Limelight Faculty

 

ANTHONY AQUINO (JAZZ)
Anthony Aquino’s training started with Vladmir and Patricia Doukadovsky at New York Conservatory. He also trained at Alvin Ailey, Broadway Dance Center and Steps Studio. Mr. Aquino performed on Broadway in Alcazar de Paris with Lillian Montevecchi and in The Nutcracker On Broadway as Uncle Drosselmeyer; his stage credits also include Paul in A Chorus Line, Phaedra in La Cage Aux Folles, Tony in West Side Story and The Pajama Game. He has also danced in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Beauty and the Beast, Peter and the Wolf and Nutcracker. Mr. Aquino has taught at Steps Studio, Broadway Dance Center, New Jersey School of Ballet, Montclair State University, as well as abroad. He is delighted to be a part of Limelight!

STEPHANI SZOKE (MODERN)
Stephani has been dancing for over 30 years. She has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona with an emphasis in choreography and pedagogy. She was a Cardinal Cheerleader, a Cobra Charmer, a U of A Dance Ensemble member, and a company member of WZN Showtime now located in Miami, Florida. Stephani owns a Corporate Entertainment business along with her husband called POWERNOW ENTERTAINMENT. She and her husband provide quality entertainment to hundreds of companies throughout the year. Many of the dancers from Rhythm and Motion go on to be in the POWERNOW DANCE COMPANY. Stephani is also the Artistic Director of "The Sunsationals" a senior tap company that performs all over the valley. She has choreographed for the local band CJA, the world premeire of "The Wager", High School dance clubs, church performances and more. She has judged dance competitions and has been a Master Teacher for conventions. Stephani has won several choreography awards and has turned out several well rounded dancers that have gone onto dance in companies in California and New York.

MARIO VELEZ, JR. (HIP-HOP)
Mario Velez Jr. is a professional hip-hop choreographer, dancer & performer. Mario has toured and worked with artists such as Omarion, TLC, Brandy, Boyz II Men, Doug E. Fresh, Paula Abdul, Nu-Flava, Sista Sledge & many others. He has also toured with the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters! He is currently performing and choreographing for Automatic Response Hip-Hop Company as well as the NBA and WNBA. These teams include the Phoenix Suns Dance Team, Seattle Supersonics, Golden State Warriors, the Phoenix Mercury hip-hop squad and the Storm Kids. Mario has set numbers and choreographed shows that include Splash and Bottoms UP in Las Vegas, and Jubilation in Reno. He is also the studio owner/director of Diverse Elements Dance Studio. The one phrase that Mario lives by is, "Hip-hop is not just rap and music, it's a culture... a way of life!"

MIKE WITTMERS (TAP) Double Bass Productions
Mike Wittmers is originally from Cupertino, California. He’s been tapping for 27 years and is a former cast member of Tap Dogs, where he played the role of THE RAT.  Some of Mike’s other professional musical theater credits range from “A Chorus Line” to “Crazy for You”.  Mike has been a tap teacher in Los Angeles and on staff at EDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Millenium Dance Complex and Debbie Reynold’s Studio.  Industrial and commercial credits include, SONY, ABSOLUT VODKA, COMPAQ, TOSHIBA,  KIRIN BEER, and various print-work. Mike’s choreography has been seen everywhere from conventions across North America and Disneyland themeparks, to dance competitions in Australia. Independent film credits include, Tap Heat and the widely acclaimed short film, Generation: LOST.  Mike is the owner and creator of Double Bass Productions.  The company has just released it’s second instructional tap DVD entitled, “The World Is My Drum Vol. 2”.  Double Bass Productions also offers a monthly newsletter for studio owners, teachers and students, called “The Riff” and is currently in production with it’s rock and blues tap show, “Scuff’d Up!”.

JACQUELINE AREND (IMPROV ACTING)
Jacqueline Arend, a Michigan native, took the summer intensive at IO Chicago in 2005. After returning to Phoenix she immediately joined The Originals under the direction of Matt Rosin. During that time she performed in a week long run of The Apple Pie Hubbub, an improvised film noir at the Herberger's Lunch Time Series. In May 2006 she helped found the Light Rail Pirates, in September 2006 she joined The Phoenix Neutrino Project and in October 2006 she became an original member of Mail Order Bride.

BRUCE GOOLSBY (TAP)
Bruce brings many talents to Limelight. He has education and training in Voice, Music, Drama and Dance. His professional credits include lead actor in the Off Broadway production of "Dream Girls", feature performer in Opryland productions of "Sing Tennessee", "The Evening is Yours" and "The Swam Ball" and most recently, teaching and performing with the Phoenix Academy of Performing Arts South (PAPA). He has also performed in commercials, television and was a singer with the R&B group "Secrets". Bruce brings over 20 years dance experience in Tap and Jazz to Limelight. He has incorporated into his Tap classes many dance moves to meet the widest range of skill level possible. His philosophy is, "Above all things remember...Tap is Fun".

ALLISON KYLER (JAZZ)
Allison Kyler is at the forefront of young Hollywood. Formerly of the band "Red Dice" Allison is now excelling in her solo rock/pop career(www.myspace.com/allisonkyler). But Allison's base and neverending love is for dance. She grew up in North Carolina training in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop and gymnastics. Soon after that lead to dancing
for artists such as Fergie, Missy Elliot, Nelly Furtado and Daniel Powter to name a few. But Allison is best recognized for being the IPOD and Cingular/ITUNES girl and from the blockbusters "YouGot Served", "The Hot Chick" and "The Date Movie". Allison also asst. choreographed Ashlee Simpsons "Autobiography" Tour.

 

LESLIE SCOTT (HIP HOP)
Leslie began her professional career as a choreographer and dancer by founding the Hip Hop Coalition in her home state of Arizona. After growing the dance company to over 80 members with many credits under their name Leslie relocated to Los Angeles seeking further creative fulfillment.

Leslie now stands behind numerous television, film and commercial credits including projects with major networks such as MTV, VH1, HBO, FOX, TNN, UPN and the WB. She has choreographed for films such as Hyde Park and has worked with recording artists Beyonce, Ee-De, Angel, Latin Froz on camera and in live performances just to name a few. She has been featured for the last 2 years in Hollywood’s Carnival Choreographer’s Ball and was invited to choreograph for the prestigious anniversary shows for both 2004 and 2005. She has performed at the Billboard Music Awards and the Radio Music Awards. She is a faculty member of the Edge performing arts center and tours with their dance convention LADF. She has been a featured Master Class instructor at Millenium Dance Complex and Debbie Reynolds and has taught across America and in 4 different countries this past year alone. Leslie is well known not only for her talents but her unwavering work ethic.