Dance Teachers - RISING STARS

Meet our DANCE TEACHERS...

MIC THOMPSON
CHOREOGRAPHER - Rising Stars Master Dance Coach
DANCE TEACHERS
MIC THOMPSON recently returned from Paris where he choreographed the new Spectacular "BONHEUR" at the LIDO DE PARIS on the infamous CHAMPS ELYSEES. After returning from Paris, Mic worked as a featured Ballroom Dancer in the soon to be released onto DVD Disney film ENCHANTED which he also performed on the 2008 Academy Awards in the production numbers to the nominated BEST SONGS. The Walt Disney organization has long been a supporter of Mic's choreography career, where they selected Mic to choreograph their live stage shows which premiered with the animated feature films: HERBIE-FULLY LOADED, SANTA CLAUSE 2, MONSTERS INC., and THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE Currently, Mic is choreographing the live stage show for Disney's new animated film RATATOUILLE at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

In Las Vegas he has choreographed BITE at the STRATOSPHERE HOTEL and the SOPRANO"S LAST SUPPER at the ALADDIN HOTEL featuring THE ORIGINAL "BADA-BANG GIRLS" and also, THE MAGIC OF RICK THOMAS at the Orleans Hotel. He has also choreographed the BYU WORLD CHAMPION BALLROOM DANCE TEAM.

He has choreographed National commercials for VODAPHONE, CLAIROL and KRAFT. Mic has extensive experience choreographing music videos with recording artists BROOKE ALLISON and the OFFSPRING and BILLY RAY CYRUS with his dance troupe in The COLGATE COUNTRY SHOWDOWN on PAX TV.

His Musical Theatre experience climaxed with a NAACP Best Choreography nomination for SWINGING ON A STAR. Mic has worked on the musical GREASE and PIPPIN in Tuacahn, Utah and has new shows THE BIG EASY, FAR FROM OVER ...THE 80'S and ROCK DOWN BROADWAY appearing nightly on Carnival Cruises with high energy choreography from Broadway shows FOOTLOOSE and SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER and the X-TREME COUNTRY show. He choreographed DOLLY PARTON, where he showed his versatile choreography in "HELLO, I'M DOLLY" the National Tour.

He also spent time in Greece choreographing BEST OF BROADWAY for SHOWBEAT PRODUCTIONS, INC. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casinos. In Japan he choreographed MICKEY'S ADVENTURELAND MARDI GRAS for Disneyland Tokyo.

Mic began dancing at age 10 and by the time he was 15 he was named the U.S. Ballroom Latin Champion. Soon after, Mic's career took off as he danced with his favorite recording artists including Michael Jackson for 8 years, Diana Ross, Paula Abdul, Wynona Judd, Vanessa Williams, Tracey Ullman and Jennifer Lopez. He was a regular on the Dick Clark's TV series YOUR BIG BREAK, Comedy Central's THE MAN SHOW, Jay Leno's THE TONIGHT SHOW and the feature films HAUNTED MANSION, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE MAJESTIC, THE WEDDING PLANNER and DANCE WITH ME.

Mic was selected as Choreographer of the Month for the special Millennium Issue of DANCE SPIRIT MAGAZINE and is next off to choreograph HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL for the Center of the Performing Arts and Amphitheater in Utah.

DANCE LESSONS FOR KIDS

EDUARDO ARMENDIZO
DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER - Rising Stars Master Dance Coach
DANCE CLASSES FOR KIDS
EDUARDO ARMENDIZO received his formal dance education/training at City College of San Francisco and later at the legendary San Francisco School of Ballet. Much of Eduardo's influence in dance comes from Ed Mock a brilliant disciple of Jack Cole a famous well known choreographer for countless MGM musicals ( "Some Like it Hot"). Continuing his dance training in Los Angeles with Joe Tremaine ( a formidable force in dance), Jackie Sleight (L.A Dance Force), Doug Caldwell (Artistic Director Joe Tremaine Dance Conventions), Claude Thompson (Motown choreographer) and Jaime Rogers (Los Angeles Television Choreographer) training with the best in the business Eduardo forged a dance career spanning the glamorous Casino Resorts of South Africa's Sun City and Don Arden's World's Largest ground breaking stage Spectacle "Hello Hollywood", to film and television commercials, Eduardo has worked with many respected and talented stars in the entertainment industry, John Travolta, Suzanne Sommers, Charro, David Copperfield and the Tubes are just a few highlights in Eduardo's well traveled path in show business. His choreographic talents and dance instruction has allowed him to extend his dancing career beyond 25 active years. His choreographic work has been sought after by major corporate clients, cruise lines, such as Princess and Regent Seas, and regional theatre as well as countless dance institutions. Theatrical choreography and directing credits include: ANYTHING GOES, 42nd STREET, WILL ROGER FOLLIES, GREASE, NUNSENSE and SMILE nominated for Regional Theatre Shellie Award best choreography in a musical. Eduardo served as Dance Program Administrator at the University of Nevada for the past four years and lead instructor of the Jazz dance program for the past ten years. Eduardo's latest choreographic accomplishments include two lavish and elaborate productions shows for Princess Cruises: MOMENTS TO REMEMBER and SAVE THE LAST DANCE. Returning to the San Francisco Bay Area and working with long time friend and business associate Jack Failla is truly a project that he is excited about. Instilling dedication and a strong foundation in young and gifted performers is necessary to succeed in the world of entertainment - "for it is the classroom and studio where your art is perfected and training never stops..."

DANCE LESSONS FOR KIDS

MONICA BLOOM - Rising Stars Dance Coach
DANCE TEACHERS
MONICA BLOOM has been in some way performing since the age of six. By the age of sixteen she knew dance was a love, a passion that became synonymous with taking a breath. Dance Connection took her dancing to a different level by means of dedication, motivation, passion, and skill. She had the experience of taking master classes from some of the best dancers/choreographers in the dance world. As a member of the company Odyssey she was dedicated and driven to perfecting every step.

Diablo Valley College was a huge turning point in Monica's life. She was blessed to work with an amazing dance instructor/choreographer and a few acting instructors that rival instructors at some of the best acting conservatories in the country. In musical theater Monica found a place where she could dance, sing, and act: a place to feel safe, at peace, and at home. Performing in many theatrical productions such as "The Wizard of Oz", "Fiddler On the Roof", "Me and My Girl", "Cabaret", "West Side Story", "The Music Man", and "Dracula". The acting training and experience she received took her dancing and singing to a level beyond her expectations. During her time as a student at DVC she was given the opportunity to choreograph two shows: ME AND MY GIRL and DRACULA. Monica was later accepted to UC Irvine as a dance major, eventually becoming a double major by adding drama. All three areas made vast improvements with the completion of the program, Monica still felt acting was the weak link in her quest to become a triple threat. This led her to audition for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, upon her acceptance she spent nine months honing the craft of acting under the supervision of many of the best actors/instructors in the business. Monica's next adventure brought her back to DVC where as a graduate of UCI she was given the opportunity to be employed as a choreographer: ION and GODSPELL.

Monica has the ability to bring out the best in her students, allowing them to find much more within themselves than they ever expected. Currently, she is an instructor at two studios in San Jose: The Dance Zone and The Dance Affair. Monica hopes to continue building her experience as a dance instructor and choreographer in the years to come.

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