COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2012 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
CHARLESTON CIVIC CENTER
200 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
CHARLESTON, WV 25301
When
November 11, 2012
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Donna Shepherd
Jazz

Dancing since the age of three, Donna has trained in the areas of ballet, pointe, jazz, and tap. Her first professional endeavor was her performance with Pasadena Ballet Theater's version of The Nutcracker at the age of 12. Donna attended Orange Coast College and was selected to be a member and captain of the National Champion Dance Team. While attending OCC, she performed in an Usher music video, "Pop Yo Collar", and was featured with Paul DaSilva for Dance Spirit magazine. With an extensive technical background and incorporating the hottest "LA style" movement, Donna has been training amazing dancers. Her students have gone on to be represented by Hollywood's top agencies performing with artists such as Hillary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Shakira, Black Eyed Peas, Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Derek and Julianne Hough and also winning prestigious titles such as the Music Center Spotlight Awards Grand Champion. Donna's students, Pauline Mata and Jordan Casanova have been featured as one of the top 20 finalists on the hit Fox TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" and Jordan has also toured in the 1st National company of "Wicked The Musical". Well known and sought out master teacher, Donna's unique style, training methods and upbeat energy excites dancers to learn, strive to be the best they can be and leave class motivated. Donna's choreography has been winning numerous regional overalls, national titles and has received multiple nominations in the 'Industry Dance Awards'. Donna had the pleasure of being the assistant choreographer for the 1st National Tour of Finding Neverland, working under Mia Michaels.

Jordan Casanova
Musical Theater

Jordan Casanova discovered her passion for dance at a young age. Training in all styles with the industries top choreographers. In 2009 she was awarded the prestigious Music Center Spotlight Award. She was also a top 8 finalist on season eight of the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance”. Casanova was a performer on the nationwide tour of “SYTYCD” and “Ballroom With A Twist”. She has performed with a variety of artist including, Paula Abdul, Sky Blu and Tony Lucca. She has assisted numerous choreographers including Kenny Ortega, Tyce Diorio, and Kat Burns. Jordan has also been involved with top television networks including Oxygen and MTV. She just finished touring with the world-renowned Broadway hit show ”Wicked The Musical”. Casanova is successfully certified in Classical Pilates. Jordan is currently living in Los Angeles where she is pursuing voice, dance, acting and teaching.

Kira Dimartino
Lyrical & Jazz

Moving bodies while moving souls, Kira immersed myself into the dance culture twenty-eight years ago. Studying relentlessly, I moved through Dance Connection Scottsdale, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Etudes, Edge Performing arts California and Millennium Dance Center mastering all styles and movement as well as incorporating a fierce history in theater arts. Professionally, dance led her to the Phoenix Suns Dance Team, Royal Caribbean Broadway Revue, Superbowl XXX, Miss Dance of Arizona, Ballet Arizona’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and various Industrials. Her performance credits also include a back-up dancer for Ricky Martin’s, “She Bangs”, MTV’s “N-Synce Reunion Special,” “Broadway Review”, model/dancer for Matrix Hair, and local commercials for Toyota and Fiat. However, Kira’s true passion has always been teaching and choreography. Currently, she is one of the most sought after Master Dance Teachers in Arizona who is currently teaching and choreographing for some of the industry’s top dance students.

Marco Cruz
Hip Hop

Marco Cruz is a Choreographer, Dancer, Artistic Director, Judge, Master Class Instructor, and Leader in the Contemporary and Hip Hop Arenas. His musicality and attention to detail have been described as captivating, inspirational and breathtaking. His passion for dance is what has made him one of todayʼs most sought after choreographers and a true original in his field. His professional persuits have no end, he has performed in, choreographed, and directed music videos, commercials and award shows for recording artist such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Naturi Naughton, Olivia Newton John, Kenny Loggins, and Kwanza Jones; and production companies including Paramount Pictures, ABC, Nickelodeon, Disney, Power of Youth, Variety Magazine, and Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation. Cruz is no stranger to the world of competitive dance. His works have placed first against some of today’s most elite dance studios. He has earned several National Championship Titles at some of the most prestigious competitions: ShowStoppers, Hollywood Vibe, Starpower, Hall of Fame, Hollywood Connection, Jump, The Dance Awards and KAR just to name a few. Dance education and instilling a respect of the art of dance is of primary focus for Cruz. Several of his students have chosen to pursue dance education at the collegiate level. Likewise, many of Cruz’s students have excelled in dance and the entertainment industry and have moved on to dance professionally for companies such as Joffrey, Ballet Hispanico in New York, Lines in San Francisco, Santa Barbra’s State Street Ballet, and many more.

Michelle Miner
Tap

Originally from San Diego, Ca., Michelle grew up training extensively in ballet, tap and jazz. As an adult, Michelle was drawn into the tap world and has been an accomplished tap choreographer for over 18 years. Michelle has trained with such tap masters as Brenda Buffalino, Mike Minery, Sam Weber and the late Gregory Hines. Her choreography is sought after all over the country and her students can be seen dancing for Fox, Disney, ESPN and in “Dance Teacher” and “Dance Spirit” magazine. She has also trained the 2006 World Dance Champion, who became the youngest ever intern for the NYC Rockettes and her students have danced for such artists as Rhianna and Britney Spears. You can see her choreography on Fox and numerous music videos. Aside from directing the tap programs for two studios in San Diego, Michelle is also the tap director for the acclaimed “Mather Dance Company” in Orange County (Directed by Shannon Mather). Michelle is also proud to be on tour with KAR’s amazing dance convention!

Your Dancers
Will Thank You!

Convention Price List / 6 classes + showcase at only $235

6 Classes

$185
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

6 Classes +
Protege Performer Audition +
1 Parent Observer Band

$255
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

$20 Parent Observer Band

Register Now