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Register Here
Any intermediate/advanced dancer is welcome to attend!
Intensive attendance is mandatory for all dancers wishing to audition for the RJ's Competition Team!
Dancers should wear dancewear and bring all of their shoes. Hair should be pulled away from the face.
Dancers should pack plenty of water, healthy snacks, and a sack lunch/dinner.
Teacher lineups are subject to change without prior notice.
Specific schedules for each age group will be available upon registration.
Andrea Calloway is originally from St. Louis, Missouri where she grew up as a competitive dancer on the RJ's Competition Team! She graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Summa Cum Laude Honors. She now lives in Los Angeles pursuing professional commercial dance, under Bloc Talent Agency. She was a member of IAMFORCE Dance Company; and on-camera based company under the direction of Chehon Wespi-Tschopp. She has been featured in commercials such as Nike, House of Hoops, and Huawei Technologies. She has choreographed for artist Marshmello and also moments in Snoop Dogg's documentary, "G-Funk". Andrea recently closed the touring production of "Disney's The Little Mermaid," during which she performed across the country at many prestigious theaters. Other acting credits include "In the Heights," "The King and I," and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at La Mirada Theatre, where she has been seen dancing and singing in the ensemble, as well as performing as a swing. She is currently touring with the dance convention, Adrenaline and Revive, working as an assistant for major choreographers such as Sonya Tayeh, Marty Kudelka and Nick Bass. She loves teaching master classes, adjudicating competitions and choreographing!
Courtney Barclay Born and raised in Southern California and received her dance training from any and every teacher, studio, and convention around. A graduate of Orange County School of the Arts, Courtney went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from UCLA with two degrees in World Arts and Cultures/Dance as well as in Communication Studies. Upon graduating college, Courtney became the Creative Director of Evoke Dance Movement in Carlsbad, CA. There, she developed the studio’s contemporary curriculum, contributed to the students’ reputation for performance quality and commitment, and discovered her true love for choreography. Concurrently, Courtney trained and performed as a member of Entity Contemporary Dance Company under the direction of Will Johnston and Marissa Osato. Since her career began, Courtney has received countless choreography awards and accolades and has gone on to choreograph stand-out pieces at studios and high schools throughout the country. Most notably, Courtney was a selected choreographer for the 2017 & 2025 ACE Awards, where she was honored to display her work alongside 15 of the best choreographers around the country. Courtney constantly strives to offer an original and unique choreographic perspective on dance, performance, and the music that accompanies them. Above all else, Courtney takes immense pride in being a role model to young dancers, offering them an example of hard work and commitment to one’s craft.
Merissa Gassel is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up as a competition kid, assisting and touring with conventions since the young age of 14 . Her professional career began at 15 when she was given the opportunity to dance as a member of IV Dance Company. Soon after, she performed as a principal dancer in Justin Giles’ Soulescape and Tessandra Chavez’s Unity LA. As a young dancer in these three companies, she was given the opportunity to train and perform coast to coast. Since then, Merissa worked as assistant choreographer to Mandy Moore on halftimes for both the Liberty Bowl and the Orange Bowl featuring "Train". In addition, she assisted on the opening number of Nigel Lythgoe's Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala and Capezio's 125th Anniversary show held at New York's City Center. While living in Los Angeles for 9 years, Merissa performed in many live stage shows as well as television, including ABC's "The Secret Life of An American Teenager"'. Since relocating to Nashville, she performed with Jake Owen on this CMT performance of "Real Life" as well as Dan+Shay's "Steal my love" music video. Her appreciation for growing up in a dance studio, along with being given many opportunities at a young age, brought out her strong desire to teach and help mold young dancers. Merissa found her "home" teaching at DC Dance Factory in 2014. After teaching on Adrenaline Dance Convention for 7 years, she currently teaches Jazz on its "sister" convention, Revive. This allows her to travel and share her knowledge, love and passion for movement with students across the country.
Chris Jacobsen was born and raised in Northern California. Stepping into his first dance class, Chris felt himself come alive. A connection with the art was created that has guided him through life since that moment. His journey of creative discovery continued while attending The San Francisco School of the Arts, where he studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Afro-Haitian. Armed with a deeper understanding of dance, he then began to experiment with the art of choreography. In 1999, Chris established The Dance Company of San Francisco. As the Artistic Director, he created an alternative environment for passionate dancers to explore the art of dance with less focus on commercial standards and more on personal growth. Continuing through to today, the desire to share his passion consistently challenges his dancers to exceed their perceived capabilities. Chris travels nationally with the highly acclaimed dance convention Adrenaline Dance Inc and continues to create choreographic works for companies and schools across North America. As co-director and founding member of The Dance Sessions, Chris is driven to educate dancers in a loving and safe environment so his students can enlighten and inspire each other with their own passion.
Nick Bass began dancing at a very young age in his hometown of Nashville. Early in his dance career he worked as a child performer locally in the Music City. From commercials and music videos to tours and live performances, Nick was introduced to the bright lights early in life. Having a dance studio in his family, he spent the majority of his time there practicing and perfecting the art that would shape his career. When moving to Los Angeles in 2003, Nick was prepared and seasoned for the life of a professional dancer. Having already danced for country artists such as Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and JoDee Messina as well as Contemporary Christian artists D.C. Talk, Carmen, and Zoe Girl, Nick set out for more. Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, he was hired to dance with Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. From there, Nick would go on to perform with Chris Brown, Ne-yo, Usher, Nelly Furtado, Beyonce’, Christina Aguilera, Prince, Ciara, Kylie Minogue,Toni Braxton, Omarion, Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson to name a few. Nick has performed at The Superbowl, the NBA All Star Game, Saturday Night Live, The Victoria Secret Fashion Show, American Idol, Will and Grace, Ellen, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, TRL, Bet 106 and Park, Soul Train, Showtime at the Apollo and X-Factor. He was lucky enough to dance on The Grammy’s, The VMA’s and the American Music Awards numerous times as well. Nick has also performed and choreographed for television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. While having worked with many artists, a few of his biggest accomplishments were having toured the world with both Janet Jackson (Rock Wit Chu) and twice with Justin Timberlake (Future, Sex, Love Show, 20/20 Experience). He was in rehearsal with Michael Jackson and was featured in the “This Is It” documentary, that was produced shortly after Jackson’s passing. Nick has also choreographed for Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Ne-yo, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Colbie Caliet, Carrie Underwood, Super Junior, EXO, Toby Mac and Boa. Nick won a world choreography award for “Say My Name” for Artist Mark Ballas alongside co-choreographer Misha Gabriel. Nick has also won the award “Convention Teacher of the Year “ at the Industry Dance Awards. Through the years Nick has complimented his life of a dancer and choreographer with being a dance educator. He has taught throughout the United States on popular dance conventions like Nuvo, NYCDA, and currently Adrenaline Dance. Having taught for over 20 years and in many different parts of the world, he is proud to say teaching is now his passion and what fulfills him most. Coming full circle and now back in Nashville, he teaches for the dance studio that made him the dancer and man he is now. Nick looks forward to providing the next generation with not only quality dance training but the traits and skills needed to be successful in this world.