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!
Soul Dancer Conference Faculty 2025
Meet Our Faculty
At Soul Dancer Conference, our faculty includes passionate professionals, master teachers, and motivational speakers who are committed to uplifting and inspiring young dancers. This one-of-a-kind event is all about celebrating the joy of dance—no competition, no numbers, just an unforgettable experience of creativity and connection!
Beltran, Brandon – SOUL
Brandon Beltran is a professional dancer and educator born and raised in Orange County and based in Los Angeles, CA. He has worked with artists such as Taylor Swift, Gwen Stefani, Jason Derulo, and most recently the Grammys with Dua Lipa. He has danced on TV shows Good Trouble, The Voice, The Masked Singer, and…
Brettingham-Filice, Rebecca – SOUL
Rebecca Brettingham-Filice is a visionary entrepreneur and dedicated dance professional, making significant contributions to the dance community. Since the inception of Dance Extreme in 1997. she has played a pivotal role in shaping the dance experiences of over 26,000 individuals who have passed through the studio’s doors. Rebecca’s influence extends beyond her own ventures, as…
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…
Dickey, Julia SOUL
Julia Dickey is from Windham New Hampshire and grew up dancing at Melissa Hoffman dance center where her love of dance all began. After training and dancing competitively, she moved to New York City to pursue her dreams attending Pace University’s Commercial Dance program. Here Julia continued her versatile dance training under prestigious faculty such…
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…
Griffin, Billy – SOUL
Billy Griffin is a New York City based choreographer and educator. Select choreography credits include the National Tour of Friends! The Musical Parody, as well as work for the Hudson Valley Dance Festival featuring So You Think You Can Dance winner Ricky Ubeda, The Red Bucket Follies for BC/EFA, The Drama League Gala (honoring Steve Martin), Hershey…
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…
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,…
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. Kiana holds an H.B.A. from Western University, double majoring in…
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…