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.
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.
Bernadette Natasha
Musical Theater
Bernadette Foth is an accomplished dancer with a diverse performance background, as well as, being a board certified instructor, award winning choreographer, master class instructor and sought after competition adjudicator. She is a certified member of Dance Educators of America, Dance Masters of Michigan, Universal Dance Association and Dance Masters of America. She has performed with Enrique Iglesias, Sesame Street Live, West Side Story, The Wiz, and also was a principal dancer for Detroit Talent. Bernadette is the co-owner of Tina Marie School of Dance in which she operates two successful dance studios in Michigan. Her dancers have received extensive nation-wide accolades for their technique and performances, and many have gone on to dance on Broadway, Cruise Lines, Commercials, Music Videos and for the Radio City Rockettes. She currently travels throughout the country teaching on conventions & intensive programs, along with judging for many competitions such as Lifetimes Hit Show, “Dance Moms”.
She also choreographs the opening routines, television appearances and various floats for the Hobble Gobble and Thanksgiving Day Parade, along with a performance with Kenichi Ebina the Season 8 Winner from “America’s Got Talent”. In addition, she is the director of her own in-studio workshop, DanzJam, and has worked side-by-side with numerous highly acclaimed master teachers and choreographers from stage, television and film. Bernadette has dedicated her entire life to cultivating talent and enabling her students to reach their fullest potential.
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.
Andrea Woodward
Lyrical/Contemp
Andrea Woodward is the owner of Hermitage Dance Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, where she has been training, inspiring, and educating dancers since 1997. Andrea is certified by Dance Masters of America and holds a B.S. degree from Cumberland University. Along with her dance training and certifications, Andrea is also licensed in Strong Nation Fitness, Zumba, and Zumba Toning.
Andrea has won countless awards for her stylistic and emotional choreography, as well as her students’ technical ability. In 2014 she was nominated for Choreographer of the Year at the Industry Dance Awards. She has also won Teacher of the Year and Choreographer of the Year numerous times over the years at Kids Artistic Revue Nationals. Andrea has been on KAR Dance Convention’s faculty since 2011.
Along with teaching in the studio and on the convention circuit, Andrea continues to choreograph for a variety of events, including awards shows such as the Nashville Women Who Rock Awards, in which she was also the recipient of the “Inspiring Arts” award. She has also served as the choreographer for the Opening Number for several National Finals events. Some of her student success highlights include dancers on So You Think You Can Dance, convention tour faculty, NBA dance teams, recording artists and more. Andrea is passionate not only about teaching, but also the business side of studio ownership and sharing what she’s learned with the dance community.
Andrea hopes to bring a challenge and fresh perspective to every student, allowing them to leave behind their image of perfection and dive deeper into their artistry.