KRISTY BLAKESLEE - OWNER & FOUNDER
AUDREA COWAN - artistic director
AARON ULMER - BUSINESS OPERATIONS & BILLING
LINDSEY CORDER - plano/Frisco OfficeS
POLLY TALLAS - FRISCO OFFICE
Administrative Faculty
Artist In Residence
ryan warren
SARAH NOLAND
Courtney hart
emily igoe
kaitlin kinsey
ALFONSINA TRENEMAN
Katey finazzo
Audrea cowan
madeleine meyer
Kristy blakeslee
POLLY TALLAS
LINDSEY CORDER
Hana alford
Victoria trimble
justin giles
ALLISON SCHUSTER
BRANDON JOHNSON
CLAIRE WOLFORD
AARON ULMER
FACULTY
CORY FINN
PETER CHURSIN
BROOKE WENDLE
RACHEL ALEXANDER
Kristy Ulmer Blakeslee is a third generation studio owner who fell in love with the performing arts from family members who were musicians, actors, and dancers. After attending Texas Tech University, Kristy began her first studio in Carthage, Texas. In 1981. Kristy returned to Plano to teach dance and gymnastics for ten years at Tap N’ Toe with her mother Shirley Williams. In 1993, she started KJ Dance and began the amazing journey of making dreams come true for young dancers.
Kristy's formal training was steeped in the study of classical ballet, jazz, and tap. Over the past 50 years Kristy gained a broad foundation of training from many artists from all over the world. She had formal training under Gus Giordano, Frank Hatchett, Jackie Sleight, Joe Tremaine, Doug Caldwell and many more.
Over the past 31 years, Kristy has created beautifully staged KJ Concerts alongside her incredible faculty. Kristy has also choreographed musicals in the community for Pamela Hurt at Prestonwood Christian Academy. Kristy choreographed the following musicals: 42nd Street, Little Women, The Drowsy Chaperone, Into the
Woods, and her favorite, Crazy for You. She has choreographed andstaged the annual children's cancer fund luncheon and the Ms. Collin County and Mrs. International pageants. In the early days of the Plano Television Network, Kristy enjoyed creating choreography for the recycling campaign. Kristy choreographed the Biblical Arts musical theater adaptation of Via Delarosa at the center in Dallas. Kristy has been a guest judge for national competitions and other studio auditions.
Kristy's passion for the art of dance and her desire for mentoring young dancers is evidenced in all that happens at KJ Dance Studio. Kristy loves to train young dancers to be disciplined, to adhere to strong values, and to develop a selfless "others focused" mentality. "You cannot become a brilliant artist all alone, you must incorporate, learn from and share with others along your journey." Most recently Kristy has had the great honor of celebrating the alumni of KJ by visiting many university dance program graduations and performances. Many of the KJ students are dancing professionally and teaching the art of dance to the next generation.
Kristy is married to Andy Blakeslee and is blessed with a large family of eight children, their spouses and ten grandchildren. Her family is her first priority and she enjoys sharing the enormous KJ family with her loved ones. When Kristy is not at KJ you can bet she is with one of her grandchildren. Kristy is a devoted “KK” to both her grandkids
and to the KJ students.
KRISTY ULMER BLAKESLEE
Madeleine grew up in Austin, TX training at The Dance Spot and performing with Rise Dance Company under the direction of Quinton Weathers. Her passion for dance later took her to the east coast to train at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College located in New York. She had the pleasure of performing works by Larry Keigwin, Kevin Wynn, Merce Cunningham and Sue Bernhard. She then graduated Summa Cum Laude with her BFA in Dance Performance and minor in Arts Management.
After graduation, she began her professional performance career in New York City freelancing with various companies including LaneCoArts, Smashworks Dance, Drye/Marinaro Dance Company, Patmon Dance Project and others. She had the honor of performing at venues such as New York Live Arts, Bryant Park, Triskelion Arts, and Lincoln Center. Happy to come back to her Texas roots, Madeleine then moved back to Texas to dance with Ad Deum Dance Company for two seasons.
Madeleine relocated to Dallas in the summer of 2021 to dance with Zion Dance Project and join the KJ Dance family! Madeleine adores KJ Dance and is grateful to share her love of dance with the next generation and couldn’t imagine a better place to do it.
madeleine meyer
AUDREA COWAN
Katey Webring Finazzo is a multi-talented actress and dancer. She is originally from Dallas, TX and grew up training at KJ Dance with Kristy Ulmer, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dance career. Katey has worked with some of the top names in the dance industry including Justin Giles, Jackie Sleight, Desiree Robbins, Mark Meismer, Doug Caldwell, and Keith Young, to name a few.
Katey started her career working for Royal Caribbean cruise line, where she was a soloist in both "Rock on Broadway" and “Flashback” productions. Other stage credits include the U.S. tour of The Wiggles, Mary Kay Convention, "Love Notes" with Soul Escape, "Thriller" with Odyssey Dance Theatre and LA & NYC Jingle Ball Rock Concerts, as a back-up dancer. She has also performed in various productions with Disney. Additionally, Katey has appeared in commercials for Old Navy, Big Lots and Toshiba.
She has taught and choreographed at numerous workshops and studios in Canada, Costa Rica and various states across the U.S. One of Katey's greatest joys is sharing her love of dance with others through performing and teaching. KJ Dance has always been like her second home and she is thrilled to have landed back here after having a fulfilling performing career. Katey’s knowledge, infectious personality and work ethic keep her students engaged and eager to learn. She feels incredibly blessed to be able to make a positive impact on the next generation not only as dancers but as human beings.
When not dancing, you can find Katey in Frisco, TX with her husband, Mr. Cory, son, Ryder, and daughter, Phoebe, usually having a dance party. Katey and Cory have been married since August 13, 2011. She also has a passion for photography and enjoys capturing the beauty and grace of dance.
KATEY WEIBRING FINAZZO
Born and raised in Chicago,IL George “Gmo” Patterson has performed and taught all over the globe. He started his journey with Chicago’s world-renowned Jesse White Tumblers. He is from and represents the Sammy Dyer School of Theater in (Chicago), which is also responsible for Ted Levy, Idella Reed, Bril Barrett, Jumanne Taylor, and Cousin Donnetta “Lil Bit “Jackson.
After graduating from high school, George immediately moved to NYC to join Savion Glover’s Broadway show, Bring in Da Noise Bring in Da Funk, which won 4 Tony Awards and 4 Drama Desk Awards. During his time with the show, he worked alongside Jason Samuels Smith and Dulè Hill, star of the television shows Psych and The Wonder Years (2022). George starred in The American Millennium Celebration at the White House w/ Bill Clinton, Hoofing and Banging the tour with Baakari Wilder in Frankfurt Germany, and Supper Club, the Broadway show, with Larry Marshall in New York and Sweden. He has had the honor to perform and share the stage with countless greats; Savion Glover, Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde, Arthur Duncan, Dianne Walker, Reggio the Hoofer, Ernest "Brownie" Brown, and Harold "Stumpy" Cromer, to name a few. He recently performed in Nico Rubio’s J Dilla Tribute performance in Chicago.
Some of his teaching credits include St. Louis Tap Festival under the direction of Robert L. Reed II, LA Tap Festival (Debbie Allen Dance Studio), Broadway Dance Center (NY), Steps on Broadway (NY), NewYork City Dance School in Stuttgart Germany and many more!
george patterson III
Kaitlin Kinsey is from Dallas, Texas, and has 20 years of dance training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, and hip-hop. In her pre-professional years, she trained in Dallas under the direction of Camille Billelo and performed works by Andrew Winghart, Dana Foglia, and Jenna Johnson. She has performed at the Dallas Cowboys Halftime Show both in 2010 and 2011, and danced in Wanderlust Dance Project’s concert in 2016 and 2018, under the direction of Addison Holmes, in works by Giovanni Allen, Brian Stevens, and Chad Vaught.
She went on to graduate from Sam Houston State University with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance in May of 2019. She performed in various concerts with the dance department during her college career, in works by Jennifer Pontius, Joshua Manculich, and Jared Doster. As a dance instructor since 2012, she has taught classes in ballet/tap/tumble, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and lyrical.
She is currently teaching and choreographing in Dallas and is so excited to continue her fifth season as a company dancer with Zion Dance Project, under the direction of Vincent and Abigail Hardy.
kaitlin kinsey
Emily began her dance training at age 11 In Durham, NC under the direction of Lindsay Tilley. At the age of 15, She moved away from home to study ballet at Virginia School of the Arts under the direction of Petrus Bosman and Tyrone Brooks. Emily then trained and graduated high school form The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC under the direction of Ethan Steifel. She has spent several summers training with University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Atlanta Ballet Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet (formally known as North Carolina dance theater, and many others around the country. While training, Emily has danced works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Anna-Marie Holmes, Melissa Hayden, Robert Weiss, Debra Austin, Alonzo King, Christopher Huggins, Lorraine Graves, Galina Panova, Jennifer Medina, Armando Luna, Heather Maloy, Tyler Walters, and Jennifer Archibald among many others.
Emily graduated college from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with a BFA in Dance. While in college, Emily trained under the direction of Galina Panova, and Timour Bourtasenkov. She has performed in every East Carolina's main stage production.
After graduation Emily moved to Austin and taught for Ballet Austin before moving to dallas to dance with Avant Chamber Ballet. Emily danced with ACB for four seasons.
EMILY IGOE
Courtney Hart (Allen, TX) first began her dance training at Allen Conservatory of Dance under the direction of Stefanie M. Best. She continued her training with several different Texas based studios over the course of 10 years. During this time, Courtney had the privilege of working with many renowned choreographers including Shannon Gillen, Jess Hendricks, Matt Luck, Justin Giles, and Al Blackstone. In 2017, Courtney was accepted into Point Park University's Conservatory of the Performing Arts, where she furthered her dance training while pursuing a minor in business management. In addition to Point Park University's faculty, Courtney has studied with 8and1 Dance Company, New Dialect, SoulEscape the Company, and The Pillow Projects. In 2020, Courtney was able to create her own choreographed work for Point Park’s Student Choreography Show, where she discovered her newfound interest for choreography and editing music. After receiving her BFA in dance and minor in business management from Point Park, she became a company artist with Nova Linea Contemporary Dance in Milwaukee, WI, where she danced professionally and got the opportunity to experiment with both her voice and dancing for 2 years. She also taught and choreographed at various studios in the area, sharing all that she has learned with the youth. She just recently released her EP, "The Host", on music streaming platforms in October of 2023. In March of 2024, Courtney took a trip to NYC where she was able to work with choreographer and director Chelsea Thedinga on her first music video, as well as accompany a class for her at Steps On Broadway. Currently, Courtney resides in Plano, Texas where she teaches dance at KJ Dance and Ambition Dance Productions. She is also a company member and musician with Soulescape, a project based contemporary dance company run by Justin Giles. Courtney hopes to continue creating unique collaborations between music and movement, and connecting people through all different forms of art.
courtney hart
Maria Alfonsina Treneman was born in Argentina, where she trained as a Ballet dancer with the “Instituto de Danzas Jairo Benitez”. At the age of 17, she was invited to study in Brazil at the “Escola de Dancas Maria Olenewa”. She trained under the direction of Dennis Gray, Sergio Lobato, Jorge Teixeira, Luis Carlos Nogueira, Emilio Martins, Tatiana Helene Leskova and Maria Angelica Fiorani, Brazil. Later she became a professional dancer at the “Companhia de Ballet da Cidade de Niterói” and the “Companhia Brasileira de Ballet,” among others. She is also a trained Ballet teacher since 1996 and has worked as such for the “Petite Dance Escola de Ballet” in Brazil, Tuzer Dance Center, in Richardson Texas and the Texas Ballet Theater School. From 2019-2023, she was part of the Master Faculty team for Joffrey Ballet School. As well, Mrs. Treneman works as an international Guest Ballet Master in the UK, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil. This year she joined the Guest Master Teachers at Dallas Black Ballet Company, and she is excited and eager to be a new faculty member at KJ Dance.
alfonsina treneman
Raised in Kilgore, Texas, Colby Johnston began studying ballet at the age of seven at the Studio of Creative Arts under the direction of Pat George Mitchell. From this early age, she developed a genuine passion for dance. In high school, Colby performed lead roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, Serenade, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Who Cares?, and Peter Pan. She also served as Captain of the Kilgore High School Hi-Steppers for two years. To further her professional development,
Raised in Kilgore, Texas, Colby Santora began studying ballet at the age of seven at the Studio of Creative Arts under the direction of Pat George Mitchell. From this early age, she developed a genuine passion for dance. In high school, Colby performed lead roles in ballets such as Swan Lake, Serenade, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, Who Cares?, and Peter Pan. She also served as Captain of the Kilgore High School Hi-Steppers for two years. To further her professional development, Colby has attended intensives with companies such as Miami City Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines Contemporary Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Ballet X and BODYTRAFFIC. Colby graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), under the direction of Susan Jaffe, with a BFA in contemporary dance in 2017. While in school, she performed works by esteemed choreographers such as Doug Varone, Lucinda Childs, Martha Graham, Juel D. Lane and Kira Blazek Ziaii. After graduation, Colby joined Zion Dance Project for two seasons. Colby has been teaching various dance forms at Kj Dance for the past 6 years.
colby santora
Leah Mitchell is from a loving, supportive family of six, and a dancer born and bread in Plano, Texas. Here is where she began developing her love for dance (age, two) at the prestigious KJ Dance of Plano, where she was a devoted company member and multi-nationally ranked competition dancer. The training, love and support she received from Kristy Blakeslee, Audrea Cowan and her staff of dedicated, proficient instructors (combined with her own dedication, tenacity, and passion for dance), led her to her desire to further her education, and became the recipient of a dance scholarship and conclusively a BFA from Southern Methodist University.
While studying at the University, she worked with and performed works by Robert Battle, Jessica Lange, Ohad Naharin, George Balanchine, and The Martha Graham Dance Company. Before graduating, she had already began her professional career as the assistant choreographer and principal dancer for an off broadway production tour of Symphony on the Dance Floor, where she travelled the nation and performed at the critically acclaimed BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) in New York city. During the summers she worked/performed industrially as a dancer for Mary Kay Cosmetics and Sally’s Beauty Supply.
Post graduation, she continued her education with invitations to company mentorship programs, such as; Dana Foglia’s International Dance Intensive, San Francisco Conservatory Summer Program, & Bacheva Dance Company Summer Intensive. She has toured internationally with a number of national dance companies and touring productions. She recently returned from a tour in China with Daniel Ezralow’s* international Modern dance company PEARL, where she was the dance captain and Principal dancer of a show commissioned by the Chinese Government. *Daniel Ezralow Choreographer known for Katy Perry, Beatle’s movie Across the Universe.
Professionally, Leah is represented by the Top dance Agency, Bloc Talent Agency in Los Angeles, California, and is a working member of the SAG/AFTRA Union. Her most recent projects include working with artist, such as KATY PERRY, Adam Levine, Mary J. Blige, Pit Bull, and Paula Abdul. She has performed in the 59th GRAMMY Awards, Latin American Music Awards, and annual ARIA + Venetian NYE Shows in Vegas. You can watch her featured on episodes of Castle, Black-ish (Season 2 Finale with P. Diddy & Mary J.Blige), Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleader Making The Team, and seasons 9 & 10 of So You Think You Can Dance. She was featured in movies like Scary Movie 5, and commercials for The Greatest Showman, McDonald’s (with Mindy Kaling), Apple, DELL and Toyota.
Leah is passionate about teaching/choreography & sharing her love for dance with aspiring young artist. She is so happy and proud to be apart of the KJ Dance Family Legacy, and excited to positively develop and inspire the talent of young dancers, so they too can grow up with the confidence, kindness, and determination to do what they love and achieve their hopes and dreams, whatever they may be… the way KJ did (and still does) for her!
LEAH MITCHELL
Passion. Style. Knowledge.
These three elements form the foundation of the dance career of Ryan Warren. Falling in love with the art at the age of five while learning the choreography of Michael Jackson’s hit song
“Beat It,” Ryan’s desire to be a student first and grow in his craft has paved the way for a hobby
to become a lifestyle.
After training first in Dallas, Texas, then later in New York and Los Angeles, Ryan began teaching at 16. With skillful musicality and a diversity of styles, Ryan was soon teaching master classes across the United States while also performing with popular artists, including Beyonce and Carrie Underwood. He was a featured dancer with Kari Jobe, commercial work, and cameo appearances with musical artist Britt Nicole. In addition, he has choreographed for collegiate
dance teams such as Kansas University and Missouri State and multiple NFL Cheerleading organizations, including the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders.
Ryan has served as creative director and choreographer for several National Tours. He has also been affiliated with and taught for many dance conventions, including the Adrenaline Dance
Convention, Dance Revolution, The Drop Off, Urban Legends, Cre8tion Dance, and the Dupree Dance Convention. Ryan continues to travel the country teaching Master Classes, choreography,
and workshops while constantly growing as a student in authentic hip-hop culture.
Ryan’s goal is to inspire each of his students to break through any limitations they have placed on themselves and help them become the well-rounded dancer they were created to be! He believes there is confidence, strength, and freedom only dance can cultivate, and he loves to see his students develop movements they never thought possible.
Ryan resides in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Amy, and three kids, Brooklyn, Hero, and Rowan.
ryan warren
Sarah Noland started dancing in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri before relocating to Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 13. Once in Arizona, she began training at Royal Dance Works. During her time there, she was a part of performances in the Capezio 125th Anniversary Celebration at the New York City Center and in Nigel Lythgoe’s annual Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, both under the direction of Mandy Moore. After high school, Sarah lived in Los Angeles where she was a member of Royal Flux Dance Company, and she has travelled to assist Jaci Royal at various studios and universities. In addition, she spent time working closely with Erica Sobol in her seven-week training intensive, The Gypsy Project. After her time in LA, Sarah returned to Arizona to dance with Dana Metz’s contemporary company and begin her teaching career. Most recently, she has spent the last few years working with Justin Giles and SoulEscape The Company.
Sarah joined KJ Dance in Fall 2019 and feels fortunate to be part of such a welcoming and community-oriented environment!
SARAH NOLAND
Allison Schuster is a graduate from Orange County School Of The Arts where she was recipient of The International House of Blues Ambassador Scholarship. Allison received her BFA from The Juilliard School where she was fortunate enough to work with a multitude of choreographers and travel throughout Europe performing their work. Straight out of college, she accepted a contract with Cirque Du Soleil to create a new show choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, among others, where she was a principle dancer, aerialist and the dance captain. Allison has had the amazing opportunities to guest perform on SYTYCS, DWTS, The Emmys, Strictly Come Dancing, and more. She has performed with many different companies including multiple shows with The Metropolitan Opera, New York Spectacular with the Radio City Rockettes where she was a dancer and dance assistant to Mia Michaels, multiple shows with Company XIV as a principle dancer, aerialist and rehearsal director, a variety of shows as a performer and assistant to Sonya Tayeh and Cherice Barton, and a guest performer many times with Keigwin and Company and Mark Stuart Dance Theatre, to name a few. Allison’s Film/TV credits include Comedy Central’s Alternatino and commercials for IBM and for VH1. On top of performing, she travels around the country teaching masterclasses and sharing her knowledge with the younger generation.
ALLISON SCHUESTER
Brandon Johnson has 20 years experience and is J.O. certified to coach compulsory-optional/elite gymnastics. Brandon has worked at the home of olympians Nastia Luikin and Simone Biles, coaching at both WOGA and World Champions Centre in the state of Texas.
Throughout his career he has gained skills to plan practice, asses development and ability, and enhance performance in practice and competition.
Brandon absolutely loves what he does, getting to meet and build relationships with some really wonderful people. He thoroughly enjoys training athletes as if they were his own, in addition to collaborating, learning, and growing professionally. He's goal-oriented to perfect skills enabling move up ability, and teach the importance of teamwork through team building assignments. Being able to have some part in the athletes development is really at the heart of why Brandon coaches.
BRANDON JOHnson
Claire Wolford is a Lincoln, Nebraska native. She spent four years cheering for the Dallas Cowboys and is a current Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader all-star. In her time as a cheerleader, she was a leader, traveled to South Korea to perform for the USO, and performed with artists like Dolly Parton, Jonas Brothers, Luke Combs, Queen and Kane Brown. She was also featured on Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as well as CMT’s DCC Making The Team. Prior to cheering, Claire competed and won Bronze 2x with the Arizona State University Dance Team and danced for the University of Nebraska Scarlets. Aside from dance, she is a pilates instructor and the host of her own podcast, Sweet As Honey. Claire has an incredible passion for teaching and building up the next generation of dancers!
claire wolford
Hana Alford, a native of Colleyville, Texas, grew up dancing competitively in local DFW studios and training in high school on KJ’s PULSE company. She has been an assistant for 10 years with Dupree Dance Convention, where she has assisted renowned master teachers from LA and New York such as Thayne Jasperson, Ellenore Scott, Jon Rua, Kobi Rozenfeld, Terrill Mitchell, and more. She graduated with honors in December of 2020 with a BFA in Dance Performance, BBA in Business Management, and a minor in Musical Theater from Southern Methodist University, where she performed modern, jazz, and contemporary works from notable choreographers such as Robert Battle, Moncell Durden, Mark Burrell, Christopher Dolder, and Brandi Coleman. During her time at SMU, Hana led her peers as Vice President of her sorority Chi Omega and received the Outstanding Achievement in Dance award, a faculty-nominated honor given to one graduating senior from the rigorous dance program at SMU. Some notable venues Hana has performed in for various concerts and events include Alice Tully Hall NY, The Music Center LA, The Joyce Theater NY, AT&T Stadium, and American Airlines Center. Recently, Hana was a company member of Zion Dance Project for the 2020-2021 season, performing original, faith filled works by Vincent Hardy across Texas and Oklahoma. She loves fulfilling her longstanding desire of integrating her faith and dance all for the glory of God. Hana is thrilled to continue teaching at KJ Dance, hoping to share with others her love for dance that was nurtured in these same studios.
HANA ALFORD
Victoria is thrilled to be joining KJ Dance! She started dancing professionally at the age of 18 with Ballet Frontier of Texas and danced with them for six seasons. She is currently a company member with Zion Dance Project. Victoria started dancing at the age of 13 at Stephenville Dance Center. Afterwards she trained at Ballet Center of Fort Worth and International Ballet of Houston. Victoria is very passionate about musical theater and has performed hundreds of times a dozen different musicals around DFW. Victoria has been teaching for the last 7 years every style of dance you can think of! She has always had a deep love for working with children, teens, and adults and sharing her love and passion for this beautiful art form. Getting to see everyone’s individual personalities and strengths and how they grow and change week-after-week is so rewarding!
victoria trimble
Originally from Canada, Daniel Palladino began his dance training at the age of nine. Daniel received his dance education while attending Victoria School of The Arts, Shelley’s Dance Company, and The Kore Dance Studio. Daniel has attended many summer study programs throughout North America, some which include The Boston Conservatory, Point Park University, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Springboard Danse Montreal. He received his International Baccalaureate diploma in dance in 2018. Daniel attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia on a full tuition scholarship, obtaining his BFA in Dance. Daniel has worked with choreographers Jeffery Page, Helen Pickett, Juel D Lane, Mark Caserta, Helen Simoneau, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Sidra Bell, and Stacey Tookey. Post graduation, Daniel joined Dallas Black Dance Theatre in August 2022.
daniel palladino
Justin Giles is a choreographer and educator based in Dallas, TX. Growing up in Irmo, SC, Giles has been immersed in dance his entire life. After touring the world for years as a performer and instructor, Justin shifted his focus to developing a community of like minded artists. In 2004 Giles founded SoulEscape, a nationally recognized professional dance company whose core values are based in community, education, and human connection. Giles' works have been described as "inventive", "raw", and "naturally beautiful". His approach to storytelling creates space for earnest and thoughtful displays of personal and shared experiences. Giles continues to work with dancers from all over the world, and maintains that his true calling is connecting with and inspiring the next generations of young artists. "Be patient. Stay True. Finish Strong."
justin giles
Cory Finn is originally from Southern California where he trained and had the honor to work with such tap legends as Gregory Hines, Henry LeTang, Sam Webber, Mark Mendonca and his own father Freddie Finn. He has performed with various tap companies and stage productions including Rhapsody in Taps, Power Tap and Men at Work. Some of his commercial credits include Toyota, Dr Pepper, Taco Bell, and Disney. He has also taught for numerous national convention circuits including LA Underground, LA Dance Magic, NUVO, Hollywood Vibe and Pacific Coast Dance Fest and is currently touring with Dance Makers Inc. Cory’s Passion for tap dance paired with his enthusiasm and encouragement in his classes has made him highly sought after. His Dynamic and energetic choreography and his ability to make tap fun and accessible has fostered a genuine love for the art form amongst his devoted students. Cory is thrilled to be at KJ and looks forward to making some amazing memories and spreading the joy of tap dance to the next generation of dancers.
CORY FINN
A former Radio City Rockette and Plano native, Brooke Wendle has been dancing, choreographing and creative producing live shows for Broadway and television since 2002 for powerhouse brands such as Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got
Talent, American Idol, Cirque Du Soleil, Franco Dragone, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Adam Lambert, Atlantis The Royal Dubai, Disney, Condé Nast, MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, E*Trade, Super Bowl Halftime Show XXXIV, Paramount +, HBO, Netflix and the NBA.
BROOKE WENDLE
Peter Chursin grew up in Pacifica, CA and trained to become a professional dancer in Half Moon Bay with Shely Pack Dancers. He earned a scholarship to NYU and after his freshman year, Peter was cast as an original company member in the 1st National Tour of Wicked the Musical. Here is where he met his wife, Brooke Wendle, and in all they have appeared in over 20+ Broadway, national, and international productions between them. Since then, Peter has toured internationally with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Twyla Tharp Dance. He was most recently seen on Broadway in Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ (marking his principal debut), on television in FX’s Fosse/Verdon, Netflix’s Halston, and will be seen in the upcoming feature film Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez.
Peter CHURSIN
Born and raised in Plano, Rachel has been a member of the KJ family since she was 3 years old. After growing up at the studio, she attended Texas Tech University and was a three year member of the Pom Squad dance team. Rachel led her team to their first National Championship in school history during her senior year. After college, she moved back home to Dallas to pursue her dreams of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. She cheered on the sidelines for 4 seasons and then did 2 additional seasons as an All-Star cheerleader. She has been training KJ’s youngest dancers since 2017 and is so excited to be leading the Junior DCC program this year!
