EDDIE GARCIA teaching jazz
SAKINAH LESTAGE teaching contemporary
NAKUL DEV MAHAJAN teaching specialty: bollywood
WES CHAPMAN teaching ballet
IT'S A SURPRISE
THOMAS SCOTT
casting director KIM WILLIAMS
Known best for playing the lead role in “Step Up 2 The Streets†which won him an MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, winning an American Choreography Award for his work on “You Got Servedâ€, and his internet video sensation “The Yes Danceâ€. Robert Hoffman has lived a career most people dream of. Robert found his love for teaching at a young age and has taught extensively on a national and international level.
Throughout his career, Robert has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile, comprehensive, and dedicated dancers in the business. It is these same principles that he promotes in his classes along with a priority on always having a good time! Robert’s classes are designed to challenge young dancers to become true athletes of movement and passion. His aim is to inspire students to achieve a skill level in creative movement far greater than they ever would have imagined they are capable of.
Robert’s colorful career has provided him with a wealth of experience and information about the entertainment industry that he is able to share with his students. Robert was a cast member on MTV’s improve comedy show “Wild ‘N Outâ€, performed lead roles in the movies such as “She’s The Man†with Amanda Bynes and “Aliens In The Attic†with Ashley Tisdale, and has performed with artist such as Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Ricky Martin, The Pussycat Dolls, and more.
Eddie Garcia is an accomplished director, choreographer, dancer and all around entertainer. He has performed around the world with many of today’s most celebrated stars.
At just 16 years old, Eddie Garcia’s incredible dancing style and technique had delivered him to the world stage via Janet Jackson. Less than one year later, Janet’s older brother Michael Jackson, hired Eddie to join him on (what would become the first of several) world tours with “The King of Pop.†It was during those invaluable years of touring where Eddie was able to fine tune his innate ability to direct and choreograph. With a creative license that is both spiritually captivating and visually energized, Eddie has produced an artistic fingerprint that has made him one of the most recognized names within the world of dance and choreography.
Drawing from his performance background in some of the most classic and influential videos of all time (with both Michael and Janet Jackson), Eddie Garcia has also had the pleasure of lending his talent to projects with Adam Lambert, Sheryl Crow, Jane’s Addiction, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Brandy, to name just a few.
Working extremely well with collaborators, Eddie has also joined forces with superstar Jennifer Lopez, appearing in and co-choreographing several of her award-winning videos. Eddie also worked alongside “J-lo’†with various television appearances including “The Today Show†and “The MTV Video Awards.†Additionally, Eddie co-directed the live NBC Television Concert special – “Let’s Get Loud.â€
Other credits include both choreography and performances for the film “Bringin’ Down the House†(starring Steve Martin and Queen Latifah.) Eddie also appears in the feature film version of the musical “RENT.†Along with choreographing Disney’s “The Suite Life with Zach and Cody,†Eddie worked with Perry Ferrell and Satellite Party for “Lollapollaza†as well as Jane’s Addiction for the Coachella Festival.
More recently Eddie has been working with the Velvet Angels on Mercury Records, as well as having served as the choreographer on the film “Family Wedding†(starring Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker, Regina King, Carlos Mencia and Emmy Award winner America Ferrera.) Eddie also appears in “Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief†directed by Chris Columbus (director of the first two “Harry Potter†films) and the soon to be released “Smurf†movie. In addition, Eddie just completed the choreography for Tom Holland’s (director of Child’s Play and Fright Night) Twisted Tales: Vampire’s Dance. And most notably, Eddie coached David Lago for his original audition for the award winning Million Dollar Quartet.
SAKINAH LESTAGE is a technically trained and versatile dancer of Cuban and Trinidadian descent, who has become one of the most sought-after choreographers in the music business. After touring worldwide for over three years as one of the resident "Sexy Loves" with multi-platinum Grammy Award winning pop/R&B star NE-YO, SAKINAH resumed her focus on choreography, creative direction and artist development.
In the past year, SAKINAH helped to recreate pop/R&B star MARIO's image with the video #1 hit song "Break Up" ft Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett and performances on BET 106th & Park, the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards and BET Tour. Sakinah has also worked with eclectic hip hop/R&B star T-PAIN since 2005 and most recently served as Co-Artistic Director and Choreographer for T-PAIN's "Three Ringz" album and his elaborate dark circus-themed show on the highly successful I AM MUSIC Tour with Lil Wayne. Her extensive list of credits also includes choreography for Young Jeezy, Keri Hilson, new artists RichGirl (Jive) and Wynter Gordon (Jive), as well as performing with many other major artists like Fergie, Lloyd, Diddy, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as a dancer.
SAKINAH also has a passion for teaching and regularly teaches master classes across the US in various styles including contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet, afro-cuban and others. She has trained with Mia Michaels, Debbie Allen and graduated from Dekalb School of the Arts and the University of South Florida.
Nakul Dev Mahajan, “Hollywood’s Favorite Bollywood Choreographer,†is the Founder and Artistic Director of the premiere Bollywood dance company in the United States, NDM Bollywood Dance Productions & Studios Inc. in Los Angeles. With over 18 years of professional experience, Nakul has become a Bollywood ambassador, bringing the Art of Bollywood dancing to diverse audiences throughout the US and beyond.
Nakul’s unique dance style and choreography fuses a diverse repertoire including Indian classical styles, such as Kathak, Bharata Natyum, Bhangra, and Folk; and, western staples including Ballroom, Latin, Hip-hop, Modern, and Jazz.
Nakul’s work and vision to open the first Bollywood dance studio in the nation has created national press and entertainment attention, including features on ABC Nightline, Time Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times.
He has worked with a plethora of celebrities such as Natalie Portman, David Schwimmer, Chris Kattan, Steve Carrel, and Kal Penn, to name a few. His major Hollywood choreography credits include The Office, Passions, Superstars of Dance and Good Morning America. Nakul’s choreography on So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew has garnered international interest and secured his role as Hollywood’s Favorite Bollywood Choreographer.
Nakul has been graced with various awards and accolades, including being chosen as Mr. India California and over fifty prestigious dance awards in the South Asian community in the United States. Nakul also contributes his talents for various South Asian charities throughout the year for children in poverty and women in abusive conditions.
Artistic Director, ABT II
A native of Union Springs, Alabama, Chapman joined American Ballet Theatre in 1984 as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to Soloist in 1987 and to Principal Dancer in 1989. With ABT, Chapman performed all the leading roles in the ballet repertoire and in works by many of the twentieth century’s master choreographers, including George Balanchine, Agnes de Mille, Twyla Tharp and Antony Tudor. He also created leading roles in Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 and Twyla Tharp’s The Elements. In 1993, he joined the Bavarian National Ballet as a principal dancer before returning to ABT in 1995. In 1996, Chapman was named Artistic Director of Alabama Ballet. During his leadership, the company grew from 16 to 44 professional and apprentice dancers. He also founded the Alabama Ballet School, the apprentice pre-professional training program and the Alabama Ballet Summer Program. Mr. Chapman returned to ABT as ballet master in 2006 before being named Artistic Director of ABT II in 2007. He also serves as a national spokesperson for Regional Dance America and as dance advisor for Angelina Ballerina.
Thomas Scott directs the New York office of DDO Artists Agency, where he specializes in dance, choreography and musical theatre. Before joining DDO, he was a successful agent at Clear Talent Group. He has placed dancers in numerous Broadway productions, such as Wicked, West Side Story, Billy Elliot, In the Heights, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Memphis, as well as in dance commercials, films and on television.
Thomas was an accomplished professional dancer performing in numerous national and international productions, most notably as the dance captain for the Broadway revival of Grease. Thomas studied dance at Broadway Dance Center and Steps and currently teaches jazz and theatre dance at the Bridge for Dance in New York.
He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, College/Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a degree in Musical Theater with an emphasis on dance.
Casting Director, O'Connor Casting
Kim Williams was in high school theatre, she became fascinated with the audition process and decided that someday she would be a Casting Director. Since 2001, Kim has been living her career dream at O’Connor Casting Company and has cast hundreds of actors in local and national campaigns. One of Kim’s greatest strengths is her near-photographic memory. She has an amazing ability to remember actors and their previous auditions and theater, film and commercial roles, which is invaluable when it comes to prepping a project, auditioning talent and working with clients. Kim has a penchant for casting independent films and print projects, and enjoys the challenges of working with kids and teens.
Management executive and owner Jennifer Horton brings extensive experience in entertainment talent representation and business development working with a diverse group of creative artists in Music, TV, Film, Stage and Fashion. A few past and present clients include award-winning actress Elise Neal (Hustle & Flow, All of Us), multi-platinum recording artist Carmit Bachar of The Pussycat Dolls, multi-platinum recording artist D.Woods of Danity Kane (MTV’s Making the Band), singer/host/actress Mikalah Gordon of American Idol, hip hop group Rej3ctz on Asylum/Warner Bros, international Latin burlesque performer Miss Dakota (Bravo’s Forty Deuce), host/comedian Lamorne Morris from BET, triple threat actor/singer/dancer Jordan Francis (Disney’s Camp Rock) and business consulting for Grammy winning multi-platinum artist Ciara (Jive/Zomba).
As a manager and consultant for several high-profile and emerging clients, Ms. Horton has expanded her relationships and expertise to include related opportunities including personal appearances, PR, branding, product placement, events, content development for TV, Film and Digital platforms, and hosting. Endorsement deals include D.Woods for Luxirie by L-R-G, Lamorne Morris for 100 Miles clothing, and Brian White for Hans F. Hansen Skincare.
Ms. Horton’s career in talent representation began at a well-respected Los Angeles-based talent agency where she spent almost five years as a talent agent and department head focusing on business growth and development before branching off to become a music/talent manager and producer. Ms. Horton successfully negotiated numerous Film and TV deals for her clients on projects including Stomp the Yard, Beautyshop, Miss Congeniality 2, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rize, Shark Tale, Wild N Out, Bones, and So You Think You Can Dance. In addition she represented performers for US and international tours and shows with top artists such as Madonna, Paul McCartney, Gloria Estefan, Ciara, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Game, and Chris Brown and notable music awards and television shows such as MTV VMAs, BET Awards, Vibe Awards, the Grammy Awards, TRL, and 106th & Park. Ms. Horton also established and oversaw profitable agency divisions in Atlanta and Chicago.
Ms. Horton is currently the principal of quickly growing management and consulting company JRH Entertainment Group (www.JRHEntertainment.com) and has recently established a venture for Branding and Marketing with top PR, Marketing & Events company Avid Exposure (www.avidexposure.com). Ms. Horton also maintains a partnership in 11-16 Entertainment (www.1116entertainment.com), a boutique production company dedicated to the development and production of top quality content for television, film, and new media projects. Prior to entertainment, Ms. Horton studied and worked in Intellectual Property law and attended Columbia University in New York City.
