COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2025 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Embassy Suites Hilton Charlotte Concord
5400 John Q. Hammons Dr NW
Concord, NC 28027
 
Host Hotel
2nd HOST HOTEL Homewood Suites by Hilton Concord Charlotte
7300 Scott Padgett Parkway
Concord, NC 28027
980-313-3100
2 Queen Beds - Non Smoking - $169.00 per night plus tax

Reservation cut off Sept 10, 2025

*Free Hot breakfast (Homewood Suites)
*Free Parking (Homewood Suites)


***Embassy Suites Hilton Charlotte Concord BLOCK SOLD OUT. HOTEL CAN NOT ADD ANY ADDITIONAL ROOMS TO THE DISCOUNTED BLOCK. PLEASE BOOK DIRECTLY ONLINE WITH EMBASSY SUITES.***
When
October 12, 2025
8am – 5pm

Faculty Members

Alex Kessinger
Jazz

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.


Lonni Olson
Contemporary


Lonni Olson brings a unique dynamic to all she does in the dance world. She grew up training under some of the industry’s most renowned working choreographers in LA and NY and is now making her mark in the industry as a dancer, teacher and choreographer!


Lonni has appeared in countless TV shows and films such as Running Point, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Voice, ROAR, Latin AMA’s, Sex Lives of College Girls, The Binge, World of Dance, THEM, The Affair, and many more. 


She had the opportunity to tour with Lindsey Stirling and also appeared in music videos for Hayley Warner, Derek Hough, Cait Fairbanks, and Megan Nicole. Lonni has choreographed for James Charles music video and had the opportunity to both choreograph and dance for Dove Cameron. 


She has danced in the national Gucci Showtime Campaign commercial, League of Legends World Championships in South Korea and has also worked in industrials for many world renowned companies such as Google, Sprint, Verizon, and Nuskin. 




Lonni is a force to be reckoned with in the industry who brings a great relatable energy to all aspiring dancers and loves to share her passion of dance with everyone! 


Nancy O'Meara
Pro:tégé Director


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.



Rob Rich
Hip Hop


Founder and creative director of the internationally acclaimed dance organization/training program RICHFAM, Philadelphian Robert Rich was introduced to the performing arts early in life and developed a love for education through dance. Now residing in California, he is faculty at various prestigious institutions of higher learning in dance such as American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, and TMilly Studio. His experience as an educator is not limited nationally as he is a world renowned instructor and mentor to some of the most prestigious artists in the commercial dance industry globally.




As a working creative for over ten years within commercial dance, he has performed for artists such as Lady Gaga, Jill Scott, Pia Mia, Ellen Degeneres and has choreographed for some of America's leading dance television series: So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars, and America's Best Dance Crew. Outside of television, his work can be seen featured on world tours and stages for Ginuwine, Ciara, and Mariah Carey. His true passion for the arts can be seen in the various productions he has creatively directed for his global community service project designed to jumpstart the careers of deserving dancers: RICHFAM. With sold out productions in Sweden, Italy, Spain, Peru, Israel, and Los Angeles his acquisition for knowledge of culture and the arts blends to bring a specific training style full of diversity.




His love for stage and performance heavily influences his training technique as he will prepare you to work with a career full of longevity whether you are interested in the commercial industry or educational field of dance. The classroom environment he cultivates will ensure that you are comfortable while enjoying being pushed beyond your limits. With over 150 members worldwide maintaining successful careers in dance after having trained with his Richfam program the proof is evident: If you train with Rich you will achieve your dance goals. 

Faliceano Turk
Musical Theatre

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.


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