles fournier
JAZZ
LOS ANGELES, CA
Charles began dancing when he was 3 years old in Michigan, competing in the competition circuits until he finished high school. He went on to study Acting, Musical Theater and Dance at the University level, graduating with a B.F.A. in Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. While attending the University Charles enrolled in an independent study program where he lived and studied Contemporary/Ballet & Choreography in Seoul, S. Korea at The Korean National University of Art. Charles has been featured on Dancing with the Stars, World of Dance, Tosh.0, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and most recently ABCs - Little Mermaid Live!, other credits include working with: The Cheetah Girls, The Jonas Brothers, Luis Fonsi, Eminem, David Schwimmer, Helene Fischer, Shaggy, Andrea Bocceli, Josh Groban, Toni Braxton, John Stamos, Iris Bouche, William Forsythe, Frank Wildhorn, Queen Latifah and for Variety International. He currently resides in Los Angeles, CA where he continues to work in the Entertainment Industry. He also teaches all over America, Canada, Central America & S. Korea and looks forward to continuing his passion in performance, arts education & choreography.
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JAIME DEROCKER
BALLET, POINTE
LAS VEGAS, NV
Jaime DeRocker is originally from Oneida, New York and started dancing at The United Academy of the Performing Arts with Sandra Fukes and Wende Warne. At age eleven, she began her formal Ballet training with Delia Foley at Mohawk Valley Ballet and studied at various Summer Intensives around the country including the School of American Ballet, Chautauqua, Boston Ballet School and The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, FL. In 2007, she was accepted into The Harid Conservatory as a full-time student, where she graduated with the Level Three Dance Award. Upon her graduation, she joined The Colorado Ballet Studio Company under the direction of Gil Boggs before dancing with Ballet West, NBT and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. In 2015, she received a tuition scholarship to the Nederlands Dans Theatre Summer Intensive. Jaime joined Festival Ballet Providence in 2013 where she performed a varied repertoire of Ballets including Études, George Balanchine’s Agon, The Nutcracker and Jorden Morris’ Peter Pan among others. Since returning to NBT, Jaime has performed the lead roles of “Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Winter Fairy” in NBT’s production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by James Canfield, as well as lead roles in Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake and Dracula. She has also danced in Paul Taylor’s Company B, Matthew Neenan’s World Premiere, Until December, and Ballets by George Balanchine including Serenade, Western Symphony and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
charli smith
celeste lanuza
Celeste Lanuza is a choreographer, singer, dance professor, and filmmaker in Los Angeles. She currently teaches in the Dance Department at Loyola Marymount University and is a member of Choreographer’s Guild. Celeste has choreographed for the film Huella which also premiered at Sundance, Tribeca, and Aspen film fesGvals. Some producGons as choreographer have been at Pennsylvania State University, San Diego School of CreaGve and Performing Arts, and all over NYC and LA at Capezio Theater (ManhaLan), Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center (Brooklyn), Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center, Choreographer’s Carnival, Club Jete, LA Dance FesGval, and Long Island High School for the Arts. She has taught at Debbie Allen Academy of Dance, University of California Irvine, Orange County School of the Arts, AMDA College of the Performing Arts NYC/LA, California State University Polytechnic Pomona, California State University Fullerton, Washington & Lee University, UCSD, and Gibney Dance. InternaGonal teaching has been in several Indonesian ciGes at the Jakarta Intercultural School and Gigi Art of Dance. Celeste has been noted in the Dance Teacher Magazine, restaging classic Modern dance repertoire by Donald McKayle, and is currently a Fellow granted an award by Dance Camera West which followed an honor she received with funding from the City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs. Lanuza holds a BFA from the University of the Arts (Philly) where she was under an ArGst Grant, MFA at UC Irvine aLaining a full tuiGon fellowship, and was giYed all expenses paid for José Limón and Complexions Contemporary Ballet programs among others. Recent film projects have been with Ballet Hispánico where she was invited as their Filmmaker for InsGtuto Coreografico.
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lorena kichik
latin jazz, latin heels
los angeles, ca
Mexican born Lorena Yahaira Kichik is a (dancer-choreographer-creative director--actress-host), she began her training in ballet, tap, tumbling, and jazz at the tender age of 10 in her hometown of Los Angeles. By age 13 she was invited to join Joe Tremaine’s Dance company which was directed by Michael Rooney and Marguerite Derricks. It was at this time that she began her training in hip-hop, modern, and salsa dancing. By the time she graduated high school Lorena was also trained in latin ballroom, mexican folk, belly dancing, flamenco, west african, afro-cuban, bollywood, and samba. At 18 years old Lorena launched her professional career with her first music video for the superstar Luis Miguel. Since then, Lorena has appeared in numerous films, television shows, award shows, commercials and music videos. Currently in a national tour with Disney called “Disney Junior Dance Party” and “Disney Junior Holiday Party “. Some of the top artists she has danced for are Shakira, PitBull, Far east movement, snoop dog, Luis Miguel, Hilary Duff, Toni Braxton, Stevie Wonder, and Britney Spears. She is also blessed to have won various dance competitions in addition to her win on the WE channel’s reality show “Dirty Dancing.”
Aside from her work in front of the camera, Lorena works as a choreographer and instructor. Currently Choreographed a world tour for Marco Antonio Solis . Plus a US tour for Paulina Rubio. She has choreographed for shows like “Chuck” on NBC, The Latin Billboards, and “Buena Fortuna” on Telemundo. She has been choreographed tours for artist’s like Chiquis Rivera, Christian Chavez, and pop artist DEV. Also choreographing live tours like Calibash at the staple center.
