Nick Bowman is one of the dance industry’s finest tap technicians and one of the most sought-after tap choreographers in the U.S. In addition to teaching for WCDE, he is constantly out on the road teaching for many dance organizations and workshops worldwide. His work is featured in nationally distributed educational videos and he recently developed and produced one of his own-entitled Cheers! Nick’s credits as a performer are far too long to list, but he includes Caution Men at Work: TAP, Legends of Tap, Steppitapahtuma, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now, and Buckets and Tap Shoes as a few of his favorites. He has appeared on many TV shows such as the Rosie O’Donnell Show, the Ellen Degeneres Show, and Dr. Phil. Nick currently resides in Minneapolis, where he choreographs and performs with the newly established professional tap company Rhythmic Circus. He also directs the Sole City Youth Tap Ensemble, which he founded in 2005.

Born and raised in the New York metropolitan area, Jeff Lapes began his training at the age of 8 in all styles of dance. Growing up so close to Manhattan led to unique audition and performance opportunities, and by age 12, Jeff’s highly energized and dynamic hip-hop style got him agency representation. From there, he performed in Broadway promos, toured with and choreographed for Radio Disney singer Larry Laboe, and performed with the New Jersey Nets dance team, and at many other venues. Later, hip-hop became his real passion and led to work with Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, and Lil Mama. He has also been seen on MTV, CBS and in several music videos. He most recently toured with America’s Best Dance Crew as a member of the crew Iconic. When Jeff is not traveling with WCDE, he teaches and choreographs for studios and college dance teams all around the country. His intricate, stylized choreography brings a fresh, yet old school vibe to hip-hop, which excites and inspires dancers everywhere.

Elizabeth received Tony and Drama Desk nominations and the TDF/Astaire Award for Best Female Dancer in Broadway’s Movin’ Out. She has been a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Feld Ballet, Donald Byrd and Twyla Tharp Dance, but the fiery red-head first gained notice with Broadway audiences with her standout performance in Fosse. Some of her other credits include national tours of Singin’ in the Rain, Carousel, The Harlem Nutcracker and most recently Movin’ Out. She has also made numerous appearances on television including Night at the Joffrey and Nijinsky’s Right of Spring on PBS. Most recently, she and her husband opened their own performing arts studio in Connecticut - Fineline Theatre Arts.

Eddie is one of the most energetic personalities to hit the circuit in years. Originally from Huntington Beach, California (where he received his training) he currently teaches dance in the area. He has established a name for himself as a highly skilled teacher and choreographer. Musical theatre, jazz, lyrical and even tap. He does it all! He has worked with artists such as Britney Spears and Madonna. Eddie has performed all over the country with many productions including Ten Foot Five, in Minneapolis, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Key Club in Hollywood. He has also performed on The Ellen Degeneres Show, Dr. Phil, Good Day L.A., and ESPN. He brings an athletic flair to his choreography with a passion and energy that is contagious.

Kim is an Atlanta, Georgia native where she trained at and graduated from the Northside High School of Performing Arts. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 18 where she then worked extensively in television, film, commercials and industrials. Just some of her television credits include dancing with Prince on the American Music Awards, Jason Alexander on the Comedy Hall of Fame Awards, Liza Minelli on the Academy Awards, and Paula Abdul on the MTV Video Music Awards. She was also featured in the films Tank Girl and Showgirls, and national commercials for Pepsi, Nike, and Asics. During her time working in L.A. she assisted such choreographers as Marguerite Derricks and Jamie King. Kim has also choreographed for Ani Difranco, Zoe Girl, and Tammy Trent. She is now based in Birmingham, Alabama, where she devotes a great deal of time to teaching dance.

Marissa Osato is the co-artistic director of Boogiezone, Inc.’s new contemporary dance company, ENTITY, as well as co-founder and host of the Boogiezone Contemporary Community Class. She trained in jazz, lyrical, ballet, and musical theater for 14 years at MKR Dance Productions in Diamond Bar, CA. Recently, Marissa graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, Irvine with a B.A. in Dance and B.A. in Literary Journalism. She has danced with modern dance legend Donald McKayle’s repertory company, Etude Ensemble, Boogiezone’s professional hip hop team, BREED Dance Company, and Tessandra Chavez’s Unity LA. Marissa currently teaches at Team Millennia Dance Studio and Cutting Edge Dance Center and choreographs for various studios and teams across the United States. Her unique and energetic style fuses elements of lyrical jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Represented by DDO Artists Agency in Los Angeles, Marissa views dance as her avenue of impact. She is all about positivity, support, and shared inspiration!

Linda Gelinas received her formal training at the Boston Ballet School and the Joffrey Ballet School where she was awarded a scholarship at the age of 15. Linda is presently a dancer and Dance Captain with the Metropolitan Opera. Throughout her career at the Met, she has performed numerous principal and soloist roles. Under the direction of Edward Villella she performed with The Eglevsky Ballet and Edward Villella and Dancers. Her other performance credits include; The Pavlova Celebration Tour, New Jersey Ballet, Boston Repertory, as well as performing the role of Louise in a New England tour of Carousel. She currently teaches at the Joffrey Ballet School, has taught at the Miami City Ballet School, the Chautauqua Institution as teacher and Ballet Mistress to the Festival Company, Crested Butte Music Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Manhattan Youth Ballet (formerly known as Studio Maestro), STEPS on Broadway, the Cedar Lake School, and has been a guest teacher at schools throughout the country.