UM CHOREOGRAPHY
A one-stop shop for competitive dance studios and teams seeking innovative, diverse, and highly experienced competition choreographers.
With our national-level winning staff, we are confident that we will deliver nothing but the best to all levels ages 8+.
CONTEMPORARY | JAZZ | TAP
MUSICAL THEATRE | HIP-HOP
LYRICAL | ACRO | FUSION
MASTER CLASSES | SOLOS | DUOS
TRIOS | GROUPS | LINES
PRODUCTIONS
WHY US?
We are dedicated to making the process EASY for you!
Booking choreographers in the midst of a very busy schedule can be extremely time consuming so we have come up with a way to relieve all that stress.
Selection
Process
1 / Browse
Look through our roster of highly qualified
UM choreographers. Read their bios and watch
clips of their work.
2 / Select
Choose your choreographer.
3 / Contact
MEET OUR CHOREOGRAPHERS
CLICK A PHOTO TO LEARN MORE
Melissa Ruiz
Founder / Choreographer
Specializing in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Jazz Funk & Fusion
Melissa Ruiz was born and raised in Miami, FL, where she began dancing at the age of 4 and continued her training in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Modern throughout her school years.
In 2002, she moved to Orlando, FL, which brought her many opportunities in the dance industry, performing with many recording artists, Nickelodeon Studios, MTV, McDonald's, and Miller Beer, to name a few.
She has choreographed for NBA’s Orlando Magic Dancers, Orlando Predators, FSU's Golden Girls, and UCF Knight Moves along with countless dance studios and dance teams throughout the country. Additionally, she created her own dance convention called Underground Dance Xperience (UDX) and toured 3 seasons with KAR conventions teaching Hip Hop.
She has been a dance educator in the competitive world for the past 23 years choreographing mostly in Jazz & Hip Hop. Thirteen of those years were spent raising a generation of dancers as Director/Choreographer of five Hip-Hop competitive companies in Central Florida.
Melissa currently teaches and choreographs in multiple styles throughout the country along with being the owner & creator of Underground Movement in Orlando, FL.
Samantha Macklin-Gonzalez
Choreographer
Specializing in Lyrical/Contemporary, Jazz, & Acro
Samantha Macklin-Gonzales grew up dancing in Pittsburgh, PA studying under Rosalene Kenneth and Rachelle Rak. She attended Point Park University as a Dance major with a Jazz concentration. She began her professional career while still at PPU, performing in various industrial gigs for Don Brockett Production Company and at various theme parks in the summers.
After attending PPU, Samantha was offered a dancer role for Disney Cruise Lines aboard the Disney Magic. She then moved to Las Vegas, NV, to continue pursuing her dance career. Once in Las Vegas she danced with several performance companies, the local Las Vegas Arena Football League, and was offered a role dancing in An Evening At La Cage at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. Samantha performed at La Cage for several years.
After leaving La Cage, Samantha began to pursue her teaching career. Since then, she has taught at various studios which eventually lead her to Orlando, FL, in 2009. She has taught and choreographed in the Central Florida area where her students have won numerous awards and accolades as well as winning choreography awards herself. In addition to choreographing competition pieces, she has also been an adjudicator for various competitions for over 10 years.
Samantha enjoys all forms of dance, but really enjoys teaching jazz, lyrical, acro and technique. When she is not teaching or judging, Samantha loves spending time with her friends and family.
Ryan Skrocki
Choreographer
Specializing in Jazz & Lyrical
Ryan Skrocki resides in New York City and has trained in all facets of dance and musical theatre. Ryan’s talent has taken him around the world performing with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and in Orlando theme parks including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando.
His musical theatre background has allowed him to travel throughout the U.S to perform in productions such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Beauty and the Beast, and On the Town to name a few.
His television credits include The Late Show with Steven Colbert, Disney Channel Holiday Specials with the Disney Descendants and Asher Angel, and commercials for Party City and Walt Disney World Hotels, as well as performing with Alejandro Fernandez at the Latin Billboard Awards.
When not performing, Ryan teaches and choreographs for studios, high school dance teams, and opening number routines around the country and has been recognized for his achievements in choreography both at the regional and national level.
With his unique taste for Contemporary Lyrical and fusion of classic and contemporary Jazz, Ryan has a wide breadth of knowledge, skill set and creativity to share with all who are ready to step out of their comfort zone a little bit and be driven by storytelling, emotion and passion!
Alexia Sky Colón
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary, Jazz, & Musical Theatre
Alexia Sky Colón wears many hats, as a professional entertainer, dance educator, choreographer, life and health coach, singer/songwriter. Her passion is to use her art and experience to empower and educate others on self love awareness and their impact on the earth.
With over 2 decades of experience, she began her training in Tampa, FL, and has since choreographed, performed, and taught internationally through many organizations, companies, schools and non-profits.
Performance Credits include: Hamilton, an American Musical (CIBC Theatre & National Tour), Fly the Musical (La Jolla Playhouse), On Your Feet on Broadway (Marquis Theatre), West Side Story (Paper Mill Playhouse), NBC's The Best Time Ever, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre Los Angeles, Illuminate International Dance Tour, American Music Awards, commercials and more!
With over 15 years of dance education experience, Alexia believes that expression and character development are just as important as technique and style. While breaking down each choreographic step, she talks about the 'why' behind each movement which is a key tool for dancers' development and storytelling.
She creates a safe space where students can build their confidence while expanding on individual choices in the movement. Specializing in Contemporary, Improvisation, Jazz and Musical Theatre. YPAD certified! Available for Group Classes, Privates, Choreography and critique rehearsals.
Ariel Clarke
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary
Since she could walk, Ariel has danced, modeled, and acted. After graduating, she became a full-time traveling instructor and choreographer, during which she has received multiple choreography and visionary awards.
Ariel has choreographed for and participated in Orlando-based artistic events and projects including the innovative IMMERSE Orlando Festival, The Shift, Orlando Uncovered, and Canvas Creative Movement Coalition. In recent years, she has also branched out into the music video and film industry, working with artists like Coach Kit, SVVN, and The Raven Foundation.
Her education and training includes programs such as Gaga Labs, BODYTRAFFIC’s full-length summer program, The Gypsy Project: LA, and Mediterraneo Dance Festival, with instruction from foundational people such as Tilman ODonnell, Erica Sobol, Brett Easterling, James Gregg, Clementine Deluy, and MiCaela Taylor, to name a few. Most recently, she has been accepted into the 20th edition of Springboard Danse Montréal, where she’ll be spending her summer.
Ariel also attributes much of her development to her own tireless research. Impacted by the fantastical and sensory revelations of the movement language, Gaga, her movement is deeply rooted in the various sensational layers available in the body, fueled by a wide range of mental and emotional experience. Drawing inspiration from everywhere, her hunger and curiosity for new information and understanding propel her to constantly question and step beyond her own boundaries within her explorations.
Ashley Franco
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary, Lyrical, & Jazz
Ashley Franco was born on October 9, 1989, in Hollywood, Florida. Her passion for dance started when she was just 6 years old. She studied: Ballet, Modern Tap, Jazz and Contemporary. Her strengths in both Jazz and Contemporary have gotten Ashley national dance awards as a soloist and in group dances/choreography.
Prestigious institutions like Florida Dance Masters in Tap; have awarded Ashley with scholarships. The University of Arizona presented her with a summer internship in Jazz. She has had the pleasure of training with David Parsons and Jon Leher. She has had TV appearances on the Latin station Univision & shows like; The Daily Buzz morning show's segment of
So You Think You Can Dance, and El Show de Christina as a backup dancer for Lilly Ponce.
She has also danced in a feature film Renee. Along with Music videos for
Hip-Hop artists & rapper Niko IS/ NU South Productions. She was a part of a local improv contemporary dance company called: Nao Dance Collective in Orlando, FL. Ashley has traveled to South America to teach at Ballet Milluzka as well as all through Central Florida teaching at competition conventions, teams & studios, private schools, magnet programs, and universities.
Ashley has been teaching for almost 10 years and always graces each dance floor with such passion and love for God's gift and talent that has won her numerous awards for her choreography. With high standards to push all dancers out of their comfort zone to be the best they can be, she strives for greatness on and off the dance floor!
Ashley is eager to share her knowledge and passion for dance with her students, and she wishes to inspire, to train, to perform, and to live the dance-language through the moments and movements with her students and for her students.
Taylor Gagliano
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary & Jazz
Taylor Gagliano is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer from Orlando, Florida, and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Her training began in all styles at her home studio, as well as traveling across the United States to further her training.
At eighteen she was accepted into the EDGE Performing Arts Center Scholarship program where she began professional training under the direction of Bill Prudich and Randall Allaire. After completing the program and showcasing her talents, she was signed and began working professionally.
Since signing she's worked with Katy Perry, Lindsey Stirling, Green Day, Paulina Rubio, Tiesto, and more. She’s been featured in TV shows including American Housewife, Code Black, Stuck in the Middle, and The Descendants Movie. She has also had the pleasure of working with companies and networks such as Disney, PBS, Sony, ABC, Insomniac, and Disney XD.
Taylor has had the pleasure of showcasing her talents all across North America and Europe with dancing violinist, Lindsey Stirling. She has been touring with Stirling for over five years and has performed with her on many guest performance specials. Some of these Specials include Live with Kelly and Ryan, Disney’s Christmas Special, PBS a Capitol 4th, and Lindsey Stirling’s at home specials. Taylor brings all of her touring and performing experience into her choreography across all outlets.
She has had the pleasure of choreographing and movement directing on music videos for Sad Alex, Ro Mina, Sawyer Auger, and Anthony Lucas. Her short film debut was for American Film Institution, and she had the pleasure of choreographing for a musical themed short which incorporated her training of jazz, tap, and theatre.
Her love for all styles translates into teaching pre-professional students and young dancers. Taylor was one of the developing teachers for the kids program at EDGE Performing Arts Center, bringing tap and beginner contemporary into the program. She also teaches classes, privates, and choreography for studios all across the country. Her work has won many overall placements and awards at various dance competitions and dance team circuits. This brings her insight to when she travels and judges dance competitions as well. Taylor has been judging for over five years and is on staff of four competition companies.
From performing, to teaching, to judging, Taylor enjoys every aspect of dance and every form it can take, and her goal is to be able to bring light and love to anyone through dance.
Bekah Joy Howard
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary
Bekah Joy Howard is a dance educator, choreographer, and arts administrator based between NYC and FL. Bekah has attended New York University, as well as completed her massage therapy licensure at The Swedish Institute. Most recently Bekah was the Coordinator of Educational Programming at Broadway Dance Center, managing up to 300 full time Pre-Professional students.
Bekah has worked on faculty at Broadway Dance Center’s Children and Teen Program, and she is a founding director of Koin and Co Dancers Junior Training Program. She is guest faculty at Underground Movement in Orlando, FL.
As a choreographer, Bekah has showcased pieces in the Giving Tree, Think Tank the showcase, the Young Choreographer’s Festival, Peridance’s APEX Showcase, the Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, Jared Grime’s “Run the Night,” Shelly Hutchinson’s “New York Moves,” and a multitude of other benefits and events. Bekah also has had the opportunity to choreograph and direct several marriage proposals and birthday celebration flashmobs.
Bekah is currently a member of CLOUDE.NYC and Dancepack, and has performed for choreographers including Derek Mitchell, Emily Greenwell, Hayden J Frederick, and Sheila Barker. In addition, she has been featured as a dancer on the Today Show as well as an athlete in national commercials for K Factor Plus Resistance Bands.
Through performance and choreography, Bekah has developed a passion for teaching and sharing, and hopes to spread creativity and light with everyone she gets the chance to connect to.
Doha Abounouadar
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary & Fusion
Doha Abounouadar is a choreographer and educator based in Orlando, Florida. She has been teaching and choreographing for 6 years on faculty at a dance studio in Central Florida and as a freelance choreographer. Doha also tours with Adrenaline Dance Convention as a part of their convention management team.
Doha is passionate about sharing her craft with dance students across the country and has traveled to numerous schools and studios to set works of choreography.
On the collegiate level, Doha’s work was presented in the Jacksonville University’s 2021 Guest Choreographer Fall Showcase. Doha is also the director of BeNow, a contemporary dance company based in Orlando, Florida. Doha created BeNow in hopes to contribute to and further the professional company scene within the Florida community.
As an educator, it is not only Doha’s goal to cultivate a safe space for growth, but also to remain a student herself, learning from likeminded creatives and passing these lessons on to her own students.
Nicole Senk
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary & Fusion
Born and raised in South Florida, Nicole has been dancing since the young age of three. Having been trained in many styles, she spent most of her young life competing around the United States. She has worked on a variety of projects including work for Nickelodeon, Nick Merico, Sharaya J, Coca Cola and more.
She has trained under a variety of prestigious companies such as The Radio City Rockettes and Alvin Ailey. Joining U4ria Dance Crew in 2012, she focused her training on Urban styles and went on to gain a leadership position within team allowing her to choreograph pieces in competitive sets.
Within her time on the crew, U4ria took home multiple First Place Trophies for prestigious competitions such as Prelude and World of Dance.
With twelve years of teaching experience under her belt, Nicole continues to travel to teach and choreograph and is yearly receiving recognition and awards for her choreographic work. Currently residing in Orlando working for Intrigue Dance Intensives and continues to train in different styles to expand her knowledge of dance.
Nicole has developed an intricate and highly musical style fusing a variety of different genres and encourages dancers to step outside their comfort zones to experience as many styles of dance they possibly can.
Karina Rodriguez
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary, Fusion, & Jazz
Karina Rodriguez is a performer, choreographer, movement artist and dance educator, who has recently moved to Los Angeles, CA, to continue pursuing her dream in commercial and contemporary performance and choreography.
Karina was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, FL. where she trained in jazz, contemporary, tap, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, and modern for 11 years. After graduating high school, she moved to Orlando to pursue a degree at The University of Central Florida. Karina later graduated in May of 2019, with a Bachelor's in Entertainment Management and a Minor in Dance.
As a performer, Karina has had the privilege of dancing on set for Rosalia's video Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi and has danced for companies such as Universal Studios Resort Orlando, Sony Pictures, and Insomniac Inc. She also has had the opportunity to take the stage for live events such as World of Dance Orlando, IMMERSE, UCF's Annual Dance Concert, and THESIS Dance Event.
Karina has experience in live freestyle performances such as Go-Go, Burlesque, and her own personal contemporary fusion style at music festivals and arts events. Her fusion style stems from a combination of devoted studio training in her early years, and her more recent education in street styles such as: popping, wacking, house, and hip hop. Her eagerness for knowledge and new skills continues to this day.
As a choreographer, Karina has been creating unique dance pieces for soloists, duets, and groups since she was 16-years-old. After working for various competitive studios, crews, and dance companies over the years, she decided to create and direct her own movement company called Sin Caja in 2019; meaning 'without a box,' in Spanish.
In addition to choreographing at age 16, she also began educating younger generations through regular technique classes in jazz, tap, contemporary, and improv. While in Florida, she was a regular educator for many open, advanced, adult classes at a variety of well-acclaimed studios.
Kyle Coleman
Choreographer
Specializing in Hip-Hop
Kyle Coleman, director and creative mind behind the Don’t Stop Workshop, is a Florida born and raised Hip-Hop choreographer who has been dancing in the industry for the last 9 years. He has worked as an artist developer, assisting and choreographing onstage performances for countless new and upcoming artists.
Working as a competitive hip-hop choreographer for numerous dance programs across the state of Florida, Kyle has received regional, national and even world titles for his choreography. Working with all ages, and all levels across the state Kyle’s goal is to bridge the gap between the many talented dance communities in Florida.
Kyle also works with competitive auditioning dancers for college, and professional team auditions in the pre season. (Miami Heat, University of Miami, Miami Dolphins Cheer) and has performed in several music videos
Haley Gray
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary & Jazz
Having dance classes since the age of 4, Haley Gray began rigorously studying dance at The City Ballet School in Hagerstown, Maryland. There, she was a 3 year member of the Western Maryland Ballet Company, and gained a great deal of classical performing experience. In May of 2018, Haley received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. She had the privilege of working extensively with faculty and guest artists of various styles including ballet, pointe, modern, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, hip-hop and heels.
Her educational background has led her to teaching many master classes, workshops, conventions and auditions, as well as choreographing for various schools, studios, shows and projects. Some professional highlights include performing at VelocityDC, Southern Vermont Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival in Brooklyn, NY, dancing and choreographing for several concept projects and music videos, and judging for World Class Talent Experience and Legacy Dance Championships.
Haley also has professional dance modeling highlights and her work has been published in Lens Magazine, Important World Artists Vol. 2, sold at galleries in NYC, San Diego, Miami, DC and Florence, Italy, and won numerous awards including the Leonardo Da Vinci Universal Artist Award.
With a variety of experiences, Haley has also been an instructor and choreographer for numerous studios and schools within the past seven years, and is currently teaching at various studios around central Florida. She covers a variety of weekly styles and lessons while choreographing and directing award winning competition routines and other outside projects.
Her work has traveled her as a guest to other cities, dance studios and facilities including Millennium Dance Complex Miami, Underground Movement Orlando, and Waldo Gonzalez School for the Performing Arts Puerto Rico.
As an expressive, technical, educational and gravitating dancer/choreographer/instructor, Haley strives to share her passion and knowledge through her past, current, and future experiences while growing in her artistry, brand, and network.
Stephanie Jade
Choreographer
Specializing in Hip-Hop
Stephanie Jade has been choreographing competition routines since 2012 and has won regional, national, and worlds championships! Her routines are always in the highest score bracket for every division and her routines win overall placements as well as specialty awards.
She has been training in hip hop since 2003 and only continues to work on herself to improve her craft! She is currently the Assistant Director for theSQUAD as well as the Hip-Hop choreographer for Peaches Dance and Music Orlando!
Stephanie is able to work with anyone between the ages of 5 years old to 40 years old and she will ensure her dancer(s) knows all the details!
Stephanie will also provide a mix for every routine she does!
Sabrina Spence
Choreographer
Specializing in Tap
Sabrina has been dancing for 18 years since the age of 8 training and dancing in all styles. From jazz, to hip hop, to contemporary, to ballet, to tap. Throughout her time as a competition dancer she always stayed well rounded, but she knew growing up, her passion was set on tap. Every step and rhythm was music to her ears and she lives for it every single day.
Growing up she created many tap solos and attended tap events to help her get to where she is now. She was a teacher at her home studio (Performer’s Edge Dance Center), teaching kids ages 7+ within the styles of jazz, hip hop and tap. She feels like she has done something right when she watches her students execute tap technique with all of the sounds.
She has taught many tap classes at Underground Movement, owned and directed by Sabrina's childhood hip-hop teacher, Melissa Ruiz. Sabrina has also choreographed competition group numbers and solos for Performer’s Edge Dance Center and is expanding her horizon now in Denver, CO.
She has gone to many tap festivals to take classes and train with Chloe and Maud from the Syncopated Ladies, Nick Dinicolangelo, Mark Osborn and so many others. She has traveled to California to attend huge auditions for the experience, training, and opportunity. No matter what the outcome was, she continued to train and work hard.
In June of 2018, she auditioned in New York City for Apartment 33 tap company, directed by international tap star, Chloe Arnold, and received a yes! She cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her and hopes to one day inspire others with her love of tap.
In addition to Apartment 33, she had the opportunity to be part of another amazing tap family called Beat Feet created by Kendra Weaver. Sabrina co-choreographed their tap piece for the dance event, Thesis.
It all began with an idea, and Sabrina believes that if you are passionate and set goals, then all of the hard work is worth it in the end! She hopes that one day she can form her own professional tap company and travel the world showcasing her creations.
Geovanna Garavelo-Bortoleto
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary, Fusion, Jazz, Lyrical & Ballet
Geovanna Garavelo-Bortoleto, from Orlando, Florida, has been dancing for 12 years competitively and 5 years professionally. Geovanna studied with Cuban Ballet Technical, going to Havana, Cuba, to train at Escuela Nacional de Ballet Cuba.
At 17, she opened a pre-professional dance school with her mother Elaine Garavelo. Geovanna has been choreographing for Orlando International School of Dance for 5 years—winning multiple choreography awards with each season: World Ballet Competition in 2017, All World Dance International in 2018 and Universal Ballet Competition in 2019, 2020, 2021 and other competitions as well.
While doing freelance work, and agency-jobs for music videos, model-work and commercials— she was a part of two professional companies based in Los Angeles prior to Covid-19: an all Contemporary based company and an all Hip-Hop dance crew.
In addition to these groups in Los Angeles, she has participated in two Contemporary Companies in Orlando (Drapinski Dance Company and Sin Caja) and one Hip-Hop team (Motiv Crew), who competed at World of Dance in 2018.
Recently she has become a KnightMoves Dancer for the D1A Division for University of Central Florida. Geovanna has taugh at many studios and high school in the Central Florida area and is excited to keep expanding her reach in the community, hoping they all evolve with her.
Harrison Rustay
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary, Fusion, & Jazz
Harrison Rustay is an accomplished and awarded dancer / choreographer. Growing up competing himself, he is an experienced performer of 17 years - having performed at Disney, multiple fashion shows, and 11 years on stage competing year after year.
He won numerous awards at many regional, national, and world competitions. In his years of training he had the privilege to work with and train under many of the industry's most notable choreographers; from technique to street and everything in between - giving him a diverse background which he continues to indulge in.
He was a guest dancer, and scholarship recipient at the Northwest Florida Ballet Academy for their summer program at the age of 15. Along with this program, he has trained extensively with the renowned Katie Garza and Israel Rodriguez from the Orlando Ballet. Having been able to work with a diverse set of choreographers for years, he has had experience in a myriad of styles of dance and prides himself on being a versatile artist that doesn’t limit himself to a singular capacity.
He has not only thrived as a dancer, but also as a choreographer. Having an injury at 13, he worked within his boundaries during rehabilitation and became enthralled with choreographing. At the age of 15 he won his first student choreography award, and has since continued on that success - winning a multitude of awards at competitions for his choreography.
Not being defined, limited or categorized is the thesis for his mission as an artist. Harrison sets himself apart in this way - pushing the boundaries of what dance is, and can be.
Maura Taggart
Choreographer
Specializing in Contemporary
Maura has been dancing for 14 years and has been training and now teaching at Starz Dance Company for the past 11 years. She has also been a varsity member on the Mane Attraction Dance Team of Oviedo High School for four years.
Throughout her dance career Maura has found a love for choreography and currently teaches at a variety of studios in the Orlando area such as Starz Dance Company, Performers Edge Dance Center, Skyra Studios, and Destination Dance Orlando.
Maura has loved dancing in both dance team and dance studio programs and has furthered her dance education at Mather Dance Company as a member of the Bridge into the Industry Program. While in this program, she trained under top professionals in the dance industry and learned several skills that she integrates into her teaching and choreography now.
