Hotel & Venue Info: July 23. REGISTRATION OPENS: AUGUST 5, 10am PT
MEET THE
ARTISTS
Press Play has assembled an incredible lineup of teachers and choreographers from every corner of the dance industry.
FEATURED DIRECTOR
DANNY
Director / Jazz
Danny is the Founder & Director of Press Play, bringing his signature high-energy jazz classes to dancers across the country!
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DANNY
Director / Jazz
Choreography:
World of Dance, Canada's Got Talent, Party Mamma's on Slice Network
Performances:
Katy Perry, Frenemies Disney Movie, PanAm Games
Unforgettable Teacher:
Mandy Moore
Proudest Dance Moment:
Opening Ceremony of the PanAm Games in Mexico
SEASON 2
Mandy Moore
Director of Dancer A & R
Mandy Moore
Director of Dancer A & R
Choreography:
The Eras Tour (Taylor Swift), La La Land & more!
Unforgettable Teacher:
Kim DelGrosso and Shelly True for studio and Jackie Sleight for convention
Favorite Dance Moment:
oooh... uh... La La Land or Eras Tour
Ricky Ubeda
Contemporary
Ricky Ubeda
Contemporary
Broadway:
Illinoise, Carousel
Film:
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story
Unforgettable Teacher:
Mandy Moore
Favorite Dance Moment:
Illinoise on Broadway, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story
Paris Cavanagh
Contemporary
Paris Cavanagh
Contemporary
Choreography:
VMAs (J Balvin)
American Music Awards (Becky G)
America’s Got Talent Finalist (Brent Street)
Dancing With the Stars Australia (Guest)
Ezra + Rylee
Ballroom
Ezra + Rylee
Ballroom
Choreography:
Dancing With the Stars, David Archuleta, Norwegian Cruise Lines
Performances:
Dancing With the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, The Oscars, Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour
Unforgettable Teacher:
Shirley Ballas (Rylee), Mandy Moore & Talia Favia (Ezra)
Al Blackstone
Musical Theatre
Al Blackstone
Musical Theatre
Resident Choreographer:
Giordano Dance Chicago
Emmy Winner:
So You Think You Can Dance
Choreography:
Dozens of musicals including Guys and Dolls, American in Paris, Pippin, and Annie the Musical
Performances:
WICKED on Broadway, Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Unforgettable Teacher:
My Mom, Doug Caldwell
Ellie + Ava
Lyrical / Dance Team
Ellie + Ava
Lyrical / Dance Team
Recognition:
7X National Champion (Ohio State), 2X World Champion (Team USA), 2X National Champion (University of Minn.), NBC’S World of Dance
Unforgettable Teacher:
Michele Larkin (Ellie) & Doug Caldwell (Ava)
Favorite Dance Moment:
World of Dance
Jabu Graybeal
Tap
Jabu Graybeal
Tap
Choreography:
Dark Knight Revue, Young Arts
Performances:
Postmodern Jukebox, Riverdance, America’s Got Talent, Dorrance Dance, Caleb Teicher & Co
Unforgettable Teacher:
Gene Medler
Favorite Dance Moment:
Working on the Spirited movie
Kelly Sweeney
Jazz Funk
Kelly Sweeney
Jazz Funk
Choreography:
NBC’s Dancing With Myself, NBA’s Laker Girls, Eurovision 2024
Performances:
The Oscars, JLo Live at Sofi Stadium, Netflix’s The Prom
Unforgettable Teacher:
Alison Hooper Keslake (first dance teacher)
Favorite Dance Moment:
Performing on The Oscars
Jim Nowakowski
Ballet
Jim Nowakowski
Ballet
Ballet Companies:
Houston Ballet, BalletMet
TOP Performance credits:
YAGP Gold Medalist, So You Think You Can Dance, Presidential Scholar & Princess Grace Nominee
Unforgettable Teacher:
Timothy M. Draper
Favorite Dance Moment:
Dancing in two professional ballet companies
Erica Klein
Contemporary
Erica Klein
Contemporary
Artistic Director:
Klein Collective
Choreography:
LA Fashion Week, Lexus Commercial, Barbie Nutcracker Remix Music Video, World of Dance, Superhero by Lauv
Unforgettable Teacher:
Stefan Wenta, Polish Ballet Master who taught me for 7 years up until he was 92!
Favorite Dance Moment:
Turning Page by Sleeping At Last music video
Phil Wright
Hip-Hop
Phil Wright
Hip-Hop
Choreography:
Kevin Hart, Will Smith, MC Hammer
Performances:
Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Disney Fam Jam, Stomp The Yard 2, Under Wraps 1 & 2
Unforgettable Teacher:
Zedric Bembry
Favorite Dance Moment:
MC Hammer’s 25th Anniversary Tour
Sammy McFadden
Hip-Hop / Dance Team
Sammy McFadden
Hip-Hop / Dance Team
Choreography Credits:
LSU Tiger Girls, ESPN, Access Hollywood, The Kelly Clarkson Show, People Magazine, Crypto.com Arena, Madison Square Garden, Lovers & Friends Music Festival
Unforgettable Teacher:
Jeannine Belliston & Mandy Moore!
Favorite Dance Moment:
Being able to still create on my alma mater, LSU
Spencer Dennis
Contemporary
Spencer Dennis
Contemporary
Unforgettable Teacher:
Doug Caldwell & Angela Rosenkrans
Favorite Dance Moment:
Groundworks Dance Theater
Benoit-Swan Pouffer
Contemporary Ballet
Benoit-Swan Pouffer
Contemporary Ballet
Principal Dancer:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Artistic Director:
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
Artistic Director:
Rambert, London UK