COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2014 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
DoubleTree By Hilton
350 First Ave NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
When
November 9, 2014
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Anjuli Bova
Lyrical

Anjuli Bova hails from Long Island, New York and has over a decade of performance, teaching and choreography experience. Ms Bova received her B.A. in Dance Performance and Psychology from Hofstra University. During her years at Hofstra, she studied under the direction of Lance Westergard, Robin Becker, Michael Blake and Cathy McCann. She took part in many National Dance Festivals, including the American College Dance Festival where her choreography was featured, and the Dancers Responding to Aids Benefit in NYC. Professionally, Ms. Bova was a four year member and Captain of the New York Dragons “Firedancers” (AFL). Her choreography has been featured on “Good Morning America”, the “WB Morning Show” and “Fox Sports”. She has performed with Bon Jovi, 98*, the Venga Boys, and was core dancer on Club Jam TV featured on ABC. One of Anjuli’s greatest accomplishments was opening up her studio, The Dream Center Dance Academy in 2004 with co-owner Cheryl Freund. Over the last decade The Dream Center Dance Company has been awarded numerous Regional and National titles, and is currently ranked one of the Top Ten Studios in the Northeast by the FDC. Ms. Bova has been awarded numerous choreography awards, Teacher of the Year recognitions, and studio excellence awards. Her students can been seen modeling for top costume catalogues, are on scholarship for prestigious Conventions, and have gone on to pursue dance degrees at prominent Universities. Owning the studio has given Ms. Bova the opportunity to judge Nationally for Kids Artistic Revue and Rainbow Dance Competition. She has taught workshops at numerous studios, The Dance Masters Convention in New York, and is currently on faculty for the KAR Dance Convention. She is thrilled that she is able to spread her love and joy of dance to the younger generations and hopes to continue to inspire and motivate dancers for years to come.

Kristen Hibbs
Musical Theater

Kristen Hibbs was born and raised in sunny San Diego. She started dancing at the early age of 3. At the age of 14, she was assisting dance classes under the guidance of San Diego Dance Centre owner, Sharon Keller. While being mentored by Sharon, Kristen was also busy competing for SDDC in regional/national dance competitions. She was also a member of the Rancho Bernardo High School dance team. Kristen graduated from Rancho Bernardo High School in 2000. In the summer of that same year, Kristen joined the United Spirit Association staff and taught dance camps for high schools all along the California coast. She then went on to dance on the national championship dance team at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Ca. In 2002, Orange Coast College won a berth to the UCA national finals in Orlando, Florida. "Coast" was the first junior college to win the national title in division 1A. It was a great experience for Kristen and her dance career. While dancing with OCC, Kristen made her way to North Hollywood to train at the nation's famous dance studios; Millennium Dance Complex and The Edge Performing Arts Center. Later that year the OCC dance team was asked to be part of the hit comedy "The Hot Chick". Kristen moved home from Orange County in 2003 and became a head instructor for the San Diego Dance Centre. Kristen has had the pleasure of training with some of the nation's most respected instructors and choreographers, including Dee Caspary, Mandy Moore, Mia Michaels, Cory Finn, and Mark Goodman. Kristen has always aspired to one day own and operate her own dance studio. In August of 2007, Kristen acquired the San Diego Dance Centre. She is happy to be living her dream as a studio owner and is looking forward to her future endeavors.

Mario Velez
Hip Hop

Mario Velez Jr. is a professional hip-hop choreographer and dancer\performer. Mario has toured and worked with artists such as Omarion, TLC, Rock Steady Crew, Fergie, My Chemical Romance, Brandy, Boyz II Men, Doug E. Fresh, Paula Abdul & many others! He has also toured with the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters! Mario is currently performing and choreographing for the National Recording Artist, Jasmine Hormez and for Automatic Response Dance Crew which was featured on the show’s first season of “ America’s Best Dance Crew!”. He has also done work with the NBA and WNBA Phoenix Suns Dance Team, The Seattle Supersonics, The Warrior Girls , The Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Mercury Hip-Hop Squad. He has trained dancers that have worked with artist such as: Lady GaGa, The Jabbawockeez, Jason Derulo and pricipal dancer David Hallberg from ABT, and many others. Mario has also started an exciting and very passionate Dance Studio called Diverse Elements. His diversity also includes choreography for shows, Splash and Bottoms UP in Las Vegas NV, and Jubilation in Reno, NV. This was all possible because of his long time partner and wife Melissa Velez. Mario has one saying that he lives by-"Hip-hop is not just rapping and music, it is a culture, a way of life!"

Sarah Hilarides
Jazz

Sarah Hilarides has been teaching professionally for 13 years now . After graduating from Oakland University with a Bachelors of Arts in Musical Theater and Dance she moved to San Francisco where she worked as a professional Stage actress and choreographer. She has choreographed many shows such as Miss Saigon, Grease, Into the Woods and many more. She has danced in many shows and music videos along with her musical career. Sarah has been choreographing around the country for the past 5 years and has worked with many dance schools and colleges along the way. She is really excited to be on staff this year and can't wait to put the love of learning and dance into children's hearts!

Stephanie Fica
Tap

Stephanie Fica is the Assistant Competitive Director of Karen’s School of Dance in Highland, Michigan, where she also directs the award-winning tap program. Stephanie’s students and choreography have been consistently recognized for technicality, precision, and performance quality at national and regional competitions, often receiving top overall high point awards, scholarships, and title honors. Over the years, many of her students have gone on to belong to some of the best university dance teams and dance programs in the nation. Stephanie began her dance training with the Dance’Sations dance company of Michigan in which she competed nationally and regionally for many years, often being recognized as a top soloist. She also spent these years of training taking master classes at conventions such as NYCDA and LA Dance Magic, as well as at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Stephanie went on to graduate from Michigan State University, and has since devoted her time to teaching and choreographing unique competitive routines. Stephanie continues to receive numerous accolades for her work in the styles of tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. She is thrilled to begin her fifth season of inspiring dancers on the KAR Convention National Tour.

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