* Mark Goodman *
Hoofer, choreographer and master teacher Mark Goodman is the artistic director of the Mark Goodman Tap Company, an LA-based dance company that fuses New York swing-style tap with world rhythms and other dance forms to break new ground in tap dance performance.
Mark began tap dancing at the University of New Hampshire under Gay Nardone. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Theater Arts, he moved to New York where he joined the American Tap Dance Orchestra (ATDO), training with Brenda Bufalino. Mark went on to work with Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Charles "Honi" Coles and Buster Brown. He proudly acknowledges that his dance style has been greatly influenced by these greats and by the great movie hoofers.
Mark's innovative choreography fuses powerful dancing, percussion, storylines, original music and rhythms. His sense of humor and belief that dance and performance need to be fun -- for both dancer and audience -- also influence his work. You can expect Mark to joke lightly while his feet fly, and you can expect the unexpected when he pulls out the props -- anything from stairs to chairs to jump ropes.
While in New York, Mark was on staff at the Broadway Dance Center and Steps. He performed with various dance troupes and as a soloist nationally and internationally in such venues as: Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Joyce Theatre (with ATDO), "Savion Glover and Friends at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park." Goodman's stage credits include Andy Lee in the European tour of "42nd Street," the Lead Man in "Sophisticated Ladies," "Anything Goes" with Melba Moore and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. He also has held lead roles in "No No Nanette," "Sugar Babies" and "Over Here." His dramatic credits include "Mother Courage and Her Children" under Pulitzer-prize-winning director Tony Kushner, and "Death of a Salesman."
Following a move to California in 1996, Mark joined the faculty at The Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys. He is currently on staff for SHOCK and travels to 30-35 different U.S. cities throughout the year. His stage extravaganza, "Mark Goodman Tap Company Presents World Tap”, made its debut in June 2001 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. He recently founded The Mark Goodman Dance Company. He has brought his innovative style to many countries, including Switzerland, Finland, Australia, New Zealand and Guatemala to name but a few.
In 2003, Mark completed work on the feature film “Polar Express” working with Tom Hanks and Director Robert Zemeckis. He is now in the process of developing 2 new shows: “Q” an adaptation of Cervantes’ Don Quixote, and an original new show, using the music of Seal (“Seal with a Kiss”), scheduled to make its debut in Spring of 2005.
* Jason Janas *
Jason originally hails from the northern New Jersey area, and more recently from Charlotte, NC.
His dance education is highlighted with training and performing with Tapestry Dance Company and by his tenure as a charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble, where Jason began his rhythm tap career under the direction of Ms. Deborah Mitchell.
Jason continues to teach and choreograph from coast-to-coast while he continues to grow as a multiform rhythm tap dancer.
Jason is also the Artistic Director of the Hoofin’ Ground Tap Festival in Charlotte, NC and recently performed in Derick Grant’s Chicago production of Imagine Tap.
* Billy Larson *
Billy Larson, from Philadelphia, PA, brings a vast array of performing, teaching, and choreographic experience rangin from contemporary jazz to rhythm tap. Most recently, Billy danced the lead role in Mia Michaels' "3 Steps From Heaven" staged for ASH Contemporary Dance Company, where Billy performed as principal male dancer for 4 years. He traveled throughout North America as Funky in Dein Perry's critically acclaimed TAP DOGS and was a dance champion on CBS's Star Search. Other company work includes principal roles with the late Mark Marino's American Dance Company where Billy performed throughout Italy, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Some other credits include the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City, Carnival Choreographer's Ball NYC, The Elan Awards, Broadway Dance Center's Performance Outlets, and Dancers Responding to AIDS benefit performances. Broadening his career as a choreographer, Billy recently formed Truth In Progress, a contemporary dance company based out of the Philadelphia/NYC area.
* Merissa Gassel *
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Merissa has trained, competed, and choreographed all over the United States winning numerous awards and gaining recognition. At the age of 14 she began touring with a national convention circuit assisting Dee Caspary for 3 consecutive years. Having since moved to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career, Merissa is now represented by DDO dance agency and continues her training at the EDGE PAC and the Millennium. She has been a dancer in Dee Caspary's IV dance company for 5 years and has performed in "A Time No More", "The Glass Case", "The Best of the Broadway Dance Center" and the Elan Awards in NYC. Merissa has most recently shot a commercial for "Champion" stores that will air in France this coming year. She currently performs with a dance group "The Eddies" at The Edison Downtown in downtown Los Angeles and just finished choreographing for "Velvet Haze", a burlesque group, premiering this Summer. Although Merissa spends most of her time dancing, she finding teaching just as fulfilling. She toured as a faculty member of Starsystems "SHOCK" convention in 2005-2006. Merissa loves motivating, inspiring, and connecting with her students.
* Justin Giles *
Justin began his career training at the Southern Strutt. He was a winner on Start Search as well as Destination Stardom in Hawaii. Justin has worked for such companies as Reebok and Fox TV. In 2001 he traveled to Korea where he worked with Poz dance Theatre and performed along side their company in Seoul. He has introduced his work in SoulEscape his own company. His award winning choreography can be seen in dance studios and professional companies nationwide and abroad. He is also currently a staff member on NuVO!
* Terry Schulke *
Terry is the owner of "Just Plain Dancin' & Co." in Riverside, California. Her studio has been featured in Dance Spirit Magazine as one of the top rated dance studios in the nation. She is an award winning choreographer in Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Modern Dance in California, New Jersey, New York and San Francisco. She has also been given the honor of "Choreographer of the Year" several times at many National Competitions. She has choreographed videos for companies such as Bournes and Budweiser, as well as choreographing for Star Search, three award winning high school dance teams, and the UCLA Dance Team. Her studio has performed theater productions such as Sleeping Beauty, Evita, Chorus Line and the Wizard of Oz. Her works have been performed at Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios. Many of her students have done commercials, music videos, TV movies, as well as major motion pictures including "North" and "Coneheads - the Movie".
For the past 20 years, Terry has taught hundreds of dancers the values of technique, the importance of performance, style and creativity. Terry's studio is an all around performance studio specializing in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical and Modern dance. Terry judges at numerous competitions and currently is a lecturer and master teacher for many conventions. Her workshops include teaching skills, technique, Art of Dance, and choreography. She is the co-director of "L.A. meets N.Y." in New York.
As an author, Terry's works include "Dear Mom & Dad", and "Exit Wounds", which have been awarded Top Choreography awards at National Dance Competitions. She is also the master teacher for the video, "Turns, Leaps and Tricks", produced by Mad Degrees Productions.
Terry's personal life includes being the mother of two daughters, married for over 30 years, and is a 11 year Breast Cancer survivor.
* Kevin Inouye a.k.a. TOKYO *
Entering his way into dance through the competition scene, Tokyo has been fortunate to receive many regional and national awards including several national titles. Taking the step from a competitor to a professional status has been an exciting adventure for him. Tokyo has done several musical theater tours, many industrials and guest appearances internationally. Although Tokyo admits he loves the stage, his true passion lies in teaching and choreography. His positive, high energy in the classroom has been the major reasons for his success as a teacher and choreographer. Tokyo has taught master classes and choreography nationally and internationally for many studios, high schools, colleges, companies, artists and clubs. Recently, Tokyo has been offered to choreograph for several recording artists in Germany, Russia, Cuba and France. Another recent notable recognition, Tokyo set a senior piece at the prestigious Juilliard School, his Lyrical/modern/contemporary piece performed in May 2006 at Juilliard’s Centennial Senior Showcase. Tokyo recently accepted the position as Co-Director with a national dance competition (Hall Of Fame Dance Challenge). He is extremely enthusiastic about sharing the love, passion and education of life through the art of dance!
* Stacey Calvert *
was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, and began her ballet training at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance, studying with her mother and godmother. In 1980, Ms. Calvert entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet (NYCB), remaining there for three years. She joined New York City Ballet’s corp de ballet in 1983. In 1992, Ms. Calvert joined William Forsythe’s Frankfurt Ballet. She returned to New York City Ballet in the winter of 1993 and was promoted to the rank of Soloist in 1994. Since joining the New York City Ballet, she has danced numerous featured roles including George Balanchine’s Apollo, Ballo della Regina, The Four Temperaments, The Nutcracker (Hot Chocolate), Stars and Stripes, Symphony in C, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Western Symphony, and Who Cares?, as well as Jerome Robbins’ The Four Seasons (Winter) and Interplay. Additionally, she has been featured in Peter Martins’ Ash and Barber Violin Concerto as well as William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman. During the inaugural season of NYCB’s Diamond Project in 1992, Ms. Calvert originated a principal role in John Alleyne’s Bet Ann’s Dance. During the company’s 1994 Diamond Project, she originated principal roles
in Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Chiaroscuro, John Alleyne’s The New Blondes, Trey
McIntyre’s Steel and Rain, and Kevin O’Day’s Viola Alone . . . (with One Exception).
For the Diamond Project in 1997, Ms. Calvert originated principal roles in O’Day’s
Open Strings and Angelin Preljocaj’s La Stravaganza. Additionally, she originated
principal roles in Mr. O’Day’s Huoah, Dvorak Bagatelles and Badchonim. Ms. Calvert
has danced in Europe with a touring group and has traveled extensively in the
United States and abroad with the New York City Ballet.
In the spring of 2006, 2007 and 2008, she presented for the University of South
Carolina (USC) Ballet Stars of New York with principal dancers from the New York
City Ballet Company including Wendy Whelan, Albert Evans, Nilas Martins, Tom
Gold, Nikolaj Hubbe, and Yvonne Borree and the USC Dance Company. The 2006
star-studded evening included Apollo, Agon, and Tarantella, all works by the
legendary choreographer George Balanchine. This gala evening has become an
annual event for the USC Board of Dance.
* Marinda Davis *
Orginally from Tampa, Florida now residing in New York, Marinda is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Dance and a minor in musical theatre. Her performing credits range from dancing back up for Sting in Superbowl 2001 as well as with 98º in Pro Bowl 2001, and appearing in regional productions as Frenchy in “Grease”, Cathy Hiatt in “The Last 5 Years”, Glenda in “The Wizard of Oz”, and Judas’ Tormentor in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” She was one of Dance Spirit Magazine’s first Future Star scholarship recipients, and as a performer, held several regional and national titles. She recently starred in a dance on film work choreographed by downtown choreographer Andrea Gise entitled “Cavaleir Eternal” and performed in Broadway Dance Center’s Choreography Showcase in a piece by Sheila Barker whom she presently trains with. She now choreographs for R&B recording artist Trumaine Lamar and has worked as an assistant to choreographers Lisa Allain, Kacy Combs, and Ray Leaper. Marinda currently teaches at several studios within the tri-state area, traveling on weekends setting choreography on various studios across the country as well as judging and teaching on the convention/competition circuit. Her choreography continues to be recognized on a regional and national level, bringing home top scores for her students. In 2005 she was named ADFA’S Young Choreographer of the Year, and recently joined the faculty of Starpower’s Power Pak.
* Matt Cady *
(born October 17, 1985) formed Fanny Pak while he was teaching at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in North Hollywood, CA. Other than teaching at Debbie Reynolds, Matt choreographed the stage show Grease for the 2004 Fringe Festival in Scotland. He also choreographed a music video and a promotional tour for the independent singer Natalise. His dancing credits include Missy Elliott, ABC Family's "The Life of an American Teenager", Jessica Simpson, Finger 11, and Erin Hamilton. Other than Fanny Pak, Matt is also a member of Collide Dance Company and Unity Dance Ensemble.
Before appearing on MTV, Matt and his fellow crew members performed at Choreographer's Carnival, a monthly performance showcase for dancers/choreographers to perform in front of other professional dancers. He is now teaching hip-hop dance at the Edge Performing Arts Center. He is also a faculty member at Triple Threat, Intrigue Dance and at Monsters of Contemporary dance conventions. He is currently represented by DDO Artists Agency.
