Born & raised in Fullerton, CA, Alex began her dance training at a young age. After dancing both competitively & artistically, she is now a graduate of The University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance (2015). Alex has spent inspiring summers with Interlochen Arts Camp, Brockus Dance Project, Boulder Jazz Dance Workshop, & River North Dance Chicago. She had the opportunity to tour 14 cities of China with Art.If.Act Dance Project in The Great American Dance Tour, as well as assisting Sam Watson at the Bolzano Summer Dance Festival in Bolzano, Italy. In the fall of 2016, Alex assumed Guest Artist in Residence for the UNLV Department of Dance for two semesters. She had the pleasure of teaching all ages of dance at Millennium Dance Complex Las Vegas, The Rock Center for Dance, The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre, and Theatre Arts Prep School Las Vegas. Alex performed on Dancing with the Stars: Showstoppers, danced with Walk The Moon at Life is Beautiful and has performed in several events presented by Cirque Du Soleil. She most recently wrapped up her five years as a full-time ensemble dancer & soloist in The Beatles LOVE by Cirque Du Soleil, where she assumed Dance Captain and Artist Coach (2015 - 2020). She has now relocated to Los Angeles, CA, represented by Go2Talent Agency. She most recently performed in Paris Jackson & The Struts new music video "Low Key In Love." She currently teaches the students of Pasadena Dance Theatre, Elite Dance Center, and The House Dance Complex.

Aviana Sanchez began her training at the age of 3 years old under the direction of Terry Schulke and Just Plain Dancin, a nationally ranked studio. Aviana went on to compete nationwide with her studio starting at the age of 5 and has been in the industry ever since. At a young age, Aviana signed with a talent agency where she worked numerous events including competing on Star Search, becoming a sparks kid, appearing in numerous music videos, and performing with the Lakers girls. Aviana went on to star in dance technique films created by some of the industries finest choreographers. At the age of 15, Aviana started her teaching career. Aviana has traveled the U.S choreographing for numerous studios and dance teams. At age 18, Aviana was scouted to be a cheer instructor and judge for Universal Cheer Association. She spent the next two years traveling the country teaching at numerous high schools and college camps as well as judging countless competitions all while continuing her teaching education in hopes to one day live out her dream of owning her own studio. In 2015, she opened the doors to her dance studio Avi’s Dance Project in Corona, CA. In the last few years Aviana has won numerous choreography awards, leading her most recent studio of young dancers to over 40 National Championships and 5 Grand National Championships culminating in her being named choreographer of the year at KAR Nationals. Dance is Aviana's passion and sharing that passion with her dancers is what drives her!

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer and teacher born and raised in Washington, D.C. He is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP) and was featured at the Kennedy Center 25th Anniversary and Smithsonian 150th Anniversary. Mark's early professional training started when he was a member of the pre-professional tap company "Tappers With Attitude" (TWA). He also studied with Debbie Allen and was an original cast member of her show, “Brothers of the Knight”. Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit, and numerous film festivals for his projects. The JaM Project was a winner at the 2016 Capezio Ace Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. In 2017, the company's show, "Good Times, Bad Times" premiered a 30-minute set at Dancerpalooza's "25 Live" in Long Beach, CA and a 60-minute set at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The JaM Project was featured on Season 2 of NBC's "World of Dance" and continues to perform around the country. Mark is the Director of The JaM Youth Project, a youth tap company focused on choreography and dance film production. The company attracts young tap dancers from all over the country and has received support from news outlets and national recording artist, The Doobie Brothers. Tap dance films created by the company have screened at the L.A. Dance Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Philadelphia Screendance Festival, American Dance Festival's "Movies by Movers" and Cascadia Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC). They have also been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark's choreography was recognized in 2015 by the Young Choreographer's Festival in NYC and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City. He was a contributing choreographer and performer for YouTube's "Brandcast" at Radio City Music Hall. Mark was also a part of the Signature Theater's choreography team for its production of "Billy Elliot" and was nominated for a 2019 Helen Hayes Award. Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, choreographer and teacher born and raised in Washington, D.C. He is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP) and was featured at the Kennedy Center 25th Anniversary and Smithsonian 150th Anniversary. Mark's early professional training started when he was a member of the pre-professional tap company "Tappers With Attitude" (TWA). He also studied with Debbie Allen and was an original cast member of her show, “Brothers of the Knight”. Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit, and numerous film festivals for his projects. The JaM Project was a winner at the 2016 Capezio Ace Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry. In 2017, the company's show, "Good Times, Bad Times" premiered a 30-minute set at Dancerpalooza's "25 Live" in Long Beach, CA and a 60-minute set at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The JaM Project was featured on Season 2 of NBC's "World of Dance" and continues to perform around the country. Recently, Mark began directing The JaM Youth Project, a youth tap company focused on choreography and dance film production. The company has already attracted young tap dancers from all over the country and received support from news outlets and national recording artist, The Doobie Brothers. Tap dance films created by the company have screened at the L.A. Dance Film Festival, Cucalorus Film Festival, Philadelphia Screendance Festival, American Dance Festival's "Movies by Movers" and Cascadia Dance & Cinema Festival (Vancouver, BC). They have also been featured in Dance Teacher Magazine. Mark's choreography was recognized in 2015 by the Young Choreographer's Festival in NYC and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in New York City. Recently, Mark was a contributing choreographer and performer for YouTube's "Brandcast" at Radio City Music Hall. He was also a part of the Signature Theater's choreography team for its production of "Billy Elliot" and was nominated for a 2019 Helen Hayes Award. Mark has recently been on faculty for numerous tap dance festivals including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, Make Some Noise Tap Festival, RIFF: Rhythm in Fusion Festival, and Taps Alive.

Melissa Ruiz was born and raised in Miami, FL where she began dancing at the age of 4 and continued her training in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern throughout her school years. Later moving to Orlando, Fl brought her many opportunities in the dance industry performing for local recording artists, MTV, Nickelodeon Studios, McDonalds, Miller Beer and Surf Expo. In addition, she has choreographed for NBA’s Orlando Magic Dancers, Orlando Predators, FSU's Golden Girls, along with countless dance studios, high school and college dance teams throughout the country. She currently teaches and choreographs Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary along with directing 5 Hip Hop competition teams in the Central Florida area. Melissa is now owner/creator of Underground Dance Xperience and continues her determination to bring more opportunities to the Florida dance community.

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.