Dayton Dance Conservatory

Audra Kucharski, Director, received her BA in Psychology from Hawaii Pacific University in 2004. She has over 10 years of teaching experience with Jeanette Popp School of Dance, and has also instructed advanced jazz dance at Wright State University. She began her dance training with Jeanette Popp School of Dance, and furthered her dance education with Dayton Ballet School, Pontecorvo Ballet Studios, Ballet Met, University of Cincinnati-CCM, numerous dance studios in Hawaii and at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Her instruction and choreography has received regional and national acclaim. Together with her knowledge and passion for teaching, directing and choreographing, Audra is thrilled to continue in the footsteps of her mother, Jeanette Popp, by promoting excellence in dance training and education.

Alexis Britford is a native of Columbus, Ohio. She began her training at Theatre Street Dance Academy and due to frequent moving as a child; also studied at The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music’s Preparatory Program, Jeraldyne’s School of the Dance, Dayton Ballet and Columbus Youth Ballet. She has a high school diploma with a concentration in ballet from North Carolina School of the Arts. She attended the Boston Conservatory for two years before transferring to Wright State University, where she graduated Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance. Alexis has spent summers studying with The Hungarian National Ballet Academy, Boston Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She is currently a member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company.

Christiana Coover began her training at JPSD. After finding her love for ballet she continued intense training at Dayton Ballet, Joffrey Ballet NY, Ballet Met, Boston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre where she studied for three years. Christiana has performed professionally with Dayton Ballet, Ballet Met, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and most recently with the Alabama Ballet 2003-2007. She has been trained in many styles of ballet and brings something special to her students.

Reginald "Sparrow Faith" Faulkner, born in San Bernardino, CA and raised in Cincinnati, OH, spent the last 5 years studying the art of Krump Dance. Primarily self-taught, and with no "formal training," Sparrow has risen to great heights as an original member of Cincinnati's 20/Twenty Cru, Leader and Founder of Blood Covenant Krump Crew and former member of Xtra Xclusive Dance Team. Sparrow has performed in music video's with local artists such as Psalmitry and Bootsy Collins, auditioned for Americas Best Dance Crew seasons 4 and 5, and was 2009's Best of the Mid-West title holder with 20/Twenty Cru. Sparrow has performed for various events and occasions in the Cincinnati area and has competed with The Cincinnati Rebels Cheer/Dance Team (All-Stars Comp. 2010). Sparrow has also ventured into other forms of dance such a Team Dance, Praise Dance, Group Choreography, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Forms of Popping, Waving, Breaking and Acrobats. He is currently ministering with the Tabernacle of David Dance Ministry of Zion Global Ministries (Mason,OH) and resides in Cincinnati, OH. Reggie is a re-born Christian who seeks to touch the hearts of not only dancers, but people by inspiring and influencing them through his dance and faith in Jesus.

Stacy Gear has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. Stacy earned her BFA in Dance from Wright State University. She is on staff at Town Hall Theater in Centerville as a resident choreographer. She has choreographed for Miami University, Beavercreek Community Theater, the Dayton Playhouse and high schools around the Dayton area. Some highlighted shows include State Fair, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical, Bat Boy, The Rocky Horror Show. Anything Goes, All Shook Up, Willy Wonka, and Hair to name a few. Stacy is a certified Pilates instructor having taught at colleges as well as teaching dance to show choirs throughout the area.

Julius "Eclypse" Jenkins is co-founder of 20/Twenty Cru in Cincinnati, OH, an authentic street-dance crew that, within 17 short months of being established, has become one of the most renowned street-dance crews in the Midwest. In 2009, 20/Twenty Cru was a national finalist (top 12) in MTV's America's Best Dance Crew (Season 4). Also in 2009, 20/Twenty Cru won the Best of the Midwest Competition hosted by ABDC judge, Shane Sparks. As a co-founder and leader of 20/Twenty Cru, Eclypse has choreographed and performed shows in and around Southwest, OH. As a solo artist, he has judged and battled in competitions nation-wide. Julius is a member of G-Style, an internationally renowned dance organization with the mission to teach old and new generations originality and style within the art form known as popping. He has competed in, won, and judged in many battles nationwide. He is also a Highlight Entertainer with Hollywood Casino in Lawrenceburg, IN, where he choreographs and performs freestyle shows. Julius is a talented and passionate performing artist with a vibrant spirit and extensive leadership experience. He is well known in the community as an inspiring role model with a consistently positive attitude and natural ability to relate to people of all social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Julius' mission is to utilize his artistic skills, enthusiasm and personal life experiences to give back to a struggling urban community through mentoring, educating and believing in its cherished youth.

Margarita Martinez danced in Puerto Rico and was drafted with the Cincinnati Ballet at the age of 16. Dance professionally until the age of 28 with Cincinnati Ballet, Tucson Metropolitan Ballet and Arizona Dance Theater. She Holds a degree in Ballet from the College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Margarita has taught dance at Northern Arizona University, Wright State University and many private studios around the US. Has performed all major ballet roles in all levels from corp of ballet to principal roles.

Crystal Michelle, Guest Instructor
Crystal is a former Professional dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. She holds a BFA Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX and is now a graduate student at the Ohio State University. Teacher for Muse Machine 2001-2004. Has trained with the Augusta Ballet School, the Joffrey School of Ballet and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Crystal is rehearsal assistant and resident choreographer for DCDC2 and a former DCDC2 member. Photo by Andy Snow

Susie Payne was born and raised in Dayton, OH where she danced for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s pre-professional and professional repertory touring company for seven years, studying under and performing works by such noted choreographers as Eleo Pomare, Donlad Byrd, Rennie Harris, Ron K. Brown, Donlay McKayle and Talley Beatty, just to name a few. Performing nationwide with DCDC she earned the coveted JOSIE award in 2008. Having also been a member of the Nai-Nai Chen Dance Company in New York City, Susie has extensive knowledge in the field of contemporary and modern dance. She received her B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Psychology from Wright State University, as a Martin Sheen Artistic Scholar. Ms. Payne has studied intensely in both New York and California at accredited schools, such as New York University/Tisch School of the Arts and Idyllwild Arts Academy. Susie currently dances for Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre in Chicago, IL traveling into the city to rehearse and perform with the company. She has a fond sense of style, a unique approach to movement and continues to set choreographic works for both pre-professional dance accompanies and studios nationwide. Her students and choreography have won national and international acclaim. Ms Payne is a NASM certified personal trainer and will continue to inspire the next generation of dance.

Jeanette Popp, Mini Dugout Dancers Director, has studied in New York with dance experts: Luigi, Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center Faculty, studied Dance in college and authentic Hawaiian dance in Hawaii. Her students have studied dance in college, teach across the country, perform on cruise ships, join professional dance companies and compete in state and national pageants. She is an Adjunct Professor in Tap Dance at Wright State University.

Kelsa "KSoul" Rieger is a Chicago-native, trained primarily in the underground street-dance community. In addition to teaching technique, Miss Kelsa imparts on her students a rich sense of the history and social context behind street-dance styles. Her forte, house dance, has taken the global, street-dance scene by storm over the last decade. Miss Kelsa is a member of Venus Fly Trap, the first all-female/all-styles underground street-dance crew in the U.S.A., and is the founder of Under 1 Roof, a collective of some of the best house dancers in the Midwest. Miss Kelsa also manages Cityfolk’s Culture Builds Community program, designed to develop healthy, vibrant communities in Dayton through the arts and culture. She holds a BA in Sociology and a Masters of Urban Planning and Policy.

Beth Wright is a dancer, choreographer, and educator of dance. She has been sharing her art form with others professionally since the age of 15. For nine seasons she was a member of the Dayton favorite Rhythm in Shoes, a company rooted in traditional forms of American music and dance - swing tunes and tap, hoedowns and clogging. Beth enjoyed performing for audiences and teaching young dancers through senior citizens nationwide. Beth is currently an artist with The Muse Machine Elementary Program where she does artist residencies in elementary schools using movement, rhythm, choreography, and improvisation to allow the students to view and experience state-mandated curriculum in a unique way. Beth has also served as adjunct faculty at Stiver’s High School for the Performing Arts and Colonel White High School for the Performing Arts in Dayton. She was also on faculty at the Civic Light Opera Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for seven seasons. Beth teaches tap, ballet, creative movement, jazz, swing and modern dance. Her choreography has been seen in the 2005 production of the Johnny Appleseed Outdoor Drama in Ashland, Ohio, in the Rhythm in Shoes repertoire, and in many high school show choirs and musicals. Most recently Beth had the pleasure of performing with Rhythm in Shoes in their farewell performance at Dayton’s Cityfolk Festival and with the Tap Factor in Soul’d Out.