Patrice Barakat
Musical Theater
Patrice has studied with some of the dance industry's most well respected and notable choreographers. With this training, Patrice has since become one of California’s most sought after choreographers herself. She has choreographed for the dancers for recording artists Destiny’s Child as well as Gladys Knight. Her students have worked with Gwen Stefani, Pink and Carrie Ann Inaba to name a few. Patrice's students continue to book work in Television, Feature Films, Music Videos and one of her dancers is currently a supporting lead role in Broadways "Grease". Patrice's work has been seen on the ABC, CBS and FOX television networks. Many of Patrice's students have held National Titles such as: Miss Dance America, Miss Teen Dance America, Mr. Teen Dance America, Miss Jr. Dance America, Mr. Jr. Dance America and Miss Petite Dance America. Her work is in high demand nationally and internationally, including Japan and Australia as Guest Teacher and Choreographer. Patrice is the Director\Choreographer of the highly successful Los Angeles based project "Destination Dance" bringing the nations most well respected and talented dancers together. Patrice is the choreographer for the National College Dance Team Champions, The University of Tennessee. Patrice's choreography has been described as "breathtaking", "genius", "intriguing" and "incomparable", yet her most proud attribute is that she is continuously recognized for her fresh, positive approach to working with dancers of all ages and achieving amazing results in the process.
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.
Patrick Brennan
Hip Hop
Patrick 31, began his dancing career at a very early age growing up and training at his Mother's dance studio in Bowie Maryland. His professional career started right out of high school with off broadway shows and national tours of the Broadway musical "Footloose" choreographed by AC Ciulla. He then went on and was a backup dancer for 2 years for Toni Braxton's Las Vegas show "Revealed". He has backup danced in music videos and shows for artists such as Toni Braxton, Amerie, Mario,Lupe Fiasco, Cassie, and Corbin Bleu to name a few. He was featured in the major motion picture "Step Up 2 The Streets" choreographed by Jamal Sims. His television debut was a 4 episode stint for ABC's "One Life To Live" and performed on NBC's "The View". Pat has also performed with Rasta Thomas' "Bad Boys Of Dance". Pat has been on the KAR Convention faculty for 6 seasons. He is extremely passionate and loves nothing more than working with young artists and passing on his knowledge and love for dance.
Michelle Chandler-Smith
Jazz & Lyrical
Michelle has studied under the guidance of Joe Tremaine, Gus Giordano, Dave Massey, Doug Caldwell, Sean Greene, and several others. She has also had the privilege of performing as a member of the jazz-based Eastside Moving Company and the modern-jazz Company Fusion, both in Seattle.
After three years at Chapman University in Orange, California and a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Theatre, she began her teaching career in Bellevue, Washington at Backstage Dance Studio. Several of Chandler-Smith’s students have won title awards regionally and nationally and have gone onto careers with Holland America, Carnival Cruise Lines, Stiletto Entertainment and are seen in many industrial pieces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and New York City, as well as Company work in Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Pennsylvania, Saipan and London.
Michelle also sits on the judging panel regionally and nationally for KAR, Rainbow Dance and other esteemed Dance Competitions. Michelle continues to teach master classes, convention classes on staff at Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) and Dance Masters of America (DMA), and shares her choreography across the country, all of which she feels so honored and blessed to continue to do.
Michelle is now Co-Owner/Director at Inspire Academy of Dance which opened this past summer 2016 in the Seattle area. Michelle is truly excited to be sharing her choreography, knowledge and insight with students willing to pursue the heart and soul of dance as an innovative and expanding art form.
Jordan Leitson
Tap
Jordan Leitson comes from Cleveland, OH and brings over 20 years of dance experience. He is currently the Co-Owner and Co-Artistic Director of Jordan Center Dance. He was the first worldwide recipient of the prestigious Al Gilbert Memorial Tap Scholarship. Jordan has studied at Point Park University, Alvin Ailey, Steps on Broadway, Dance New Amsterdam, Broadway Dance center, UNLV – Ballet Seminars, and Florida Youth Ballet. He has performed in Disney World, Jazz on Tap Festivals in Atlanta, The David Lynch Show, Doug Benz’Cinderella (danseur and Geppetto) and performances with The Next Project at New York’s City Center Theater and in Maui, Hawaii. He was also featured in Stepp Stewarts Off Broadway hit Red Hot Broadway. Jordan specializes in contemporary, lyrical, tap, ballet and jazz technique and choreography. He has judged and taught for many outstanding dance competitions and conventions around the country. He enjoys teaching and inspiring dancers to be the BEST they can be.