COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2016 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Suburban Collection Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48274
When
October 16, 2016
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Cori Heckmann-Moody
Tap

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.

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.

Faliceano Turk
Hip Hop


Faliceano Keith Turk was brought into the world of entertainment at the age of 8 with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Facliceano learned most of his Hip Hop skills, dance technique, and vibrant performance quality from life’s courses of ups and downs. His hard hitting energetic style keeps his students at the top of L.A.’s lists in major competitions, shows, and projects, far and wide. He and his wife, Summer Turk, have partnered to create K.A.S.T. (Keith and Summer Turk) Academy of the Arts, which continues to earn a multitude of top scoring high point honors, countless title awards, and national recognition. 

K.A.S.T. is a leading entertainment academy that has been featured on many shows and televised competitions. The academy is known for its high success rate of athletes and dancers. Faliceano’s choreography can be seen on shows such as Ellen and So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. His training has led his students to dance for P. Diddy, The BET Awards, Target commercials, AGT, and Disney. With a student success rate of 90.4%, dancers travel from far distances to train at K.A.S.T.

From choreographing a Bollywood Bhangra for artist Sukshindar Shinda of India, to landing a nationwide commercial alongside his good friend D-trix (of ABDC/Quest Crew), Faliceano has also grabbed the attention of directors to score a part in the award winning Broadway Musical, Wicked. Meeting with and auditioning for artists such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Missy Elliot, and Madonna, Faliceano continues to push his students to land jobs while educating them on the dance industry. He teaches in the styles of Hip Hop, Jazz, African Dance, Lyrical, and more. 

Faliceano says “Dance with no limits. Leave the floor buzzing with your name on it.”


Michelle Colon-Tijerina
Musical Theater

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.

Sara Brendel
Lyrical

Sara Brendel is a native of St.louis, MO and has years of dance training and performance experience. She started her professional career dancing for Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruise Lines. She has worked industrial shows and special events for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nissan Motors, Siemens Technologies, and several other companies with Event Show Productions. She performed in Branson, Missouri with the production shows "Dino's - Somewhere in Christmas" and "The Shoji Tabuchi Show”. Sara also danced in the Broadway-style production of "Katonga" at Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay. Sara has performed beside talented dancers with the Les Grand Ballets Canadians and appeared in the musicals “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, "The Music Man", and "42nd Street". Sara received her education from Columbia College Chicago and Webster University as a dance major with a concentration in choreography. She has choreographed numerous nationally award-winning pieces and has received several choreography awards as well as having her work featured on ESPN. Her work has also been performed by the SueMo Dance Company in Milwaukee,WI. Sara's students have been accepted into prestigious dance programs at the Edge Performing Arts Center, Oklahoma City University, Chapman University and several other universities. Many of her students have successful dance careers performing with world tours, professional dance companies, production shows, music videos and cruise lines. Sara is a faculty member for KAR Convention and a judge for Rainbow Connection and Kids Artistic Revue Dance Competition. She has had the honor of teaching and judging talent across the country as well as internationally with Kids Artistic Revue in Australia. Sara encourages her students to push their boundaries and to never settle.

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