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. Most recently, Alex became a full time faculty member on The Dance Xperience Convention.

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.

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.

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.

Joe-Joe Grooves – since receiving his BFA in Dance Performance in Jazz from East Carolina University in 2004, he has become an accomplished professional commercial dancer who’s worked with major artists such as Paula Abdul, Jennifer Hudson, Katy Perry, KeKe Palmer, Latin Popstar Chayanne, Sugarland, Nicki Minaj, Aloe Blaqq, MC HAMMER and P.Diddy.  In 2018 he was a part of the 60th Grammy awards performing in an unforgettable and electrifying performance with Kendrick Lamar and U2. In 2019 he was a part of the 2019 BET Awards with Jay Rock & Jamie Foxx, also performed at the Teen Choice awards and the Latin AMA’s.  He got to play the part of the infamous MC SKAT KAT from Paula Abdul's music video "Opposites Attract" for Paula's live concert, Motion Capture work for the FACEBOOK company (Happy Friends Day Dancer) as well a BUD LIGHT commercial that’s shown all over Canada, became a new member of the dance phenomenon iLUMINATE from America's Got Talent, and worked with well known brands such as PUMA, NIKE, and UNDER ARMOR.   With 4 world tours under his belt, Joe-Joe is currently on tour with legendary r&b group  THE ISLEY BROTHERS!  As well as a cycling instructor for SoulCycle in Los Angeles. Joe-Joe is thankful and great full everyday with all that he’s accomplished in his career so far and looking forward to many more amazing opportunities that may come his way!  

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.