PASSIONATE EDUCATORS FOR PASSIONATE DANCERS
The faculty for Soul Dancer Conference are professionals, master teachers, inspirational speakers and people who genuinely care about the young dancers and making their experience one filled with joy. Soul Dancer Conference is a totally unique experience: NO competition; NO numbers; just JOY!
Canterna-Hardy, Ashley SOUL
Ashley Canterna Hardy received her ballet training at the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC on full scholarship. At 14, she was the winner of the junior division at the Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition. That same year, she represented the United States at the 2000 International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria winning…
Deiss, Kristin SOUL
Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux have a shared sixty years in the dance industry. Both have worked extensively as professional dancers and are well-versed and experienced in the realm of dance education. After working together in the education field for seven years, the idea of Danscend was born because of an overwhelming need that Deiss…
Duncan, Sandi SOUL
Sandi Duncan is a dance educator, choreographer, mentor and personal development coach with a career spanning over 40 years in the New England area. She owned, directed and taught at Dance Productions in Woburn, Massachusetts for 9 years, before becoming a senior faculty member at the Melissa Hoffman Dance Center in Hudson, New Hampshire. Throughout…
Gold, Rhee SOUL
Rhee Gold is a dance field pioneer who has led a movement that continues to change and improve the face of dance education. Teachers and studio owners from the United States, Australia, Canada, Grand Cayman, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom and more flock to his retreats, seminars, keynote speeches, and conferences to gain…
Gudat, Diane SOUL
Diane Gudat is a freelance writer, teacher, coach and choreographer from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. She now teaches at the studio she owned, for more than 28 years and has been a dance educator for more than 50 years. She is the author of seven dance books specifically designed for the dance teacher: The Time Step…
Hubela, Geo SOUL
With over 20 years experience in the Entertainment Industry, GEO Hubela is a Choreographer, Artistic Director, Dancer & Teacher. He also is Co-owner and Director of one of New Jerseys leading Dance Education facilities, ICON DANCE COMPLEX, home of the ICONic Dance Company. GEO has choreographed internationally for stage and screen in France, Germany, the…
Imperio, Liz SOUL
Liz Imperio has established herself as a major director and choreographer in the entertainment industry. Some of her credits include the staging and choreography for Jennifer Lopez’s most recent world tour Dance Again; director/choreographer of Gloria Estefan’s last 3 world concert tours; and two world tours for Madonna – the Re-invention Tour and the Confessions…
Leeper, Ray SOUL
Ray Leeper’s work spans the spectrum from television, movies, and commercials to Off-Broadway and music videos. He has choreographed for multiple seasons of So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, Big Bang Theory, and X-Factor UK. His long career has included working with such artists as Cher,…
Loucadoux, Michelle SOUL
Michelle Loucadoux & Kristin Deiss have a shared sixty years in the dance industry. Both have worked extensively as professional dancers and are well-versed and experienced in the realm of dance education. After working together in the education field for seven years, the idea of Danscend was born because of an overwhelming need that Deiss…
Miller, Rhonda SOUL
Rhonda Miller (Director/Program Head of BFA Commercial Dance Program) She was a founder and co-owner of L.A.’s premier dance studio, The Edge and was the leader for many years of its convention business, L.A. DanceForce. . Her work has also been seen in commercials and industrials for such Fortune 500 companies as Apple, Chrysler, Toys…
Pickett, Jason SOUL
Professional dance educator, choreographer, adjudicator and international artist, Jason Pickett strives to help dancers grow to the next level of their artistic journey. With over a decade of performance, choreography and teaching experience, the Utah native has performed live on shows like Americas Got Talent, collaborated with global brands Hermès, Icon Fitness, Toys-R-Us, Crocs, Bud…
Simler, Kiana SOUL
Kiana Simler is an accomplished dancer, teacher, choreographer, and adjudicator with over 15 years of experience hailing from London, Ontario. Her journey began at Dance Extreme Inc. and Western University, where she trained extensively in various dance styles under the guidance of industry-leading instructors and choreographers. Holding an H.B.A. from Western University, Kiana double majored…
Wanner, Heather SOUL
Heather Wanner is an educator at heart. Having spent many years teaching in the Elementary and Middle School classrooms, working with children and nurturing their spirits and well-being has always been a passion of Heather’s. As a former Actor’s Equity Member spending many years auditioning and performing in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia, her…
Yip, Mandy SOUL
As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy Yip manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 6000 dance studios in USA, Canada, UK, Australia, South Africa and over 30 other countries. She heads the Acrobatic Arts examination program, and trains and certifies adjudicators to…