INFINITY DANCE COMPANY - Key Persons
Calon Diaz, born and raised in Biloxi Ms, has taught at numerous studios around the gulf coast and has been…
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Damaris Vasconez has been a Mississippi Gulf Coast resident since 2008. She is a 2012 graduate from D'Iberville High School. Her extracurricular activities included being a member of the Junior Leadership program and the Warrior Dance Team.
Damaris received a full dance scholarship to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she was a member of the Perkettes Dance Team. She served as the Perkettes Team Captain from 2012-2014. Upon her time there, she, along with her other captain, took the Perkettes to their first Universal Dance Association Camp at The University of Alabama in 2013. In the summer of 2014, she was the assistant coach for the Perkettes at UDA Camp. Academically, she was a part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at MGCCC.
Damaris then attended The University of Mississippi Medical Center for Dental Hygiene and served as President for the Student American Dental Hygiene Association from 2014-2016. In 2016, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Since then, she has returned to the Gulf Coast and has been actively taking care of her patient's dental needs. Damaris has also renewed her love for dance by joining the teaching staff at Infinity Dance Company. Growing up, she was a passionate dancer and competed and performed nationally. Her goal as an instructor is to show her students' knowledge, patience, and grace, just as her dance teachers before showed her.
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Jeff Wolfe received his training through the Academy of Ballet Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida followed by the Houston ballet academy in Houston, Texas, which he attended for two years on scholarship and was accepted into Houston Ballet's second company. He spent the following four seasons dancing with the a.g.m.a. company BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio. Wolfe joined River North Dance Chicago the next season. Wolfe spent seven years freelancing around the United States and Canada, dancing with many companies including Montgomery Ballet (soloist), Eugene Ballet Company (principal), River North Dance Chicago, Ron De Jesus Dance, Owen/Cox dance group, and Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance. Wolfe has also been seen as a dancer and aerialist on the cruise ship Oasis of the Seas. He has performed original works by renowned choreographers including Stanton Welch, Harrison McEldowney, Edgar Zendejas, K.T. Nelson, Penny Saunders, Lauri Stallings, and Randy Duncan. in 2008 Wolfe was awarded the honor of winning the Columbus Choreographic Project. Wolfe danced with Montreal based companies Ezdanza and José Navas/Company Flak from 2012-2015. Jeff has been teaching around the country as a master ballet educator for over a decade. Jeff and his husband Seth Robinson now co-own and run The Hive Studios and The Colony, a youth elite competitive dance program both located in Chicago IL.
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- Lead Instructor in the Preschool Program
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Jennifer was introduced to dance at an early age. Throughout her years as both student and instructor, she has gained a vast knowledge of disciplines within the art of dance and performance. She continues to learn new and innovative techniques in instruction and choreography. Jennifer also participates in obtaining continuing education credits through quarterly dance certifications with CLI Studios.
Jennifer is a lead instructor in the Preschool program at Infinity Dance Company and a coach for the Tiny Team Competitive Dancers, in which she instills her continuing education into her instruction in both programs. She has also worked on choreography throughout the community, to include local theatre, elementary and Mardi Gras organizations.
Jennifer loves seeing the excitement on her students' faces when they achieve what they have been working so hard for and follows a policy of not allowing the use of the word "can't" in her classroom. She encourages her students to try their hardest and see that they can do more than they thought they ever could. Her philosophy is that anyone can dance, all you need is music and passion.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Instructor: Twinkle Star Program
Kimberly Fay grew up in Biloxi, MS. She began learning various dance arts at the young age of nine. Under the direction of her diverse instructors throughout her dance training, she developed a strong foundation in ballet, lyrical, tap, jazz, and musical theatre. Kimberly has studied with many well-known and world renowned teachers and choreographers in all disciplines of dance from all over the world.
Kimberly went on to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi and worked as an ICU nurse for 12 years. She was a princip al dancer in the Hub City Dance Ensemble: A Tribute to Fossi; as well as, dancer and choreographer for numerous Gulf Coast casino events and nightclubs. Kimberly continues to work with local junior high and high school dance teams as a skills technician and choreographer. Many of her students have obtained numerous overall regional and national title awards and scholarships within the dance competition circuits.
After 15 + years as a lead instructor and choreographer; Kimberly established and opened Infinity Dance Company in 2014. She is proud to be the owner and artistic director of the premier dance studio on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Since opening IDC, she has received certifications to teach Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. Kimberly also participates in obtaining quarterly certifications in continuing education credits through the studios partnership with CLI Studios.
Today her primary focus is on pushing the boundaries of dance and choreography. Kimberly is very appreciative of all dancers who choose to sacrifice free time and energy in pursuit of artistic growth and continue to chase their dreams on a daily basis.
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Originally from Detroit, MI, Kori Ross started dancing and competing at the age of nine in her hometown studio The Dance Place. Her path to becoming a professional dancer began in 1996 while attending Jazz Dance World Congress in Washington D.C. It was there she received a two year apprentice scholarship to study with Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Her training foundation lies in Jazz, Modern, Ballet, along with Tap & Hip-Hop. During that time she performed with GGJDC, as well as dancing in local industries and began sub teaching at the Giordano studio. This was an opportunity that had given her the foundation to be a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Two years later she came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and became a company member with Pure Gold Productions. It was there she was promoted to lead dancer and co-choreographer at the age of twenty one. For the next five years she performed and choreographed in a number of casinos and shows around the country. This was an experience that she can now reflect on to her students today of what it takes to be a professional dancer.
For the past seventeen years Kori has been a dance educator and national award winning choreographer. She is currently on faculty at Broadway South Dance in Mobile AL, along with being one of the artistic directors of the BSD company. She is also a faculty member at Robinsons Dance in Saraland AL, and Infinity Dance Company in Ocean Springs, MS as well as teaching Master Classes all along the southern coast with concentration in Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Technique Foundation, and Stretch & Strength. She has trained students who hold National Titles, have been awarded National Scholarships, along with dancers who have attended or are attending prestigious schools in New York and Los Angeles. Kori has trained dancers who are successful professionals in the industry today.
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Lisa Henrickson has over 35 years teaching experience and has studied Ballet/Pointe, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Lyrical and Musical Theatre. Lisa received training in ballet by both the Vaganova and Cecchetti technique. She has received additional modeling and acting training. Lisa trained at the Royal School of Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet Company, The Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, North Carolina School of Performing Arts, and the University of South Florida.
Lisa has performed in many ballets such as the Nutcracker, La Boutique Fantastique, Rodea, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella to name a few. Lisa has worked for, danced, and performed with Walt Disney World, Walt Disney Cruise Line, Bowl Games and TV specials.
Lisa has choreographed several musicals including Annie, the King and I, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, Annie Get Your Gun, and Grease.
Lisa has been certified in the Cecchetti Ballet Technique, Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts. She has been certified by Florida Dance Masters and Dance Masters of America. Lisa has taught Master classes for several dance organizations.
Lisa's students have won regional and national titles and she has been awarded several choreography awards. She has had students who have performed all over the world, have professionally been hired by dance companies; as well as, worked on Cruise Ships, Disney, and Broadway.
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As a child, LoRee danced under the instruction of Lisa Clark, in Suisun City, California. On to Tucson to further her technical training in jazz, ballet and modern, she received her B.F.A. in Dance from the University of Arizona in 2004. Since graduating, LoRee has run the gamut of opportunities in the Bay Area, teaching at Tiffany's Dance Academy and Westlake School for the Performing Arts, and dancing and choreographing for Moving Arts Dance, Bay Area Dance Company, Sarah Bush Dance Company, Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Ronnie Reddick's La Femme Panache, Evil Twin Animation, Mixamo Productions, and Bill T Hopkins Band. Her industrial credits include Cisco, Snoop Dogg Productions, Java One, Fidelity, Macy's, and Oracle. While working professionally in the bay area, she continues to pursue her training, under tapper Gregg Geoffrey, and fills her "time off" with national tap workshops and conventions. In love with her job, and its many manifestations, she is most fascinated by the exchange of lotowledye between teacher and student, and the ever-fluctuation of the two roles.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Instructor: Twinkle Star Program
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Meagan Gamard grew up in Biloxi, MS. She was introduced to dance at a young age and continued her dance education throughout her teenage years. Meagan was a part of the creation and member of the D'Iberville High School dance team. She went on to receive a full scholarship to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College where she was on the Perkettes dance team from 2009-2010. While attending MGCCC, Meagan furthered her dance education by becoming an assistant for Michelle's Elite Performing Arts Studio in Wiggins, MS.
After graduating with an Associate's of Arts Degree in 2011, Meagan moved to Mobile, AL to continue taking college classes. In 2014, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management.
Meagan started at Infinity Dance Company by assisting a variety of classes where she is now an Instructor. She has received certifications to teach Progressing Ballet Technique and Acrobatic Arts during her time teaching at IDC. Meagan also participates in obtaining continuing education credits through quarterly dance certifications with CLI Studios. She looks forward to continuing her dance education and being able to transfer that knowledge onto her students.
Nick Watkins is known around the country as one of the leading Master Teachers and Choreographers in the business. Nick has a creative spark that tends to push, yet motivates dancers in the most dynamic and inspiring way. On top of his teaching credits Nick is also CEO and co-founder of "the Circuit", the hottest in-house dance convention on the market. Nick has worked with dancers and choreographers that have performed with every "Big Name" celebrity in the entertainment field. Nick's personal and private students can be seen in shows such as "Glee", "America's Most Talented Kid", Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance", and in the "American Dance Company", who travel to such places as Italy, Prague, Spain, and Germany representing America in the International Competitive Circuit. Nick is working on the premiere of his contemporary based company "D-Sire ", a collective combination of masculine and Feminine ambiance.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Instructor: Twinkle Star Program
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Seth Robinson (New Palestine, IN) began his training at the Dance Refinery under the direction of Lynn Herrick followed by Motivation Dance under Bruce Campbell. In 2007 he began traveling with and assisting beloved choreographer and master teacher Nick Watkins. Robinson received his Bachelor of Science in Dance from Ball State University. In 2011 Robinson created the contemporary-focused weekend intensive TRIBE, which travels around the United States providing intimate and intense training to students in a studio setting. In 2015 he created TRIBE's sister company BALLET MATTERS. Robinson spent three seasons dancing with Chicago's premiere contemporary ballet company Elements Ballet. Robinson now teaches on faculty of the national touring convention, The Streetz. Robinson is a nationally acclaimed teacher and choreographer whose works have won numerous title awards at many prestigious competitions throughout the country. Robinson is best known for his electrifying classes and caring personality.
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Willie participated in summer intensive programs with The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities and Washington Ballet. In 2003, he joined Columbia Classical Ballet performing in Jekyll & Hyde, Snow White, Beauty & the Beast, Nutcracker, Lifechance, Diana and Acteon, Flames of Paris and the Jester in Cinderella.
In 2005 Willie participated in the Youth American Grand Prix regional's and was awarded a Silver Medal in the Classical Category and a Bronze Medal in the Contemporary Category. Willie competed again in 2006 and received a Gold Medal in the Classical Category and a Bronze in the Contemporary Category during the regional's. In 2006 he attended the American Ballet Competition and was awarded an overall Bronze in the Senior Division. In 2006 Willie was chosen to compete in the renowned International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. He joined Columbia City Ballet in 2006 and has performed in Off the Wall & Onto the Stage, The Lion King Mali, Frankenstein, Russian and Spanish in Nutcracker, Dracula Ballet with a Bite, Beauty and the Beast and Cleopatra in which he was cast as Ptolemy, Cleopatra's younger brother.
The Free Times noted that he was a "Powerhouse" and that he positively sparkled as Ptolemy Cleopetra's younger brother. His amazing skill and technique - most notably his great heights in jumps and his ability to spin like a top - were enchanting. He was promoted to soloist in 2009. He will be returning to Columbia Classical Ballet for the 2011-2012 seasons. After performing with Rochester City Ballet for the 2012-2013 seasons Willie returns home to Columbia Classical Ballet for the 2012-2014 seasons. I am currently a Professional freelance artist.