Ryann Alvarez trained at Murrieta Dance Project in Murrieta, California under the direction of Erin Babbs. She is well versed and has trained in all styles of dance, and is best known for her work in the styles of jazz, lyrical, and contemporary. She has also been commended for her work in the exploration of the creative fusion of these styles. During her extensive training, Ryann was consistently awarded scholarships as well as regional and national titles within the competitive dance industry. 

Ryann is represented by MSA Talent Agency, one of the most exclusive agencies in Los Angeles, where she has danced alongside some of the industry’s best. Along with performing, Ryann developed a passion for teaching and choreographing, which she began at the age of 15. She was honored to travel with KAR to Australia in 2018 to teach hundreds of dancers in Perth and Sydney for some of the best studios in the country. Recently, she was the recipient of KAR’s Choreographer of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022, as well as the Antoine Olds Achievement Award in 2022. Currently, Ryann continues to teach and choreograph across the USA from coast to coast. Her students are constantly recognized for winning countless regional, national, and international awards. 

In every class Ryann teaches, she hopes each dancer will feel inspired and challenged in both their movement and musicality, while keeping an open mind and dancing from the heart.

Hollind Hardy was born into a family of dancers who passed down their love and passion for the art. Growing up as a competitive dancer she found a love for performance and being on a stage. As a young adult in Fort Worth, Texas she found her niche as a tap dancer studying under the direction of Katelynn Harris’ tap company, Rhythmic Souls. There she was able to work and learn from renowned dancers such as Anthony Morigerato, Acia Gray, Ayodele Casal, and more. As well as teach at multiple studios through the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Professionally she’s had the fortune of performing live for “TedX-Ted Talks” with her company, starring in Leo Manzari’s music video “Chic” as well as performing with him, and currently working and tap dancing for agencies and events in Southern California.

As a teacher, Hollind aims to provide a warm and nurturing environment for students. Allowing them to challenge themselves as dancers and most importantly to find a love and connection to the art, within all styles.

Dance has always flowed through Alex Kessinger’s veins. Raised in Southern California, she began her journey as a dancer at the age of 4 at her mother’s studio, West Coast School of the Arts. Alex started working as a dancer and child actor at the age of 6, where she developed her portfolio through numerous commercials, print work, and feature films like Disney’s The Santa Clause 3. While building her professional career, Alex also trained as a competitive dancer, winning impressive awards and national titles along the way. After winning a national title in the United States in 2011, she was chosen to represent the US at the international competition Spotlight in Australia, where she won the gold. 

After her competitive dance career, Alex furthered her education at Chapman University, where she was one of the few students awarded both a talent scholarship and a scholastic scholarship. She graduated Cum Laude from Chapman in 2016 with a BFA in Dance Performance and a minor in Theater Technology. 

Currently, Alex works as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer to dancers across the country. Some of her achievements as a dancer include dancing with Jojo Siwa, assisting Michael Rooney on national commercials, performing on television shows such as GLOW with Marguerite Derricks, working as a digital backup dancer in Paula Abdul’s tour “Straight Up Paula”, and dancing in and choreographing for various music videos.

Alex’s teaching philosophy involves creating a safe environment for dancers to feel comfortable in exploring their capabilities while challenging themselves to be better, bigger, and stronger with every step.

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.

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.