At the young age of 3, Cori Heckmann-Moody began her dance training and fell in love with the rhythms and sounds of tap. After thirteen years of training and assisting, it wasn't long before Cori knew she wanted to share her passion for tap with others. For twelve years, Cori directed the tap programs for several studios throughout California, and in 2015 opened her own studio, Roseville Academy of Dance in Roseville, CA. With recognition from today's most popular dance competitions, Cori has won numerous awards for her choreography, most entertaining acts, and highest scoring tap performances at both the regional and national level. Her students have received high point awards, title awards, scholarships, and have taken home top honors from many dance competitions. Cori spends her free time continuing her dance education, choreographing and teaching master classes for studios throughout the United States, judging dance competitions, and running a private lesson based business, CHM Dance Productions. Cori loves teaching dance and is very excited to be returning for her fourth year with the KAR Dance Convention.

KEVIN HERMANN, now residing in San Diego, CA, began his dance training as a child in Albuquerque, NM. He went on to receive his formal training from the University of Arizona, where he graduated Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in dance. He has had the privilege of performing works by world-renowned choreographers Mia Michaels and Dee Caspary, and has danced with Malashock Dance and Company and the San Diego Opera. Kevin is a full time teacher and choreographer at The Element Dance Center in La Mesa, CA; winner of the 2008 FDC Pinnacle Cup. His students can be seen in national commercials for Welch's Grape Juice, Divaz Dolls, Target, Kraft, Mattel and McDonald's. He has also been awarded Teacher of the Year and Choreography of the Year from Kids Artistic Revue National Dance Competition. Kevin has also added video and television work to his credits including commercials for Allstate Insurance, videos for Los Angeles based singer Brooke Wilkes, Melissa Lowe's The New Ballet Workout (Kultur Productions), and has appeared dancing on CBS with Miss America 2000, Heather Renee French. Mr. Hermann continues to travel from coast to coast setting his high energy, unique choreography for kids of all ages and is in high demand for master classes and summer intensives. In addition, Kevin travels with the highly acclaimed Fusion Dance Workshops, a personalized in house intensive, to studios around the country. He enjoys sharing his love and passion for dance with kids around the country!

Michelle has taught Dance for 24 years and has taught for the KAR Convention for the last five years. Her training includes all forms of dance from local and world-renowned instructors. Michelle has won numerous awards and national titles, and has been awarded scholarships to Broadway Dance Center in New York, and Tremaine Dance Center in Los Angeles. Her credits include Capezio Model, Taffy’s Model, HBJ Model, “Welcome Freshman”, “Clarissa Explains It All”, “Fifteen”, “Mickey Mouse Club”, SeaWorld, Wet-n-Wild, Florida Lottery, and “Parenthood”.She has also choreographed for popular musical acts “NSB”, “REAL”, “2 for 1”, Emily & Amy Pratt, and “Next Generation Kids”. Her dancing has taken her to tour South America with Pollyanna Dorough and Howie D of the “Backstreet Boys”. Michelle owned and operated her studio Starz Studios Inc/Starz Dance Galaxy for 15 years. Her instruction earned her studio the honor of being in Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit Magazine naming Starz one of the top 50 studios in the country. The Federation of Dance awarded her studio in the top 25 for five consecutive years. Also naming them 7th in the country in 2011. Michelle’s love for dance has led her to a successful career in dance instruction. She had the honor of being the choreographer for the Orlando Magic Minis for Eight NBA seasons. In 2012 her dancers and choreography were selected to be a part of the NBA ALL STAR GAMES. She feels that she can make every child a “star” by giving them the proper training, love and encouragement necessary to help each student reach their full potential. Currently she continues to share her love of dance with her new students in Southern California.

Michelle Richey received her education in dance from Long Beach State in California and CSUF. She worked for United Spirit Association (USA) for 6 years as a songleading head coach. For over 10 years, Michelle made her home at Disneyland Park, performing in both parades and live shows such as the “Queen Mary” and the “Spruce Goose” show. Michelle has performed for many superstars including Milton Berle, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Jackson, and Frankie Avalon. Some of her choreography credits include Grease, Anything Goes, Cabaret, Oliver, Peter Pan, Bye Bye Birdie, Godspell, The Wiz, and Beauty and the Beast. Michelle also was the proud owner of MKR Productions. 

Michelle’s choreography and students have been the recipients of countless regional and national titles. Many of her students have performed on TV and in music videos, received dance scholarships to major universities, and have become nationally ranked choreographers themselves. Michelle judges for competitions and is in her 12th year of being a faculty member of KAR Dance Convention. She was also honored to be one of the judges for the very first KAR Live event in Australia. 

Michelle’s warm heart paired with her vast experience and thoughtful approach to teaching dance makes her a truly exceptional part of the KAR Dance Convention faculty.