Dance North offers the opportunity to learn from nationally known professionals currently busy working in the business from Broadway to Los Angeles and many points between!
Instructors include: Broadway Peformers, Radio City Rockettes, Television and Video Dancers, Academy master class and convention instructors. Our faculty roster is always growing!
Meet some of our ever changing Faculty, more fantastic teachers will join in the fun soon!
Creative Directors
 ANN COOLEY-PRESLEY - Creative Director
Ann looks forward to treating you to a superior dance experience and is proud to present the 7th annual Dance North Workshop!
A veteran performer, choreographer, teacher and recent producer. Ann’s choreography has been well received on stages around the world, including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and her work received two standing ovations at Carnegie Hall, where Ann recently presented “the Menhattans ™ - her all male line of entertainers to rave reviews. Ann has the honor of being a 14 year Radio City Rockette having choreographed for the troupe, been an assistant and dance captain, staging televised & theatrical events (Oprah & The Today Show) throughout her Rockette career. Ann is the Assistant Creative Director for R-Family vacations, and enjoyed another fantastic week with Rosie O’Donnell on the R-Family Broadway Cruise. She is Supervising Associate for the current national tour of The Producers and recently began as an associate director and choreographer at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Other theatre credits include: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sacramento M.C. (Panacea, Assoc. Choreo), The Will Rogers Follies national tour (Assoc. Choreo.-Dance Captain), Victor Victoria! (1st national tour, Dance Captain). National tour choreography: 42nd Street (US national tour) and ASIA tour (dance captain). Assist. Choreography: Singin’ in the Rain (Assoc. Choreo.), Carnival! w/ Graciella Danielle, Guys and Dolls w/ Thommie Walsh, Nothing Like a Dame, The Tony Awards w/ Hugh Jackman, Michael Buble’ at Radio City, The Olympic Torch Arrival in NYC w/ Jerry Mitchell, An Evening at the Copa, City Rhythm and Broadway Bares. Ann is a certified “Artist in the Classroom” through the New York Public Schools and a certified Pilates instructor trainer for the Pilates Academy International.
She is thrilled to have you take part in dance north this week, have a great 4 days!
 JO COOLEY- Co-Director North Coast Productions/ Dance North
Jo is an accomplished teacher and choreographer. She has a Master’s Degree in dance from The University of Michigan and has university training at MSU, WMU and Butler University. She was owner and director of the Tecumseh Dance Workshop for 25 years, before moving permanently to Northern Michigan 9 years ago. Jo has taught at the college level for several years and continues to teach in northern Michigan.
She was designated a Movement Specialist for the Dancers in the Schools Project sponsored by the Michigan Council for the Arts and has worked extensively in the classroom with elementary and middle school students. She has choreographed numerous community and youth theatre productions as well as pageants and creative movement master classes. She received a master teacher certification in jazz dance from the Broadway Dance Center in New York. Jo is co-director of North Coast Productions and the Dance North Summer Dance Intensive.
2007 FACULTY
 JENNIFER WERNER, 2002-04, 2006-07- Tap, Theatre Dance
Jennifer's recently assisted Tony nominated choreographer Casey Nicholaw with the highly acclaimed "Follies" at City Center Encores! and Hugh Jackman's new CBS show "Viva Laughlin." She has also choreographed "Urinetown," "Merrily We Roll Along," and "A New Brain" at New York University. Other recent work includes: NFL National commercials (choreo), ABC's Upfronts (asst. choreo), the Australian production of "Cabaret" (assoc. casting), "As Long as We Both Shall Laugh," (Broadway/choreo) "Chicago" (Theater Barn-choreo), and Disney's "Winnie the Pooh" (Assoc. Dir). She has also choreographed productions regionally at Worcester Foothills and North Carolina Theatres. Jennifer performed on Broadway in the Tony-award winning revival of "Cabaret" (Texas), as well as the National Tours of "Cabaret" and "Joseph and the Amazing..." (Mrs. Potiphar). Other New York: "Sinatra His Voice, His World, His Way" at Radio City Music Hall, "Salute to Sondheim" at BAM, and The Radio City Rockettes. National commercial/ industrials include L'oreal, Clairol, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Degree Antiperspirant. Jennifer is thrilled to return to Dance North again!
 MICHAEL LEMANSKI, 2007 -This is Michael's first year with the Dance North Intensive and is very excited to be here. Michael danced professionally all over the world. Working as a swing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Disney Productions, Tokyo Disney, Chrysler, Gap, and Nike to name a few. He has also worked with the artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Christina Milan, Shaggy, Jagged Edge, Bow Wow, and She Daisy.
Over the last four years Michael has decided to get behind the scenes more and has worked on One Super Bowl, three Orange Bowl Half Time Shows, two NFL Hall of Fame Game Halkf Time shows, one Gator Bowl Half Time show and the new years day Half Time show for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has also worked with the touring companies of the Broadway shows Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera, and Hairspray. Directing Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids Benefit concerts. He has also choreographed for the Detroit Pistons Automotion Dance Team, the Indianapolis Pacemates, and the Detroit Ignition Dance Team, The Spark. Now Michael spends a lot of his time teaching at Juliana's Academy of Dance in Madison Heights, MI and traveling all over the country teaching for different dance conventions and studios.
 JOSH EKBLOM, 2005-08- Jazz, Hip-Hop
Josh is thrilled to join the Dance north faculty! He began dancing and performing at the age of 7 with the San Jose Children's Musical Theatre while attending the Abraham Lincoln Performing Arts High School in California. Early performance credits include dancing at Disneyland in California where he went on to appear in numerous commercials and television shows including 3rd Rock from the Sun and Silk Stockings. Josh has danced for Debbie Allen and Terry Beeman to name a few and has also appeared with the world famous Radio City Rockettes in New York and Chicago for their Christmas Spectacular. He is especially proud of his work with the Creative Planet School in El Monte, CA where he teaches Jazz and Tap to low-income children. Josh is excited to teach you this season and his unique style and energy will be a fantastic addition to the Dance North Summer Intensive- Welcome Josh!
 JOSHUA CUMMINGS, 2008
Joshua Cummings grew up in Northern Michigan where his interest in dance began with a creative dance class by Sylvia Jania. His formal dance training was taken at Hope College (Holland, Mi) where he studied modern, jazz, tap and ballet. He is currently an assistant teacher for jazz/hip hop at Hope College. He also studied Hip Hop, Modern and Jazz at the "Le centre de Danse du Marais" (Paris, France). In Paris he took Hip Hop with international celebrity Mia Frye. He had spent almost five years, while at Hope College with Aeriel dance theatre/ Dance Project performing across the USA and Mexico. Currently he is very happy to be apart of "Jayson Tisa" dance company in Chicago. In the future he hopes to become a professional choreographer. His works have been shown at several "Hope College" dance concerts, "Dance Project" shows and "Men Dance Michigan". Josh is Thrilled to be joining the Dance North Family this summer and looks forward to July!
 ALISON WOERNER, 2004, 2006-07 -Lyrical, Modern
Ali most recently earned her Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan in dance performance and choreography. Her choreography has been performed all over the country and by companies such as Patterson Rhythm Pace Dance Company, Gallaudet Dance Company, and Umbigada Dance Company. Alison was awarded the prestigious Bronze Leo Choreography Award from the Jazz Dance World Congress in 2002. As an accomplished teacher, Ali travels the country on staff with Jazz on Tap Dance Festival and Cathy Roe’s Ultimate Dance Convention. She also has been an Adjunct Professor in tap and jazz at Oakland University and is a guest lecturer for the University of Michigan School of Musical Theater. Ali acts as Assistant Producer to the acclaimed DVD series Behind Barres with Judy Rice. In June, Ali will be spending three weeks in Kyoto, Japan dancing in a site specific work in a garden temple. Alison met Ann while dancing as a Radio City Rockette and has held teaching at Dance North as the highlight of her summers!
 LORI PHELPS 2005-07- Junior - Intermediate Tap, Jazz
We are thrilled to have Lori teach some of our Junior and Intermediate level classes this year as she has been involved with Dance North since the very beginning! She is the proud owner and Artistic Director of the Center Stage Dance Company in Oxford Michigan and has been teaching and dancing for over 25 years. Along with several Regional and National titles Lori has performed with such acts as the Trendels, BB King and Aretha Franklin. She has been seen at Disney World, the Citrus Bowl and on the Chesaning Showboat as part of the television series "Tap for Exercise." Lori's passion for teaching has landed her students numerous awards taking them to New York, Las Vegas and LA. She organizes and directs charity performances throughout the year for The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Toys for Tots, and Kids Day America. We are thrilled to have Lori teaching once again! She has a vast amount of positive teaching experience and has been a part of our Dance North family since the beginning. Lori is the proud owner and artistic director of the Center Stage Dance Company in Oxford, MI. Along side numerous national titles she has performed with the Trendels, BB King and Aretha Franklin, appeared at Disney World, the Citrus Bowl and on the television series “Tap for Exercise. Her passion for teaching has taken her students to New York, L A and Las Vegas winning them numerous awards along the way! She creates for many charitable organizations including the Boys and Girls clubs of America, Toys for Tots and Kids Day. Her wonderful family have been fans of the beautiful northern Michigan area her entire life and we love Miss Lori, you will too!
Participating Faculty
 Tammy Colucci, 2006 - Tammy has appeared numerous times on The Rosie O'Donnell show, performed with Ricky Martin in New York City, choreographed and performed in industrials for Radio City Music Hall, Pontiac/GMC, State Farm, Microsoft, The Walt Disney Company, Lincoln Center, EMI Latin & Polygram. Ms. Colucci is constantly looking for new ways to hone her craft and continues performing and choreographing in and around New York for productions including "The Altar Boyz" (currently running Off-Broadway), "Me & My Girl," Goodspeed Opera House, Broadway Bares, The Easter Bonnet Competition, Gypsy of the Year, C&C Music Factory, Univision Network, and I Love NY & Dr. Pepper national commercials. As an instructor, Tammy continues to travel around the country with her company, New York Dance Jamz, Inc., and has taught at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City and Dance Educators of America.
 MICHAEL LEE SCOTT, 2006-07- Tap, Theatre Dance
Michael Lee Scott is a Texas native who has been a New Yorker for nearly 23 years. He has worked with many great entertainers from David Letterman to Bette Midler. Michael Lee first began performing on Broadway in State Fair and continued on to help create Fosse with Gwen Verdon, Easter Parade with Tommy Tune, and 42nd Street with Randy Skinner. He currently works with Rosie O'Donnell as one of Rosie's Broadway Boys as creating the choreography. He is also the creative director for two of her other companies, R Family Vacations and Rosie's For All Kids Foundation. Michael Lee loves sharing what he has learned from his many years of being in the business and is very happy to be here with Dance North Summer Intensive .....for the second year in a row.
 HOLLY EVANS, 2005- Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Theatre Dance, Hip-Hop
Holly holds a BA in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University and is busy teacher, performer and choreographer. She is a faculty member in the Dance department of the American Musical and Dramatics Academy in New York City and has held an administrative position with the Pennsylvania Goveners School for the Arts. Holly has performed as a soloist with the Harrisburg Ballet, Pennsylvania Dance Theatre and Butler University. Some of her more recent performance credits include productions of 42nd Street, Chicago, Grease, tribute performances for Liz Smith and the one and only Chita Rivera. Holly has performed at the Elan Awards and with the Foot and Fiddle Dance company in New York. She can also add a career with the Radio City Rockettes to her list of many credits. Holly will be teaching Ballet, Theatre Dance, Tap and a little bit of Hip-Hop for us this summer. You will love her classes, we're thrilled to have her welcome Holly!
 STEPHANIE CARRIER, 2005- Children's Jazz, Hip Hop
Stephanie has been a part of the Dance North intensive since it's inception and were happy to have her join the teaching staff! She is currently studying Dance and Marketing at Oakland University and has proven her fantastic teaching skills as an instructor for the Center Stage Dance Company for many years. Stephanie holds Regional and National Championship titles while being given the Top Overall Soloist award at the Rising Star, Dance USA and Encore competitions in 2004. She has appeared on stage in Las Vegas with Tina Landon and has recently finished filming a national television spot from the MGM Grand to be aired this fall. Stephanie will be joining the ranks of many young aspiring professional dancers as she auditions for spots on ABC, NBC and CBS later this year. Her unique style and energy will keep you grooving and were thrilled to have her teach some of our Junior level classes this season!
 Pam Broyles, 2004-While living in NYC, Pamela S. Broyles danced at Carnegie Hall in "Italian Fantasy" and on MTV's television show "The Real World" in a Saint Germaine rap video. She performed live on Black Entertainment Television (BET) show "106 & Park". Pam also appeared in a national TV commercial for Chase Manhattan Bank. She has danced in " Out Numbered", a national Hip Hop tour. Pam has studied with several professional dance companies and choreographers among which are Wade Robson, Danny Williams (Tap Dogs), Mia Michaels (R.A.W.) and many others. She has been trained in jazz, hip-hop, street, ballet, lyrical, modern, African, Carribean, tap, and gymnastics. As a Master class instructor, she teaches nation-wide. “Dance is my passion and I hope to give back that which I have earned. I teach through eyes of compassion and create a space for students to learn and grow.”
 MICHAEL TAYLOR, 2003 -Michael is an accomplished teacher, choreographer, judge and motivator! He is currently instructing at the New Dance Group in New York and has been an Assistant Choreographer for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular nation wide for several years. Michael is a former Member and Teacher for the Gus Giordano Jazz Company and has been seen in numerous productions around the country. Michael was a big hit last year and we’re glad to have him back!
 DAVID SCALA, 2002 - International teacher and choreographer, David is currently teaching and judging for Dance Educators of America. He recently assisted Maurice Hines on the current production of YO, ALICE, an up-to-date Alice in Wonderland. Mr. Scala is a Broadway veteran of the original company of La Cage aux Folles. He staged numerous production numbers for pageants and other performances, including MTV and the commercial world.
 KELLY POTTER, 2003 - Kelly’s Hip-Hop training includes dancing and choreography for Wade Robson (N’Sync, Brittney Spears), Dan Karaty (Jessica Simpson, Sisquo’) and Brian Thomas (Michael Jackson). She was a featured dancer for the Brittney Spears live MTV Special. She has danced and choreographed for the NBA, the Knicks City Dancers, the NFL and the Kansas City Chiefs. She began her training in ballet and gymnastics. All of this makes Kelly’s style a fusion of technique and athleticism combined with high-energy hip-hop moves!
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