COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2017 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Duke Energy Center
525 Elm Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
When
November 5, 2017
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.

Marco Cruz
Hip Hop

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.

Mark Orsborn
Tap

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer and teacher born and raised in Washington, D.C. He is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP) and was featured at the Kennedy Center 25th Anniversary and Smithsonian 150th Anniversary. Mark's early professional training started when he was a member of the pre-professional tap company "Tappers With Attitude" (TWA). He also studied with Debbie Allen and was an original cast member of her show, “Brothers of the Knight”. Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit, and numerous film festivals for his projects. The JaM Project was a winner at the 2016 Capezio Ace Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. In 2017, the company's show, "Good Times, Bad Times" premiered a 30-minute set at Dancerpalooza's "25 Live" in Long Beach, CA and a 60-minute set at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The JaM Project was featured on Season 2 of NBC's "World of Dance" and continues to perform around the country. Mark is the Director of The JaM Youth Project, a youth tap company focused on choreography and dance film production. The company attracts young tap dancers from all over the country and has received support from news outlets and national recording artist, The Doobie Brothers. Tap dance films created by the company have screened at the L.A. Dance Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Philadelphia Screendance Festival, American Dance Festival's "Movies by Movers" and Cascadia Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC). They have also been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark's choreography was recognized in 2015 by the Young Choreographer's Festival in NYC and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City. He was a contributing choreographer and performer for YouTube's "Brandcast" at Radio City Music Hall. Mark was also a part of the Signature Theater's choreography team for its production of "Billy Elliot" and was nominated for a 2019 Helen Hayes Award. Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer and teacher born and raised in Washington, D.C. He is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP) and was featured at the Kennedy Center 25th Anniversary and Smithsonian 150th Anniversary. Mark's early professional training started when he was a member of the pre-professional tap company "Tappers With Attitude" (TWA). He also studied with Debbie Allen and was an original cast member of her show, “Brothers of the Knight”. Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit, and numerous film festivals for his projects. The JaM Project was a winner at the 2016 Capezio Ace Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. In 2017, the company's show, "Good Times, Bad Times" premiered a 30-minute set at Dancerpalooza's "25 Live" in Long Beach, CA and a 60-minute set at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The JaM Project was featured on Season 2 of NBC's "World of Dance" and continues to perform around the country. Recently, Mark began directing The JaM Youth Project, a youth tap company focused on choreography and dance film production. The company has already attracted young tap dancers from all over the country and received support from news outlets and national recording artist, The Doobie Brothers. Tap dance films created by the company have screened at the L.A. Dance Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Philadelphia Screendance Festival, American Dance Festival's "Movies by Movers" and Cascadia Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC). They have also been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark's choreography was recognized in 2015 by the Young Choreographer's Festival in NYC and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City. Recently, Mark was a contributing choreographer and performer for YouTube's "Brandcast" at Radio City Music Hall. He was also a part of the Signature Theater's choreography team for its production of "Billy Elliot" and was nominated for a 2019 Helen Hayes Award. Mark has recently been on faculty for numerous tap dance festivals including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, Make Some Noise Tap Festival, RIFF: Rhythm in Fusion Festival, and Taps Alive.

Nicole Doerr
Lyrical

Nicole Doerr is an award-winning dancer and choreographer with many accomplishments. She owns and directs a studio in Farmington Hills, MI with her mother. Her students have received many top awards at regional and national competitions, including 2 National Championships in 2016. She was the co-director of Burn The Floor...with the Doerr's Performing Arts Camp, an annual camp that took place in Fenton, MI that drew in dancers from all over the USA for 10 years. Nicole developed a love for dance growing up in her mother's studio. She was a member of the Detroit Pistons Dance Team: Automotion. During her time with Automotion she was hand-selected by Brian Friedman to perform with him in the opening number of ESPN's PRODANCE along with many other great opportunities. Nicole also performed at a Superbowl XL event in Detroit and helped to promote Britney Spears' perfume line, Curious. She graduated from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was accepted into the dance program, and was a member of Impact Dance Theater while she was there. Nicole has traveled all over the United States through her dancing, and she also toured in Australia performing and taking master classes from Australian teachers. Nicole has trained with the Joffrey Ballet of New York and many professional choreographers and instructors. She was also accepted into the National Ballet of Canada School. Many of Nicole’s students have went on to pursue college dance programs, college dance teams, performing arts schools, Cirque de Soleil, Broadway, and many have continued on to be dance teachers. She has been judging nationally for many years and also teaches on convention circuits throughout the United States and Canada. Nicole strives to instill her love, passion and knowledge for dance with all dancers.

Renee Ritchie
Jazz

Renee Ritchie has been dancing for many years starting her dance training in Tasmania (Australia) at the age of 5.  In 2007 at age 17 she made the move to Sydney to pursue her dance career studying full-time at Brent Street Dance Studios.   Since graduating, Renee has had a very successful journey in Australia being a contestant on Season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance, making it to the Top 12. Renee also has worked as a dancer for Artist such Major Lazer, MO, J Balvin, Farruko, Wisin, Gente De Zona, Nicky Jam, Omi, Fitz and the Tantrums, Reedfoo, Kylie Minouge, Kelly Clarkson, Tina Arena, many more.  Renee is trained is all styles of dance from Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, House, Wacking, Ballroom many more.  Renee recently performed in Vegas on the latin grammy’s with Artist Farruko and Gente De Zona and performed at Univision Telethon in los angeles for latin artist Wisin and Chiquis Rivera.  In 2015 Renee did TV series Every Single Step on App Go90. Looking for Americas new upcoming Choreographer. Mentored by Brian Friedman and produced by Niguel Lithgow. Making it to the top 6 of the series.  Renee choreographed Seasons 4 SYTYCD Australia and working closely with many other choreographers and dancers throughout the season.  She co-choreographed Paula Abdul's "Check Yourself" Music Video.  Winning an award at the World Choreographer Awards.  Also she recently choreographed Music Video for one of Australia’s biggest pop stars Dami Im. New hit song “Fighting For love”.  Renee currently works with company LUX Convention as a faculty member and Judges for KAR Live and Legacy Dance Championships. Renee is a very well rounded and experienced teacher/choreographer that has a passion for teaching, giving and bringing her own style to share with other dancers around the world.

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

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