ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be:
• Current high school (or home-schooled) seniors attending school in the United States;
• Anticipating completion of high school diploma at the time of application;
• Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution;
• Attending a Dance Studio that is participating in a 2021 KAR National Finals;
• Carrying a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of their junior year of high school.

https://dancekar.wufoo.com/forms/2021-kar-senior-scholarship-application/

We’re thrilled to provide a NEW and FRESH dance experience for all to enjoy. The entire team has been hard at work developing “Hollywood LIVE”, an on-set experience that your dancers will never forget. Dancers will be able to perform in a setting that resembles a real life Hollywood studio set. Get ready for more Lights, Cameras and Action!!!

All holiday season, KAR is giving BIG gifts to 30 lucky fans! In KAR’s Great Holiday Sweepstakes, fans can nominate a special person within the dance community throughout the month of December for their chance to win up to $10,000 in entry fees & prizes. To nominate that special someone please fill out the form below. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

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FLIPZ (USA):

Ivan “Flipz” Velez is an actor, a choreographer, manager, and producer. He is a World famous B-boy who started his career as a dancer and stunt performer. He has toured the world with top International music Icons, acted and danced in every major dance film in the past decade, as well as founder of one of the most elite B-boy crews in the world, the internationally recognized Skill Methodz Crew. Ivan continues to act in films, on the stage, and perform and create for a host of commercial work. With his infectious positive energy, endless creativity, and a commitment to excellence, it didn’t take long before Ivan began to be looked at as more than just an amazing dancer but as a key collaborator and creative that is an asset to any project. Having built his career on his unique style, inventiveness, and out-of-the-box thinking, Ivan has kept that same spirit of creativity and passion while moving behind the camera to choreograph, cast, and produce.

KEVIN & DEA (USA):

Kevin and Dea Nguyen are an accomplished, married dancing duo who met through a project for a charity show benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation.  

They are choreography dance professionals with over 30 years of dance training and experience, who travel the world through dance. They’ve taught dance classes, judged competitions, and performed in 24 countries and 75 different cities and are currently on their 5th consecutive season on tour with World of Dance and Kids Artistic Revue.Over the years, the duo has worked with top music artists including Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee, Pharrell Williams, Paula Abdul, Dawin, and KPOP Artists, BTS, and B1A4. Most recently, they received a Most Hot Choreography Award at the Premios Juventud Awards Show for their choreography in Daddy Yankee’s music video, “Que Tire Pa’ ‘Lante.” Their choreography was showcased in the Latin AMA’s. Kevin recently contributed choreography in Justin Bieber’s visual album, “Changes” in his songs “Runnin Over” and “Take it Out On Me.” He also changed the game and was featured as one of the first American back up dancers in a BTS music video for KPOP artist, BTS, music video, “Singularity,” .
Kevin and Dea’s goal is to inspire, encourage and positively impact dancers and creatives all over the world through their work.

ERICA SUMMERLIN:

Erica Bava Summerlin has been involved in the dance industry for over 30 years. She has danced her way across the country from California to North Carolina and everywhere in between. During her years as an award winning competition dancer, she was also a competitive gymnast, high school cheerleader, actress and choreographer for her high school musicals. As a young teen she was selected as a member of the prestigious North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler. After high school graduation Erica went on to attended UNCC where she was a member of the 2001 NDA Division 1 National Champion dance team shown on ESPN.

Not only is Erica an accomplished dancer and performer, but for the past 15 years she has become a well known and highly accomplished teacher and choreographer. Her students have won many awards on both regional and national levels and her creative and energetic choreography is consistently recognized with special awards and accolades from well respected professionals in the industry. 

In addition to being the Director of Competitive Dance at ExtravaDance & Tumble, she also directs the TUTU Express Daycare Dance Program which allows her the opportunity to share her upbeat personality and extensive training with very young dancers. Even though Erica stays very busy with her commitments at ED&T, she keeps herself involved in other activities that she feels are beneficial to her students. She travels the U.S. judging for national dance competitions. She teaches and choreographs for other well known studios. Throughout the year she travels to New York and California to take classes and stay up to date on the latest trends in dance. She is also the head coach of a high school dance team. 

Erica loves sharing her talents with children of all ages. Her main goal is to set a positive example for all her students and encourage them to be the best they can be!

JAMES TUNSTEAD (AUSTRALIA):

My name is James Tunstead, I’m originally from Perth, Western Australia, but now live in Sydney. I’ve been tap dancing since I was 8 years old and through that time I have changed lots as a dancer. I started at a very old school studio, which developed a very strong technique, and after 6 years changed to a studio that had more of a street tap style. This change set in motion my style of tap which is heavily inspired by the ‘Tap Dogs’. In 2016 I was lucky enough to win a trip through the company ‘Get the Beat’ to come over to the states and compete at the KAR nationals in Las Vegas. I have recently finished 2 years of full-time dance training at ‘Dance Force’ in Tweed Heads, NSW, and have made the move to Sydney, NSW, to try and make a career through dance. I’m super passionate about tap dancing and nothing makes me more excited than an awesome rhythm that’s executed perfectly. Super excited to meet and work with you guys!

MARK ORSBORN (USA):

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Washington, DC.  Mark grew up training as a member of the pre-professional tap company “Tappers With Attitude” and is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP).  Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit Magazine, and numerous film festivals across North America for his work.  The JaM Project was a finalist at the 2016 Capezio ACE Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry.  The JaM Project was also featured in Season 2 of World of Dance on NBC.  Mark is the founder and director of The JaM Youth Project, which has attracted young tap dancers from all over the United States and received support from multiple news outlets as well as national recording artists, The Doobie Brothers.  The company’s dance film projects with Dancinema have screened at several different film festivals and featured in Dance Teacher Magazine.  Mark was recognized by the Young Choreographer’s Festival in 2015 and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in NYC.  Most recently, he was a contributing choreographer for YouTube’s Brandcast at Radio City Music Hall.  Mark has been on faculty for numerous festivals and conventions including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, and Rhythm in Fusion Festival (RIFF). 

TIFFANY SCHLATER (USA):

Tiffany Fairchild-Schlater has had extensive training in all genres of dance. She won many Competitive Titles, was nominated as a Who’s Who of American High School Students and at the age of 17 received a full scholarship to the prestigious Gus Giordano Dance Center in Chicago, Illinois. She has performed at the Capital Building in Washington D.C., the Chicago Theater, in the promotional tour for the movie “TAP”, various industrials, charity events and on television. Tiffany has performed with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Savion Glover, Star Dixon, the late Gregory Hines and was an original member of the “ETC” Tap Company in Chicago. While teaching and choreographing across the country, she has captured many top awards including the titles Teacher Of The Year and Elite Top Choreographer Of The Year on a National Level. Her choreography has been featured in the New York City, Tap Extravaganza and in the final top 5 at the Industry Dance Awards in Las Vegas and Hollywood, CA. She has been recognized by the Stanford Who’s Who Of America as an artist, the Ohio House of Representatives and is a member of the International Tap Association. Currently, Tiffany proudly serves as an Ambassador for the Tap Legacy Foundation NYC, International Adjudicator, Convention/Tap Festival teacher and is the Elite Company Director at JDSD in Columbus, OH. Her students can be found on television, Broadway, movies and professional dance companies. Tiffany continues to travel the country and is committed to sharing her love of dance through mentoring, educating, teaching proper technique and most importantly, to defy gravity and live your dream every day.

MICHELLE MINER (USA):

Originally from San Diego, Ca., Michelle grew up training extensively in ballet, tap and jazz.  As an adult, Michelle was drawn into the tap world and has been an accomplished tap choreographer for over 18 years.  Michelle has trained with such tap masters as Brenda Buffalino, Mike Minery, Sam Weber and the late Gregory Hines.  Her choreography is sought after all over the country and her students can be seen dancing for Fox, Disney, ESPN and in “Dance Teacher” and “Dance Spirit” magazine.  She has also trained the 2006 World Dance Champion, who became the youngest ever intern for the NYC Rockettes and her students have danced for such artists as Rihanna and Britney Spears.   You can see her choreography on Fox and numerous music videos.  Michelle is proud to have won the Industry Dance Award for “Best Tap Dance” two years in a row!

MARK ORSBORN (USA):

Mark Orsborn is a tap dancer, teacher, and choreographer from Washington, DC.  Mark grew up training as a member of the pre-professional tap company “Tappers With Attitude” and is a former soloist with the Tap America Project (TAP).  Mark co-founded his company, The JaM Project, in 2007 and has been recognized by The Washington Post, Dance Spirit Magazine, and numerous film festivals across North America for his work.  The JaM Project was a finalist at the 2016 Capezio ACE Awards, which recognizes the top emerging choreographers in the commercial dance industry.  The JaM Project was also featured in Season 2 of World of Dance on NBC.  Mark is the founder and director of The JaM Youth Project, which has attracted young tap dancers from all over the United States and received support from multiple news outlets as well as national recording artists, The Doobie Brothers.  The company’s dance film projects with Dancinema have screened at several different film festivals and featured in Dance Teacher Magazine.  Mark was recognized by the Young Choreographer’s Festival in 2015 and he co-choreographed the closing number at both the 2015 and 2016 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards in NYC.  Most recently, he was a contributing choreographer for YouTube’s Brandcast at Radio City Music Hall.  Mark has been on faculty for numerous festivals and conventions including DC Tap Fest, Jersey Tap Fest, Orlando Tap Fest, OC Tap Fest, and Rhythm in Fusion Festival (RIFF). 

JAMES TUNSTEAD (AUSTRALIA):

My name is James Tunstead, I’m originally from Perth, Western Australia, but now live in Sydney. I’ve been tap dancing since I was 8 years old and through that time I have changed lots as a dancer. I started at a very old school studio, which developed a very strong technique, and after 6 years changed to a studio that had more of a street tap style. This change set in motion my style of tap which is heavily inspired by the ‘Tap Dogs’. In 2016 I was lucky enough to win a trip through the company ‘Get the Beat’ to come over to the states and compete at the KAR nationals in Las Vegas. I have recently finished 2 years of full-time dance training at ‘Dance Force’ in Tweed Heads, NSW, and have made the move to Sydney, NSW, to try and make a career through dance. I’m super passionate about tap dancing and nothing makes me more excited than an awesome rhythm that’s executed perfectly. Super excited to meet and work with you guys!

RYAN LOHOFF (USA):

Master tap instructor and national award winning choreographer, Ryan, has trained for 30+ years developing a unique style of his own that is exciting for ALL audiences. Ryan is co-director of Tap Into The Network intensives along with Gregg Russell & Angela Carter. Ryan is founder, choreographer & director of a professional tap dance company based out of Los Angeles called Rithem Dance Company where he further expands his talents and skills by directing and creating tap choreography for film. Ryan’s industry credits include being a finalist on “Live to Dance” with Paula Abdul, FOX’s “30 Seconds to Fame”, “Mobbed” with Howie Mandell, Disney’s “The Princess and The Frog”, “Star Search” with Arsenio Hall, industrials for Adidas and Nike, Carvel Ice Cream, an alumni and founding member of Gregg Russell’s Tap Sounds Underground, the Buddy Epson Tribute Show in Los Angeles, Tampa Bay Tap Festival, the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Vegas, and performing at Broadway Dance Center in NYC. Ryan, who holds a B.S. in Visual Communication is CEO/creator of Neo Rythmo, Inc., a designer tap manufacturing company where has designed and produced the worlds FIRST & ONLY color taps including the sleek, matte black ProTones & the multi-colored, vibrant Melodies (TapInColor.com). Ryan has also produced numerous instructional videos and has designed Choreo Cards, an in-classroom game/choreography tool. Watch for this unique and fun addition to the classroom in late 2016.