At the young age of 3, Cori Heckmann-Moody began her dance training and fell in love with the rhythms and sounds of tap. After thirteen years of training and assisting, it wasn't long before Cori knew she wanted to share her passion for tap with others. For twelve years, Cori directed the tap programs for several studios throughout California, and in 2015 opened her own studio, Roseville Academy of Dance in Roseville, CA. With recognition from today's most popular dance competitions, Cori has won numerous awards for her choreography, most entertaining acts, and highest scoring tap performances at both the regional and national level. Her students have received high point awards, title awards, scholarships, and have taken home top honors from many dance competitions. Cori spends her free time continuing her dance education, choreographing and teaching master classes for studios throughout the United States, judging dance competitions, and running a private lesson based business, CHM Dance Productions. Cori loves teaching dance and is very excited to be returning for her fourth year with the KAR Dance Convention.

Jerome Alexander has become one of today’s busiest dancers, youngest choreographers, and entrepreneurs. Jerome has danced for Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kanye West, and the rock band Ok Go! He has also appeared in commercials for McDonalds, the hit show “New Girl,” and in the promo for “So You Think You Can Dance.” In addition to dancing on Nickelodeon’s number 1 show “Victorious,” dancing on America’s Got Talent for Brian Friedman, and in the opening number of the Jerry Lewis Telethon for Emmy Award Winning Choreographer Tyce Diorio, Jerome has appeared in many shows internationally. He danced for Japanese sensation Domoto Koichi and has even starred in a show in Tokyo as the only foreign dancer to appear in the production! Jerome’s teaching and choreography bring him annually to Italy, Tokyo, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and Puerto Rico. Jerome choreographed the commercial spec for Debbie Allen’s show “Twist,” the commercial for “Sammy and Me,” and was the Assistant Choreographer for a Little Caesar’s commercial, and by the age of 24, Jerome had choreographed his first national commercial. Additionally, he co-choreographed the upcoming movie “Stepping High.” Jerome is also one of the founding members of KJS Enterprises, which released an app with Sophia Lucia. He has won numerous choreography awards both in the United States and in Europe, and he is very excited to work with Kids Artist Revue!

Kristi Fair began dancing at the age of three in Riverside, California. At the age of 10 she began dancing for the prestigious West Coast School of the Arts in Cypress, California. During Kristi’s competition years she took top honors in tap, jazz, ballet, and lyrical. In 2001 Kristi opened her own dance studio where she teaches tap, jazz, hip hop, and lyrical. In the past four years Kristi’s students have received high top honors at competitions at both the regional and national level. Kristi has choreographed for local theaters, high schools, and colleges earning top honors. Kristi spends a lot of her time traveling teaching master classes. Kristi received her training from teachers and choreographers such as Cory Finn, Tina D’Amato, Paula Kessinger, Amy Bates, Dawni Novak, and many teachers\choreographers in the LA area.

Marco Cruz is a Choreographer, Dancer, Artistic Director, Judge, Master Class Instructor, and Leader in the Contemporary and Hip Hop Arenas. His musicality and attention to detail have been described as captivating, inspirational and breathtaking. His passion for dance is what has made him one of todayʼs most sought after choreographers and a true original in his field. His professional persuits have no end, he has performed in, choreographed, and directed music videos, commercials and award shows for recording artist such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Naturi Naughton, Olivia Newton John, Kenny Loggins, and Kwanza Jones; and production companies including Paramount Pictures, ABC, Nickelodeon, Disney, Power of Youth, Variety Magazine, and Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation. Cruz is no stranger to the world of competitive dance. His works have placed first against some of today’s most elite dance studios. He has earned several National Championship Titles at some of the most prestigious competitions: ShowStoppers, Hollywood Vibe, Starpower, Hall of Fame, Hollywood Connection, Jump, The Dance Awards and KAR just to name a few. Dance education and instilling a respect of the art of dance is of primary focus for Cruz. Several of his students have chosen to pursue dance education at the collegiate level. Likewise, many of Cruz’s students have excelled in dance and the entertainment industry and have moved on to dance professionally for companies such as Joffrey, Ballet Hispanico in New York, Lines in San Francisco, Santa Barbra’s State Street Ballet, and many more.

Michelle Richey received her education in dance from Long Beach State in California and CSUF. She worked for United Spirit Association (USA) for 6 years as a songleading head coach. For over 10 years, Michelle made her home at Disneyland Park, performing in both parades and live shows such as the “Queen Mary” and the “Spruce Goose” show. Michelle has performed for many superstars including Milton Berle, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Jackson, and Frankie Avalon. Some of her choreography credits include Grease, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Oliver, Peter Pan, Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell, The Wiz, and Beauty and the Beast. Michelle also was the proud owner of MKR Productions. 

Michelle’s choreography and students have been the recipients of countless regional and national titles. Many of her students have performed on TV and in music videos, received dance scholarships to major universities, and have become nationally ranked choreographers themselves. Michelle judges for competitions and is in her 12th year of being a faculty member of KAR Dance Convention. She was also honored to be one of the judges for the very first KAR Live event in Australia. 

Michelle’s warm heart paired with her vast experience and thoughtful approach to teaching dance makes her a truly exceptional part of the KAR Dance Convention faculty.