COME TO DANCE,
WALK AWAY INSPIRED!

KAR Dance Convention 2026 | Experience the hottest new choreography styles this season at our convenient one-day event!

Where
Columbus Convention Center
400 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
 
Host Hotel
Hyatt Regency Columbus
350 N High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-463-1234
Run of house $192 plus tax

*Parking fees $48 valet per night per car; self parking on Chestnut Street Garage $25 overnight per car per night

Reservation cut off September 25, 2026
When
October 25, 2026
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.



Karli Dinardo
Musical Theater

Karli is so excited to be joining the faculty at KAR this year! She recently graced the stage in Hamilton on Broadway, adding to an impressive lineup of credits. She originated roles in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ (OBC) and served as Dance Captain/Swing and understudy for Nini in Moulin Rouge! The Musical (OBC). In the First National Tour of Hamilton (OTC), she covered Peggy/Maria as Dance Captain/Swing. Her national tour experience includes leading as Alex Owens in Flashdance The Musical and debuting in Revolution in the Elbow... Off-Broadway. Karli's performances in West Side Story include Carnegie Hall and, internationally, Australia, where her portrayal of Anita earned her a Helpmann Award nomination. She starred regionally as Cassie in A Chorus Line, Phyllis in 42nd Street, and performed in The Music Man and The Pajama Game. Additional notable credits include Children of Eden at David Geffen Hall.

In film and television, Karli has appeared in Up Here (Hulu), IF (Paramount), Kiss of The Spider Woman (upcoming), and performed in the opening numbers for the 75th-77th Annual Tony Awards (CBS). She is proudly represented by CESD.


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.


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. 

Madeline Underwood
Contemporary



Madeline Underwood is from Jamestown, North Carolina where she grew up a competitive dancer. She performed on stages across the eastern region of the United States. She was featured on Season 7 of Dance Moms as a member of the Candy Apple Team. She was also featured in Bloch dance wear’s “Dance with Confidence” campaign shot by Jordan Matter


She moved to California her senior year of high school to train at the Brea Space in their Launch program under the direction of Krista Miller. Since moving to California Madeline has appeared on “This is Us”, toured the country with  “Hits the Musical”, is a member of Jaci Royal’s company Royal Flux and toured the US and Europe dancing for Lindsey Stirling. She is currently wrapping up the “Snow Waltz” tour with Lindsey and looking forward to many new projects in the new year!


Your Dancers
Will Thank You!

Convention Price List / 6 classes + showcase at only $255

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

$20 Parent Observer Band

Register Now