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.

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.

George Lawrence II was Born in San Diego CA and raised in Atlanta, GA. He started his training where he studied Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and Hip-Hop. In 2010 he decided to further his technique at Dance Makers of Atlanta in in Atlanta Ga. 

In 2011-12 he studied dance at the State University of New York Purchase Conservatory. After the completion of his freshman year, George made the hit show So You Think You Can Dance S9 and went on to be top 10 and do a 30 city tour. Once the tour completed, at a young age of 19 he moved to Los Angeles California to make a living for himself. 

In the most recent years he has been featured in things such as: Lorde’s Dance World Tour, Valley Girl, Teen Beach 2, Ted 2, La La Land, Jersey Boys, DWTS, the VMA’s, the Emmys ,the Academy Awards, choreographing and dancing on the new fox show The Big Leap, and just recently danced in the movie Spirited with Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer.