COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2024 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

New City!

Where
RP Funding Center
701 W Lime St
Lakeland, FL 33815
 
Host Hotel
Courtyard Marriott Lakeland
3725 Harden Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33815
863-802-9000
Standard King or Queen/Queen $159 per night plus tax

Reservation cut off September 25, 2024
Book a Room
When
October 20, 2024
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Kristin Farina
Contemporary


Kristin Farina is a multi-talented dancer and choreographer who has taken the industry by storm with her awe-inspiring moves and unparalleled talent. With over 15 years of experience in the dance industry, she's worked with some of the biggest names in the business, including Jennifer Lopez, Chris Brown, LMFAO and Khalid. She has been featured in numerous commercials with well known brands such as Coca Cola, Toyota, Six Flags, Under Armour, and more! You might also recognize her from Season 3 of World of Dance! 


But that’s not all—Kristin has built a powerful and uplifting community of over 1.5 million across social media. Through her journey, she’s gained invaluable knowledge and now helps others expand their own reach. Her content doesn’t just entertain—it inspires people to chase their dreams, break past limitations, and believe in what’s possible.


Her passion and dedication to the art of dance have taken her all over the world as an international adjudicator, teacher, and performer, leaving audiences mesmerized everywhere she goes. With a background in various dance styles such as hip hop, contemporary, breaking and jazz, Farina is known for her dynamic movement, flow and precision. Her ability to seamlessly blend different styles of dance sets her apart and is constantly pushing her to push the boundaries of her craft.


"My love for dance is my purpose—it's about inspiring others, pushing creative boundaries, and building a community that shares this passion. I aim to help my students grow, achieve their dreams, and unlock their full potential, while continuing to chase my own.”


Sloan-Taylor Rabinor
Jazz Funk


Sloan-Taylor Rabinor is a celebrated dancer and emerging fitness expert, joining the KAR Dance Convention as our newest faculty member. Raised and trained in Phoenix, Arizona, Sloan's dancing prowess shone through early on when she bagged her first national title at the age of 17 at The Pulse dance convention. This victory marked the beginning of her illustrious dance career, leading her to assist esteemed choreographers such as Brian Friedman, Laurieann Gibson, Wade Robson, and Mia Michaels.

In 2009, Sloan relocated to Los Angeles, where her exceptional talent catapulted her into a role as a backup dancer for the pop music sensation, Lady Gaga. She debuted in the 2009 VMA performance and has since danced in three of Gaga's world tours - The Artpop Ball, Born this Way Ball, and Monsterball. Her notable appearances extend to music videos such as GUY, Applause, Bad Romance, and Telephone.

Sloan's dynamic portfolio extends far beyond one artist. She has displayed her talents alongside a constellation of stars, including Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, Rosalia, Panic at the Disco, Kelly Clarkson, Halsey, Fletcher, Gwen Stefani, and Avril Lavigne. With Selena Gomez, she is seen in the music video Come and Get it, while her performances have been featured on a wide array of shows, including Ellen, X Factor (UK), Oprah, AMA’s, Grammy's, Billboard Awards, and VMA’s. Her versatility was evident in her appearances on Glee, where she portrayed a hardcore Cheerio, thrilling audiences with her compelling Janet Jackson mashup.

While forging a successful career in dance, Sloan has also pursued her passion for fitness. She achieved her yoga and Pilates certifications between tours, even having the privilege to train Lady Gaga in these disciplines. Presently, she is studying to become a health coach and personal trainer, aiming to harmoniously blend her passions for dance and fitness.

Now a valued faculty member of the KAR Dance Convention, Sloan is eager to impart her rich experience and fervor for dance and fitness. We eagerly anticipate the inspiring journey our students will undertake under her expert guidance.


Faliceano Turk
Hip Hop

Accomplished dance industry professional, master educator, choreographer, and director with an extensive career developing dancers for the highest levels of professional entertainment. Students have gone on to perform with internationally recognized artists including Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea, Nick Cannon, and many others.

Former NBA Dance Team Director for the Sacramento Kings, bringing professional-level leadership, choreography, performance development, and creative direction to the organization.

Professional credits span Broadway, television, live entertainment, commercial work, and touring productions, including projects connected with Wicked, Ringling Bros., national commercials, and other major entertainment productions.

Featured on the hit television series So You Think You Can Dance, adding national television experience to an extensive background in professional dance and choreography.

Serves as a Touring Dance Competition Director, working with dancers, educators, studios, and industry professionals across the competitive dance community.

A distinguished 11-time Industry Dance Awards nominee for Hip-Hop Choreography, recognized for creative excellence, innovation, and lasting contributions to commercial and competitive dance.


Chryssie Whitehead-Disbrow
Musical Theater


Living by her favorite quote, “Be who you needed when you were younger,” Chryssie Whitehead joins the faculty of KAR Dance Convention with a wealth of industry experience spanning 25 years. Originally from the Southern Strutt dance studio in South Carolina, Chryssie is delighted to return to her roots as a convention dancer, eager to pay it forward to the next generation.


Chryssie's journey in the performing arts began immediately after high school when she danced for the iconic Rockettes. Since then, she has built an illustrious career in film, television, and Broadway as an actress, dancer, and singer. After studying musical theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Chryssie made her Broadway debut in the revival of A Chorus Line, playing Kristine. Her additional Broadway accomplishments include roles in Chicago and Company (Lincoln Center with Neal Patrick Harris). Chryssie’s favorite regional roles include Bombalurina in Cats, Lola in Damn Yankees, and Cassie in A Chorus Line.


Her credits in film and television are equally impressive, featuring work in the West Side Story film, Grey's Anatomy, Switched at Birth, Castle, The Mentalist, Warehouse 13, Private Practice, Grimm, and the romantic comedy Revenge of the Bridesmaids with Raven Simone.


Transitioning to the creative side, Chryssie has directed and choreographed professional and educational productions such as Chicago, A Chorus Line, Rent, All Shook up, Into the Woods, Shrek, Grease, How 2 $ucceed in Business, and Beauty and the Beast. As a dedicated educator, she currently directs showcases and teaches on the musical theatre faculty at AMDA College and Conservatory for the Performing Arts in NYC, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps.


Beyond her commitment to teaching and performance, Chryssie co-founded www.BroadwayArtsCommunity.com, a performing arts mentoring & coaching company. She's currently touring with a show she wrote based on her life’s journey, aimed at spreading hope and normalizing conversations around mental illness.


We are thrilled to welcome Chryssie Whitehead to our faculty at KAR Dance Convention, confident that her wealth of experience, passion for mentoring, and unique insights will inspire our students. Learn more about Chryssie at www.chryssiewhitehead.com.


Ki'Leigh Williams
Tap

Ki'Leigh Williams, a midwestern native from Indiana began her professional dance career at the age of 10 performing with the off-broadway show, Tap Kids. Growing up in a dance studio allowed her to learn styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Hip-Hop.  After graduating high school, Ki'Leigh attended Point Park University receiving her Bachelors in Forensic Science while teaching Tap & Hip-Hop for their community classes and International Summer Dance Intensive. After graduating, Ki'Leigh moved to to reconnect with movement on the West-Coast. The rest is history! Ki'Leigh has taught tap & hip-hop styles in spaces such as Movement Lifestyle, Millennium Dance Complex, Point Park University and Motus The Company.  She's also been blessed to move on projects with Usher, Leon Thomas, BabyRose, Regina Spector, Syncopated Ladies, Spirited on Apple TV, Adam Levine, Big Boi, Jesse McCartney, AlunaGeorge, Cirque Di Soleil, Disney +: Encore, & Remy Martin.

Your Dancers
Will Thank You!

Convention Price List / 6 Classes + Showcase at only $205

6 Classes

$205
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

6 Classes +
Protege Performer Audition +
1 Parent Observer Band

$275
 Jazz
 Tap
 Contemporary
 Hip Hop
 Musical Theater
 Audition Workshop

Pro:tégé audition at the door — $60

$20 Parent Observer Band

Register Now