of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the. University at ... Krista then attended college .... FL, La Mama Theater, Laurie B
Your Faculty Lesley Mealor Lesley Mealor grew up dancing at her mother's dance studio in Georgia. She went on to graduate from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Dance Performance. At OCU she studied ballet, tap, jazz, pedagogy and voice. She began teaching little ones ballet and tap while still in high school, and continues to teach and choreograph for competition studios in the Atlanta area. Her performance experience includes numerous industrials, theme parks, and regional theaters, as well as two contracts with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Most recently she toured the US with productions of "The Music Man" and "Sweet Charity". Lesley is signed with Across the Board Talent Agency, and resides in New York City.
Amanda Rambler Amanda found her passion for dance growing up in the DC area where she appreciated being able to work with very diverse instructors and choreographers throughout her dance training. She took on every opportunity possible ranging from hip hop classes, to performing on pointe in productions with the Chesapeake Ballet Company. One of her favorite experiences as a young adult was dancing with the Capitol Movement Project of DC, a show held in DC promoting the importance of charity and sponsorship to young dancers. Amanda is the Competition Program Director for GJ Dance Studio of Laplata & Waldorf Maryland, where she is certain she has found her passion through dance instruction and leadership. As a competition choreographer Amanda has earned choreography awards in Tap, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre as well as students being ranked as Regional and National Title holders. Her competitive dance program through GJ Dance Studio was named one of the top 25 competitive dance studios in MD by the Federation of dance in 2010. Her students have had the honor of being selected and have attended prestigious companies and obtained scholarships to programs such as: Debbie Allen School of the arts in Los Angeles CA, Dance Spirit Magazine, feature dancer “Future Stars”, The Broadway Artists Alliance in New York, Towson University Dance Team, The Dance Company of Virginia Tech, The Maryland University Dance Team. Amanda Enjoys meeting new colleagues and continuing to gain inspiration from young dancers by judging talent competitions such as Hall Of Fame, The Countdown and Platinum National Dance Competition where she has also taught on convention. Amanda looks forward to pursuing her career teaching young dancers, and is eager to develop her passion and experiences as a dance educator.
Miranda Zimmerman Miranda Zimmerman received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from the University at Buffalo under the direction of Tom Ralabate. There she was a member of the prestigious Zodiaque Dance Company where she was able to work with numerous choreographers. She was honored with being named director of Dancers Workshop for two years. After graduation, Miranda stayed in the Buffalo area and became a member of Mone Dance Company under Nakita Mone. She serves as dance educator by mentoring and teaching students all over Western New York as well as guest teaching and choreographing. She has recently started her journey into the Dance Competition and Dance Convention part of the industry by judging and teaching at both regional and national levels. She has worked on faculty with Dance Educators of America and with Dance Masters of America; teaching at their Student Honors Intensive Program and assisting with the Teachers Training School. Originally from Pennsylvania she was named Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Young Woman for 2008. The continuous journey of inspiration and growth, as well as the ability to mentor students who are willing to share their passion, are considered to her, to be the amazing gifts of dance education.
Krista Jennings Krista Jennings has passionately pursued dance for the last twenty years. She received a full tuition scholarship from the Maryland Council of Dance to attend Towson University Children’s Dance Division in Towson, MD. There, she studied Royal Academy of Dance Ballet, Pointe, Modern, Tap, Jazz and African. During her time studying in Towson, she had the opportunity to perform with the Kirov Ballet in the Nutcracker. Krista later switched her focus from ballet and modern to contemporary and hip hop at B. Funk Dance Company in Ellicott City, MD. Krista then attended college at Virginia Tech. Since graduating, Krista has been busy teaching contemporary, jazz, and hip hop at various studios in the DC Metro area. Her choreography has won her many awards such as best choreography, most entertaining routine and top scores at both regional and national competitions. Krista has also traveled as a judge and master class teacher for the last six years for various regional and national competitions including Elite Dance Challenge, On Point National Dance Competition and Platinum National Dance Competition. Krista just finished her 5th season as a resident choreographer for Woodbridge Dance Company. She has also been busy working with Capitol Movement’s Professional Company in Washington DC. Most recently, Krista has been promoted to Dance Director at her studio in Springfield, VA.
APPLY WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED!
COME DANCE WITH US IN 2016!
January 29-31 Omaha, NE February 5-7 Davenport, IA February 5-7 Virginia, Beach, VA February 12-14 Mobile, AL February 12-14 Denver, CO February 19-21 San Antonio, TX February 19-21 Chattanooga, TN February 26-28 Dallas, TX February 26-28 Niagara Falls, NY March 4-6 Jacksonville, FL March 4-6 Tulsa, OK March 11-13 Lafayette, LA
March 11-13 March 18-20 March 18-20 March 25-27 April 1-3 April 1-3 April 8-10 April 8-10 April 15-17 April 15-17 April 22-24 April 22-24
St Louis, MO Montgomery, AL Myrtle Beach, SC EASTER Owensboro, KY Arkadelphia, AR Statesboro, GA Carrollton, GA Indianapolis, IN Detroit, MI Birmingham, AL Mason, OH
Platinum National Dance Competition 8050 Fairoaks Court ✭ Jonesboro, Georgia 30236 ✭ 404-551-4518 ✭ Fax: 404-437-6177
April 29-May 1 April 29-May 1 May 6-8 May 6-8 May 13-15 May 13-15 May 20-22
Platinum Dance competition schedule
Lexington, SC Woodbridge, VA Albemarle, NC Pittsburgh, PA Houston, TX Daytona, FL Rockford, IL
✭ 2016 NATIONAL FINALS ✭ June 14-18 Panama City, FL June 28-July 2 Pigeon Forge, TN
Please check the website for the most current schedule available
DancePlatinum.com
Your Faculty
Your Faculty Michael Deeb Michael is so happy to be part of the Platinum family! Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, he began his dance training at the age of 5, eventually receiving a scholarship to the University at Buffalo where he earned his BFA in Dance with honors. Some of his favorite credits include National Tours of A Chorus Line (Mike, directed by Baayork Lee) and Young Frankenstein (Swing). He was the assistant director/choreographer and dance captain of the West Coast regional premiere of Young Frankenstein at Musical Theatre West in California. Regional favorites include West Side Story (Snowboy) at Ogunquit Playhouse, Young Frankenstein at Ogunquit and Gateway Playhouses, A Chorus Line (Mike) at New Bedford Festival Theatre, The Wizard of Oz at Northern Stage, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Beauty and the Beast at Artpark. Other credits include the premiere of The Great Gatsby at the Plaza Hotel, the Writers' Guild Awards with Kristen Schaal in NYC, Celebrity Cruises, Six Flags, Buffalo's Theatre of Youth, Buffalo Contemporary Dance Company, Zodiaque Dance Company, the Greater Buffalo Youth Ballet, ArtScope, and Music Is Art Live. He continues to study with and demonstrate for Broadway veteran Jeff Shade in NYC, and is represented there by McDonald Selznick Associates.
Liz Borom Liz Borom got her start age the age of 6 in South Carolina studying classical ballet with the Columbia City Ballet. She was a soloist for the Spartanburg Civic Ballet before receiving an honors scholarship into the SC Governors School for the Arts where she trained under the direction of Edward Villella, Mel Tomlinson, and Sandra Neill. She continued her training in all genres of dance from tap to Graham technique and studied in several notable studios and programs from SC to NY under the direction of dance “greats” such as Twyla Tharp, Shelly Washington, Paul Taylor, Mia Michaels, Ray Leeper, and Joe Tremaine just to name a few. She went on to study dance performance and choreography in college. Since college, Liz has been teaching, choreographing, and dancing all over the US for the past 20 years. Professionally, she has danced in commercials, film, television, and in full-length stage productions with the Unbound dance company directed by Caroline Lewis Jones. Liz’s choreography has won multiple awards regionally and nationally. Her classes are full of strong technique and passionate choreography, and she is driven by sharing her love of dance with every student!
Frank Musso Frank Musso is a New Jersey native who grew up training at studios, For Dancers Only & In The Spotlight. As an avid competition dancer, he trained under well-known choreographers like Dan Karaty, Ray Leeper, Mike Minery, Gil Stroming, Frank Hatchett, and Lisa Danias. Frank attended Montclair State University, where he had the privilege of dancing in many concert shows and began a performance career. His credits include: revue shows for Dublin Worldwide Productions in Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas, The Aluminum Show 2011 International Tour, shows at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, La Mama Theater, Laurie Beechman Theater, NJPAC, Fringe Festival, Flashmob America, commercials, a feature film, television, and music videos. Frank has backup danced for pop artists Mister Chase, Haley Bowery, and Brian Kent. While performing, Frank directs and choreographs musical and dramatic productions for regional theater and high schools throughout northern NJ. He is a national adjudicator and master instructor for multiple talent competitions. Frank is an award winning choreographer who teaches and choreographs at competition studios along the east coast.
Samantha Litvak Samantha Litvak, a New Jersey native, began her dance training at an early age. She performed in the Nutcracker with Ballet for Young Audiences and later was a featured soloist with the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. In high school, she began assisting tap dancer, Nick DiNicolangelo, at the Adrenaline Dance Convention. In 2008, Sam was the recipient of the Harlequin Dance Scholarship and she went on to receive her BA in Sociology from Quinnipiac University. While at Quinnipiac, Sam was a 4-year member of the Dance Company as well as President and choreographer. In her senior year, she was voted MVP of the team and her choreography was selected for the Undertoe Dance Festival in New York City. After graduation, Sam joined the Hands Down Tap Project and she has been featured in their first three shows. Her students have worked in the Radio City Christmas Show, Billy Elliot National Tour, and Matilda. Her choreography has won awards on both a regional and national level. Recently, Sam was interviewed as a “Leading Lady” for IWantHerJob.com. Sam continues to teach guest classes and choreograph for several studios across the US as well as judging for national talent competitions
Lauren Alston Ms. Lauren Alston is a native of Columbia, South Carolina. Her dance career began under the direction of Donna Lewis (Founder and Director of Dee Crump School of Dance) and later flourished under the direction of Dale Lam (Director of Columbia City Jazz Dance School). While under the guidance of Dale Lam, she was taught by many reputable choreographers including: Stacey Calvert (Principle Dancer at New York City Ballet), Talin Kenar (Principle Dancer at North Coast Ballet School), Nick Lazzarini (Winner of So You Think You Can Dance), Jason Parsons (Director of Jason Parsons Company), Travis Wall (Runner Up on So You Think You Can Dance and Co- Owner of Shaping Sound), Ray Leeper (Director of Nuvo Dance Convention), Mandy Moore (Choreographer on So You Think You can Dance and Emmy Nominee), Denise Wall (Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Denise Wall's Dance Energy), and Trey Holloway (Dancer in Leona Lewis’s Forgive Me music video). Her professional career began at age 16, when she was invited by the Chinese Cultural Council to tour various cities in China for 32 days and perform over 40 shows. Soon after, Ms. Alston performed in several music videos and commercials, including Huggies, Carolina Imports, and Boss Productions Management Group. As she continued her quest to fulfill her artistic zeal, she became Co-Director of Columbia City Jazz’s Company II, Hip Hop and Jazz Director at Griffin School of Dance, national and regional judge for several national dance competitions, and hip hop, jazz, and lyrical instructor for The Dance Effect Convention and BEYOND WORDS In-House Dance Convention. As her ambition continues to cultivate and prosper, Lauren Alston looks forward to sharing her passion and insight with more eager artists.
Shannon Atkins
Kyle Shukis Kyle Shukis is a critically acclaimed teacher based in the Washington DC area who teaches master classes and sets choreography regularly at private studios, performing arts high schools and Universities across the country. He is currently the assistant director and head of dance for the Virginia summer residential governors school for humanities and visual and performing arts. He has been a faculty member at both Radford and Rutgers universities as well as a guest teacher at multiple universities including Muhlenberg College, University of Massachusetts, Trinity College, Raritan Valley Community College, Coker College, James Madison University, and Virginia Tech. He has also taught at the American College Dance Festival for the past five years, where his choreography has represented Radford University. His work has been presented at Broadway Dance Center and Dance New Amsterdam in New York and at Dance Place in Washington DC. Prior to moving to the DC area he danced and taught in New York where he toured with the internationally known modern dance company Randy James Dance Works which he also served as rehearsal director for. He also performed regularly with LKB Dance and Dance Council Movement Theater as well as a pick up dancer for multiple choreographers. During this time he was the resident lighting designer at Broadway Dance Center as well as for numerous dance companies in New York City and the tri-state area. Kyle received his undergraduate education at the University of Massachusetts where he performed in multiple student, faculty, and guest artist works, and choreographed regularly for student concerts.
Shannon was the director and founder of “Dance Technique” on the Gold Coast, Australia which is the leading performing Arts Center in the country. Students from Dance Technique are currently performing on Broadway and attending prestigious schools including the Juilliard School, The Royal Ballet School and The Ailey School. Shannon’s choreography has won numerous awards including "Best Tap" and "Outstanding Contemporary" at the Australian National Dance Championships with Shannon being the only teacher to have two students crowned "Australia's Dancer of the Year". In addition, two of Shannon's students were in the Top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance Australia 2014. Shannon was the tap and jazz instructor at the Queensland Conservatorium musical theatre program in Brisbane, Australia along with choreographing musical productions for this course. Shannon has performed in and dance captained several professional musical tours herself throughout Australia including 42nd Street, Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof and Evita. She has also choreographed two major productions in Queensland— High School Musical 2 and Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens. Shannon completed all of her RAD classical exams with distinction also has a law (with honors) and a psychology degree. Currently, Shannon is teaching/choreographing in all genres of dance throughout New York.
Emanuel Washington Emanuel Washington is a native of Lake Charles, LA. Emanuel began performing in high school as the Head Drum Major of the Washington Marion Marchin’ Jukebox Band. Emanuel went on to LSU where he found his passion for dance. He became and member of Legacy Dancers, a very popular student dance organization, and he later became president and lead choreographer for the group. He began training in the LSU Dance Program where he was a 2 year ensemble member and choreographing in his senior year. After receiving his B.A. from LSU, Emanuel moved to Los Angeles to pursue his professional career. Emanuel is a two year master class instructor/faculty member of The Platinum Dance Experience and judged this past season with Platinum Nation Dance Competition. Emanuel’s credits include: Debbie Allen, Darren Henson (of Stomp the Yard), Dawn Richard (of Danity Kane), Hailey Rowe, and Darrius "Deezle" Henderson. Emanuel was a 2013 The Pulse on Tour scholarship recipient and Intensive Invitee. Emanuel’s recently won 3 choreography awards at National final events, Platinum Panama City Beach (2) and NYLA Biloxi 2014. Emanuel looks forward to continuing to share his passion for artistry and performance with PDE this season!
