Gotta Dance Contemporary is now ADMIX
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Summer Season Teacher Bios and INFO
Rachel Truitt
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Gotta Dance Contemporary Founder&Artistic Director
Artistic Director and Founder of ADMIX PROJECT /Gotta Dance Contemporary, Rachel Truitt Produced and Directed " Surface, Juxtapose, In This House, In Process ,Kairos, Curious Human Interactions , Dreamscape, Letters from an Artist, all world premiered at 7 Stages Atlanta and West Side Cultural Arts Center
In 2017 Rachel Choreographed the Atlanta Sports Awards at the Rialto Center for the Arts as well as created choreography for musical artist Michael Kiwanuka for his music video " Cold Little Heart." Choreographed for artist PRISCA and her music video SKIN, Choreographed for CW television show Vampire Diaries, Performed at Super Bowl Halftime XLV in 2000 with Christina Aguilera.
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AJ Paug
Co Artistic Director
Gotta Dance Contemporary
AJ Paug started his dance teaching career at the age of 16 at Great Gig Dance Co. as a hip-hop intstructor. Within five years with Great Gig Dance Co. At the age of 19 AJ attended Kenessaw State University as a dance major for three years where he learned valuable pedigogy skills and granted performance opportunities. Since leaving the school AJ has been invited to teach contemporary and hip-hop master classes at their annual KSU Dance Festival and to the dance company. At the age of 25 AJ started branching out teaching at numerous dance studios in Georgia such as Dan&Co. Studios, North Atlanta Dance Academy, etc. Now at the age of 29 he is signed with Xcel Talent agency dancing as a professional dancer in Atlanta and working annually at studios teaching classes ranging in levels in contemporary, choreography, and hip-hop all around the state of Georgia. AJ is also Co-Artistic Director of Gotta Dance Contemporary, which is a professional dance company that provides performance and teaching opportunities to professional dancers in the Atlanta. He has been with the company for five years and was granted the position after two years with GDC. In total AJ has been teaching dance for thirteen years and hopes to expand his career even further with new skills that will merit future teaching opportunities.
Cherrise Wakeham is an established Atlanta-based choreographer and educator with a tenacious vision and tireless devotion to her craft. She has shared her passion for dance with a wide range of students, companies, and programs throughout the country. Known to “burn the floor with edgy, explosive LA contemporary jazz performances” – Dance Magazine, and have “an undercurrent of risk-taking and emotional honesty” – ArtsCriticATL, Cherrise has also been called “a true creative genius” by Dance Informa Magazine. In 2007, Cherrise graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from Georgia State University with a Psychology degree, and went on to establish the Atlanta-based, non-profit professional contemporary commercial dance company, Project 7. Her work both personally and with Project 7 has appeared on stages ranging from the Joyce Theatre in NYC to the Alliance, the Balzer, 7 Stages, and Buckhead Theaters in Atlanta. Her choreography has been commissioned for the College Football Hall of Fame’s Flash Mob sponsored by Chic-fil-A, Flux Projects, and several charitable events and collaborative showcases such as Women in Film and Television of Atlanta, Project S.A.F.E., and The Pink Frog Foundation. Cherrise was named the 1st Runner Up winner of the 2014 Capezio Award for Choreographic Excellence, a 2-time Choreographer Pick for the Pulse on Tour, and a featured choreographer for Carnival Choreographer’s Ball Atlanta. Now on the faculty with FORCE Dance Tour, as well as hosting her own in-studio workshops, iN House DANCE, Cherrise aims to combine her love for psychology with her passion for cultivating creativity, discipline, and self-worth within her students in a professional and positive atmosphere.
My name is Elizabeth Ward. performed with companies such as the Atlanta Ballet, Blue Bird Uncaged, The Proia Dance Project, Zoetic Dance Ensemble, Gotta Dance Contemporary. NASM certified as a fitness instructor. I have choreographed for All Star Performing Arts, Elite Atlanta Performers, and various solos.
FRANKIE FREEMAN KNIGHTON:
T Pain ‘Drankin Patna’ & ‘I Am T-Pain’ Tour Dancer
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STEP UP SERIES
Dancer
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SYTYCD Season 12 Dancer
Tour Choreographer:
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Estelle- 2017 International Leadership Awards Choreographer
Fantasia- 2016 Triumph Awards Choreographer
Spike Lee Tribute- 2016 Triumph Awards Asst. Choreographer
Tichina Arnold-2016 Triumph Awards Choreographer
Mikel Knight “Record Straight American Rebel Tour”
IVAN GOMAZ
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Dancer STEP UP SERIES,
Honey 4
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Dancer with BAD BOYS OF BALLET
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Dancer Love, Simon
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NILE JONES
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Jon Carr, originally from Milledgeville, Georgia, now resides in Atlanta. Beginning his dance training at age 15, Jon has always strived to push creative boundaries and is now regionally and nationally known for his work. With a clear understanding of his artistry, Jon began choreographing at the age of 18. He has received numerous choreography awards and his dances continue to be top scoring routines at the regional and national level. Jon spends most of his time traveling across the southeast to teach master classes and choreograph at numerous dance studios. In 2011, Jon served on the staff for The Platinum Dance Experience Convention and now judges for numerous dance competitions around the United States. With his continuous hunger to learn and grow, Jon continues to take classes from top choreographers and teachers. Jon currently teaches weekly at local Atlanta studios. He continues to look for new opportunities in the dance community and to discover new ways of expression.
Mary Kate Campfield found her passion for dance at age 13 and has since dedicated her life to training, performing, and perfecting her craft. In 2013/2014 she received numerous scholarships from leaders in the industry such as Stacey Tookey at NUVO, The Hollywood Summer Tour scholarship from Courtney Galiano and was in the top 20 at The Beat judged by Jeff Thacker (the co-executive producer of So You Think You Can Dance). She also received numerous awards such as Platinum Dance Competition’s Highest scoring routine in Montgomery, AL, the National Standout Dancer scholarship at Stage One, Atlanta’s Dance Down winner at Celebrity, and several Special Judges awards.
In 2014 she trained privately with CiCi Kelley and was awarded a scholarship to the Gotta Dance Atlanta program. This opened doors for many opportunities. In late 2014 she fulfilled a dream of being selected as a member of the Project 7 Company as the youngest member to ever be accepted. As a member of this elite dance company, she performed with the team in the 2014 Capezio Ace Award’s choreographer’s competition. The piece, choreographed by Cherrise Wakeham, won 1st runner up and was awarded a show to perform in Long Beach, Ca. in July 2015.
Mary Kate has performed in a number shows including RAW, Mad Expressions, Normas Legacy of Love and “Dau An”, a Vietnamese show as well as a number of Dance Videos.
Most recently Mary Kate has started training in the film industry and has worked background on several projects currently being filmed. She plans to continue performing, training, and teaching her zeal for dance and performance.
Bryce Speaker: Dancer 411 South Talent.
Choreographer for Love & Hip Hop’s up and coming star Amara La Negra, a principle dancer in the upcoming movies The Darkest Minds and Crazy for the Boys, Choreographer/Teacher for So You Think You Can Dance Kids star Daniella Avanzini, featured principle dancer in the Chuck Berry tribute music video “Big Boys”, principle dancer for the world famous Mary Kay Leadership Brand.
Haley is an Atlanta native, and has been moving and shaking around the city and surrounding suburbs for 20+ years. Her training is based out of Lawrenceville, GA from Susan Chambers School of Performing Arts, where she was introduced and extensively trained in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, contemporary, modern, lyrical, and musical theatre. Her most recent successes include traveling to Niger, Africa to perform with local celebrity Hassane Boukary, under the direction of Stephan Reynolds, as well as starring as a principal dancer in the upcoming movie, “Step Sisters,” (release date TBD). She is currently, deeply involved with Gotta Dance Contemporary, under the artistic direction of Rachel Truitt and AJ Paug, as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer.
Nile Jones originally from Dallas, TX began training at a young age in West African Dance. Upon being introduced to Ballet at 7 he has studied at Columbus Dance Theatre, Texas Ballet Theatre, and also Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Nile has received full scholarships to University of Cincinnati, and also the LINES Ballet Training Program. Since moving to Atlanta Nile has been featured in movies such as Bolden, Assisted in Choreography for Artist such as K.Michelle, and performed and choreographed for Gotta Dance Contemporary. Nile looks forward to working with GDC/AREA Intensive this summer!
Xavier DeMar
2015-2016 ARTIST'S SANDBOX
New York, New York | -Alex Nicholson, Artistic Director 2014-2015 PROIA DANCE PROJECT
Atlanta, Georgia | Alexander Proia, Artistic Director
2011-2013 ATLANTA DANCE CONNECTION Atlanta, Georgia | Allyne Gartrell, Artistic Director 2010-2011 DANCE CANVAS
Atlanta, Georgia | Angela Davis, Artistic Director 2009-2010 THE GEORGIA BALLET
Marietta, Georgia | Jaunaz and Gina Mazon, Artistic Directors
2013-2015 NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL GALA
Atlanta, Georgia | Choreographer and Background Dancer for Jennifer Holiday 2014 REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA
Atlanta, Georgia | Performer for Kandi's Wedding Special
2011 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATER GRAND OPENING
College Park, Georgia | Background Dancer for Terrence C. Carson
Choreographer and Creative Director, Mario Tyler, has worked on major television shows and films such as Honey 4, step up, SYTYCD, Alvin and the Chipmunks and more. Mario has also made a footprint in the music industry while working with Neyo, Teyana Taylor, Jacquees, Bsmyth and many more. Mario aspires to inspire the uninspired through his freedom of movement articulated through musicality.
Nateli Ruiz
American Ballet Theatre II, David Parsons, and Rosero Mccoy. Debbie Allen: 2010 at the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade as a backup dancer for Mariah Carey. In 2008 and 2016 at the Debbie Allen's Dance Academy Summer Intensive.
Gotta Dance Contemporary Pro Alumni Dancer.
Caitlin Gray Choreographer/Creative Director
Born in NYC, Caitlin Gray's diverse background, which includes dance, gymnastics and circus arts, has made her a much sought-after teacher and choreographer. She believes that teaching is an integral part of giving back to the dance community and has taught master classes all over the U.S. and abroad, including South Africa, United Kingdom, U.A.E., Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada and Australia.
Caitlin has most-notably worked with director Baz Luhrmann on both the World and Sydney premieres of his film “The Great Gatsby”, earning rave reviews. She also choreographed for the CBS TV show, “Reckless”, featuring Cam Gigandet (“Twilight”, “Burlesque”) and Anna Wood. Caitlin has worked extensively with Sony Music, choreographing live performances and music videos for many of their artists, including The Veronicas (“You Ruin Me”, 2015 ARIA Winner, Best Video of the Year) and Bonnie Anderson (“Blackout”, “Rodeo”). Additional credits include BMW Series 5 Launch, featuring Lewis Pugh, Marina Bay Sands “Beyond Expectations”, featuring David Beckham, Miss USA, Speedo Internationalʼs Olympic Product Launch, featuring Michael Phelps, Liberty Bowl Halftime Show, featuring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, and several music tours, including performances on the Big Time Rush Tour.
Caitlin is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in NYC. She is also resident choreographer for the NCAA Division 1 Nationally-ranked Denver University Gymnastics team. For more information, check out www.caitlingraydance.com and www.movement- agency.com/talent/caitlin-gray.
Danni Haverin
Born into a military family, Danni moved locations across the US and Europe, every three years, for the majority of her life. No matter where she lived, it was in the dance studio where Danni truly felt at home. During her freshman year at the University of Alabama, Danni landed her first professional job dancing for country music recording artists, Luke Bryan and Big & Rich at the 2011 CMT Music Awards. She has since worked with industry leading choreographers and has performed side-by-side with music sensations Christina Aguilera, Teyana Taylor, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Jennifer Nettles, Kellie Pickler, Big & Rich and Hayden Panettiere. Danni can be seen in the feature films, "Love, Simon", "Honey: Rise Up and Dance", "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk", Disney's "Million Dollar Arm" and 21st Century Fox's "Let's Be Cops", which she assisted choreographer John Carrafa. She has appeared in multiple episodes of the hit TV show, "Nashville" and most recently had her speaking role debut in YouTube Red's premier series, "Step Up: High Water". Danni’s proudest accomplishment was landing a coveted spot as a Radio City Rockette in New York City. She is currently in her fourth season living her dream with the Rockettes.
Heverin graduated with her bachelor's degree in dance and business from the University of Alabama. She currently travels back and forth between New York City and the metro Atlanta area where she continues to work in the commercial industry as a dancer, actor and choreographer. Danni is represented by Aris Golemi, head of talent at Xcel Talent Agency.
Alongside her impressive resume, Danni is a dance educator and choreographer around the south east. In her off season from the Rockettes, Heverin works as a dance teacher/choreographer and personal trainer. Teaching is one of the most rewarding experiences for Danni and she is excited to continue leading others on the journey to becoming their absolute best.