Balance Point Dance Solutions

Balance Point Dance Solutions brings to you a faculty of choreographers who are professionally trained dancers, skilled performers, award winning choreographers, and highly effective dance teachers.

Emily Price has over 19 years of formal dance training in the fields of jazz, lyrical, ballet, pointe, hip-hop, and musical theatre and 15 years of teaching, coaching, and choreography experience. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University (WKU) where she studied dance and performing arts. At WKU, she danced as a soloist and featured dancer for the WKU Performing Arts Dance Company. For three years, Emily worked with the Universal Dance Association (UDA) as a staff member and Head Instructor, teaching dancers of all levels across the U.S. while also serving as the UDA Territory Manager for Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

In addition to Emily's six years of experience in designing choreography for teams in the Southern U.S. as a free-lance artist, Emily's choreography credits also include three years of developing material taught on the national circuit for UDA's summer camps. While a student at WKU, Emily's choreography was showcased in university performances.

One of Emily's most notable achievements was directing and serving as the four year Head Coach and Choreographer of the nationally ranked Louisville All-Star Dancers. Under her leadership and with her choreography, the team secured two consecutive National Grand Champion titles, four top-five national rankings, and earned 20 first place awards plus 13 top-five rankings on the state and regional level.

Emily taught, studied, and performed with the Jeannette Neill Dance Studio in Boston, Massachusetts. until May 2005. Emily is currently an instructor and choreographer at the Blue Water Bay Ballet Conservatory in Niceville, FL and is the Director of Balance Point Dance Solutions, which she founded in 2004.

Alison Reichel Williams

Alison, with 20 years of formal dance training, has traveled the United States and overseas teaching, performing, and judging competitions. As a former five year Head Instructor for the Universal Dance Association (UDA), Alison has worked with many high school and college dance teams across the nation. Alison's choreography experience is extensive- one of her highlighted accomplishments is her three years of experience on UDA's choreography team, developing material taught at summer camps across the nation. She is a former coach of the nationally ranked Louisville All-Star Dancers.

Alison is a former member of the Event Staff for dance performances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Walt Disney World events, and the New Year's Celebration in London, England. Her performance credits include dancing on the nationally televised Jerry Lewis telethon for Muscular Dystrophy.

Alison is currently coaching the repeat national champion Planet Dance All-Stars. Under her leadership, the team has earned 7 National Championship titles. Her most recent accomplishment as a coach includes a 1st place 2007 UDA and Jamfest National Champion Pom titles.

Cecilia Ferguson-Bell

Cecilia began her study of dance 17 years ago in the areas of ballet, jazz, and tap. Throughout the years, she has extended her training to include hip-hop, lyrical, pointe, musical theatre, and modern. Her passion for dance brought her to Western Kentucky University where she received her BFA in Performing Arts with a dance concentration. While at WKU, Cecilia was awarded the Doris Owen Dance Scholarship as well as the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist abroad.

Cecilia was a featured dancer for the WKU Performing Arts Dance Company and is a former faculty member at Dance Arts in Bowling Green, KY where she taught ballet, pointe, and jazz dance. Past credits include aerial dancing seventy-five feet in the air at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Cecilia currently works with dancers nationwide providing innovative choreography. Cecilia calls Chicago home where she performs with Inaside Chicago Dance and teaches ballet, jazz, pointe and hip-hop at State Street Dance Studio and Stephanie’s Academy of Dance.

Having invested over 16 years in the dance industry, Emma Parker specializes in jazz, modern, tap, and ballet with a focus in the competitive dance scene. She is an award-winning choreographer for various age levels and groups including junior high and high school dance teams, soloists, and ensembles.

Emma is currently a Dance Major with a Psychology Minor at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where she performs in the Junior and Senior Choreography Projects and is a featured dancer in showcases throughout the dance seasons. In addition to her studies, Emma teaches jazz, tap, and ballet at Cole's Dance Academy of Muncie. This past summer, as a UDA Instructor, she trained dancers throughout the Midwest.

Emma's future plans include attending graduate school to pursue a career in Dance Therapy, eventually opening her own studio with an emphasis towards special needs children.

Jamie Stocker began her dance education with 13 years of ballet study at Village Dance Theatre in Crestwood, Kentucky. In college, she was a member and captain of the nationally recognized University of Kentucky Pom Squad.

Jamie spent four years with Universal Dance Association (UDA) as both a staff member and head instructor, teaching at college, high school and middle school dance camps across the eastern United States.

Jamie appeared behind Hank Williams, Jr. on the Monday Night Football weekly theme song introduction, "Are You Ready for Some Football?"

After college, Jamie moved to New York City where she studied for two years at Broadway Dance Center as both an intern and a scholar, performing in several student showcases and Performance Outlets.

She is currently on faculty at the Dancer's Pointe, teaching lyrical jazz and hip-hop.

Lea Kohl Blackburn

Lea Kohl Blackburn has been dancing for over 20 years and has trained extensively in jazz, ballet, tap, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre. She earned her BFA in Performing Arts with a dance emphasis from Western Kentucky University and is currently a featured member of the award-winning New York City-based dance company Walden Dance Theatre. Lea has danced in regional theatres across the country and appeared as a dancer in the Broadway first national tour of 42nd Street, as well as the leading role of Peggy Sawyer in the same production. She is also a certified graduate of Dance Masters of America Teachers Training School in ballet, tap and jazz.

Other credits include Career Transitions for Dancers Annual Gala (hosted by Wayne Brady) at New York's City Center as a 'new' June Taylor Dancer under the direction of original company member and acclaimed dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington. Earlier this year, she appeared at the Rainbow Room in New York City where she danced to the live vocal stylings of Mary Cleere Haran for the Bay Street Theatre's Winter Gala.

Lea is a guest faculty member at Jane Kohl School of Dance in Guntersville, Alabama, and is currently pursuing dance opportunities in New York City.

Marko Westwood was born in Reading, PA and began dancing over 16 years ago at Berks Ballet Theater. While attending Temple University, he had the opportunity to work with former Jose’ Limon dancer Ann Vachon, as a member of Dance Conduit. In 1993, Mr. Westwood moved to Las Vegas, NV. During the past 16 years in Las Vegas, Marko had the pleasure of working with numerous choreographers such as; Victoria Dale, Sam Watson, Ernesto Corvino, Rudy Perez, Lonny Gordon, Doug Nielsen, and Louis Kavouras. Throughout this time Mr. Westwood had the chance to perform in the Berosini-VanBurch Show in Branson,MO, choreographed by Grammy Award winner, Michael Darrin, the Siegfried and Roy Show at the Mirage Hotel, numerous concert works, Seven Brothers for Seven Brides, Brigadoon, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (choreographing the later three), and becoming artistic director of his own pick up company, United Dance Experience. In 2000, Marko received his B.A in Dance from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. During a brief stay in Florida, Mr. Westwood worked with Suzanne Ferrel in the re-construction of George Balanchine’s “Western Symphony”. Choreographically, Marko has created over 60 works to date, including H.S. concert choirs, musical theater, corporate outings, film, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and ballet work. For nearly two decades, Marko has taught jazz, afro-jazz, ballet, contemporary, and improvisation as a guest at Backstage Dance, Reno Charter School, Reno Outreach Program, Las Vegas Dance Studio, Nevada Ballet Theater, Berks Ballet, Rainbow School of the Arts and UNLV. In 2003, Mr. Westwood accepted a year long position at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas teaching jazz and theory. Mr. Westwood has been a guest artist for the Erick Hawkins Company in New York, Ballet Mink Colbert in Denmark, Area 51 Dance Co. in Nevada, Children’s Ballet Theater in Philadelphia and a regular returning performer for Berks Ballet Theater. Marko regularly participates in the College of Southern Nevada’s annual festival, Dance in the Desert. Mr. Westwood also received a Las Vegas “Tony Award” by Anthony DeValle as the year’s best choreographer for his work on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Constantly feeling the desire to learn more about dance and choreography Mr. Westwood is looking forward to the challenges that will unfold for him as part of the BPDS staff.

Starting at the age of 4 and choreographing by the age of 14, Melissa began her training in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical and Hip Hop in Miami, Fl. She later moved her studies to Palm Beach, Fl where she began teaching and choreographing Jazz and Hip Hop at 18 years old. Her desire to perform, led her to Orlando, Fl, which gave her the opportunity to start her career. Melissa's accomplishments include choreography for NIFL’s “Osceola Ghostriders;” T.V. sitcom pilot for Nickelodeon Studios; opening act for Regina Bell at Hard Rock Live; opening act for TOK, Cuban Link and T-Pain; McDonalds, Miller Beer and Surf Expo worldwide conventions. Her most recent performance has been for an MTV event with the legendary Grand Master Flash and Oscar winning Three Six Mafia. Melissa is also creator and founder of both “StreetStylz” traveling dance workshop and “Underground” dance conventions. She currently choreographs throughout the U.S. and teaches at three locations in Orlando , Fl.

Midori-Iro is a award-winning choreographer noted for her "Unique" and "Innovative" Choreography. Disciplined in all areas of Dance, Midori has adopted a style fusing the popular styles of dance, including Hip Hop, Ballet, Modern, jazz funk & many other styles to give cutting edge, creative , provocative and thought provoking fun for all entertainment.

Ms. Iro has choreographed and Performed for various projects, some of which include: recording artists, productions companies, fashion shows, dance companies, dance competitions, award shows, community events and festivals - as well as TV, Music Videos, and promotional work. Ms. Iro gives back to her community by being instrumental in the development of joint projects with leading dance companies/productions, and schools throughout the Tri-State area (NY,NJ,PA).

Education includes a B.F.A in Dance, Theater, and Dance Education received from: The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Others includes: The Princeton Ballet, Mercer College for the Arts, Koresh Dance Studio, Capital City Dance, Hamilton Ballet Theater.

Awards include: Two Special Judges Awards for choreography and Two M.A.A.I. awards for Dance and Choreography in NYC. Other Awards for choreography, in the Fashion Industry for Modeling/Dance presentations: Solid Gold Magazine, and Golden Shears Awards hosted by “BET”.

Michelle Boyd currently attends Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau where she majors in Secondary Math Education while continuing her training in dance and choreography. She performs in the university dance concerts and is a choreographer for student showcases.

Michelle choreographs for area dance teams, specializing in the areas of jazz, pom, hip-hop, and kick. She has judged regional dance events for the past three years. Michelle’s dance training also includes the disciples of ballet, tap, and modern dance.

Natalie has over fourteen years of formal dance training in the disciplines of Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop, Lyrical Musical Theatre, and Tap, and five years of teaching, coaching and choreography experience.

Natalie was the coach and choreographer for the North Oldham High School Dance Team, as well as a choreographer for Jennifer’s Academy of Dance in Louville, Kentucky. She was a member of the nationally ranked Louisville All-Star Dancers and has received the Distinguished Performer Award from Starlight Productions.

This past summer, she received the Professional Dance Teacher’s Association award from Hoctor Dance Company in addition to a scholarship from the Dance Factory Convention.

Natalie is pursuing formal training and education in the field of dance at Western Kentucky University.

Rhonda Harrington

Rhonda Harrington has performed with Moving Collective, Art! Art! Barking Dog Dance Company, Gordon Dance Projects, and the Louisville All-Star Dancers. She has been teaching dance technique and original choreography to both recreational and nationally-competitive school and studio dance teams since 1999. She has guided two dance teams to National Championship titles. Rhonda has been on staff for the Universal Dance Association, and has assisted Michael Jackson’s Choreographer, LaVelle Smith, in a week long dance workshop. This summer Rhonda will appear as a featured dancer in a commercial for Makers Mark. Rhonda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art with a minor in Communication from the University of Louisville. She currently works as a Photographer while continuing to study and teach dance.

Sarah Peak has been training and performing dance for 18 years. She has studied jazz, ballet, lyrical, tap, modern, and musical theatre. During her earlier training, she was a member of the nationally ranked Louisville All-Star Dancers. Sarah is a former member of the Universal Dance Association Staff (UDA).

Sarah holds a BFA in musical theatre from Northern Kentucky University where she was a choreographer and featured dancer for the NKU Dance Tour Troupe and a performer, soloist, and choreographer for the NKU Musical Theatre Tour Troupe. She has previously worked as a professional dancer at The Lost Colony in The Outer Banks, North Carolina and has provided choreography for The Lost Colony Professional Theatre Workshop's Dance Concert.

Sarah is a former faculty member at Uptown Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio. Some of her past credits include choreographing the world premiere of the musical Burgertown and the world premiere of Wild Women of Planet Wongo.

Sarah continues her training in dance and performance in New York City, and is currently the dance captain and "Holly" in the first national tour of The Wedding Singer.

Staci Idle has trained in dance for 19 years. Her focus is in the areas of ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, dance composition, and tap. She is a graduate of the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY. Staci's comprehensive performance experience includes dancing for teams on the all-star and collegiate levels. As a staff member of the Universal Dance Association (UDA), she worked with dance teams across the region, focusing on instruction of choreography and technique in the fields of jazz, pom, and hip-hop.

Staci graduated from Western Kentucky University (WKU) where she studied dance and performing arts. There she was a featured dancer in the WKU Performing Arts Dance Company. Staci has coached and choreographed for dance teams throughout KY, providing them with fun and creative choreography.

Currently, Staci is on faculty at Dance Arts of Bowling Green where she teaches ballet, pointe, and jazz dance. She is the Director and Choreographer of the studio's performing company.

Theresa Bautista trained in Southern Indiana and Louisville , gaining experience both in dance and musical theatre. While earning her biology degree from Indiana University , she continued her dance studies in a program headed by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride.

She has danced with Bloomington ’s IN MOTION, the Kentucky Youth Dance Ensemble, Anna Sapozhnikov’s MOYAMO DANCE, Gordon Dance Projects and as a soloist with Art! Art! Barking Dog Dance Company. In 2006, Bautista organized and produced MOVING COLLECTIVE: an evening of dance to promote the works of independent choreographers and bring a greater awareness of contemporary dance to the region. Theresa was the Associate Director of Courtney Weber School of Dance for six years and has served as faculty for several dance schools in the Southern Indiana and Louisville , KY area. She has been invited to guest teach at several schools around the United States, as well as choreograph for dance companies, musical theatres, private studios and dance teams. Her work, “Moment Pushed, Moment Left” was presented at the 2005 Southeast Regional Ballet Festival.

Theresa serves as Dance Faculty for the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts as well as a member of the Kentucky Core Content Advisory Committee for Arts and Humanities.

Tracey began her training almost 20 years ago with Diana Evans in Lexington, Kentucky. She has had an extensive background as a competition dancer holding titles through Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America as well as Stars of Tomorrow and New York Dance Alliance. Her specialties include Musical Theatre, lyrical, tap, and production lines.

As an actor, singer, and dancer, Tracey has work across the country in Mexico and Canada. Professional performance credits include National tours and New York Productions of: A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Show Boat. Regional credits include productions of Sweet Charity, Crazy For You, Pippin, Cabaret, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Nunsense and Joseph. As a choreographer, she has worked with the Radio City Rockettes, with the United States organization (USO), for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Endinburgh, Scotland in 2001, and is the founding Artistic Director of Paragon Music Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. As a teacher and teaching artist, Tracey has been on faculty at American Musical and Dramatic Academy ( New York and Los Angeles), Wagner College in Staten Island, and TADA! Youth Theatre in New York City.

Tracey specializes in bringing theatrical interpretation and story telling into all forms of dance. Tracey received her BFA in Musical Theatre and Dance Minor from Shenandoah University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Choreography at UC Irvine.