Joshua Bergasse is a New York-based choreographer & master teacher. He has been a guest artist at New York University, Marymount Manhattan College, Indiana University, James Madison University, Shenandoah University, Kean University, Creighton University and the University of California Satellite Program. He won the Emmy Award for his choreography on NBC’s musical drama SMASH. He also choreographed multiple segments on So You Think You Can Dance and PBS’s Sinatra: A Voice for a Century.

Richard J. Hinds is an award winning director/choreographer based in NYC & London. He has directed and choreographed numerous productions including Escape to Margaritaville (BroadwayWorld “Best Direction of a Musical”), Catch Me If You Can, Buddy, Newsies!, Guys and Dolls, How to Succeed in Business…, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Evita, Fame, Mamma Mia!, Saturday Night Fever, Little Shop of Horrors, Chicago, Hairspray, The Sound of Music and All Shook Up, as well as many others.

Angel Kaba (she/her), International Creative & Artistic Director, award winning choreographer and teaching artist. Angel has been collaborating with artists such as Coolio, Orishas, Kaye Styles, Rihanna, Kayne West, Taye Diggs, Eddy Kenzo, Diamond Platnumz, Burna Boy, TrackDilla and others. Further notable experiences involved stage/television/commercial performances and dancing for world-renowned brands like Coca Cola, Levi’s, Fructis by Garnier, Nutella, Universal, Madison Square Garden, RocNation, MTV, NBC, ESSENCE Festival, and SNAPCHAT.

Hailing from Orlando, Florida, Sarah Meahl grew up in the Dance Competition world and as a gymnast. Being so close to Disney gave her the opportunity to be featured in many of their commercials, TV episodes, industrials, and advertisements. She has performed on Broadway: (Kiss Me, Kate, Hello, Dolly!, Paramour), Off-Broadway: (Black No More, Standard Time, Encores!, Thoroughly Modern Millie), on Tour (The Little Mermaid), for the silver screen (Isn’t It Romantic?), Television (2019 Tony Awards, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Gilded Age), Burlesque: (Speakeasy Times Square), Cirque du Soleil, and in dozens of Regional Productions!

Courtney Ortiz is a professional dancer, educator, adjudicator and proud YoungARTS award winner based in New York City. Her dance and teaching career has allowed her to travel the world performing in places such as: Dubai, Brazil, England, Poland, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Germany, Australia, and France. Her career spans from stage to screen with credits including: the Broadway National Tour of Finding Neverland, Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring The Rockettes, and the first ever revival in 30 years of Jerome Robbins’ Broadway.

Staci Trager is a nationally recognized lawyer, solving problems for clients both in and out of court. As a seasoned first chair trial attorney, Staci specializes in copyright litigation, with a particular focus on apparel, music, images, AI and now, choreography. As a “dance mom” to a high school senior seeking her BFA in dance – hopefully concentrating on choreography – the rights of choreographers and education surrounding those rights is not just something done as a job, but as a family affair.

Gabby Ziccarelli is an award-winning legal advisor, author, guest lecturer, podcast host, advisor to the Choreographers’ Guild and avid dancer. She is a zealous advocate who has devoted her career to supporting innovators & creators from all backgrounds – ranging from individual artists to startups to Fortune 5 companies.

Wendy Perron, Former Editor in Chief, Dance Magazine

Photo by Da Ping Luo for Juilliard