COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2021 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Gateway Center
One Gateway Drive
Collinsville, IL 62234
When
October 17, 2021
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Caley Carr
Tap

Caley Carr is a tap choreographer who hails from Southern California. Caley made his television debut on Fox’s hit show So You Think You Can Dance, where he is still recognized as the tap dancing, mustache adoring surfer. Commercially, he has also been spotted on creditcards.com and can be seen in Ty Dolla $ign featuring Post Malone’s music video for the hit single “Spicy”. Most recently, Caley’s work is featured in the upcoming film “The Performer”, in which he was the choreographer as well as the double.


Another credit of Caley’s includes choreographing for NBC’s World of Dance. Caley performed with Derek Hough in his “Kairos” music video and in his “Singin’ in the Rain” recreation performed at Hollywood Night Under the Stars hosted by George Clooney. Caley has spent time as a company member in “Rhapsody in Taps” under the direction of Linda Sohl-Ellison, and has also spent multiple years as a company member of “Tap Sounds Underground”, directed by legendary Gregg Russell.


Caley has toured with Grammy Award Winner Tim Kubart as his tap dancing sidekick. He has also toured with Postmodern Jukebox (widely known by the acronym PMJ) in a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee. Caley was also published in Dance Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Breakout Stars of 2018” and was featured in a Q&A article in the magazine’s “Tap Issue”. 


Caley brings not only his wealth of knowledge and experience, but also an energy like no other to all of his classes on the convention tour.



Faliceano Turk
Hip Hop


Faliceano Keith Turk was brought into the world of entertainment at the age of 8 with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Facliceano learned most of his Hip Hop skills, dance technique, and vibrant performance quality from life’s courses of ups and downs. His hard hitting energetic style keeps his students at the top of L.A.’s lists in major competitions, shows, and projects, far and wide. He and his wife, Summer Turk, have partnered to create K.A.S.T. (Keith and Summer Turk) Academy of the Arts, which continues to earn a multitude of top scoring high point honors, countless title awards, and national recognition. 

K.A.S.T. is a leading entertainment academy that has been featured on many shows and televised competitions. The academy is known for its high success rate of athletes and dancers. Faliceano’s choreography can be seen on shows such as Ellen and So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation. His training has led his students to dance for The BET Awards, Target commercials, AGT, and Disney. With a student success rate of 90.4%, dancers travel from far distances to train at K.A.S.T.

From choreographing a Bollywood Bhangra for artist Sukshindar Shinda of India, to landing a nationwide commercial alongside his good friend D-trix (of ABDC/Quest Crew), Faliceano has also grabbed the attention of directors to score a part in the award winning Broadway Musical, Wicked. Meeting with and auditioning for artists such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Missy Elliot, and Madonna, Faliceano continues to push his students to land jobs while educating them on the dance industry. He teaches in the styles of Hip Hop, Jazz, African Dance, Lyrical, and more. 

Faliceano says “Dance with no limits. Leave the floor buzzing with your name on it.”


Nancy O'Meara
Guest Faculty Drop-In Class - $10 per dancer.


Nancy O’Meara is a noted dancer, choreographer, director, and mentor within the dance industry. She was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, where she developed a strong technical background training in all genres of dance. Her fast paced and powerful choreography is well known and has been sought after for decades.

Nancy is currently the go-to choreographer and movement coach for the majority of Hollywood Records Artists. She has performed with and worked with recording artists and actors including Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, LL Cool J, Usher, Paula Abdul, Reba McEntire, Mike Myers, Martin Short, Vanessa Williams, Bea Miller, Enrique Iglesias, Queen Latifah, John Legend, and the tour cast of High School Musical.

Nancy’s choreography and creative direction can also be seen on Carly Rae Jepsen, Jason Mraz, Colbie Caillat, Big Time Rush, Aly and AJ, Greyson Chance, Owl City, Charlie Puth, and 10 world tours with multi-platinum selling artist and Latin superstar Chayanne.

Her television choreography credits include Hannah Montana, American Idol, The American Music Awards, So You Think You Can Dance, The Teen Choice Awards, The Kids Choice Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, The Grammy Awards, Suite Life of Zack and Cody, iCarly, The Tonight Show, SNL, Regis and Kelly, Good Morning America, Ellen, The MTV Awards, The BET Awards, and The Latin Grammy Awards.

Nancy’s choreography can also be seen in top music videos for Miranda Cosgrove, Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Jesse McCartney, Ashley Tisdale, Jack and Jack, Matthew Koma, Grammy Award Winner Elvis Costello, Paula Abdul, and many others.

Her feature film dance credits include The Wedding Planner, 13 Going on 30, The Country Bears, Forrest Gump, Austin Powers: Goldmember, and Clerks II. Nancy has performed in a variety of specials including The Grammy Awards, The MTV Movie Awards, The American Music Awards, The Academy Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, and The Latin Grammy Awards. She has also appeared on televised programs including The Tonight Show and Ellen.

In addition to bringing her expertise to the KAR Dance Convention Faculty, Nancy is also a vital part of KAR’s Pro:tégé Performer Program.



Rachael Leitson
Musical Theater


Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Rachael began her training at the age of 3 at Jordan Center Dance. She trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, and Tap, often receiving numerous awards and scholarships over the years. While training at JCD, she also studied at UNLV - Ballet Seminars, Florida Youth Ballet, American Academy of Ballet, and Dance Educators of America

Rachael graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University. While at Chapman, Rachael was a selected dancer to perform in the piece Falling Angels by Jiri Kylian from Nederlands Dans Theater. Right after college, she was asked to perform in A Night of Entertainment in Prague, Czech Republic. Once returned from overseas, Rachael moved to New York City to further her dance career. 

Rachael then performed in A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre, the Dr. Oz Health Corp Gala, and at the City Center in NYC and Maui, Hawaii with Nextstep Dance Company. Rachael has taught dance all over the world and enjoys sharing her love for dance with others. Her choreography continues to win numerous awards across the nation, including several Teacher of the Year Awards. Beyond dancing and teaching, Rachael has a passion for fitness. She is certified in barre and has become one of New York City’s top teachers at Exhale Spa. 

Along with her love of movement in all forms, Rachael excitedly brings her impressive skills and knowledge to the KAR Dance Convention to be shared with each and every dancer.



Ryann Alvarez
Jazz


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.



Tony Catalanotto
Lyrical


Tony Catalanotto is a New Orleans native with over 20 years of professional stage and teaching experience, who prides himself on being trained in all forms of dance. Tony travels the country performing, teaching master classes, judging, and choreographing for various dance companies from the East to West Coast. Tony is best known for his style in traditional Lyrical, Contemporary, Jazz, and Broadway style Musical Theater. His choreographic composition is meaningful, powerful, and always makes a statement.

Tony’s versatility as a dancer, actor, costume specialist, and choreographer gained him credits covering a variety of facets of the entertainment industry, including Cajun Spice Productions, Paper Doll Promotions, Walt Disney, and Paramount Parks. Tony’s students have gone on to work professionally in Cats, Jersey Boys, West Side Story on Broadway, Gus Giordano, Norwegian Cruise Line, Louisiana State University Tiger Girls, New Orleans Saintsations, Houston Ballet, and Los Angeles Ballet to name a few.

One of Tony’s most rewarding experiences over the last few years was hosting several community-wide workshops alongside other local studios to raise money for “I’m a Dancer Against Cancer”

With a heart of gold, Tony not only trains his students technically, but he also lays a foundation of love for the arts that goes above and beyond any studio walls. To Tony, personal growth is more important than any trophy, and he inspires his students to push beyond the mold that the dance world has created.



Your Dancers
Will Thank You!

Convention Price List / 6 classes + showcase at only $235

6 Classes

$185
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

6 Classes +
Protege Performer Audition +
1 Parent Observer Band

$255
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

$20 Parent Observer Band

Register Now