2025 MASTER TEACHERS

Expertise. Artistry. Inspiration.

Hama

Jazz Dance

  • Hama, a native of Japan, moved to New York in 1964, where he studied with famed jazz dance instructor, Luigi. Hama’s credits include lead dancer at Radio City Music Hall, as well as various Broadway productions.

    In 1991, Hama opened his dance studio, and has dedicated himself to teaching. He has taught at many universities, and was nominated for the Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award at USC.​

    Many of Hama’s students have gone on to become well known dance teachers.

Jackie Sleight

Commercial Jazz Dance

Jazz Dance Conference West

2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Jackie has become one of America’s most prominent dance educators and has earned the reputation of being a “teacher’s teacher”. She has traveled the world sharing her exciting style of jazz and has celebrated over 35 years as a master teacher. Her career as a choreographer and director has crossed into all venues. Jackie choreographed and directed for some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry including Barry Manilow, Paula Abdul, Melissa Manchester, Englebert Hunperdink, Peaches & Herb, Yvonne Elliman, Expose, Stacey Q, Barbara Eden, Barry Bostwick, to name a few; her television choreography boasts several weekly series and her commercial list includes McDonalds, Burger King, Levi’s, Honda, Ford, Polaroid and more. Jackie also became active in the fitness industry just as aerobics was taking off. She was featured in several magazines including New Body and Fit where critics raved about her revolutionary fitness program, FreeDance. She soon became the staff choreographer for the Crystal Light and Reebok Aerobic Championships. The fitness sensation eventually took Jackie to Miami where she wrote and published an exercise manual and system which was used by health clubs all over the country. She worked to usher in what was to become the industry’s hottest craze, “low-impact” aerobics. Jackie’s ever-evolving career includes dancer, choreographer, director, entrepreneur and business owner, including the national dance convention, L.A. DanceMagic. Still, her first love is teaching and she continues to inspire students all over the world. She is forever grateful to her own teachers for sharing their knowledge and passion.

Cam Loeser

Cole Jazz Dance

  • CAM LOESER is a New York based choreographer and dance educator. Cam is the Founder and Artistic Director of COLE JAZZ and its dance company The NEW Jack Cole Dancers. The company works to honor the legacy of dance pioneer Jack Cole, and has recently celebrated its inaugural Fundraiser GALA at Off-Broadway’s Theater 555, as well as the initial run of their CLUB ACT at the Midnight Theater in Midtown Manhattan. Through COLE JAZZ, Cam teaches the Jack Cole Technique across the world in New York, Tokyo, London, and Mexico. Cam has also taught for such prestigious programs as Momen NYC, The Source, and Uprooted UK. 

    As Associate Choreographer, Cam remounted Chet Walker's choreography for the 2022 Japanese Language encore production of Diane Paulus’ Tony Award winning revival of Pippin, after working on its Tokyo premiere in 2019. He also reconstructed the choreography for the Sydney iteration of PIPPIN in 2020. Cam has served as Resident Director/Assistant Choreographer for the National Tour of CHICAGO, and as the Swing/Dance Captain for the UK Tour of CHICAGO for their Tokyo engagement. Cam also served as Tour Choreographer for the National Tour of FINDING NEVERLAND in 2018/2019, and Dance Captain for the National Tour of PIPPIN in 2017.

    Cam had the privilege of acting as the late Chet Walker’s Associate, working closely alongside Chet teaching and creating work across the globe up until his passing. Throughout the years, Cam assisted Chet in teaching in the style of Jazz Dance pioneer Jack Cole in New York as well as in London, and worked with Chet developing his JACK COLE Project. Cam can be seen dancing for Chet in a Jack Cole segment for the acclaimed HBO jazz documentary UPROOTED. 

    As a choreographer and Jazz dance dance educator, Cam is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of where this incredible art form comes from.

Brandon Leffler

Jazz Dance

  • Brandon Leffler is a dancer, choreographer and educator currently on convention faculty at LA Dance Magic. As a dancer in New York City, Brandon performed in many Broadway shows and national tours including: On The Town, Cinderella, Wicked, A Chorus Line, Cats and My Fair Lady.

    A few TV/Film credits include:  The Goldbergs (ABC), Welcome to the Chippendales (Hulu), Physical (Apple TV), Miracle Workers (Hulu), Goliath (Amazon Prime), Jackass Forever (WB), Saturday Night Live (NBC), The Tony Awards (CBS), and The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC).

    Concert dance has been a huge part of Brandon’s journey, working with companies including; Ballet Austin, Verb Ballets, Collage Dance Collective and The Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Brandon is currently a member of the Los Angeles Jazz Company.

    Since moving to Los Angeles, Brandon has immersed himself in the ballroom dance community and is currently a professional competitor in American Rhythm.

George Lawrence II

Jazz Dance

  • George Lawrence II was Born in San Diego CA and raised in Atlanta, GA. He started his training where he studied Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and Hip-Hop.  In 2010 he decided to further his technique at Dance Makers of Atlanta in in Atlanta Ga.  In 2011-12 he studied dance at the State University of New York Purchase Conservatory. After the completion of his freshman year, George made the hit show So You Think You Can Dance S9 and went on to be top 10 and do a 30 city tour.  Once the tour completed, at a young age of 19 he moved to Los Angeles California to make a living for himself. In the most recent years he has been featured in things such as: Lorde’s Dance World Tour, Valley Girl, Teen Beach 2, Ted 2, La La Land, Jersey Boys, DWTS, the VMA’s, the Emmys ,the Academy Awards, choreographing and dancing on the new fox show The Big Leap, and just recently danced in the movie Spirited with Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer. 

Josette Wiggan

Tap and Venacular Jazz Dance

  • An internationally acclaimed and much sought after educator/ choreographer/ performer, Josette Wiggan has dedicated her life to the perpetuation of African American Vernacular Jazz Dance.

    She began her dance adventure with Paul and Arlene Kennedy at the Universal Dance Designs Studio in Los Angeles. Her love for performing was fostered by the Kennedys and then refined as an adult while dancing with Jazz Tap Ensemble until 2007.

    A graduate of UCLA, Josette’s career highlights include, the 2001 Spotlight Award winner in non-classical dance category, the first National Broadway Tour of 42nd Street, 2008 Bessie Award Nominee for Outstanding Performance in the Baker/Tarpaga Project, movies Idlewild and Princess and the Frog, and studying with Germaine Acogny at L’ecole les Sables in Senegal. Alongside her brother, Joseph Wiggan, she was part of two original casts of Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel and Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour from 2009-2013. The duo performed in Tireless, a curated show by Michelle Dorrance that had its debut at Jacob’s Pillow in 2017. In 2021, Josette created her first evening length work, Praise: The Inevitable Fruit of Gratitude, in collaboration with Grammy nominated, jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold and the cast of Dorrance Dance.

    Josette is a co-creator with Michelle Dorrance and Hannah Heller for their Christmas work entitled, ...The Nutcracker Suite... that had its tour debut at the Kennedy Center in 2023 and was invited to perform at The White House under the invitation of First Lady Jill Biden in 2023. It had its debut at Jacob’s Pillow and the Queens Theatre in the Park.

    Most currently, Josette began herown tap company, Josette Wiggan Presents... and developed new works entitled, On Solid Ground: A Celebration of Black Joy and Freedom In Our America, featuring improvisation by the dancers and musicians, and her first solo work, Threshing Floor: A Place of Meditation and Melody for the American Dance Platform 2024 at the Joyce Theater.

    In addition, Josette is currently on faculty at USC, teaching Vernacular Jazz and Tap Dance at the Glorya Kaufman School of Dance.

José Costas

Ballet / Jazz / Latin

  • José Costas teaches ballet, jazz and Latin dance at Orange Coast College. He began his dance training in his native Puerto Rico, under the direction of Julie Mayoral and Lolita San Miguel. He earned his BS and M. Ed. degrees from Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and his MFA from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.

    José was a principal dancer with Ballet Hispanico of New York for nine years. During his tenure with Ballet Hispanico, Mr. Costas created lead roles in many ballets and performed throughout the United States, Europe and South America. He has worked extensively as a choreographer, creating productions throughout the country. In 1995, he received a Modern Dance Award given by Puerto Rican Institute of New York.​

    José has taught for educational programs including Ballet Hispanico, City Center and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and master classes in ballet, modern, jazz and ethnic dance styles for universities, dance schools and public schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. He taught at California State University, Dominguez Hills for four years before becoming a full-time faculty member in the Orange Coast College Dance Department in 1999. For several years he was the artistic director of Fiesta Latina, an OCC student dance outreach program focusing on the Latino dance/music traditions. He received an award from OCC in 2008 for his efforts to improve community outreach.

    In 2008 while on a one-year leave of absence from Orange Coast College, Mr. Costas served as the Director of the prestigious Ballet Hispanico School of Dance in New York City. During his tenure as school director Mr. Costas re-designed the school curriculum, created a new outreach performance program and was the choreographer in residence and Artistic Director for the new School Ensemble, Ballet Hispanico II.

Cindera Che

Jazz Dance

  • Cindera Che is an Asian American actor and dancer with a career spanning over thirty years in film and television. In addition to her on-camera work, Cindera has been an influential teacher, choreographer, and performance coach for over 35 years. She was on staff at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, developing professional dancers. She also created the Movement For Actors training program, where her skills in turning non-dancers into expressive movers led to her appearance on Dancing with the Stars, coaching Kristy Yamaguchi in her winning performance.

    Cindera’s style was influenced by Dennon and Sayhber Rawles, Hama, Michael Peters, Billy Goodson and Twyla Tharp. One of her favorite choreography projects was creating a finale for a cast of 750 inmates from the renowned dancing inmates of Cebu, the Philippines, for the film Dance of the Steelbars. This experience allowed her to explore the idea that movement transcends all human barriers, a belief she strives to bring to all of her work.

Jeff Hendrix

Jazz Dance

  • Jeff Hendrix is the producer for Jazz Dance Conference West/Legends and Legacy and the Director of Jazz Dance Alliance. Jeff has an M.F.A. in Dance from U.C. Irvine with a focus on choreography and videography.

    His mentors include Luigi, Rhett Dennis, Stanley Hall and Dennon Rawles. Performance credits include “A Chorus Line”, “Anything Goes”, “Guys and Dolls” and “Oklahoma”. International choreography and teaching includes Luigi’s (NYC), Nat Horn (NYC), New Jersey Ballet , Ballet Russe de Montreal, Columbo (Zurich), Schutz Ballet (Vienna), Okomoto Ballet) (Japan), Maui Academy of Performing Arts, Svetlova Dance Center (Vermont), Bermuda Academy of Ballet and Austin Ballet Theatre.

    Jeff currently teaches dance at California State Dominguez Hills, as well as several community colleges in L.A. and Orange Counties. He frequently choreographs and performs regularly in jazz, tap, salsa and swing pieces.

Pat Taylor

Jazz Theatre

  • Pat Taylor (Artistic Director/Choreographer for “Jazz Antiqua”) blends her love of jazz and blues music, visual art and spoken word, with a distinctive historical perspective to create Jazz Antiqua’s own brand of “jazz theatre.”

    Her background in Katherine Dunham and Lester Horton techniques., West African, American vernacular and classic jazz dance, along with a love for the collage nature of improvisation, combine to form her signature style and approach to movement.

    Exploring original music compositions along with the works of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Nina Simone, John Coltrane and other greats, Jazz Antiqua delves deep into the heart of jazz and the “movement in the music” –from the lineage, legacy and language to the socio-cultural implications and contexts embedded therein. From jazz clubs to concert halls, performing arts centers to schools, museums to festival in the park, Jazz Antiqua shares the art of jazz with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

    The Company has been presented at: Playboy Jazz Festivals (Hollywood Bowl), Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (Music Center of Los Angeles), Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California African American Museum, The Jazz Bakery, Irvine Barclay Theatre, Ford Amphitheatre, CIAEI Theater (Brazil), Dance Mission Theatre (San Francisco), Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, UCLA Hammer Museum, Watts Towers Jazz Festival, Southern Theatre (Minneapolis), Laney College (Oakland), Mesa Performing Arts Center (Arizona) and many other distinguished venues.

Janell Burgess

Baltes Jazz Dance

  • Janell’s passion for the arts began at a very young age with her commitment to the study of dance guiding her to professional training with focused studies in the Ballet Pacifica School, DeFore Foundation of the Arts, and Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, Giordano Dance Chicago, and Limon School. She is the recipient of the Tremaine Scholarship, Giordano Merit Scholarship, and the American Legion Award for her advocacy and commitment to arts education in the Southern California schools districts. She has been a professional choreographer and performing artist for over 20 years, teaching, choreographing, and performing worldwide. Janell has worked with top artists and companies including the KC & The Sunshine Band, The Jackson Family, Paul Oakenfold, Gene Simmons, Holly Madison, Universal Studios, Ceasar’s Entertainment, Disneyland, Fercos Brothers Circus, Brockus Project Dance, LA Contemporary Dance Company, and Louise Reichlin & Dancers, and has served as resident choreographer for the Sands Hotel in Macau, China. Her film & television credits include: The Travel Channel, The View, PBS, AXS TV, and 4 years on West Africa's longest-running dance reality television show, "Maltina Dance All" which focused on bringing families together thru through dance. She is also an accomplished theatrical actress, puppeteer, and aerial artist, of for which she won was awarded the Paragon International Doubles Championship in 2014 for her performance & choreography.

    As an educator, Janell’s teaching career, spanning over the last 3 decades, has included holding faculty positions at the Debbie Reynolds Dance Center, ABT Gillespie School, StarQuest Dance International, Jimmie DeFore Foundation for the Arts, LA Choreographers & Dancers, Newport Mesa Unified School District, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. She has also served as an Educator for ArtsTeach thru through the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center, and as a guest speaker at Orange Coast College and UCLA. As a certified Zena Rommett Floor Barre Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor, Certified Food'nSport Fitness Instructor, and Holistic Healthcare Practitioner, Janell brings a strong focus to body alignment, physical health, and mental wellness to the classes she teaches and the dancers she educates. Her choreography has been featured on by the Disney Channel, Atlantic City Hotels, Southern California Dance Invitational, LA Dance Invitational, Orange County Dance Festival, Inland Empire Dance Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival and most recently the Southern California Dance & Choreography Invitational where she won an award for Best Choreography for her work "Treat". Through the pandemic, Ms. Burgess choreographed and produced the short dance film “Chameleon”, which premiered live at Global Pushfest San Francisco in 2020 and continued to tour the film festival circuit winning multiple awards for Best Choreography and Best Original Score. She also produced 3 online and in-person full dance concerts which featured Jazz Spectrum Dance Company and Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre. Ms. Burgess Janell currently serves on the board of Jazz Spectrum Dance Company, holds the position of Artistic Director, and is the Owner of Spectrum Dance Center in Lake Forest, California which houses a professional studies program for college students, youth conservatory, and adult dance program. Janell continues to tour with the legendary KC & The Sunshine Band where she serves as dance captain and maintenance choreographer. Her mission is to help develop artists and projects that will inspire healing, bridge cultures, create unity, and ignite a passion for life!

Joey Doucette

Jazz Dance

  • With over 25 years of experience in most areas of the show business industry, Joey Doucette can offer today a widely ranged artistic and professional experience, including but not limited to dance teaching, choreography for stage and television, direction and show production.

    Currently based in Las Vegas and New York City, Joey Doucette wrote and created a variety of production shows throughout United States, Latin America and Europe. He employed his versatile knowledge of different styles of dance while teaching across North and South America as well as many European countries. Joey performed on stage in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, They’re Playing Our Song, Annie, South Pacific, Anything Goes and more. On television he was a lead dancer on many variety shows in Latin America, and Europe, (Siempre en Domingo, En Vivo, Sabado Gigante and a list of others.)

    Joey Doucette is working now to broaden his palette of artistic influence throughout the European and Asian entertainment community. He has performed at the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris and in Korea, where he choreographed and directed an Original production Enigma. Joey worked with Tony Bennett and Regis Philbin, Olga Breeskin of Mexico and a host of other celebrities. Joey has created corporate events that have performed in New York City, Las Vegas and across the country. Mr. Doucette’s work has also been seen in over 44 different countries.

    Joey has trained with the world-famous Luigi of New York City, where he taught at Luigi’s Jazz Centre. Joey is currently the program creator for the new innovation of Luigi’s Jazz technique, Jazz Dance Legacy. Joey has created the Luigi jazz technique teacher certification program launched in July 2019. Joey also was on full scholarship at Joffrey Ballet in New York City. Mr. Doucette has taught throughout the USA, Mexico, Europe Italy, France, Romania, Latvia, Ukraine, Korea, Portugal, and more. Joey also has been a guest teacher at the University of Mexico, UCSD San Diego and at the Virginia School of the Arts under the direction of Petrus Bosman. Plus, he has taught and choreographed a variety of Jazz Ballets for the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA). Joey just recently taught at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, where he taught jazz to the pre-professional division students.

    Known as a energetic and stylized teacher/choreographer, he has enjoyed teaching all levels from 8 yrs of age to professionals. As a former studio owner as well, in Mexico City, Joey understands the needs of studio owners, teachers in the studio environment. Joey has had extensive experience in all aspects of the dance business, both in onstage and backstage. Joey has always looked for new talent, and has hired dancers straight from the dance schools around the country.