MIA MICHAELS
- 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
From stage to screen, Mia has turned dance into inspired and unique works of passion and beauty. She has rendered her unique style and vision of the craft, which is sought after by other innovators, from celebrities and recording artists to dance companies and educational institutions.
Mia's choreography for Celine Dion's A New Day under the direction of Franco Dragone at Caesars' Palace in Las Vegas has received stunning reviews. The New York Times raved, “The greatest pleasure... was the go-for-broke physicality of the choreography”. The show features a cast of 50 dancers and is two hours of pure dance artistry. Currently her work can be seen on Cirque du Soleil's first touring show, Delirium, which premiered March 2006. She has also created works for numerous recording artists including Madonna, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Anna Vissi, and Prince.
On television, Mia is the ever-popular judge and contributing choreographer for Fox's hit TV show (and touring company) “So You Think You Can Dance.” Mia has recently won an Emmy award for outstanding choreography on a television series for her work “Calling You” on SYTYCD. Other work in film and television includes “Cool Women” for AMC/DreamWorks Television and award winning commercials for Mike's Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, Coldwell Banker, Ziploc, the WNBA, Star TV and VISA.
Included in her diverse concert and stage work is the critically acclaimed New York based dance company, RAW for which she is the founder, artistic director and choreographer. She has created works for the Paper Mill Playhouse's production of “Hello Dolly!” starring Tovah Feldshuh, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Jazz Dance Chicago, and Oslo Dance Ensemble. Her choreography has been seen off-Broadway with “If These Shoes Could Talk,” and “Fort Chaffee.” Mia has also held faculty positions at prestigious institutions of dance around the world including Alvin Ailey, the Joffrey Ballet, and the International Dance Festival of Italy.
Mia is constantly striving for new inspirations for her work. Her students and peers around the world have noted her as a memorable influence. She has a way of touching people's lives with passion, emotional expression and style of dance.
For more info vist: www.miamichaels.com
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Carol Abohatab
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Mills College in Oakland, Carol Abohatab earned both her BS and MFA degrees in Dance Performance and Choreography, and studied with Murray Louis and the late Alwin Nikolais in New York. She began choreographing and dancing in the Bay Area in 1997, and has been teaching Modern Dance and choreographing consistently nationwide for many groups in the Drum & Bugle Corps and Winter Color Guard activity since 1988. Spirit of Atlanta, Glassmen, SCV, The Cadets, State Street Review, Emerald Marquis, San Jose Raiders World Guard, Miamisburg HS, and Leigh High School are just a few of these groups. Carol began performing at the age of nine with the Centurions, and continued with the 27th Lancers, Star of Indiana, Quasar, Erte, and State Street Review. She is currently the choreographer for the Santa Clara Vanguard and the SCV World Guard, is the Artistic Director of Vanguard Dance Company, which performs regularly in the Bay Area, and teaches at two colleges in the Bay Area.
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Kathy Aruda
Kathy has been involved with the performing arts for all of her life. Born into a large family that shares a great love for the arts, Kathy studied and developed skills of woodwind & brass instruments at a young age, which ultimately attracted her to marching band, drum corps and color guard. Her musical background has been instrumental in her success as both a performer and an instructor. Kathy performed primarily as a sabre with Blessed Sacrament of Cambridge, MA from 1985-1990 and returned to perform from 2000-2002 as a result of the age-rule elimination in the World Class. Since 2003 she has been part of the design team for the Blessed Sacrament World Guard as well as the sabre caption lead. Throughout her color guard career she has also worked with several local bands and color guards in the Boston area as well as the Blessed Sac “A” & “C” guards. Kathy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley College and is currently employed as an Accountant at Spectra Energy Corporation. She lives in Needham, MA with her husband Mark and their spirited black labrador retriever Bucky (who also knows how to spin sabre).
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Jill Brennan
Jill Brennan is the co-founder, designer, and director for the Northeast Independent Performance Company - 2002 WGI Independent Open Silver Medalist and 7 time WGI Independent World Class finalist. Her guard career began when she attended St. Augustine High School and performed with Coast One Winterguard. After high school, she performed with Shaktai Performance Company for several years and later performed with the Florida Community College of Jacksonville Dance Company. Since that time, she has worked with several programs including, Nease High School - 1999 Scholastic A World Champions, Fletcher High School, - 2002 Scholastic A World Champions, FCCJ Dance Company, St. Augustine High School Dance Company, Northmont High School, Bartram Trail High School, Orange Park High School and Fleming Island High School, River City Independent. She currently resides in St. Augustine, Fl.
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Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges is starting his 31st year as an instructor including 20 of those with those 2 high schools. He is starting his third year as an A and Open class Representative on the advisory board for WGI and the steering committee. Jeff served as President for the South Florida Winter Guard Circuit for 10 years. He currently instructs or consults with the winter guards from Cooper City, Santaluces, Taravella, Cypress Bay And FIU Performance ensemble in south Florida. His time with those units has produced 2 WGI Scholastic A Class champions and 2 scholastic Open class finalist and FIU as an Independent A Finalist was recently moved to Open Class for 2010. When he is not teaching or designing he serves as an adjudicator for ISSMA and various high school band shows around the country and the FFJA where he judges guard and percussion for indoor. Jeff also is a designer for numerous high school bands. Jeff's drum corps experience as a member was with the Crossmen in the years 1980 and 1981. He has taught and designed for Florida Wave, The Colts, Spirit of Atlanta, The Troopers and Southwind. While with The Colts from 1990 to 1997 Jeff served as the Visual caption head and designer helping guide the corps to its first DCI finals in 1993. In 2000, Jeff became the director of the Crossmen where he served them for 2 years marking the return of the corps to top 8 in 2001.
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Scott Chandler
Scott is a native of Rome, GA. He first received formal dance training at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, as well as his first introduction to winter color guard and drum corps. Scott moved to New York City to study jazz dance with Phil Black and modern dance with May O'Donnel. He has worked professionally in New York City and Atlanta and has choreographed modern and jazz pieces that have been performed across the US as well as Spain, Canada and Japan. Scott's winter guard credits include: performer with Chapter 5 (1979) and State Street Review (1981), and instructor and designer for numerous high school winter guards. Most remarkably, Scott has also been the instructor and designer for WGI Independent and Scholastic World Class Champions for twenty three consecutive years including: the Skylarks of Fairfield, CT (1982-84), State Street Review of Madison, WI (1984-89), San Jose Raiders of San Jose, CA (1990-94), and The Blue Devils (1995-98). In 2005 he led James Logan High School (1997-05) to their eighth consecutive Scholastic World Championship title. He has been the sole choreographer/designer of all eight of these award- winning programs. Scott has also served as choreographer and drill designer for many award-winning high school marching bands. Scott's drum and bugle corps credits include performer with the Madison Scouts and instructor and designer for the Bridgemen of Bayonne, NJ, Spirit of Atlanta of Atlanta, GA, and The Blue Devils. He has produced color guards that have won the DCI High Auxiliary award for 1985, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001,2003,2006 and 2008. Scott is also currently the visual coordinator/choreographer for the SOKA Renaissance Vanguard of Tokyo, Japan. In addition to these groups, Scott has consulted and choreographed for other drum and bugle corps including the Phantom Regiment and the Cadets of Bergen County. Scott is a member of the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame, and in 2004 Scott was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. Fred J Miller, Inc carries The Chandler Collection of costumes and performance wear.
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Robby DuFresne
Robby DuFresne is the co-founder, designer, and director for the Northeast Independent Performance Company- 2002 WGI Independent Open Silver Medalist, 2008 IW Bronze Medalist, and 7 time IW Class finalist. His guard career began when he attended St. Augustine High School and performed with Coast One Winterguard. After high school, he performed with the Shaktai Performance Company for several years. Since that time, he has worked with numerous programs including, Nease High School- 1999 WGI Scholastic A World Champions, Shaktai Performance Company, Northmont High School, Bartram Trail High School, Diamond Bar High School, Orange Park High School, River City Independent and Northgate Independent. Robby currently resides in Jacksonville, Fl.
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Michael Gaines
Currently the Visual Coordinator/drill designer for 7 time DCI World Champion The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Michael also designs for some of the top high school marching bands and winter color guards in the country. His designs have been featured by several high school Bands of America National Champions, as well as 3 time WGI World Champion, Pride of Cincinnati.
In addition to his work in the US, Michael has had the opportunity to design for groups on an international level, including two time WGI Bronze Medalist Aimachi Color Guard, and two time WGI Bronze Medalist Aimachi Percussion Ensemble from Nagoya, Japan. He has been an adjudicator and the featured clinician at events around the US, Japan, and Thailand.
In April of 2007, Michael was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame.
His education consists of a degree in Computer Arts/New Media from the San Francisco Academy of Art University, and a degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, from the University of Dayton in Ohio.
Michael resides in San Francisco, CA.
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Michael James
Michael James was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, and graduated from the University of South Florida where received a BA for Modern Dance Performance. After college, he performed in the American Stage Company's “Shakespeare in the Park” Series for five seasons, as well as dance and choreograph for the Children's Theater Tour.
Michael was a scholarship student at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Beckett, Massachusetts, where he studied under Linda Kent and Carolyn Adams. He also danced with The Men Dancers of Jacob's Pillow International Touring Company, which allowed him to dance and teach in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was also a member of The Repertory Dance Theatre of Utah.
As a color guard designer and choreographer, Michael is currently designing and choreographing for Cypress Creek HS, Freedom HS, Timber Creek HS, The University of South Florida Fall and Winter Color Guard, Americus HS, as well as The Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. His has also worked with The Company Colour Guard, Cavaliers, Santa Clara Vanguard, and Pope HS. Michael was also the director of The Knights Winter Guard.
Michael's choreography has also been performed at Pleasure Island by the Pleasure Island Explosion Dancers, WGI's Spinfest featuring Mia Michaels, University of Central Florida's Starlet Knights Danceline, 1999's Orlando Fringe Festival, and numerous other high schools and colleges around the country.
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Karl Lowe
The premise of innovation, imagination, quality and risk are only a few words that apply to the unparalleled contributions Karl has made to WGI. From Odyssey to Fantasia, he has been intense in his approach to his winter guard programs, but he is equally as intense in his respect for his competitors. He has taught many Bands of America finalist color guards from high schools across the Southeast, as well as the Suncoast Sound Drum & Bugle Corps, the Magic of Orlando, and Santa Clara Vanguard. Karl was inducted into the WGI Hall of Fame in 2003 and was a long–time genius behind Fantasia Color Guard. Karl currently serves as the chariman of the Color Guard Steering Committee for WGI.
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Rosie Queen (Miller)
Rosie has extensive experience teaching drum corps, marching bands and winter guard. Rosie was also the visual ensemble and cast manager for "Blast" while it ran in London and on Broadway. Her teaching experience includes: Carolina Crown (2003-present), The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1994-2000), and The Cadets of Bergen County (1993). Rosie has taught many high school and independent organizations throughout the U.S. including Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard (1997-present), Aimachi (1996-present), Carroll High School, Center Grove High School, Avon H.S., and Escapade of Dayton, OH. Currently, Rosie resides in Indianapolis, IN with her husband Jeff, where she is the Color Guard Director at Carmel High School. She is also pursuing certification in Event Management at IUPUI in Indianapolis.
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Chris Raichle
Chris Raichle is a native of Boston, Massachusetts where he first became involved in the marching arts as a member of the Boston Crusaders. A WGI color guard instructor since 1980, he has been a member of the design team at Blessed Sacrament Color Guards since 1986. Chris has taught numerous drum corps, HS bands, and color guards through his marching arts career culminating in several national and international titles. Chris is a member of the Massachusetts Judging Association and is currently the education manager at the Boston Architectural College where he is pursuing a professional degree in architecture.
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Michael B. Raiford
Michael is a Scenic, Costume and Show Designer based in Austin, TX. He began his career as a choreographer in Marching Band, Winter Guard and Drum Corps and that experience led him to become a costume and set designer for stage. He has continued to work in both fields for over 20 years. His early work in choreography and staging began in Florida with Suncoast Sound drum corps. There he formed a lifelong creative relationship with Karl Lowe. This included work with Odyssey Winter Guard and Magic of Orlando Drum Corps, all of which lead to 10 years as part of the creative team for Fantasia.
In addition to his creative/design contribution to Fantasia, Michael was also responsible for creating the performing persona of the ensemble. His experiences in theatre led him to create a curriculum that is particular to “non-verbal” performing skills. Most recently was the performance coach for “Brass Angels 2008 Odyssey” Tour of Japan.
As a Scenic and Costume designer for stage, his work has been seen at: Opera Boston; The New Victory Theatre, NYC; Actor's Theatre of Louisville; Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC; Cleveland Playhouse; Kansas City Rep. and Austin Lyric Opera. Michael received his MFA in design from UT Austin where he also taught for 10 years. He is a member of United Scenic Artists. For a look at some of his designs visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelraiford/sets/
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Daniel Riley
Daniel has been involved with WGI, BOA, and DCI for the past 14 years where he has worked with multiple successful guard programs. Daniel has served as a technician, choreographer, designer, and director throughout his years in the activity. Daniel's involvement with organizations include: Northmont H.S. (98 — present), Ooltehwah H.S. (03 — present), Owasso H.S. (03 — present), Stoneman Douglas H.S. (05 — 08), Alliance of Miami (00 — 01,03), the Glassmen (03 — 04), the Cadets (00, 02, 08 - 09). In 2001 — 2002 Daniel performed with Blast! US National Tour.
He currently serves as the Artistic Director for Braddock Independent World Guard and Director of Guards at West Broward High School. He currently resides in Coral Springs, FL.
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Michael Rosales
Born in Manila, Philippines, moved to San Francisco at the age of 9 where he trained and danced with several local groups within the San Francisco Bay Area. His training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Latin Jazz and Color Guard makes him one of the most sought after choreographers in the country. He has danced for recording artists such as Deborah Cox, Brooke Hogan, Wisin y Yandel, Ivy Queen, Gloria Trevy, Don Omar and Macy Gray. As well as being on a National and International Tour of the Tony and Emmy award winning group BLAST! as a lead, he was also a feature performer and was in a new show called CYBERJAM in London where he was the Choreographer Assistant.
Michael has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia and has appeared in the Blockbuster movie RENT, Latin Billboard Awards, Latin Grammy's Celebration and the Latin Teen Choice Awards. He has taught classes at the San Francisco Dance Center, Miami City Ballet, University of Houston, North Carolina State University, Pepperdine University, University of Miami, UC Berkeley and several different studios throughout the country. Michael has produced and choreographed shows for Busch Gardens in Florida, Sea World in Texas, The University of Houston and is currently on staff with the US Performing Arts Camp held across the country during the summers.
Michael was a former member of the Concord Blue Devils, Fantasia of Riverside and the San Jose Raiders. He has worked with the Cadets Color Guard, the Bluecoats Drum Corp, Braddock Independent World, Stoneman Douglas World and the FIU Performance Ensemble among other groups. Michael was also a Gold Medal recipient of the 1998 as well as the 2000 Winter Guard International World Championships and is the Artistic Director of the PROECT SPIN Dance and Color Guard Convention.
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Sal Salas
Sal Salas has been involved in the marching band, drum corps and color guard activities for more than 41 years, beginning as a percussionist with the Stockton Commodores in Stockton, CA. Serving as everything from instructor to designer to director to judge, Sal's commitment to youth and excellence has seen no bounds. Sal is currently an adjudicator for WGI in the Effect caption.
Sal created and directed “The State Street Review” color guard from Madison, WI, leading the organization to five Winter Guard International World gold medals, one silver medal, two bronze medals and numerous regional titles. His creativity can also be seen in a number of different drum corps, marching bands and color guards across the country including Spirit of Atlanta, The Kingsmen Winter Guard and The Rangerettes Winter Guard. Most recently, he is a program coordinator for the Glassmen. In 1993, Salas was inducted into the Winter Guard International Hall of Fame and was named the 2005 Drum Corps International Director of the Year.
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Ann Marie Valeri
Ann Marie Valeri has been a member of Blessed Sacrament since 1966, thanks to her sister Dolores and her late father Tony Zappala. First as a drill team member, then she "graduated" to color guard and became captain in 1975 until her age-out year of 1980. Anyone remember the infamous orange boa? She began instructing the Sac World sabre line in 1980 and continued until 2003 when she passed the reigns to Kathy Aruda. At that time, she decided to enter the world of judging and became an IA equipment judge for the NESBA circuit (high school band color guards) where she still continues to judge. When Blessed Sac established a B guard in 2005 (now A), Ann Marie re-entered the instructional arena and has been teaching again ever since.
In her professional life, she is a Licensed School Psychologist working for a school department. In retrospect, Ann Marie believes that involvement with the color guard activity probably led her down that path and has certainly helped her since.
She has an awesome son, Justin, who is 20 and in his third year of college. He has been around the activity since his birth and although not an active participant, he enjoys giving his opinion...and believe it or not, he's usually right!
Ann Marie currently resides in Woburn, Ma.
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Jon Vanderkolff
Jonathan Vanderkolff served as a program designer for the 2009 Independent World Class Champion, Santa Clara Vanguard. He is on the creative team for Blast, Shockwave, and Cyberjam and has been a member of the Blast/MEG organization for the past 12 years. Jonathan, along with the choreography team received an Emmy Award for the PBS broadcast of Blast. They were also nominated for the 2002 Tony Award and 2002 National Broadway Theatre Award in Choreography.
Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, he has been involved in drum and bugle corps activities since the age of four. He performed with the world champion Garfield Cadets before he became a visual stage director, composer and choreographer for the Emerald Marquis, Northview High School, and many other champion pageantry organizations throughout the world. Jon is also a visual designer and music coordinator for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps. Jonathan graduated with an honors degree in music theory and composition from the New England Conservatory in Boston.
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Daniel Wiles
Daniel Wiles has been teaching for over 20 years in the world of pageantry, and has been involved in Drum Corps and Color Guard since the age of 9. He resides in Avon, Indiana with his beautiful wife Sarah, and their lovely children Olivia and Aidan. Daniel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education from Indiana University.
For the last ten years he has been the Visual Coordinator/Director of the 2009 WGI Scholastic World Champion Avon High School Color Guard and 2008 Bands of America National Champion. The last two years he has served as the Visual Coordinator for the 2009 DCI Finalist Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps. He also worked as the Visual Coordinator for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps from 2003—2008, as well as many other high school color guard and bands throughout the United States. From 2002 — 2004, Daniel served as a member of the WGI instructor task force.
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