COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2014 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Mississippi Coast Convention Center
2350 Beach Blvd
Biloxi, MS 39531
When
November 23, 2014
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Bernadette Natasha
Musical Theater

Bernadette Foth is an accomplished dancer with a diverse performance background, as well as, being a board certified instructor, award winning choreographer, master class instructor and sought after competition adjudicator. She is a certified member of Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of Michigan, Universal Dance Association and Dance Masters of America. She has performed with Enrique Iglesias, Sesame Street Live, West Side Story, The Wiz, and also was a principal dancer for Detroit Talent. Bernadette is the co-owner of Tina Marie School of Dance in which she operates two successful dance studios in Michigan. Her dancers have received extensive nation-wide accolades for their technique and performances, and many have gone on to dance on Broadway, Cruise Lines, Commercials, Music Videos and for the Radio City Rockettes. She currently travels throughout the country teaching on conventions & intensive programs, along with judging for many competitions such as Lifetimes Hit Show, “Dance Moms”. She also choreographs the opening routines, television appearances and various floats for the Hobble Gobble and Thanksgiving Day Parade, along with a performance with Kenichi Ebina the Season 8 Winner from “America’s Got Talent”. In addition, she is the director of her own in-studio workshop, DanzJam, and has worked side-by-side with numerous highly acclaimed master teachers and choreographers from stage, television and film. Bernadette has dedicated her entire life to cultivating talent and enabling her students to reach their fullest potential.

Donna Shepherd
Jazz

Dancing since the age of three, Donna has trained in the areas of ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap. Her first professional endeavor was her performance with Pasadena Ballet Theater's version of The Nutcracker at the age of 12. Donna attended Orange Coast College and was selected to be a member and captain of the National Champion Dance Team. While attending OCC, she performed in an Usher music video, "Pop Yo Collar", and was featured with Paul DaSilva for Dance Spirit magazine. With an extensive technical background and incorporating the hottest "LA style" movement, Donna has been training amazing dancers. Her students have gone on to be represented by Hollywood's top agencies performing with artists such as Hillary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Shakira, Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Derek and Julianne Hough and also winning prestigious titles such as the Music Center Spotlight Awards Grand Champion. Donna's students, Pauline Mata and Jordan Casanova have been featured as one of the top 20 finalists on the hit Fox TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" and Jordan has also toured in the 1st National company of "Wicked The Musical". Well known and sought out master teacher, Donna's unique style, training methods and upbeat energy excites dancers to learn, strive to be the best they can be and leave class motivated. Donna's choreography has been winning numerous regional overalls, national titles and has received multiple nominations in the 'Industry Dance Awards'. Donna had the pleasure of being the assistant choreographer for the 1st National Tour of Finding Neverland, working under Mia Michaels.

Jessica Etzel
Lyrical

Jessica has been dancing since the age of 8 and has trained in all genres of dance, making her a versatile teacher and choreographer. She trained with many studios & dance companies before settling into the world of teaching. Jessica currently owns & directs her own studio and dance company in Maryland, where her students are national champion competitors and performers. She has been a featured performer at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center in Hanover, PA, and she has participated in several events to honor National Dance Week. She was awarded with the Frank Hatchett Broadway Dance Center Scholarship along with the Los Angeles Dance Force, "Dance with the Force Award." Jessica was also named the American Dance Awards "Young Choreographer of the Year,” and her award-winning choreography can be seen throughout the country on both the competition & convention stages. Jessica is a part of the Dance Olympus/DanceAmerica and International Dance Challenge Faculty, where she has had the opportunity to travel to numerous cities, teaching master classes, judging dance competitions, and performing. Jessica graduated from McDaniel College with a degree in Exercise Science and Physical Education. She was also awarded the Richard Clower Award for Excellence.

Mario Velez
Hip Hop

Mario Velez Jr. is a professional hip-hop choreographer and dancer\performer. Mario has toured and worked with artists such as Omarion, TLC, Rock Steady Crew, Fergie, My Chemical Romance, Brandy, Boyz II Men, Doug E. Fresh, Paula Abdul & many others! He has also toured with the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters! Mario is currently performing and choreographing for the National Recording Artist, Jasmine Hormez and for Automatic Response Dance Crew which was featured on the show’s first season of “ America’s Best Dance Crew!”. He has also done work with the NBA and WNBA Phoenix Suns Dance Team, The Seattle Supersonics, The Warrior Girls , The Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad. He has trained dancers that have worked with artist such as: Lady GaGa, The Jabbawockeez, Jason Derulo and pricipal dancer David Hallberg from ABT, and many others. Mario has also started an exciting and very passionate Dance Studio called Diverse Elements. His diversity also includes choreography for shows, Splash and Bottoms UP in Las Vegas NV, and Jubilation in Reno, NV. This was all possible because of his long time partner and wife Melissa Velez. Mario has one saying that he lives by-"Hip-hop is not just rapping and music, it is a culture, a way of life!"

Tiffany Schlater
Tap

Tiffany has over thirty-five years of dance experience in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, musical theater and several styles of tap dancing including Broadway to Hoofing. She received a full dance scholarship to the prestigious Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, Illinois at the age of 17. She has performed at the Capital Building in Washington D.C., the Chicago Theater, in the promotional tour for the movie “TAP”, various industrials, charity events and on television. Tiffany has performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Savion Glover, Lane Alexander, the late Gregory Hines and was an original member of the “ETC” Tap Company. She has also had the honor of studying under such greats as Gus Giordano, Henry LeTang, Derick Grant and the Emmy winning Jason Samuels Smith. Tiffany has earned the titles Teacher Of The Year & Top Choreographer on Regional and National level and her choreography has been featured in the New York City Tap Extravaganza and Industry Dance Awards in Hollywood, CA and Las Vegas. Her students can be found on television, Broadway, movies and professional dance companies. Tiffany has been recognized by Stanford Who’s Who of America, Ohio House of Representatives for her dedication to the Arts and is a member of the International Tap Association. She now serves as a International Adjudicator, Master Teacher/Choreographer, NYC Tap Legacy Foundation Ambassador and the Elite Company Director at JDSD in Columbus, Ohio. Tiffany is committed to sharing her love of dance through mentoring, educating and teaching proper technique across the country.

Your Dancers
Will Thank You!

Convention Price List / 6 classes + showcase at only $235

6 Classes

$185
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

6 Classes +
Protege Performer Audition +
1 Parent Observer Band

$255
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

$20 Parent Observer Band

Register Now