Join Us! Master Classes are open to non-BLDC students!
MASTER CLASSES WITH GUEST ARTISTS
Master classes provide our students the opportunity to learn from and share experiences with leading dance artists from across the country. Classes range in various styles including; jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary and ballet. Most of our Master Classes are open to non-BLDC students. Come join us and take your dancing to the next level! Keep checking our website for updates and follow us on social media for future master class dates.
CONTEMPORARY MASTER CLASSES WITH TANNER FRISBEY
SEPTEMBER 26 & 28
Tanner Frisbey is a Kansas City native, now living in New York City. He graduated from PACE University with a BFA in Commercial Dance, with concentrations in Choreography, Performance, and Pedagogy. He was a college scholarship recipient from the NYCDA College Foundation. Tanner has trained in competition studios his whole life. However, in high school he attended Indiana Ballet Conservatory on a full ride scholarship for two years. He has trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, hiphop, aerial arts, and acrobatics. He has had the opportunities to dance in Young Choreographers Festival, The Nutcracker, and was in the ensemble in the musical, Mamma Mia at Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, California. He has worked with Andy Pellick, Suzi Taylor, Scott Jovovich, Sonya Tayeh, Madny Moore, and many others. Tanner was also a featured dancer and aerialist onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's, Odyssey of The Seas. Tanner teaches at two studios in the Tri-State area.
Anthony Morigerato Anthony Morigerato is a tap dancer, producer, director, content creator, writer, and Emmy nominated choreographer. Anthony is the executive producer and artistic director for AM Dance Productions. AM Dance Productions, short films include The Text (2015), The Subtext (2018), and the award winning When Snow Falls (2020). AM Dance Productions live theatrical shows include AM Dance Project (2006-2008), Matt and Anthony (2009), flood (in the dark corner) (2017), flood (redux) (2020), and Alternate Spaces (2021). In 2014, Anthony founded and is currently the co-director and managing partner of Operation: Tap, an online forum that is dedicated to immersing tap dancing into the public’s consciousness. In 2019, Anthony created CODA, Break The Floor’s online dance competition scoring system that provides dancers with genre specific score sheets, homework video content to improve their performance, and data analytics. Anthony worked as a tap dance teacher, performer, and adjudicator for NUVO Dance Convention from 2010-2020. As a performer, Anthony was a soloist and member of Michael Minery’s Tapaholics (2002-2012), a soloist and associate choreographer for Stacey Tookey’s Still Motion, and a soloist for various tap dance festivals, benefits, industrials, seminars, and performances since 1999. He has appeared as a choreographer and/or a performer on television shows including The Tony Danza Show (2005), America’s Got Talent (2009), The Arsenio Hall Show (2013), So You Think You Can Dance (2013-2018- Emmy Nomination 2016). Anthony holds the world record for “most tap sounds in one minute” having made 1,163 sounds. Anthony is an accomplished dancer in multiple disciplines, having trained at Marymount Manhattan College, where he performed the works of Robert Battle, Elizabeth Higgins, Jiri Kylian, David Parsons, Katie Langan and William Soleu. He has recently done choreographic residencies at Marymount Manhattan College (2014, 2016, and 2019), Pace University (2019), and is an artist in residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation (2020). Most recently Anthony performed and had choreography featured in Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic (2021), presented by the Joyce Theater in NYC. Anthony continues to travel as a teacher and choreographer for dance organizations, festivals, competitions, theater schools, and dance studios all over the world.
Alexandria Best is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina where she began her pre-professional dance training. During this time, she acquired knowledge from instructors across programs such as American Ballet Theatre, Arts Umbrella, Carolina Ballet, DamianiDance, French Academie of Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She is a 2021 graduate of Pace University where she earned her BFA in dance, with a concentration in performance and pedagogy, and a minor in business. Immediately following post-grad, Alexandria joined Hubbard Street Dance Chicago as a company dance artist under the new direction of Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell. Now going into her third season, she has had the opportunity to perform many great works by many great-minded artists alike. She is thrilled to be announced as a 2023 Princess Grace Foundation Award winner in Dance and to be joining its community of artists.
Markus Shields Since the first time Markus Shields set foot into rehearsal he developed an instant passion for dance and choreography. Thus, just one year later, he began creating award-winning numbers for national and international competitions.
Soon thereafter, Markus moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles and has since built working relationships with choreographers Wade Robson, Tricia Miranda, Frank Gatson, Parris Goebel, Charm La’Donna, and more. He has also become a regular teacher at Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds’ Dance Studio, Edge PAC and other prominent studios in LA as well as becoming an international master instructor.
While represented by Bloc Talent Agency as a dancer/choreographer he has starred in ads for JW Marriott, Amtrak and choreographed a commercial for eBay. Shields has also performed onstage and camera alongside Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Will Smith, Kelis, Lil Mama and more, as well as embarked on two World Tours with Latin Pop Icon, Chayanne! All in all, Markus has and always strived to be a great creator. Whether choreographing for a studio or a world tour, creative directing for personal projects or recording artists, or any other facets of entertainment, he always puts his heart in his work.
Soon thereafter, Markus moved from the Midwest to Los Angeles and has since built working relationships with choreographers Wade Robson, Tricia Miranda, Frank Gatson, Parris Goebel, Charm La’Donna, and more. He has also become a regular teacher at Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds’ Dance Studio, Edge PAC and other prominent studios in LA as well as becoming an international master instructor.
While represented by Bloc Talent Agency as a dancer/choreographer he has starred in ads for JW Marriott, Amtrak and choreographed a commercial for eBay. Shields has also performed onstage and camera alongside Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Will Smith, Kelis, Lil Mama and more, as well as embarked on two World Tours with Latin Pop Icon, Chayanne! All in all, Markus has and always strived to be a great creator. Whether choreographing for a studio or a world tour, creative directing for personal projects or recording artists, or any other facets of entertainment, he always puts his heart in his work.
Billy Bell is an internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer. He was born in raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Billy has danced with Broadway's Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey in Back to Back to Broadway, toured with Broadway arts as Baby John in West Side Story, and was on Season 6 and 7 of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance." Billy has been on faculty at Radix Dance Convention.
After graduating from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Billy continued his training at The Juilliard School where he has performed rep by Jose Limon, and Sidra Bell. He has been a cast member in Punchdrunk's "Sleep No More," Billy's past experiences include dancing with Jose Navas/Compagnie Flak and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet where he performed works by Jiri Kilian, Hofesh Shechter, Johan Inger, Jo Stromgren, Alexander Ekman, Crystal Pite, Benoit Swan Pouffer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Emanuel Gat.
A recipient of the Frank Prize for Emerging Artists and an A.C.E. Capezio award, he also choreographs work for his company Lunge Dance Collective as well as other establishments across the country. He is also well established in the commercial dance scene having been on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, after which he had the opportunity to work with the likes of Britney Spears, the original cast of RENT, and the talented cast and crew of FOX's HOUSE M.D.
After graduating from Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Billy continued his training at The Juilliard School where he has performed rep by Jose Limon, and Sidra Bell. He has been a cast member in Punchdrunk's "Sleep No More," Billy's past experiences include dancing with Jose Navas/Compagnie Flak and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet where he performed works by Jiri Kilian, Hofesh Shechter, Johan Inger, Jo Stromgren, Alexander Ekman, Crystal Pite, Benoit Swan Pouffer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Emanuel Gat.
A recipient of the Frank Prize for Emerging Artists and an A.C.E. Capezio award, he also choreographs work for his company Lunge Dance Collective as well as other establishments across the country. He is also well established in the commercial dance scene having been on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance, after which he had the opportunity to work with the likes of Britney Spears, the original cast of RENT, and the talented cast and crew of FOX's HOUSE M.D.
Ivan Koumaev
Originally from Russia, Ivan started dancing at the age of 12. He began his training in Seattle, Washington, and moved to Los Angeles at age 16 to pursue dance professionally. Ivan then worked with several hip-hop companies between Orange County and Hollywood, while beginning to discover his passion for teaching and choreography. In 2008, Ivan was featured on the television show So You Think You Can Dance, where he was one of "America's Top 10 Dancers", and was given the opportunity to travel across the country on the show's national tour. He has been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and has performed with the League of Extraordinary Dancers at the 2010 Academy Awards. He has been seen performing with the likes of Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo and in films such as Step Up 3D, Footloose and Rock Of Ages. Ivan’s proudest moment has been his involvement with Justin Timberlake and the 20/20 Experience from both a dancer and assistant-choreographer (under Marty Kudelka and AJ Harpold) point of view.
Most recently, Ivan played a role in creating movement for the animated movie Trolls. Ivan teaches master classes in Los Angeles as well as teaching and choreographing at studios across the world.
Originally from Russia, Ivan started dancing at the age of 12. He began his training in Seattle, Washington, and moved to Los Angeles at age 16 to pursue dance professionally. Ivan then worked with several hip-hop companies between Orange County and Hollywood, while beginning to discover his passion for teaching and choreography. In 2008, Ivan was featured on the television show So You Think You Can Dance, where he was one of "America's Top 10 Dancers", and was given the opportunity to travel across the country on the show's national tour. He has been a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and has performed with the League of Extraordinary Dancers at the 2010 Academy Awards. He has been seen performing with the likes of Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo and in films such as Step Up 3D, Footloose and Rock Of Ages. Ivan’s proudest moment has been his involvement with Justin Timberlake and the 20/20 Experience from both a dancer and assistant-choreographer (under Marty Kudelka and AJ Harpold) point of view.
Most recently, Ivan played a role in creating movement for the animated movie Trolls. Ivan teaches master classes in Los Angeles as well as teaching and choreographing at studios across the world.
Jason Janas is originally from New Jersey. He began his tap dance instruction under Ms. Deborah Mitchell and was the first charter member of the New Jersey Tap Ensemble. He then found a love for the dance and continued to learn and study the art form. He also trained and was a member of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble under the direction of Gene Medler.
Jason's first professional company after high school was Tapestry Dance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray. He was a principal dancer there for 5 years. His hard work ethic began to take notice and Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! which ran for 6 weeks in Chicago, and changed his life. His other show credits include Souls of our Feet with Tapestry Dance Company, Wonderland with Sara Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and most recently co-choreographed and was featured in Tap Stars with Rasta Thomas. He currently teaches for Radix dance convention, and has taught at tap festivals in New Jersey, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte, Austin, San Antonio, Vancouver, Zürich, Curitiba (Brazil), Moscow, and Barcelona!
Jason's first professional company after high school was Tapestry Dance Company in Austin TX, under the direction of Acia Gray. He was a principal dancer there for 5 years. His hard work ethic began to take notice and Derick Grant invited Jason to be in his show Imagine Tap! which ran for 6 weeks in Chicago, and changed his life. His other show credits include Souls of our Feet with Tapestry Dance Company, Wonderland with Sara Savelli and Ayodele Casel, and most recently co-choreographed and was featured in Tap Stars with Rasta Thomas. He currently teaches for Radix dance convention, and has taught at tap festivals in New Jersey, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte, Austin, San Antonio, Vancouver, Zürich, Curitiba (Brazil), Moscow, and Barcelona!
Dorrell Martin
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Jason Parsons is currently touring the country as an instructor for NUVO dance convention where he teaches contemporary and improv. He has worked with such notable companies as River North, Mia Michaels R.A.W., Dinyos Dance Company (Japan), POZ Dance Theatre (South Korea). His industrial credits include work for Sony, BMW, DaeWoo and General Motors. On television, Jason been seen on Fame L.A. and the Essence Awards with Celine Dion. His choreography has been seen internationally at Gwang Ju Biennale Festival, Minjockchoom Cultural Festival, Seoul Contemporary Jazz Dance Festival, Nokia Awards (Czech Republic), Pugilia Danza and ArteDanza (Italy). As a master teacher, Jason has taught in the U.S., Canada, Japan, South Korea, Czech Republic, England and Italy.
