Coaches + Choreographers
Mia Di Fazio, a rising high school senior, has been fortunate enough to work with incredible coaches and choreographers. This experience has not only honed her dance skills but also provided her with invaluable insights into the world of choreography and performance.
Working alongside such talented professionals has likely exposed her to diverse dance styles and techniques, enhancing her understanding of the art form. Moreover, the mentorship she has received will undoubtedly prepare her for future opportunities in dance, whether in professional companies or educational institutions.
As she approaches her final year of high school, Mia Di Fazio is well-positioned to leverage these experiences to pursue her college degree and continue her passions in dance.
The alphabetical list of instructors features a link to a video of Mia Di Fazio in their class.
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Valeria Canas is a talented and accomplished individual with a background in dance and choreography. She has gained recognition for her work in the dance community, including winning multiple "Best Choreography Awards" and national titles over her five-year career as a choreographer.
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Greg Chapkis is a world-renowned dancer, choreographer, and director born and raised in Ukraine. He began his professional dance career at a young age, performing with a professional Ukrainian dance troupe before moving to the United States in 1998. In 2003, he opened his first dance studio, Dance Unlimited, in Vallejo, California, which he later relocated and renamed Chapkis Dance in Suisun City. Greg has achieved significant success, competing on "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Got Talent" with his group Mix'd Elements. He has choreographed for notable artists like Daddy Yankee, Jessica Mauboy, and the Golden State Warriors' dance team. Greg's studio has produced award-winning performances at competitions such as Hip Hop International and World of Dance. He is also a sought-after teacher and judge for international dance conventions, having taught in over 30 countries.
Mia Di Fazio (center, white pants) participating in a Master Class by Greg Chapkis.
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Nathan Cherry is a multifaceted dancer, instructor, and choreographer. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has developed expertise in various street styles, including Popping, Locking, Breaking, House, and Hip Hop. Cherry has made significant contributions to the dance community, notably choreographing for Louisiana State University's UDA national Hip Hop title in 2024.
As a professional dancer, Cherry has appeared in films such as "Praise This" (2023) and "Descendants: The Rise of Red" (2024). Cherry's choreography portfolio extends to various projects, including routines for Florida State University, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon, and numerous high school, all-star, and studio teams.
Cherry's talent has also been recognized in the competitive dance world. He recently collaborated with Sammy McFadden and Carsen Rowe on choreography for the LSU Dance Team, showcasing his skills in locking alongside Geovanna Garavelo. His involvement in UDA Nationals 2024 master classes further demonstrates his influence in the dance community.
Mia Di Fazio participating in a Master Class with Nathan Cherry
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Nicole Dias is a choreographer and dancer known for her work with Kate Weare Company. She has been praised for her ability to bring depth and nuance to her performances, with Kate Weare noting her unique approach to movement that emphasizes sensing, reacting, and creating change.
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Ryan Fernandez is a talented choreographer and dancer who graduated from Coral Reef High School. He has been actively involved in the dance community, choreographing numerous performances that showcase his creativity and skill. Recently, Mia Di Fazio has had the opportunity to work with Ryan for the past two years, and he has choreographed her solo pieces for competitions. His work with Mia highlights his ability to collaborate with dancers and create compelling routines for competitive events. While specific details about his background and current projects are limited, his contributions to the dance world are evident through his collaborations and choreographic work.
Dance choreographed by Ryan (Mia Di Fazio on the team)
Mia Di Fazio rehearsing a solo piece choreographed by Ryan Hernandez
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Natalya Hall is a renowned dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Miami, Florida. Born and raised in Miami, she began her dance training at the age of three at Joe Michael's Dance Studio and later continued at The Dance Space. Natalya was a member of the Miami Children's Dance Ensemble and has taught various dance styles, including jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, and tap. She graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Psychology and minors in Dance and Business Administration. Natalya is the director of Trendz Dance Studio and the Dance Magnet program at South Miami K-8 Center. Her work includes choreographing for music videos and stage productions, and she has received numerous awards at regional and national competitions
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Chase Hudson, professionally known as Huddy (formerly Lil Huddy), is a prominent American singer, actor, and social media personality. Born on May 15, 2002, in Stockton, California, he rose to fame on TikTok with his charismatic lip-syncing and dance videos, eventually co-founding the influential Hype House collective in 2019. Hudson's style and personality have significantly impacted Gen Z, popularizing the "e-boy" fashion trend and shaping pop culture. He transitioned into music, signing with Interscope Records in 2020 and releasing his debut album "Teenage Heartbreak" in 2021. Chase Hudson continues to influence the entertainment industry through his music, fashion collaborations, and strong social media presence.
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Caliea Koehler is a dancer and choreographer who was part of the LSU Tiger Girls dance team and a 2022 National Champion. She is currently a Graduate Assistant for LSU Athletics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Caliea has a background in dance, having been a student at Spotlight Productions Dance Studio in Eagan, MN, and was a team member and captain of the Eastview Lightning Dance Team.
Video of 2024 JV Hip Hop Nationals with Mia Di Fazio in team (by @calieakoehler and @emilyplacita)
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Isabella Bolivar Lopez is a talented young dancer and choreographer from Miami, Florida. She is affiliated with Focal Point Dance Studios, where she has showcased her skills in various dance competitions. Isabella gained recognition for her choreographic work, including a poignant solo titled "Over and Over" for dancer Zolan Laird, which was featured in the New World School of the Arts High School Student Choreography performance. Additionally, she won the Teen Solo category at the Hype Dance Competition in Coral Springs with her piece "Thunder." Isabella is also involved in fundraising efforts for Focal Point Dance Company. Her passion for dance and choreography has earned her recognition in the dance community, and she continues to grow as a creative artist.
Videos featuring choreography by Lopez and Mia Di Fazio is in the videos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C-WanNOuN0O/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_RWF7JuSSl/?hl=en&img_index=2
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Sammy McFadden is a renowned dancer and choreographer known for her creative excellence in hip hop and jazz.
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Andrew Mullet is a dance teacher and choreographer known for his creative work in contemporary dance. He has choreographed pieces such as "A Moment of Love," which was performed at Broward College. Additionally, Andrew Mullet has shared his choreography on platforms like YouTube, where his work is showcased in videos like "Be My Baby".
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Sam Nelson is a versatile dancer and choreographer originally from Austin, Texas, known for his expertise in Contemporary and Lyrical dance. He gained national recognition as a Top 15 contestant on Season 16 of So You Think You Can Dance. Sam has worked with renowned artists such as Tame Impala, JP Saxe, and Nia Sioux, and has performed at prestigious events like NBC’s World of Dance Championships and the Primetime Emmys. His choreography has been featured on America’s Got Talent and in music videos, earning numerous awards and accolades.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Sam teaches at Millennium Dance Complex LA and other studios while serving as a guest instructor for conventions like Nexus Dance Convention. His intricate choreography and unique style have inspired dancers across the country, helping many gain scholarships and admission into top dance programs such as Juilliard and Marymount Manhattan College. Sam continues to share his passion through master classes, intensives, and choreography projects nationwide.
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Vadim Pidhoretskyy is a highly accomplished ballroom dancer and choreographer specializing in Latin dance. Representing the United States, he is best known for his partnership with Ruby Castro, with whom he has achieved significant success in the competitive dance world. Together, they have competed in prestigious events, including the Blackpool Dance Festival and the New York Dance Festival, earning accolades such as second place at the NYDF 2023 and recognition as World Champions in the Youth U21 Latin category in 2021.
Vadim's performances are celebrated for their technical precision and artistry, as seen in their standout routines in dances like Rumba, Samba, and Jive. His dedication to the craft and consistent achievements have established him as a prominent figure in the international ballroom dance community.
Mia Di Fazio participating in a Summer Intensive by Vadim Pidhoretskyy.
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Emily Placita is a highly accomplished dancer and sports performance coach. She trained at Dancer's Edge Studio for 14 years and is a 10-time World Champion. Emily has a strong background in various dance styles, including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pom, hip-hop, and ballet. She attended The Ohio State University, where she was part of the dance team. After her dance career, Emily transitioned into sports performance coaching, with a growing interest in sports marketing, communications, and branding.
Video of 2024 JV Hip Hop Nationals with Mia Di Fazio in team (by @calieakoehler and @emilyplacita)
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Tristan Plieth is a young and talented dancer and choreographer who has been making waves in the dance community. Born around 2011, Tristan began dancing at the age of 5 and has since developed expertise in multiple dance styles, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, lyrical, and tap.
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Big Will Simmons is a talented dancer, choreographer, actor, and model. He began his dance journey at the age of four, training in various styles including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Locking, Popping, and Hip Hop. Simmons has worked with prominent figures in the entertainment industry, such as Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Missy Elliott, Janet Jackson, and BTS. He has choreographed for notable projects, including Disney's "Club Mickey Mouse" and NBC's "Dancing with Myself." Big Will is also known for his role in the iconic "This is America" video by Childish Gambino.
Mia Di Fazio participating in Master Class by Big Will Simmons
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Danielle Solano is a multifaceted individual with various professional pursuits. One Danielle Solano is a dancer and works as a Company Teacher at Dance Unlimited Company, with a background in business from Florida State University.
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Amanda Tae is a multifaceted figure in the dance world, best known as the founder and Creative Director of Focal Point Dance Studios in Miami. She began dancing at the age of three and attended New World School of the Arts High School. Amanda pursued higher education, initially studying at Florida State University, where she earned a degree in Sports Management, though some sources indicate she attended Florida International University. She established Focal Point Dance Studios in 2005 with the goal of bridging the gap between amateur and professional dancers. Amanda is also involved with Tae Talent Agency, further solidifying her influence in the dance community.
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Ricky Ubeda is a talented American dancer and actor born on December 4, 1995, in Miami, Florida. He gained widespread recognition by winning Season 11 of the dance competition series "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2014. Following his victory, Ubeda made his Broadway debut in the 2015 revival of "On the Town." He has since appeared in several notable Broadway productions, including "Cats," "Carousel," and "West Side Story." Ubeda also played Flaco in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film adaptation of "West Side Story" and has been involved in other projects like "Fosse/Verdon" and "Maestro.
