Michele Ackermann

850-562-9556 | tapma1@embarqmail.com | www.dancestudiotallahassee.com

Michele Ackermann, Owner /Director of The Dance Studio, is a nationally accredited to teach all disciplines of dance by Dance Masters of America, Inc and Dance Educators of America, Inc. She is proud to be entering her thirty-ninth year of professional teaching and choreographing. A prolific choreographer, Michele Ackermann’s musical theatre work has been seen on the stages of Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee Little Theatre, Young Actors Theatre, and Quincy Musical Theatre.

Connie Becker

850-562-8987 | cbecker10@comcast.net

I am a member of Kolohe Dancers - a Hawaiian dance group. We dance Polynesian dance to include Tahitian.

Melinda Patrick Cowen, Ph.D.

850-284-2094 | infinityci@aol.com | www.danceintallahassee.com

I have been performing and teaching Polynesian (Troupe Kahu Ahi) and Mid-Eastern Dance (Troupe Firestorm) for over 15 years. A degree in Costume Design and History has given me the research background to create authentic costumes and jewelry to enrich my presentation of the dance forms.

Henry Hernandez

WorldBallet@embarqmail.com
Choreographer/Dancer/Costume Designer

HollyWood

thedutchagency@gmail.com | www.dutchagency.weebly.com

HollyWood is a class act and a phenomenal instructor. He has appeared on FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance" and worked as guest at TCC and FAMU. He has starred in over a hundred shows, musicals, and videos. He is represented by BLOC Talent Agency in Atlanta, GA.

Ansley Jones

706-294-1244 | jonesa8@gmail.com

Ansley Joye Jones aka Jukeboxx is a bgirl, capoeirista, hip hop feminist, dancer/choreographer, writer/researcher, student, educator and foremost, activist. She earned her BFA in Visual and Performing Arts at Savannah State University in 2004. She earned her MA in American Dance Studies from the Florida State University School of Dance in 2011. She is currently working on turning her thesis "A Battle of Repression: Hip Hop Bgirls, Burns and Gestural Language 1970 to 2010" into a book. This research focuses on the history of women and their expression in hip hop dance. She teaches a breaking class every Saturday at Namaste Yoga. This class is designed to make the art form of breaking accessible to all who are interested.

Julianna

850-590-8387 | thewbctr@gmail.com | www.thewbcenter.com

Julianna is the Head Dance Instructor and Artistic Director at the Women's Bellydance Center. She has been belly dancing for 17 years and teaching for the last 6. Julianna has over 40 years dance experience including tap, ballet, modern and Jazz, but her heart and soul belongs to belly dance.

Amy Leach

amy@showdancetell.com | www.showdancetell.com

Amy is a dance teacher and choreographer in Tallahassee. She works for Young Actors Theatre and has recently formed the modern dance company showdancetell. She is currently looking for experienced dancers.

Mary Leslie

info@tallahasseesalsa.com | www.tallahasseesalsa.com

Mary Leslie is the Chair of the local Tallahassee-based, Latin-dance organization Tallahassee Salsa Dancers. She teaches salsa, casino, merengue, cha cha cha and bachata to all ages in the Tallahassee area.

Rick McCullough

Choreographer/Dance Photographer

Valerie Messina

850-264-0845 | messinaval@yahoo.com

Joy Myers

850-942-4714 | joylmyers1527@hotmail.com

Joy is a dancer/actor/singer and for many years taught dance and worked professionally in musical theater in South Florida. She later went on to pursue a degree in Geology. By day, Joy is a geologist/environmental scientist, but still loves the theater! She has been seen at Tallahassee Little Theater in "Cabaret" and "The Producers." Joy also dances competitively with her partner and has won numerous dance competitions throughout the U.S.

The Ned Devines

850-385-4847 | kernss@aol.com | www.theneddevines.com

The talented members of Irish band The Ned Devines bring to their audiences an all round traditional Irish music experience. Familiar tunes, whether they be spirited jigs and reels or slow and beautiful airs coupled with a diverse selection of songs are sure to evoke visions of the Emerald Isle. Punctuate the music with the thundering rhythms, and beauty of Irish step dancing and The Ned Devines performance is complete! Join The Neds on Facebook!

Janis Paulsen

850-294-0573 | keepitsimple63@yahoo.com

I am a dancer of Hawaiian and Tahitian dance forms.

Nancy Redig

850-421-5151 | nancyredig@nettally.com | www.instepstudio.com

Nancy Redig has been performing various forms of ethnic dance for over 20 years. She has traveled internationally to learn about the dances in the native areas. She currently teaches at In Step Studio (founded 1999) in southern Leon County. She firmly believes that to perform the dances, you must understand the cultures, language and music of the dance origins. She continues to study and share her knowledge from the years of experience. Nancy is a member of the Board of Directors for FSU Friends of Dance, Florida Dance Association and been a part of COCA since the beginning.

Kwame Azalis Ross

803-319-2209 | kwamekar@gmail.com

I am a multi-performance artist. I focus on African Diaspora artistic expression, in dance, music, song, literature and visual arts. I do West African dance forms as well as Caribbean dance forms. I am interested in creating works of art centered around social commentary infusing artistic folkloric work.

Sharon Schwerzel

850-576-5856 | sschwerzel@gmail.com

Teach Hawaiian hula and other Polynesian dances at the YMCA Northwest Fitness Center and perform with the Mau'Oli'Oli Polynesian Dancers from In Step Studio.

David Barrow Wiley

850-443-1599 | blacksmithink@gmail.com

Professional actor, director, dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker.