Welcome Sophia Lucia!
Our new assistant for 2013!
Dancing sensation Sophia Lucia will be joining us on our fall tour!
Don't miss our talented lineup of faculty and assistants this year!!
2013 Schedule
- Nick Bass
- Melody Lacayanga
- Hannah Wintrode
- Merissa Gassel
- Ricky Palomino
- Gustavo Vargas
- Matt Boyce
- Ryan Cyphert
- Nicole Snelson
Nick Bass
Originally from Nashville, TN, Nick now resides in LA. He has worked with Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Ciara, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Omarion, Nelly Furtado, Kylie Minogue, Jamie Foxx, Chris Brown, Prince, Boa, Madonna and many others. Nick has performed at the Grammy Awards, VMAs, AMAs, BETs, Soul Train Awards, and Dove Awards. He has also performed with artists on Saturday Night Live, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars, TRL, The View, Good Morning America, Jay Leno, and Regis and Kelly. He has traveled the world on tours such as Janet Jackson’s “Rock Witchu” tour and Justin Timberlake’s “Future Sex Love Show” tour both of which he was an additional choreographer. This past year Nick was scheduled for what was to be the Michael Jackson 50 city London sellout “This Is It” tour, and can be seen in the “This Is It” documentary. Nick’s next project is working and dancing with Usher on numerous shows, events and on tour. When he’s not performing, he loves traveling the world inspiring other dancers with his unique choreography.
Melody Lacayanga
Originally from Daly City, Ca, Melody trained in classical and contemporary ballet, modern jazz, blues and Afro-Haitian at the School of the Arts under Elvia Marta. She also received extensive training as a member of The Dance Company of San Francisco. Now in LA, Melody’s credits include Idol Gives Back, Mark Meismer’s Evolution, Justin Giles’ Soul Escape, Coco Lee Benefit Concert, Jackie Chan and Superstars in Concert, Ellen Degeneres, San Francisco AIDS Benefit. Melody was the top female dancer on season one of the hit FOX TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance” and has since traveled the world as a performer and artist.
Hannah Wintrode
Hannah grew up in Youngstown, Ohio where she started dancing at the age of 10 and teaching by the age of 16. Her style is raw & fresh and her unique blend of Hip Hop and Contemporary have given her a style all her own. She has had the opportunity to be a cast member of the 2009 Monsters of Hip Hop Show, Welcome to my World, she has performed in the Carnival: Choreographer’s Ball in NYC, Boston and LA. She was also a US representative at the World Hip Hop Champ- ionships in Bremen, Germany. She lived and trained in New York for 2 years before moving to the Seattle area to teach both Hip Hop and Contemporary. Most recently, she relocated to Los Angeles to further pursue her dance career.
Merissa Gassel
Originally from St. Louis, Merissa grew up in the convention circuit assisting and touring since the young age of 14. She currently resides in Los Angeles working as a professional dancer and choreographer. Merissa has held principle roles in Justin Giles’ Soulescape Dance Company, Dee’s IV Dance Company and Tessandra Chavez's, Unity LA. She has performed coast to coast in many live shows and worked under choreographers on the creation of Justin Timberlake’s Damn Girl/ F.S.L.S. tour, the upcoming remake of Solid Gold, the 2011 Liberty Bowl halftime show and with Justin Giles on So You Think You Can Dance. Merissa is passionate about motivating kids and sharing her movement.
Gustavo Vargas
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Gustavo has worked with Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Usher, Pink, Mya, Alicia Keys, Paulina Rubio, Roselyn Sanchez, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, N'Sync, Jessica Simpson, and Eva Longoria. His TV credits are Dancing With The Stars, Bruno and Carrie Ann’s Dance Wars, the America’s Best Dance Crew intro, Eve, 7th Heaven, Drew Carey, Boston Public, AMAs, Grammys, Janet Jackson MTV-Icon and Strong Medicine. Movies include The Bachelor, Be Cool, Dirty Dancing II-Havana Nights, Spanglish, Master of Disguise, Along Came Polly, Jackass II, Rent, and Indiana Jones. Known for his partnering skills, Gustavo is technically trained and teaches all styles of dance.
Matt Boyce
Born and raised in New Jersey, Matt has studied and performed the art of tap dancing mentored by Mike Minery since the early age of ten. Matt made his first debut into the professional industry at the age of twelve when he became the youngest ever principal dancer for the New Jersey Tap Ensemble, under the direction of Deborah Mitchell. With the ensemble, he learned various styles of tap from artists such as, Deborah Mitchell, Paris Mann, Savion Glover, Karen Calloway Williams, and Maurice Chestnut. The most notable performance with the ensemble was with the New Jersey Symphony at the the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ in 2002. At the age of 16, Matt became an original company member of Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. With the Tapaholics, Matt performed for five years touring nationally with the company. Matt has also been an assistant choreographer for the Tap Convention Slide. Most recently Matt has just achieved his bachelors in Music from Montclair State University. Matt just completed his first season with STAR SYSTEMS, and we are looking forward to a long and exciting future with him. Matt will be joining us on the 2011 tour of SHOCK THE INTENSIVE, as our tap instructor
Ricky Palomino
Ricky was an original member of Cedar Lake Dance Company, H.T Chen Dance & Co., and was an Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center scholarship recipient. He was on the hit FOX show, “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 3. Ricky guest taught at numerous dance studios around the U.S. in more than 57 Cities including Canada. Ricky also assisted Emmy award winning Choreographer, Mia Michaels on SYTYCD Season 4, and aided in the development of Cirque Du Soleil’s Luxor spectacular, “Believe” Featuring Criss Angel “The MindFreak” choreographed by Wade Robson. Ricky is part owner of Poetry In Motion Dance Company, based in the Twin Cities which debuted in Europe in October 2009. Ricky has also recorded 2 music albums, found on iTunes, and distributed in more than 22 countries: "Hyperactive Involvement", and "Amateurely Honest".
Ryan Cyphert
Well known for his innovative and energetic style of hip-hop choreography, Ryan perfected his skills in Phoenix, Arizona. He appeared on Star Search and performed with Boyz II Men, Kid N Play, Salt N Pepa, and many others. Ryan has choreographed for NBC, ABC and a number of videos and commercials. But his true love has always been teaching. For the last 18 years, Ryan has traveled throughout the world as a master teacher and choreographer and was instrumental in the foundation for the growth of the explosive hip-hop movement in the Phoenix area along with memebers of the Jabbawockeez, the world-famous DJ Z-Trip and many other Phoenix area celebs. When he is not teaching, Ryan channels his creative energy into his own new media design firm.
Glenna Wilson
Glenna's bio is coming soon!
Nicole Snelson
Nikki Snelson is most recognized for her performance of Brooke Wyndam in the original Broadway and MTV cast of LEGALLY BLONDE. She has also been seen on Broadway in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (starring Bernadette Peters) and SWEET CHARITY (starring Christina Applegate). Nikki played "Cassie" in the National Tour of A Chorus Line and also performed in the Broadway National Tours of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, SHOW BOAT, HELLO, DOLLY, and Jonathan Larson's TICK TICK…BOOM(Susan)! Snelson originated the role of The Mad Hatter in Frank Wildhorn's Wonderland. Recently, Nikki played Velma in Chicago at Maine State Theater and Sally Bowles in Cabaret at The Napa Valley Opera House. Snelson was featured in the groundbreaking documentary EVERY LITTLE STEP as well in the major motion pictures REEFER MADNESS and ACCROSS THE UNIVERSE. On the small screen, Nikki has been seen on Desperate Housewives and All My Children. She received her training in Theatre from Boston Conservatory. Nikki grew up in the St Louis area and made her professional debut at the St Louis Muny. Ms Snelson has directed, choreographed, and taught around the world. In 2012, Nikki will travel to Singapore to co direct and choreograph "Gypsy."
Registration Opens August 2013!
The Intensive
The hottest dance intensive in the nation is, well… Intense. SHOCK is the original one-day dance intensive packed full of exciting classes from the industry’s top teachers and choreographers. Although it’s only one day, you pay half the cost of a more expensive (and less cool) 2 day convention, but get almost the same number of classes all rolled into 1 day. Now that’s INTENSE.
Not to mention the quality of instruction, no competition stress, and Shock’s insanely talented, world famous faculty... Is there any other choice?
Teachers/Asst. Teachers
You may participate in all classes; Mini, Junior, Teen*, Senior, and your own teacher room.
Students **
| Level | Suggested Age | Session |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors | 15 & up | 7:45am - 4pm |
| Teens * | 12-15 * | 7:45am - 4pm |
| Juniors | 9-12 | 7:45am - 4pm |
| Minis | 7 & up | 7:45am - noon |
* Teen room available in select cities only.
** This is only a suggested age recommendation. It is up to the discretion of the teacher, who knows the capabilities of each individual student.
Observers
Passes are available for $15. Allowed with paid students only. All dancers must pay the registration fee, no dancer may sit in on class as an observer. All teachers and assistant teachers must pay the teacher fee, no teacher, or assistant teacher may register as an observer. No flash photography allowed during class and absolutely NO VIDEO CAMERAS allowed in ballrooms.
Conduct
Please be courteous to fellow dancers and hotel guests at all times. Please keep noise levels low in hotel rooms and all ballrooms. Cover-ups must be worn outside ballrooms. Any dancer under 16, who is a guest of the hotel, must have a chaperone. If you are in need of help or medical attention, please inform a staff member or hotel operator.
Studio Discounts
For every 10 students one teacher/assistant teacher is admitted FREE. For studios that register 30 dancers, the studio owner receives a hotel room the night before the convention FREE. For studios that register 50 dancers, the studio owner receives a hotel room the night before the convention FREE, AND 5% off STAR SYSTEMS 2012-2013 registration fees.
Video & Still Cameras
There is absolutely NO VIDEO CAMERAS ALLOWED in the ballrooms at any time. You may take pictures, but please, out of respect for our teachers and students, no flash photography during classes.
Scholarships
Single city and year long scholarships will be awarded at Shock in Mini, Junior and Senior age groups. Free Star Systems solo entry fees will be awarded in Junior and Senior age groups. We also offer a number of other exciting opportunities for attending dancers.
Convention Centers
A number of the SHOCK workshops are held in convention centers. ALL convention centers PROHIBIT coolers from being brought into the facility. Please check ahead of time regarding the venue for the city you will attend.
Aftershock
Want to have one or more of our SHOCK faculty members teach Master Classes at your studio? Contact us to book your private workshop today: email us or call 336.993.9073.
Registration Opens August 2013!
SHOCK the Intensive
PO Box 2447
Kernersville, NC 27285
Phone
(336) 993-9073
Fax
(336) 993-9075
Web
shocktheintensive.com
starsystemstalent.com
SHOCK Fan Page
Star Systems Fan Pages