Mr. Steven is originally from the East Coast but relocated to Los Angeles after high school.  He spent his high school years training in New York City at the renowned Broadway Dance Center.  Here he trained under an accomplished staff including Frank Hatchett, Sheila Barker and Doug Caldwell.  He was named one of New Jersey’s Top 12 Dancers earning him an invitation to the Governor’s School of the Arts for Dance.  He earned a degree in Graphic Design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.  He has been a dance educator for 15 years and choreographs for studios, high schools and colleges on both the East and West Coasts.  Steven is currently the head judge at Velocity Dance Convention where he tours the country to 21 different cities as a dance adjudicator. Steven’s passion for dance continuously shows through his work.

Mr. Ali Willingham is a native of New Jersey.  He graduated from the University of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and from Temple University with a Masters in Fine Arts in Dance. Ali is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Temple and director of The Movement Performing Arts Conservatory in Philadelphia. Formerly, Ali was Director of the Contemporary Dance Department at String Theory School in Philly.  He was also Artistic Director of Philadanco III Juniors at Philadanco, Philadelphia’s Modern Dance Company and  guest artist with Philadanco under the direction of Joan Myers-Brown. He was a full scholarship recipient in NYC at Joffrey Ballet in 2008 as well as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2006. He attended the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s summer intensive as a Full Scholarship Recipient in 2011 and 2012, where he was awarded the Modern Dance Award and was selected as the 1st Student Choreographer for DTH’s Summer Program.

Devon Larcher is a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island where he graduated from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Devon started his career on the Royal Caribbean cruise line as a dancer and aerialist. He has been a member of the Bill Evans touring company as well as Urbanity Dance Company since 2014. Devon not only loves the stage but also to choreograph and create which he has had the opportunity to do in the states and internationally. Devon joined Koresh Dance Company in 2018. He has been choreographing and teaching for competitive dance studios over the last 10 years and is a full time competition judge when not touring. In 2017 he won the American Dance Awards National Young Choreographer of the Year Award!

Kiera Gross is a New Jersey and Philadelphia based professional dancer/aerialist. She attended Temple University and graduated with a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography. She also trained at AMDA NYC dance conservatory. Kiera is well versed in Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Dance Theater, Heels, Acro, and Aerials, and is also USAG Certified. Kiera’s professional experience includes performing in Legends in Concert, 76ers NBA Dancer, dancing in “Prohibition “1927 Speakeasy Oceans Atlantic City, touring with I Am King: Michael Firestone, dancing with Biz Markie, Nina Sky, and many more! During class Kiera wants everyone to feel in-tune and confident within themselves no matter what body shape or dance level they are.

Ms. Kat trained at Debra Sparks Dance Works and was a member of our competition team scoring many high awards for her talents. After Debra Sparks Dance Works, she attended the College of Charleston and performed as a member of their dance team the Couragettes. While a dance team member, Ms. Kat and the Couragettes ranked in the top 5 at Universal Dance Association’s College National Dance Competition. Ms. Kat is currently a marketing executive with Rockstar Energy and continues dancing and training in her spare time. We are so thrilled to welcome Ms. Kat back to teach at our summer intensive and share her amazing talents and knowledge of the pom/ dance team style with our students!

Lydia is currently studying for an MA in choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire Of Dance and Music, in London England. She graduated in December 2019 from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia PA with a BFA in Dance. Some of her choreography credits include segnalibro in Tuscany, Italy, Weighted Down at Clayton Performing Arts – Center, NJ, Stardust in Philadelphia, PA, Youshouldwatchthisfirst in – Philadelphia, PA, Unboxing Ableism (instillation work) in Philadelphia, PA, Understanding (forgiving) you in Philadelphia, PA. Some of her performance experiences include Paul Matteson in Snowy Days, Jesse Zaritt — Make Believe Studies, Beth Gill— Strange Days, Jesse Zaritt — Glory for 16, Anne White/Jesse Zaritt —wherever you’re going I’m going the same, Sidra Bell — Inversion of a Solo Study, Katie Swords Thurman/Jesse Zaritt — In/Possibilities, which were all at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia PA.

Casie “Tynee” Goshow is a hip hop choreographer and break dancer, who has been teaching both hip hop and break dancing for the past 14 years around the country. She is originally from a small town in Pennsylvania and went to live in New York City after college, before making the move to Los Angeles. She has worked in the commercial entertainment industry working a variety of jobs as she pursues her dreams. Casie has worked side by side with various artists and organizations such as Karmin, TT The Artist, Chris Porter, Chris Brown, Lil John, PSY, French Montana, Beats Superbowl Commercial, the NBA, Adidas and was a Las Vegas Season 12 Street Finalist on So You Think You Can Dance? Currently she is touring around the country teaching kids of all ages at studios, conventions and competitions. Casie has worked for Excel In Motion,
Joffrey Ballet’s Summer of Hip Hop Intensive, Shake the Ground, Alvin Ailey, Headliners Dance, Imagine, Wild Dance Convention, Legacy, Turn It Up, In The Groove and more over the years. Casie owns her own clothing line, Goshow Yourself, which was created in response to the bullying occurring around the country. She wanted a clothing line that inspired people of all ages and walks of life to have the courage and confidence to be themselves. Clothing Line – Goshow Yourself

Since her Broadway debut in Cats, Charlotte has been nominated for two Tony Awards for performances in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line (Cassie) and Jerome Robbins Broadway (multiple roles).  She has won numerous Fred Astaire Awards for roles in Pippin (Fastrada), Sweet Charity (Charity), and Damn Yankees (Lola).  She has been seen in the role of Roxie in Chicago, that has earned her the LA Ovation Award, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award.  Charlotte has also been in Broadway casts of Company, Contact, Carrie and Song and Dance.  She has worked alongside legendary directors including Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Michael Bennett, Peter Martins, Rob Marshall, Ann Reinking, Debbie Allen, Gillian Lynn, Rob Ashford, Diane Paulus, Walter Bobby, Scott Ellis and George Balanchine.  Her film credits include The In Crowd (1988), American Blue Note (1989), Just Off the Coast (1992), and The Preacher’s Wife (1996). She appears as herself in Every Little Step (2008), a documentary about the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line. In 2012, she co-starred in Frances Ha, directed by Noah Baumbach. On television she has appeared in Law & Order (2001), One Life to Live (2009), a videotaped performance of the Broadway musical Contact (2002) and the Kennedy Center Honors (1989, 1995, 2009).  Of all her experiences on stage, one of the most special moments for Charlotte was her performance in the Kennedy Center Honors (2009) performing with her brother (Christopher d’Amboise) in an evening honoring her father, Jacques d’Amboise which also aired on television.  Charlotte is the Co-Artistic director, with her husband Terrence Mann, of Triple Arts, a musical theater summer intensive for young artists.

Debra Sparks Dance Works was blessed to have Dance Moms Miami’s “Angel” (Victor Smalley’s partner) when Victor himself was unable to come. What an amazing dancer and instructor Angel was for our many dancers (from DSDW and other studios) – who came out to learn some fantastic jazz moves!!!

Choreographer and TV Celebrity SEASON 7 WINNER OF “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” came to Debra Sparks Dance Works to give a motivational, challenging, inspirational and rewarding master class! Lauren has landed many dream roles on television, music videos, and live shows, including:  One of the Rockettes for Radio City Music Hall, So You Think You Can Dance, Big Time Rush, and Blake McGrath.  Lauren became the first dance athlete for Gatorade as well as the female dance athlete for the G Series Fit Line.

Emmy winner, choreographer, and dancer, Mia Michaels, came to Debra Sparks and conducted an exciting Master Class for the dancers!
Her Past accomplishments include:

– 2011 Emmy Winner – “So You Think You Can Dance” FOX
– 2010 Emmy Winner – “So You Think You Can Dance” FOX
– 2008 Emmy Nominee – “So You Think You Can Dance” – “Mercy” FOX
– 2007 Emmy Winner – “So You Think You Can Dance” – “Calling You” FOX
– 2004 Emmy Nominee – Celine in Las Vegas: Opening Night Live CBS
– 2003 & 2004 American Choreography Award Nominee

Established professional dancer with the following accomplishments!

Special White House Performance for President and Michelle Obama
Los Angeles Lakers Girls (dancer/choreographer)
The Producers: The Movie Musical
The Academy Awards
MTV VMA’s and Movie Awards
NYC dance coach and celebrity personal trainer
Commercials for Sears, Macy’s, CBS, Westfield Shopping Towns
Live stage shows for Disney, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Regis and Kelly
Rockette for 12 years

Debra Sparks Dance Works in Newtown, PA, enjoyed a Master Class with Valerie Salgado, the assistant choreographer from the NBC hit series “Smash” produced by Steven Spielberg. 

Check out the press release!

Valerie has worked one-on-one with many stars including:
•Megan Hilty
•Uma Thurman
•Katharine McPhee
•Debra Messing

She taught and choreographed for Rosie O’Donnell’s Broadway Kids and can be found at the Broadway Dance Center as a guest artist. DSDW’s dancers enjoyed two hours of invigorating dance steps, choreography, and learned why “Smash” is such a

Mr. Russell Ferguson, Season 6 Winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” joined us for our first Master Class, WOW! What an exciting evening of contemporary and Hip Hop at DSDW.