GUEST ARTISTS

{ see who has stopped by the studio for some creative movement }

Levi Marsman is from Boston, MA. He began his training at the Boston Arts Academy, OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, and Jeanette Neill Dance Studio as a scholarship recipient in their Boston Youth Moves Program. After graduating from the from the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Levi was awarded a place in the Scholarship Program at The Ailey School. He later enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program, which lead to an invitation to join Ailey II by former director, Sylvia Waters. Levi’s performance credits include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York), Movements Dance Company (Jamaica), OrigiNation (Boston), Lula Washington Dance Theatre (Los Angeles), Reed Dance (Pittsburgh) and PHILADANCO! (Philadelphia). Levi has been Artist in Residence at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and is currently Teacher In Residency for Urbanity Dance. As a choreographer, he has created works for institutions such as the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Sharron Miller Academy for the Performing Arts, Dreyfoos School for the Arts, Marygrove College, Renaissance High School, Boston Youth Moves, Endicott College, Georgian University's Black Movements Dance Theatre, the Joffrey School, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, The Ailey School, Reed Dance, the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, Ballet Ecclectica at Center of Creative Arts, and OrigiNation. He has worked extensively with his mentor Christopher Huggins as co-choreographer and collaborator for dance companies and schools such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Duke Ellington School for the Arts, and the Juilliard School. Levi’s awards include Contemporary Dance Silver Medalist of the 4th Seoul International Dance Competition, 2007 Young Professionals Awardee—Martha Hill Dance Fund, Best Performance at the 10th Annual Oakland Dance Festival in Michigan and first recipient of the 2016 Ballet Inc. Emerging Choreographer Award.

Christopher Broughton, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, began dancing at the age of 12 and never looked back. Under the instruction of Paul and Arlene Kennedy at Universal Dance, he immediately became a member of the Kennedy Tap company, world renowned and responsible for tap greats such as Derick Grant and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, the latter of which he had the pleasure of performing as cast mates in his first Tony, Astaire and Drama Desk Award winning Broadway show After Midnight. Broughton's dancing has also led to National recognition with the NAACP ACT-SO Award not once, but twice. As an instructor, performer and choreographer, his art has taken him everywhere from St. Louis and Washington D.C. to Brazil, Finland, Cuba, Italy, Germany and beyond. In 2007, hardship struck Broughton's life when he spent over a year recovering from a major injury to his left leg. He has very much since returned and is at the peak of his game. Since his triumph, Broughton has performed and toured the world with greats such as Jason Samuels Smith, R&B singer MYA, Ted Levy and Chloe Arnold to name a few. Company work has included national and international tours with Dorrance Dance, including Bessie Award winning work The Blues Project co-created/choreographed by Michelle Dorrance, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Derick K. Grant, and Toshi Reagon. He has also performed as a featured dancer on the 25th Anniversary International tour of Riverdance; a critically acclaimed run of the Signature Theatre's revival of Jelly's Last Jam featuring choreography by Jared Grimes; Magic of The Dance; Rasta Thomas' Tap Stars; The Cotton Club Parade at NY City Center; and the national tribute tour of Thank You Gregory!. Christopher's athletic choreography, courage and charisma are in the highest demand and he continues to learn and grow his art. Christopher Broughton owes his sincerest gratitude to his sister Chantel Heath, who introduced him to the world of dance, Tonie Nicholas, son of the legendary Fayard Nicholas, and Paul and Arlene Kennedy; without whom, he wouldn't be where he is today.

Nicole B. Hockenberry, a Pennsylvania native, has been tap dancing professionally for over 20 years. She became a performing member of A&G Dance in 1991, under the artistic direction of Germaine Salsberg, and Manhattan Tap in 1992, under the artistic direction of Heather Cornell. She is the founder and director of TAP: Teach All People, which she operated from 1995 to 2006 and relaunched with her husband, Mark, in 2013. Nicole has taught and performed with organizations across the country, including the New York Foundation for the Arts, the St. Louis Tap Festival, Soul to Sole (Austin), Columbus Taps, and Third Coast Rhythm Project (San Antonio). Her choreography has been commissioned by numerous tap companies, including RPM (San Antonio), Tap Ties (Allentown), and In Motion (Chester, N.J.). Nicole spent twelve years as an adjunct professor of dance at Cedar Crest College (Allentown) and three years as a Master Lecturer at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Nicole and Mark also operate Crafty Nicole (www.craftynicole.com), an online custom-designed clay charm and pendant business that services the international tap community.

Lara Luzim is a South Florida native . She is a graduate of Dillard School of the Arts in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. and holds a B.F.A in dance and education from N.Y.U Tisch School of the Arts in New York . Additionally, she has had the privilege to continue her education and training at Alvin Ailey , Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Jacob’s Pillow, American Dance Festival , Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester and has just completed her 200 hour yoga certification. Lara has a passion and love for teaching and choreography. Her work has been featured at JCE Jazz Choreography Enterprises, PMT Performance Showcase, Disha Theater Company, Summerstage in Central Park, Dumbo Dance Festival, WaxWorks, DNA Showcase, Chris Palacio Performance Project and Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester Showcase , The Bridge for dance and “Cut Loose”at Cunningham Studios in NYC. In addition, Lara served as choreographer for “The Telling” presented by “Give her a Voice” a non for profit that helps raise money for children and women in need . She also loves coaching and creating work for competitive dancers and teams . Lara has judged and taught for competition /conventions such as NYLA, Beyond the Stars and All American Talent.  Currently she is on faculty at MIA Dance Factory in North Miami and enjoys teaching and working with students all over South Florida.

John Manzari is an Ovation Award and Helen Hayes Award nominated artist. Stage: Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life, The Wiz is 40: A Celebration in Dance and Music, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Ellington Songbook and Sacred Concert, and Apollo Club Harlem. Television: The View, PBS special Michael Feinstein at the Rainbow Room, The Mo’Nique Show, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, BeBe Winans’ special America, America, and Season 7 finale of So You Think You Can Dance.

 Marissa Martinez graduated from Park Vista High School and is an alumni of the Fusion Force Dance Company. During her 14 years at That's Dancing, she had the opportunity to choreograph a student piece for the Fusion Force Dance Company which received high recognition and several accolades at regional competitions.While attending Park Vista High School, Marissa re-established the schools dance team now known as PVDT which serves to support and entertain at different events hosted by Park Vista High School and the community. In May of 2017, Marissa graduated from the University of South Florida Cum Laude with her Bachelors in Science. While pursuing her degree at the USF, Marissa had the opportunity to pursue her passion for dance as a member of the USF Sundolls; the dance team for the universities athletics department. Marissa was granted the opportunity to serve as the head captain for three of her four years on the team. In 2014, the Sundolls placed 8th overall at college nationals for the National Dance Association. Her involvement in the University’s athletics program has allowed her to open for event artists such as T.I. and Chris Delia, as well as speak on behalf of the university at a multitude of events in the Tampa area. She was also selected to represent the Sundolls in their 2016 bowl game appearance against South Carolina and has had the pleasure of dancing alongside many pro-teams during conventions including the San Antonio Spurs, the Washington Wizards, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Atlanta Falcons. Her experience with the Sundolls helped to prepare her to audition for professional dance teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Heat in which she was a finalist for both teams. Marissa is currently taking steps towards achieving her goal of becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy and is excited to further her knowledge and passion for dance as a proud staff member of That’s Dancing.

Jimmy Arguello is a professional dancer and choreographer.  In his path of faith, patience, courage and believing in himself, he has managed to work with amazing choreographers including Wade Robson, Keith Young, Maria Torrez, Travis Payne, Dave Scott, Scotty Nguyen, Nakul Dev Mahajan, Cris Judd and more. He has performed live in the Latin Grammys and the Latin Billboard Awards with Olga Tañon, David Bisbal, Gloria Trevi and Fanny Lu. In 2007, he was named one of the top 10 male dancers to compete on Fox’s “ So You Think You Can Dance”. Jimmy filmed as a principal dancer in the Wayans Brothers’ movie “Dance Flick”. He was on tour as Dance Captain with the Grammy Composer/Singer A.R Rahman in the Jai Ho World Tour. He had the privilege to choreograph for Ricky Martin’s Premio Lo Nuestro performance in Miami. He has assisted Keith and Sharon Young with artist Prince Royce. He merged into working on Rock of Ages as one of the assistant choreographers with Mia Michaels, working alongside Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julianne Hough and Mary J. Blige. You would also have seen him perform with Melissa Gorga from New Jersey Housewives on Bravo. His most recent endeavors were performing with Illuminate on the Latin Billboards, Dancing with the Stars for the Rock of Ages promo and assisting Mia Michaels on a Jordache Commercial with Heidi Klum. Jimmy was recently booked as an ensemble in the off broadway show “In the Heights”. In addition to his success as a professional Dancer/Choreographer, Jimmy is partners with one of the most respected agencies in South Florida, Tae Talent Agency, as an agent.

Danielle Dominguez was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and has trained for over 12 years in the styles of contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and ballet.  She quickly found her love and passion for teaching and has been molding young dancers and choreographing since the age of 16.  Some might know Danielle from a recent season of SYTYCD as the “bacon girl” with her unique style of dancing; however, many people can recognize her elsewhere. Under the instruction of Travis Wall, one of Danielle’s proudest accomplishments include being cast for a part in, “Step Up 4” the movie, as contemporary dancer Vera Williams where she danced along side some of the best dancers in the commercial world including, Nick Lazzarini, Billy Bell, Teddy Forance, and Kathryn McCormick.  Other credits include dancing for Booty Firm with Mark Ballas (DWTS),  Publix, Kash n’ Karry, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Nickelodeon, and Disney. While finding time in her schedule to pursue other dance opportunities, Danielle devotes her time to teaching and choreographing for her home studio, Centerstage Dance Academy in Tampa, FL as well as other studios around the country.  Danielle is excited to come back to That’s Dancing for her 4th Mini Dance Camp Session.  

Gerri M. Barreras has been a dance teacher for over thirty years. As a professional dancer she performed in Mexico, Spain and toured the Southern United States and performed with Miami Dance Company, Ballet Etudes, and Les Jazz Ballets. Educated by the following teachers: Charles Russell, Virginia Carlovich, Susanna Prieto, Bill Allen, Doug Caldwell, Frank Hatchett and the late Gus Giordano, Carl Fogle, John Mederos and Jack Stanley, they each inspired and formulated her love of dance. In 1981, Ms. Caruncho opened her own school, Dancer’s Point, which was very successful claiming various National titles and the coveted A.C.C.A. award for Best Recital, Best Choreography and Outstanding Soloists. Ms. Barreras choreographed the Carnaval Miss Miami Pageant for 10 years and the Sears Solo Para Mi show for Calle Ocho working with such great artists as Willie Chirino and the late Celia Cruz. Her former students are performing on Broadway shows, TV, national tours, revues, theme parks and others are teaching or choreographers! Ms. Barreras is the dance director of the prestigious Gulliver Preparatory School with a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and is certified to teach dance in the state of Florida. She has judged the World Dance Show Championships in Reisa, Germany and has been both a judge and faculty member for the following organizations: Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, American Dance Awards, North American Dance Championships, Headliners Performing Arts Competition and Legends Conventions

Kenny Fowler born in Belle Glade, Florida February 2, 1984. Kenneth began dancing from age 7 through college. He choreographed for several dance troupes, high school marching bands, modeling shows, drumlines, cheerleading competitions, step master of an organization by the name of Kappa League lead by the KAPPA ALPHA PSI fraternity and section leader of the number one drumline in palm beach county. He attended Bethune Cookman College where he studied music and became a part of the famous world known marching band “The Marching Wild Cats” as a drummer. Kenneth is now sharing his gift with young kids in West Palm Beach Florida as a dance teacher and the creator and director of the new hit theatrical show “LOUD” Kenneth has toured the world choreographing and dancing. Kenneth has performed in the opening acts for many celebrity artists including, Mario, Far East Movement, Jason Derulo, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul, Shaggy, The Marley Brothers, 50 Cent and Jay Sean. He has choreographed for various celebrity artists and a production number for Ben Vereen. Kenneth also has numerous TV appearances, and hosted workshops with MTV award winning choreographer Darren Henson. Kenneth has also had the honor to share the stage with Michael Jacksons first choice dancer for “This is it” and choreographer for world famous Beyonce, Chris Grant, performing a tribute for the Jackson 5 family.

Shawna Hilley is originally from New Jersey but has been residing in Florida for the past 10 years. She began her dance training at the age of three extensively studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and acrobatics. She has a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, in communications and media studies. She has received scholarships and attended Joffrey Ballet School and The Ailey School. She has performed professionally with the American Dance Company, UPN Morning News, as well as being a Kid of the Kingdom at Disneyworld. She has also been an assistant to Laurie Kanyok while living in New York. Her students in both New Jersey and Florida have won numerous titles including American Dance Awards National Jr. Dancer of the Year, Jr. Miss Dance of CT, Teen Miss Dance of NYC, and Teen Mr. Candance Nationals. For the past seven years she has been a judge for American Dance Awards. Shawna is also a former Teen Miss Dance of PA, Miss and Jr. Miss DEA.

Isis Masoud grew up in Florida, where she trained with Dana & Mia Michaels and received her BA in Theater from the University of Miami. From the time she was a kid she always juggled her two loves of acting & dance. A well-rounded performer, Isis’s credits vary from choreographer to producer, in all realms of the business including film, new media, television, commercial and theater.  Recently, Isis choreographed for legendary Hip-Hop Icon Nas at Radio City Music Hall in NYC & was featured in the film ROCK OF AGES alongside Tom Cruise, & Catherine Zeta Jones. Her work as both an actress & choreographer can be seen in the upcoming film THE LAUGHING MASK, a new feature film set for release Halloween 2014. She served as assistant choreographer on BOYS FROM SYRACUSE with Broadway Choreographer Dan Knechtges & Director David Schweizer. She was hand picked to be an artist associate on a Broadway workshop choreographed by David Parsons, and directed by John Caird (LES MIS/ JANE EYRE). Isis’s choreography was featured on the ABC Family television show DANCE FEVER as well as Season 9 of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. Her student Eliana Girard won the female title of “America’s Favorite Dancer” & performed Isis’s choreography early in the season. Isis has also choreographed music videos for The Goodnight Darlings, Telling On Trixie, Violina, Machine Drum feat Theophilus London, Justin Mise, Woodpecker, & Birgit Õigemeel, winner of Estonia Superstar. She has choreographed regional productions of HAIR, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and LA FEMME EST MORTE. LA FEMME was part of the NYC & Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, won Best Ensemble in Edinburgh, & has run Off-Broadway in NYC. Isis co-wrote, directed, and choreographed AT THE DINER, an original dance musical, performed Off-Broadway at The Duke Theater in Times Square. She is currently a guest faculty member at Broadway Dance Center & Steps in NYC and is working as a master teacher with many dance organizations all over the country. She performed work by Savion Glover in NYC, and can also be seen in the films, KISSING DON’T LAST, BUT COOKING DO, THE DEMONS OF DISCO, as well as her award winning web series THE POLITE GIRLS! With over 7 million views on YouTube, an invitation to perform on AMERICA’S GOT TALENT,  & international news coverage including CNN, CBS, FOX, NBC, & The NY Daily, The Polite Girls Hit international fame. 

Natasha Williams is a professional tap dancer and teacher born and raised in Miami. She is a graduate of New World School of the Arts High School Dance Division. She completed her Bachelors in Business Management in 2008 and her MBA in 2012, both at Florida International University. Natasha is also an alumni of Jacob’s Pillow Tap Program in 2010. Natasha has performed at various venues in Miami including El Tucán The Cabaret South Beach, Ball and Chain, Kill Your Idol, Tobacco Road, Railroad Blues, The Broken Shaker, The Regent Cocktail Club, Circa 39 Miami Beach, and ArtWalk in MANA Wynwood. In 2012, Natasha presented at TEDx Youth Miami with the TAYB Tap Team. In 2013, Natasha performed for the Miami Herald Black History Show and in 2014 performed at Art Basel. In 2015 Natasha had the pleasure of tapping alongside Billy Stritch, accompanist of Liza Minnelli, at The Cabaret South Beach’s CAST Party. Natasha has been teaching for The Thomas Armour Youth Ballet since 2007 and at Dance Empire since 2013. She started the TAYB Tap Team in 2011 that performs at various events throughout the year and produces their own shows.

Anthony Lo Cascio This native New Yorker has performed, taught, and toured internationally since 1994. He has opened for people such as, Natalie Cole, Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder; appeared on, Regis & Kathie Lee, Good Day New York, MTV and more. He has been seen internationally as far as Monte Carlo and South Africa. An NYC cast member, and the first American to earn a standing role in Tap Dogs, he performed with the Dogs for close to 17 years, often playing The Enforcer. Anthony finished a 6 week tour in South Africa with the International Cast in 2013. Anthony is often seen teaching at conventions and adjudicating at competitions throughout the world. 

Carlos Torres Born in San Juan, PR. Carlos holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Arts from the University of Puerto Rico, as well as the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. He has trained as a contemporary dancer at the University Center for the Performing Arts. Carlos is also a trained ballet dancer, from Kirova Ballet of Miami, and has been a soloist in their annual ballet “The Nutcracker” since 2011. He has worked as a choreographer for local music artists, performing arts events, schools, competitions and workshops. Carlos has been trained in aerial silks, where he has taught the same skills to teens and adults. Today, Carlos is part of Miami’s new contemporary dance company: Mosaic Dance Project from Miami.

Peter Sabasino native of Philadelphia, PA, began his dance training at the age of four at a local dance studio. It was there, that he started out learning Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Tap but found that Tap and Hip-Hop were his home. At the age of fourteen, he was accepted into the High-school for Creative and Performing Arts as a dance major. It was there he expanded his repertoire by adding Modern, African, Ballroom, and Broadway to his belt. It was here in high-school that he discovered his third love….Broadway Jazz. At the start of his senior year, Peter graduated his dance school and began traveling back and forth between Philadelphia and New York to study at Broadway Dance Center, and Steps On Broadway where he had the opportunity to train under such greats as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Barbara Duffy, Tyce Diorio, Rhapsody James, and Brian Green, to name a few. After graduating high-school, Peter continued his training at Indiana University of Pa where he studied with Joan Van Dyke, the head of the Ballet program at the Governor’s School of the Arts. After college Peter was blessed with what he considers his BIGGEST achievement and landed a spot as a Top 16 Finalist on Fox Television’s hit reality show, “So You Think You Can Dance” season 6 being the last of three Tap dancers to be eliminated, and the only tap dancer in the show’s history so far to make it as far as the top 16. It was there that Peter believes his views and philosophies of dance were molded by the many amazing choreographers and dancers he was blessed to work with. Peter also recently landed a spot as a principal dancer in a commercial for Walt Disney World.  Peter now travels the world, teaching, choreographing and performing but finds his TRUE LOVE is in teaching, inspiring, and instilling the knowledge he has gained throughout his career with the up and coming dancers of tomorrow.

Melissa Ruiz was born and raised in Miami, FL where she began dancing at the age of 4 and continued her training in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop and Modern throughout her school years. Later moving to Orlando, Fl brought her many opportunities in the dance industy performing with many recording artists, Nickelodeon Studios , MTV, McDonalds, Miller Beer and Surf Expo.  In addition, she has choreographed for NBA’s Orlando Magic Dancers, Orlando Predators, FSU's Golden Girls along with numerous dance studios and dance teams throughout the country.  She has been a dance educator in the dance studio world for the past 21yrs and continues to teach and choreograph in Hip Hop & Jazz . Melissa is now a teacher for KAR conventions and is owner Underground Dance Xperience & Underground Movement in Orlando, Fl.

Shannon Smith originally from Hollywood, Florida, is a graduate of the Harid Conservatory. Shannon has attended multiple summer intensives that include the Hartford Ballet, School of American Ballet, Dance Aspen, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater all on full scholarship. He has performed for many ballet companies, including: Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Dayton Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Ballet Met, Ballet Florida, and Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida. Mr. Smith has performed all around the United States and in Europe. Shannon is also a founding member of the Saint Andrew’s Dance Academy and a frequent Guest Artist with Boca Ballet Theatre. He has over 20 years of experience as a dancer and over 10 years of experience as an instructor.  Shannon joined the faculty in the summer of 2016.

Glenn Douglas Packard is an EMMY AWARD nominated choreographer who has choreographed for Ricky Martin, Pink, Missy Elliot, Usher, Michael Jackson, Chino y Nacho and more! He is well-known for being a part of the reality show Brooke Knows Best! Currently, he is working on a Bollywood film and a new reality TV show!

Viky Smith originally from South Africa, Viky Smith immigrated to United States in 2001. She danced professionally with Ballet Theater Afrikan, South African Ballet Theater, “O” Dance, Reach and was a local guest artist in South Florida. She has performed works created by Warren Adams, Alfred Hinkel, and Maurice Causey. Performances include Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella and more. Mrs. Smith received honors for all her examinations in Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti and South Africa Dance Teacher Association. She participated in a summer intensive at the head quarters of Royal Academy of Dance in London, England. In her years of teaching, she has trained students who have been accepted into Point Park University, Joffrey ballet school jazz and contemporary trainee program, Harid Conservatory, Bak, Drefoos and has had students perform on Broadway, New York in “Annie” and “Finding Neverland”. Mrs Smith has coached and prepared students for Youth American Grand Prix. She is invited to teach master classes and choreography from Ohio to Florida. Mrs. Smith choreographed her first professional piece “Thai” with Reach Dance Company in 2013 and is looking forward to creating more future works. Mrs. Smith taught at Saint Andrew’s School for five years and she is one of the founding members of the Saint Andrew’s Dance Academy and Dance Company.

Jillian Medero was born and raised in Lake Worth, Florida. She trained at That's Dancing, under the direction of Andrea LaMaina and Michele Walsh, until 2014. She was also a member of Fusion Force Dance Company for 11 years at That's Dancing. She has 20 years of experience as a dancer, as well as many years of competing, winning regional and national competitions/titles. She graduated from Dreyfoos School of the Arts as a dance major in 2014. She had the privilege of working with choreographers such as Margo Sappington, Christopher Huggins, Billy Bell, Alexander Anderson, Jan Hanniford- Goetz, and Rick McCullough. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Commercial Dance from Pace University last May. At Pace, she had the honor of working with choreographers such as Rhonda Miller, Lauren Gaul, Scott Jovovich, Dee Caspary, Suzi Taylor, Jason Samuels Smith and more. She has three IMDb credits two for dancing and one for her choreography. She danced in “Ayita’s Dream” and “Adequation", and then she co-choreographed “Intuition”. Jillian is a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM.