Angelica Stistkin

FACULTY.

Behind The Scenes

We are proud to bring you a faculty of the industry’s top instructors, creators, and entrepreneurs! With classes in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Commercial Jazz and more, you will train with elite professionals. Our team is committed to helping you build confidence in yourself and develop the skills necessary to reach your goals and pursue a career in the entertainment industry.  

2024 faculty lineup

KEVIN WILSON
LA/VEGAS | JANET | CHER BRITNEY | CASTING
*Pittsburgh Only

As performing artists, choreographers, and creative directors, the Wilson Brothers work can be seen with artists such as Madonna, Beyonce, Toni Braxton, Tom Cruise and Wayne Brady to name a few. They have toured the world with Janet Jackson (All for You & Damita Jo Promotional tour), Britney Spears (Onyx Hotel tour), Christina Aguilera (Stripped & Back to Basics World tours) and Cher (Final Farewell/Dressed to Kill tour).

After making his Broadway ensemble debut in Disney’s The Lion King, Kevin’s work can be seen in Broadway shows such as Finding Neverland and Radio City Rockettes Spring Spectacular as associate choreographer. For the iconic Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Wilson Brothers were the resident choreographers for multiple shows including, “Dragons”, “Built to Amaze”, “Legends” and the ground-breaking “Out of this World.”

Marcel was a creative consultant and supervising choreographer for Christina Aguilera’s Xperience Residency show at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. He also was associate creative director for UK’s X- Factor. Marcel can be seen as a celebrity choreographer, on BYU Tv, “Wayne Brady’s IQ Comedy show.” This year, the Wilson Brothers choreographed the 2020 BET Awards featuring Wayne Brady as Little Richard.

They are no strangers to television, contributing choreography for shows such as “So You Think You Can Dance”, “America’s Got Talent”, ” Dancing with the stars”, and most recently seasons 1, 2, and 3 of the Fox Hit show “The Masked Singer.”

Their work as associate choreographers can be watched in Netflix ‘s Feel the Beat starring Sofia Carson, the highly- anticipated “Sponge Bob: On the Run, and Paramount Studios “Rumble” which will hit screens later this year. For their work on Cher’s Dressed to Kill Tour, they were awarded an Outstanding Choreography award in concert performance from the World Choreography Awards.


GIGI TORRES
LA | REVEL | SYTYCD INT'L

Gigi Torres, Choreographer, Dance Educator, & Mentor has been in the dance industry for 18 years and has taught all over the world in 30 countries & 30 states. She has taught at Debbie Reynolds Studio, Movement Lifestyle Studio, Broadway Dance Center and currently teaches on Revel Dance Convention. Since 2012, Gigi has created and produced her own dance programs mentoring over 800 dancers through her Gg Process Programming to help dancers create the process to their purpose and build confidence in their mindset and strength in their movement. Alumni from her programs have went on to dance for Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Camila Cabello; teach at Broadway Dance Center, Millennium Dance Complex, and various conventions in the USA; and start their own brands and companies as Entrepreneurs. Her programs set dancers up for their future through her mindset training, goal-setting process, and brand strategy.

Gigi’s choreography has been seen on So You Think You Can Dance Scandinavia, Ukraine, & Poland and internationally for Musical Solo & Group Artists in Korea including Pop group TXT & Girl’s Generation, Indonesia’s 7 Icons & SMASH, and USA’s Madame Gandhi. She has created work for many companies including Vanity Fair Magazine, Joffrey Ballet, NuSkin International, The Yellow Co Women’s Conference, & the American Musical & Dramatic Academy.

Gigi’s mission is to empower dancers to live purpose driven journeys that create longevity for their careers & life. She is known in the dance industry for producing elite programming that brings artists past their potential and into their true authentic purpose. Gigi builds powerful communities that empower dancers and their personal and career development. She believes that when one finds their uniqueness and purpose, the world is a better place we could all live in.



MARKUS SHIELDS
LA | KENDRICK LAMAR | MARIAH CAREY | KEKE PALMER
*Chicago Only

Since the first time Markus Shields set foot into rehearsal, he developed an instant passion for dance and choreography.  After moving from the Midwest to Los Angeles, he began to build working relationships with choreographers including Wade Robson, Tricia Miranda, Frank Gatson, Parris Goebel, Charm La’Donna, and more. He has become a regular teacher at Millennium Dance Complex LA, Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio, Edge PAC and other prominent studios in LA as well as becoming an international master instructor.

 Shields has performed alongside Kendrick Lamar, Will Smith, KeKe Palmer and more and has embarked on World Tours with Mariah Carey, Chayanne & Jody Watley.  While represented by Bloc Talent Agency as a dancer/choreographer, he has starred in ads for JW Marriott, Amtrak and choreographed a commercial for eBay. 

Markus has and always strived to be a great storyteller and creator. Whether choreographing for a studio or a world tour, creative directing for personal projects or recording artists, or any other facets of entertainment he always puts his heart inside of his work. 

“My goal is to inspire as I aspire, thus creating a beautiful cycle of giving and receiving, teaching and learning, growing and loving!”

RACHEL SIEGEL
LA | AMAZON | NETFLIX | BET NETWORK

Rachel’s early training was in various dance studios throughout West Michigan, including the Grand Rapids Ballet. Rachel has also trained internationally. Studios include Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Pineapple Dance Center in London, England, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Lou Conte Dance Studio, and Joel Hall School of Dance in Chicago, along with many more. Rachel has toured and performed live with well-known artists including KC & The Sunshine Band dancing on their “Feeling You” Tour. Rachel has won multiple dance and choreography awards at the regional and national levels. You can see her choreography on Netflix and Amazon in the feature film ‘The Wedding Party’ (2017). Upon moving to Los Angeles Rachel has performed in multiple music videos. Artists include Tyler Ward, Megan Nicole, Riff Raff, Xcedera, and Boy Band INNOVATE. She has been an opening act for LA Fashion week and continues to train and perform with Liana Blackburn, Gina Starbuck, Destini Rogers, Brooke Pierotti as well as other artists at West Coast Dance Theater, Millennium Dance Complex, T.MILLY Studios, and most other premiere LA studios. 

Rachel has worked with Laurieann Gibson on her hit BET Show “Born to Dance” and was a dancer alongside Beau Casper Smart in the movie “48 Hours to Live”. She has enjoyed her time Judging and being on staff at multiple dance competitions across the country and is currently touring as a National Director for VIP Dance Competition. Rachel loves spending her time teaching for different intensives, conventions, workshops, and choreographing/teaching at competitive dance studios throughout the country. She is YPAD certified and most recently traveled to Bali, Indonesia to study somatic and emotional release techniques through dance under the direction of Liana Blackburn. Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Western Michigan University and is excited to continue her dance career in the commercial industry of Los Angeles, California.

AHMAD SIMMONS
NYC | HAMILTON | WEST SIDE STORY | CATS
*Pittsburgh Only

 

Ahmad Simmons is a dancer, choreographer, educator and creative producer based in New York City. His Broadway credits include the part Diesel in Ivo Van Hove’s groundbreaking revival of West Side Story, Hamilton National Tour, original Broadway Cast of Hadestown,  the most recent revival casts of Carousel and Cats and is currently cast in Illinoise, A Sufjan Stevens Dance Musical. 

 

Ahmad co-starred alongside Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams as Ben Vereen in the Emmy nominated FX mini-series Fosse/Verdon. Other TV appearances include ABC’s TV remake of Dirty Dancing. Prior to his career on Broadway, Ahmad toured Internationally and all across the United States as a dancer with Parsons Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, and Eisenhower Dance Detroit. Graduate of Point Park University and the Co-Founder of Arterial Projects.  Deep love and gratitude to my incredible village of supporters and believers.

 

 @ahmadsimmons

CHIP ABBOT
NYC | ON THE TOWN | CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
*Chicago Only

Chip Abbott is a NYC based choreographer, director, and dancer who’s performance career spans the worlds of concert dance, commercial dance, and Broadway. Chip served as assistant choreographer, dance captain, and swing to Emmy Award winner Joshua Bergasse on the Broadway Revival of On The Town (Tony nominee for best choreography) and he was also seen on Broadway in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

His choreography was most recently seen at ACT of CT in their world premiere of a newly adapted  version of Working, under the artistic advisement of Stephen Schwartz. As a director, Chip created two IAAPA Brass Ring Award winning shows Dance, Dance, Dance, Heartbeat  (Best Theatrical Production Worldwide) and The Enchanted Journey (Most Creative  Christmas Show) both produced by RWS Entertainment Group at HersheyPark. Chip has directed numerous shows for HersheyPark and Azamara Club Cruises in addition to choreographing for Step One Dance Company on Holland America Line and The Little Mermaid at Red Mountain Theatre Company. 

Chip was associate director/choreographer to Tony Yazbeck on the YoungArts Gala 2017 and assistant choreographer to Joshua Bergasse for Bernstein at 100 Tanglewood with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as Bernstein at 100 Wolf Trap with the National Symphony Orchestra and starring Misty Copeland.  Additionally, Chip was associate choreographer of On the Town at San Francisco Symphony (Bergasse choreography re-staged.) 

  Other performance credits include NYC theatre: The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. 1st national tours: R+H’s Cinderella, Andy Blankenbuehler’s Joseph… Dreamcoat. TV/Film:  Isn’t It Romantic?!, The Tony Awards, The Today Show, Avon’s “Boss Life,” British Vogue, and MAC Cosmetics. Chip is a member of guest faculty at Steps and Broadway Dance Center in New York City and has taught master classes in many schools across the country including PACE University, Oklahoma City University,  Point Park University, the Boston Conservatory, and University of Central Oklahoma.  Proud graduate of Oklahoma City University.

 

LAURA ARONOFF
NYC/ATL | ABC DISNEY | HBO | NETFLIX | HULU

Laura Aronoff is a performer from Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up training at the renowned Rhythm Dance Center in ATL before graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication at Tulane University. Laura has worked in Los Angeles, NYC and Atlanta, performing in musicals, tv/film, music videos, live events, industrials and more! She has performed for brands such as Adidas, Southwest Airlines and Disney Style, as well as live premieres for Cartoon Network, FX Network and HBO.  Catch her in Tall Girl 2 (Netflix), Step Up Series: Season 3 (Starz), Pretty Little Liars (HBO) and Will Trent (ABC/Hulu). Laura’s favorite music video credits include Andrew Winghart’s ‘Cry Me A River’ and the official video for Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers’ ‘American Girl’. Regional theatre credits include: West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, National Tour of Rudolph, and The Music Man.

RICKY & CARRIE RUIZ
CHI | RIVER NORTH | VISCERAL | THODOS | GIORDANO
*Chicago Only

BIO COMING SOON.

CASEY NOBLETT
CDI FOUNDER | ROYAL CARIBBEAN | ATL HAWKS
*program seminars

Casey Noblett is the founder of the Commercial Dance Intensive, a training program designed to help dancers bridge the gap from their technical training to the business side of the commercial dance industry.

Casey began her dance career at age 10 under Jacques d’Ambolse in NYC, going on to perform at the White House, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Smithsonian, Madison Square Garden, and in Japan, Taiwan, and Venezuela. Her credits include work with Gloria Estefan, Will Smith, Chayanne, MTV, ABC, CBS, Univision, Telemundo, Disney, Universal, and the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks Dance Team as Captain.

Casey has also been featured in Dance Studio Life and Dance Spirit Magazine.

Most recently, Casey has produced over 8 music videos for artists such as Carmit from the Pussycat Dolls, Willie Gomez, Telisu and Nick Hagelin. She also travels with Royal Caribbean as a choreographer for their audition tour.

Founding N-House Productions in 2001, CD In 2014 and the dance website company myindustryprofile.com in 2021, Casey has been instrumental in the development of countless professional dancers through her innovative vision for education.

DAN DELUCA MINDFULNESS IN THE ARTS *program seminars

DeLuca is a theater and television actor, best known for originating the role of Jack Kelly on the First National Tour of Disney’s Newsies. He has developed new musicals alongside the greatest theater composers of our time including Stephen Schwartz, Alan Menken and Martin Charnin. Alongside working as an actor, DeLuca has studied at Quantum University, working with therapists and scientists studying the science of mindfulness to incorporate healthier approaches to art in the professional and educational playing field. @DDeLuca15

 

Dealing with insecurities, anxiety and depression is unfortunately a giant part of the social makeup of today’s world. Having the most elementary tools to approaching taking care of one’s mental and emotional states is the most powerful resource one can have, especially when it comes to dance. This workshop focuses on the basics of healthily working with the negative stories we tell ourselves in our heads and learning simple breathing exercises that can reset our bodies in the most stressful situations. In a world where one rarely finds a moment of peace within their own minds, DeLuca approaches teaching the science of mindfulness in the easiest and playful way an artist could learn.

CHRISTIE SIROTA-JORDON
FOUNDER | DIRECTOR

Christie Sirota-Jordon has been teaching and creating choreography since the age of 15. Training from east to west coast and along some of LA’s hottest choreographers, she holds a wide variety of styles that bring an exciting blend to the classroom. A Pittsburgh native, Christie has traveled nationally with numerous conventions and workshops including CDI (Commercial Dance Intensive), Dance Masters of America, Dance Caravan, Professional Dance Teachers Association, N-House Productions and VIP Dance Competition, as well as teaches master classes and choreography throughout the country.

Her dance and choreography credits include Las Vegas Fashion Week, Latin Icon Juan Luis Guerra, Disney’s boyband NLT, dance/pop group Taxi Doll, workout sensation Hip Hop Abs and more! Christie is a regional trainer for The BodyBar(re) Fitness Franchise and travels nationally setting pieces for competitive dance studios and dance teams.

Christie’s career has transitioned into other facets of the entertainment industry including creating & directing events. She is a National Director for VIPDance Competition, touring the country running competition events for competitive dancers. In 2018, Christie launched her own intensive, 412 The Intensive in Pittsburgh to provide a space for young dancers to explore their artistry, prepare for a career in entertainment and train with the industry’s top instructors from LA & NYC. Christie is proud to announce her expansion to Chicago with 312 The Intensive and the development of The Intensive’s mentorship programs. 

With 20 years in the entertainment industry, Christie is preparing the release of her latest programs to include one on one coaching, “next steps” for high school & college artists and specialized attention on building confidence.