Tina Cyphert
Tina grew up in Southern California and has worked in every facet of the entertainment industry. She has appeared in music videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Reba McEntire and was a principal dancer on the Academy Awards for five years with Debbie Allen. She was featured in four motion pictures: My Mom’s a Werewolf, Mac & Me, Teen Witch, and Can’t Buy Me Love. Tina played in many made for television movies such as News at Eleven and Combat High, TV sitcoms Silver Spoons, Married with Children, and Growing Pains. She has also worked in countless television commercials and industrials. In 1996, Tina began her own line of designer dancewear,
Katrina Activewear, where she is owner and chief designer.
Ryan Cyphert
Well known for his innovative and explosive style of hip-hop choreography, Ryan perfected his skills in Phoenix, Arizona. He appeared on Star Search ‘93 and performed with Boyz II Men, Kid N Play, Salt N Pepa and others. Ryan has worked for NBC, ABC, and choreographed a number of videos and commercials. A transplant from the theatre where his stage credits include Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and more, his true love has always been teaching. For the last 14 years, Ryan has traveled throughout the world as a master teacher and choreographer. Most recently, Ryan has channeled his creative energy into his own design & development firm,
3nine Design Studios, an industry leader in advanced web and print media.
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.
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.
Brooke Pierotti
Brooke started dancing at the age of three in the San Francisco Bay Area. A founding member of The Dance Company of San Francisco, Brooke was a featured dancer in Tiffany Billings independent film, Falling Star and a principal dancer in Martha Kelly-Fierro’s modern company, “Altered Modalities.” She attended The School of the Arts in San Francisco and furthered her dance education at UC Irvine. Brooke continues to travel across the nation to dance, teach, and share her dramatic and passionate style of dance.
Guest Artists
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.
Napoleon & Tabitha D’umo
Napoleon & Tabitha began their career in Las Vegas, directing and choreographing shows for casinos and many high-profile companies like NIKE, Redken, Levi’s, MAC, and Matrix. Since moving to LA, the duo has worked with artists Beyonce, Missy Elliot, Bubba Sparxxx, Sisqo, Toni Braxton, Monica, Timbaland, Destiny’s Child, Justin Timberlake, B2K, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, and Celine Dion. They have a multitude of film and television credits which most recently include MTV’s hit show “America’s Best Dance Crew”, as judges and choreographers on FOX’s smash “So You Think You Can Dance”, and now they are hosts of their own reality show on TLC called “Rock the Reception.”
Missy & Andrew
Missy Lay Zimmer and Andrew Hubbard are Artistic Directors associated with Exhale Dance Tribe, a Dance Magazine- “25 To Watch” in 2008 and 2007 CEA Award Winners, “Best Choreography in a Musical” of which Mia Michaels is an Honorary Board Member. They are also the directors of Planet Dance, A Dance Education/Performance Project that is Cincinnati’s only dance source for professionals and pre professionals. Missy is currently choreographing for MTV’s “Taking the Stage”, Season 2.
Marty Kudelka
Marty won the MTV VMA best choreographer for a music video in 2007. He was a nominee for best choreographer in 2003, and 2001 as well. He is Justin Timberlake’s exclusive choreographer. He has also worked with Mariah Carey, JLO, Pink, and Janet Jackson. He choreographed the 2008 Justin Timberlake performance for the 2008 ESPY Awards, Justin’s 2005, 2006, 2007 MTV VIDEO AWARDS. Marty has also choreographed for the KIDS CHOICE AWARDS, BILLBOARD AWARDS and the GRAMMYS. You may recognize Marty’s most recent work, a collaboration with Dee Caspary, for the opening number of DANCING WITH THE STARS. Welcome Marty!
Glenna Wilson
Glenna has owned and taught dance in her own studio for over 30 years where she brings her love of dance, theater and children’s work to life. She has traveled across the US for almost 10 years sharing her studio business and preschool ideas. Sharing the love of teaching and her creative ideas has made her one of the most creative instructors for children, and teachers alike, to interact with. Her high energy and funfilled classes are enjoyed by all.
Andre Fuentes
Andre is one of the most popular teachers in LA. From music videos to world tours, he has choreographed and danced with some of the biggest artists in the industry such as Britney Spears, Prince, Brandy, No Doubt, Beyonce and Jewel. His television and commercial credits include the VMAs, Billboard Music Awards, Academy Awards, Pepsi, The Parkers, Disney and Moesha. He has danced in the movies Longest Yard, Charlie’s Angels, Batman and Robin and The Birdcage. We are excited to have Andre as a part of our guest staff.