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.

Master teacher, performer and choreographer, Brittany Mains draws from her 15 years of dance training when in front of a classroom or on a stage. With a focus in Contemporary and Hip Hop, Brittany also possesses training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Pilates and Yoga. Brittany has danced for artists including Macklemore (‘Dance Off’ official music video), Beat Connection (Capitol Hill Block Party) and has worked on various projects with Macklemore’s main choreographer, Anna Matuszewski. A native of Seattle, Brittany’s artistic ambitions led her to Los Angeles, California to pursue her professional career. She joined a performing arts company known as The Young Americans where she expanded her training in all forms of dance as well as broadened her knowledge in acting, vocal and choral training. Brittany traveled to countries including Germany, Spain, Gibraltar, Holland, Poland, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Japan and South Korea teaching music and dance as a part of The Young American’s Outreach Program. Brittany also performed in the Macy’s Thanks Giving Day Parade, and has worked extensively with master teachers including Alex Little, Doug Caldwell and Daniel Cruz. Currently, Brittany works as a choreographer for the Seattle based studio, IGNITE and has been traveling around the country as a guest choreographer for various studios. Brittany has received numerous choreography awards from Spotlight Dance Competition, Rainbow Dance Competition, Hollywood Connection Regionals, Velocity Dance Competition, Masquerade Dance Competition, Revel Dance Competition, Move Dance Completion, Spotlight Nationals, Thunderstruck, Hollywood Connection nationals and many more. Most recently one of Brittany's pieces was nominated for the "Industry Dance Awards" in Los Angeles California and had the honor of attending this prestigious event. Brittany is also on the panel of judges for Kids Artistic Review on the weekends in various cities around the United States. Brittany believes in the power of dance and its ability to enhance the mind, body and spirit. Using dance as an outlet to relieve all emotions and connect with others on a level beyond words, has helped her in all walks of life. Through her teaching, she hopes to share this gift with all of her students.

Kelly Fulton grew up training in the Midwest. She has traveled to Italy and Spain as a featured member of The American Dance Company, helping to win “The World Dance Championships” two years consecutively. Kelly also performed in Canada and Australia, representing the USA as Rainbow Dance Competition’s “Dancer of the Year” in the “Battle of the Countries”. Fulton has performed in choreography showcases at The Duke Theater in New York City as well as The El Portal Theater in Los Angeles. Currently, she spends her time traveling to studios and dance teams nationwide choreographing, training, and teaching masterclasses. Most recently, she received the title of “2017 Choreographer of the Year” from VIP Dance Competition. She is an adjudicator for Hall of Fame Dance Challenge and is on staff as an instructor for Tribe Dance Convention, Breathe the Intensive, and KAR Dance Convention. Kelly’s passion remains in the classroom, where she dedicates herself to inspiring the next generation of young artists. Her students have gained acceptance into prestigious dance programs at universities across the country and can be seen working professionally in Hollywood.

Kelsey Carr (formerly Kelsey McCowan) is a renowned choreographer and tap dancer from Los Angeles, California. Alongside her husband, Caley Carr, she has choreographed for tv shows such as World of Dance, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Little Big Shots, The Wonderful World of Disney’s Christmas Spectacular, and Dancing With the Stars, which was nominated for an Emmy as contributing choreographers to Derek Hough. Kelsey has done Foley work for films such as “La La Land” and “Muppets Most Wanted.” She has also choreographed for Derek & Julianne Hough’s “Move Live Tour.” She has coached stars such as Derek Hough, Jeremy Piven, and Bette Midler for her Tony award winning performance of “Hello Dolly.” Her work has been published in “Dance Spirit” and “Dance Magazine” and collectively with her husband, has performed, taught, and adjudicated in over 20 countries worldwide. “Hollywood’s favorite tap duo.” -Dance Spirit Magazine “They are modern Tap revolutionaries.” -World of Dance “Hollywood, it seems, is their oyster.” -Dance Magazine

Marco Cruz is a Choreographer, Dancer, Artistic Director, Judge, Master Class Instructor, and Leader in the Contemporary and Hip Hop Arenas. His musicality and attention to detail have been described as captivating, inspirational and breathtaking. His passion for dance is what has made him one of todayʼs most sought after choreographers and a true original in his field. His professional persuits have no end, he has performed in, choreographed, and directed music videos, commercials and award shows for recording artist such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Naturi Naughton, Olivia Newton John, Kenny Loggins, and Kwanza Jones; and production companies including Paramount Pictures, ABC, Nickelodeon, Disney, Power of Youth, Variety Magazine, and Nigel Lythgoe’s Dizzy Feet Foundation. Cruz is no stranger to the world of competitive dance. His works have placed first against some of today’s most elite dance studios. He has earned several National Championship Titles at some of the most prestigious competitions: ShowStoppers, Hollywood Vibe, Starpower, Hall of Fame, Hollywood Connection, Jump, The Dance Awards and KAR just to name a few. Dance education and instilling a respect of the art of dance is of primary focus for Cruz. Several of his students have chosen to pursue dance education at the collegiate level. Likewise, many of Cruz’s students have excelled in dance and the entertainment industry and have moved on to dance professionally for companies such as Joffrey, Ballet Hispanico in New York, Lines in San Francisco, Santa Barbra’s State Street Ballet, and many more.