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.
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.
Dee Caspary
Dee Caspary choreographed and was Director of Staging for Justin Timberlake’s 2007 FutureSex/LoveShow tour. Dee choreographed a Macy’s Stars of Dance performance on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”, as well as the 2008 ESPY’s with Justin Timberlake on ESPN. His commercial credits include Dayquil and Verizon Wireless. Dee has influenced dance all over the world. He has directed and choreographed live events for Billboard Live, Hard Rock Café, Oakley, Key Club, and The Stone Movement. Dance Magazine said, “Dee Caspary is the modern day Fosse of our generation.” Dee has choreographed for professional companies all over the world including Odyssey Dance Theatre (Utah), Evolution Dance Company (LA) and his own IV Dance Company in Hollywood. Dee has worked with greats such as Kenny Ortega, Peggy Holmes, Jerry Evans, Bonnie Story-Baker, and performed live in front of Tony Award winning choreographer Susan Stroman at the Elan Awards in New York. Dee currently teaches at EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and Broadway Dance Center in New York.
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.
Thomas Ford
Thomas Ford began dancing at the age of five and later joined the elite company of “Tappers with Attitude” for five years. He has performed in Debbie Allen’s “Dreams” and is a winner of the McDonald’s Apollo Kids Talent Search, giving him the opportunity to perform twice at the Apollo Theatre. He danced in tribute to Shirley Temple at the televised “Kennedy Center Honors” and performed with the Tritonus Choir from Denmark in honor of Duke Ellington’s 100th birthday celebration. He has performed with Lisa Hopkins’ “Tap Kids,” Mike Minery’s “Tapaholics,” David Saxe’s “Kids with Unbelievable Talent,” and in Laurie Ann Gibson’s music video, “Addictive,” in addition to being the principle tap dancer in the “Tap Dance Concerto” with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Most recently, the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts recognized him as a Presidential Scholar Semi-finalist, an experience culminating in a live performance on the “Today Show” on NBC.
Guest Artists
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!
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.
Allen Cooper
Allen is one of the newest and most popular additions to the Shock family. He began dancing at age 9 under the direction of Christy Curtis. Throughout his training he has assisted such greats as Jason Parsons, Dee Caspary and Dennis Caspary, as well as the world renowned Mia Michaels when she set Celine Dion’s Las Vegas spectacular A NEW DAY. He has appeared in national commercials and industrials since the age of 15. Allen and his unique style of award winning choreography is in high demand at studios and venues across the country.
Jason Luks
Originally from Northern New Jersey, Jason grew up training in tap, jazz, and ballet. At the age of 16, he won the title of Adult World Tap Champion at the IDO World Tap Dance Championships in Riesa, Germany. He has a BFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. While there, he had the privilege of dancing for world-renowned choreographers Mark Morris and Trisha Brown. His credits include White Christmas, Saturday Night Live, MTV VMAs, and a soloist with Mike Minery’s Tapaholics. Most recently, Jason had the exciting opportunity to tap at the Kennedy Center for Ted Kennedy’s Birthday Celebration and present his own tap choreography at the Joyce Theater.
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.