2013 NATIONAL CONVENTION FACULTY

DMA ROCKS THE BIG EASY NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.....

ADAMS, DENSIL

For the past twenty eight years Densil Adams has been a master teacher and adjudicator throughout the United States and Canada. During his tenure as an adjudicator, choreographer and educator he has established an enviable reputation. Mr. Adams received his formal training at The Joffrey Ballet and The American Ballet Theatre. As an artist he has performed works by world-renowned choreographers in both ballet and modern. As a teacher Mr. Adams continues to work for leading dance organizations instructing master classes and workshops in ballet and modern. Mr. Adams is the co-owner of Preston Center Dance, Inc. in Dallas Texas. He has been training dancers for the past twenty eight years that are now performing on Broadway and in major dance companies throughout the world. As a choreographer, Mr. Adams continues to produce choreography for the concert stage, Regional Dance America ballet festivals, fashion shows and national commercials. His philosophical approach to class is to empower each student with his passion for the art of dance.

FAZIO, SARAH JO

Sarah Jo Fazio currently lives in New York City and is choreographing and teaching all over the country.  She most recently choreographed the UDMA fashion show and was seen on the CBS morning show.  She has served as co-choreographer and artistic consultant on the Las Vegas show "Bite" for Molyneux Entertainment as well as choreographed the Carman "Heart of a Champion" tour which premiered on Pay Per View, as well as the Dino "Christmas Spectacular" which aired on QVC.  She has choreographed and directed Six Flags productions all over the country and has co-produced the show "Industrial Movement" for Silvertree Productions.  She has choreographed half time shows for the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City CAVS and has directed the show "Cirquo Magnifico" in Houston, TX.  Her choreographic credits include such musicals as "Crazy For You", "Anything Goes", "Damn Yankees",  "Grease", "Les Miserables", "Singing In The Rain", and "Suessical-The Musical".  Sarah is the past recipient of the "America's Young Choreographer Award", and has worked with one of the original top ten American Idol contestants.  She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University, and recently won the Distinguished Alumni Award. She works for such organizations as Dance Olympus, Masquerade,Tamjams and Dance America. Sarah has many CD's on the Statler Recording Label as well as a dance instructional video for intermediate and advanced dancers.  

HALE, KIM

A magna cum laude graduate of Wellesley College, Kim Hale is a rising director/choreographer that pays homage to the artistic work of legends such as Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins and Agnes DeMille while infusing her movement with a current edge. Kim is known for her attention to detail, athleticism and ability to draw dynamic performances out of actors and dancers of all ages. She is a constant student of various dance genres including ballet, jazz, tap, Fosse, Latin, Bollywood and Horton so that she can develop strong, technique-driven movement for a wide range of theatrical projects. She has had the great good fortune to work alongside many legendary director/choreographers including Debbie Allen, Ann Reinking, Jeff Calhoun, and Chet Walker. Kim is currently the Director/Choreographer for the WNBA’s LA SparKids. Her choreographer credits include BJ ~ A Musical Romp for the Planet Connections Festivity (Outstanding Choreography Award) in New York City, Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker starring Raven Symone (“The Battle), The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Camp Rock the Musical, Expedia.com’s 2006 National Promotional Tour, The World Goes ‘Round, Bye, Bye Birdie (Director), Little Women (Assistant Director), the Bank of America Children’s Tour Fractured Fairy Tales, Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf, benefits for Hospice of Central NY, the American Heart Association, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and is part of the Ballet Hispanico Ensemble concert repertory.   Highlights of Kim’s performance career include Debbie Allen’s “Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” starring Raven Symone, the AEA National Tour of "Applause" directed by Gene Saks and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, the pre-Broadway workshops of "Chicago," “Fosse” and the upcoming musical “Eve’s Turn” as well as regional productions of "Baby," “Chicago,” "The Will Rogers Follies", "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum", and "Antigone". She has appeared as a principal dancer in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Branson, on cruise ships and in major industrials for Crest, Shell Oil, Harley Davidson, State Farm, Buick, Redken, Tressa Hair and Vidal Sasson. As a concert dancer, she has performed with WalkerDance in New York City, the Los Angeles based Jazz Dancers Inc., Las Vegas Civic Ballet and in the Joffrey Ballet’s production of “Petrouchka” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Kim recently appeared on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy directed by Debbie Allen.  

LAMBERT, MICHAEL

Michael, earned his BFA in Dance Performance and Visual Communication from the University at Buffalo. He is a former Mr. Dance of New York, and danced with the Zodiaque Dance Company. While a student, Michael attended the Chautauqua Institute and the Giacobbe Ballet Academy in New Orleans on full scholarship. Professionally, Michael has danced around the world including Walt Disney World, Royal Carribean Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Tokyo Disneyland, and for the last five years in Las Vegas. Michael has taught for the University at Buffalo’s Summer Dance Program, and has been an invited guest choreographer for the Zodiaque Dance Company.  Michael recently returned to Buffalo, his home town and we are thrilled that he has joined Walh Studios’ faculty.  

MOODY, EDDIE

Eddy Moody comes to you straight from Youngstown, Ohio. He has been a high powered contributor to the music and entertainment industry since 2006. This native Ohioan has been featured as a recording artist, choreographer, and professional hip hop dancer. Mood can be heard in collaboration with many new and upcoming artists such as Pathogen, Jesse Garland, and Erica Wehr. He also "did that" by sharing the stage with known talents including Twista, T-Pain, Ludacris, New Boys, Iyaz, and Justin Bieber.  The sound Mood creates is both fresh and smooth. His bragadocious lyrics can be found featured on both remixes such as "Nobody's Perfect" as well as original works including the newly performed "Gold Dust". You can find Mood going "H.A.M." with director Rock Davis owner of Itchy House Films out of New Jersey on Youtube. The defining characteristic of Mood's style is that he mixes ego and raw talent with his roots, not some fictional stereotype of what is typically expected of the new "white- rapper" generation. "It's ok to have swag and flow without the dirty backstory". He plans on winning over fans and proving he belongs on his own terms.  There are big plans for Mood fans in the near future... he will be performing several shows and featured on hot new collaborations. Be sure to check him out! ogstown, Ohio. He has been a high powered contributor to the music and entertainment industry since 2006. This native Ohioan has been featured as a recording artist, choreographer, aprofessional hip hop dancer. Mood can be heard in collaboration with many new and upcoming artists suche sound Mood es is both fresh and soth. His bragadocious lyrics can be found featured on both remixes such as "Nobody's Perfect" as well as original works including the newly performed "Gold Dust". You can find Mood going "H.A.M." with director Rock Davis owner of Itchy House Films out of Newfining characteristic of Mood's style is that he mixes ego and alent with his ros, not some fictional stereotype of what is typically expected of the new "white- rapper" generation. "It's ok to have swag and flow without the dirty backstory". He plans on winning over fans and proving he belongs on s for Mood fans in the near future... he will be performing several shows and featured on hot new collaborations. Be sure to check him out!

RETTER, TOMMIE

If you are looking to meet someone with a passion and zest for the positive side of the entertainment business, you have come to the right place.  Thommie Retter is a founding partner at Percolate Productions, LLC, a film production company currently producing Contest, a feature film. The film tackles the tough topic of teenaged bullying while presenting a warm and uplifting story.  Thommie is also part owner of Moho Productions, a music production company based out of Los Angeles. As a songwriter and music producer, Thommie has brought his expertise to the Big Apple, and is currently recording a host of Moho Productions songs for MusicWorks Unlimited, a company that supplies quality music for all ages with an ultra positive message to dance schools around the world.  Finally, Thommie’s first love: teaching dance. With years of experience in the classroom and on the road teaching conventions, Master Classes & choreography, Thommie continues to teach dance in New York City with a spirit and love like no other. If you’re looking for that teacher that sends your child out of the room at the end of class ready to take on the world with a smile, Thommie is the perfect choice!  In 2008, Thommie made the move from Los Angeles to New York to make his Broadway debut originating the character of Mr. Braithwaite in Billy Elliot The Musical. He was cast after being discovered at Debbie Reynolds’ Studio doing what he loves, teaching dance. He so impressed Lee Proud, the resident choreographer of the London production of Billy Elliot The Musical, that he approached him to audition. The rest is history!  In addition to his Broadway experience, he is a successful teacher and choreographer. Thommie has choreographed for the hit Disney series Cory In The House and was a featured performer on an Emmy-nominated episode of Malcolm in the Middle. Tommie has been featured in national publications like The Wall Street Journal, Dance Spirit, Dance.com, Dancer Magazine, Dance Teacher, and Dance Biz. He directed and choreographed the live, all tap show, Caution: Men at Work-TAP, which had a 40-city international tour.  Thommie has enjoyed success working with a variety of dance organizations including Dance Makers Inc, Tremaine Dance Conventions, Dance Masters of America, Dupree Dance Expo, MusicWorks Teachers Seminars, Al Gilbert Teacher Training Seminars, and countless independent schools across the United States. Internationally, he teaches dance and theatre throughout Canada, as well as El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Japan. Before leaving his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, he taught twelve semesters of tap for the accredited dance program at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He has choreographed for Pepsi International on their World Cup advertising campaign, and has performed for several industrial shows including Compaq, Schick, and GM. Thommie is also involved in the music industry, having ownership in Moho Productions, LLC, a music production company specializing in young artist development. He is a songwriter to Ashley Argota from Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP, and Bucket and Skinner’s Epic Adventures, as well as a list of talented up-and-coming recording artists. He has a loving wife, Becca, and beautiful daughters Liza and Bella, where they reside in New York City.

ZIMMERMAN, CHRISTIE 

Christie Zimmerman is a contemporary choreographer, performer, and educator. Her dance theatre works have been performed in cities around the country on both theatrical and concert stages, and have been heralded as “relentlessly inventive” (OC Weekly) and an “unadulterated delight” (Ambush Magazine, New Orleans).Christie is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where she teaches technique and serves as coordinator of the dance program. She received her early dance training in New Orleans before relocating to the west coast, where she completed her Master of Fine Arts in Dance Choreography from the University of California, Irvine. While there, Christie was one of three students in the School of the Arts to receive a Chancellor’s Fellowship. She also had the privilege of assisting and working under the guidance of Tony Award nominee and modern dance extraordinaire Donald McKayle - performing, teaching, and choreographing for both the drama and dance departments.  In 2010, she established z3movement project, a Mid-west/Indiana based dance theatre collaborative, where she serves as Artistic Director and Choreographer. Since its inception, the company has been busy presenting works at DUMBO Dance Festival (NYC), Green Space Blooms (NYC), Take Root (NYC), Core Project Chicago (Chicago, IL), Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival (Chicago, IL), the Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival, Rebound Dance Festival (Chicago, IL), and the upcoming 80th Anniversary of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival as part of the Inside/Out Series.  Christie has worked extensively with both developing and professional dancers, teaching master classes nationally, and serving on the faculties of the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and the Columbia Gorge School of Theatre. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards, including Ball State University's ASPiRE Junior Faculty Creative Arts Grant. Christie is also a proud member of Dance Masters of America, as well as an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.