Faculty
Frit and Frat, Exec. Prod. For PDN and Triple Threat Exec. Producers, Collectively holding BFA and MFA Degrees. They have worked all over the Globe in many Countries performing and choreographing for several Stage and TV productions such as The Rocky Horror Show (Globe Theater), 21 Stories (LA & NYC), Flirting With Morty (NAACP & Ovation Award nominated), The Universoul Circus (National/International Tour & HBO special), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (National/International tour & Vox PBS special), Vox Lumiere’s stage production “AliSin” based on “Alice in Wonderland” (currently),The MUMS and Girls on Stilts with Frit and Frat, Mrs. America & Mrs. World Pageants, Created, Directed and Choreographed the NAACP Theatre Award Winning Jukebox stage musical revue, Down Around Brown Town (celebrating James Brown’s music). And co-hosted a segment on KCAL 9 TV’s “9 On The Town” and “Extreme Fake Over” for Pax TV along with numerous commercials
Frit and Frat are Associate choreographers under Julie Arenal (legendary Broadway and film choreographer) and have also choreographed for several Dance Companies, Theme Parks, Guest Artist at various Schools, Colleges and Universities. Including, National Institute of the Arts in Taiwan and Pineapple Dance Studios in London. They are celebrated for blending modern dance, club, ballet, hip-hop, and musical theatre into their work, often performing in sync both creatively and in their movements Frit and Frat are a dynamic, award winning dance duo whose careers span stage, screen, television, commercials, and international performance, making them influential figures in the dance and entertainment industry and have been featured in Dance Mogul Magazine.
Jessica Walker Halford is a passionate performer, teacher and choreographer with a BFA from Fordham University/ The Ailey School. Her strong technical foundation and versatile style has enabled Jessica’s multifaceted career spanning Broadway, Film and Television, Commercials, National Tours and more. Her credits include Twyla Tharp’s Movin Out, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour, Radio City’s Christmas and Spring Spectaculars, Carnegie Hall’s West Side Story and The Metropolitan Opera. Film and Television credits include ABC’s Dirty Dancing (Andy Blankenbueler), NBC’s SMASH and The Tonys.
Jessica served as an associate choreographer for the Tony award winning show Six the Musical, made her Off Broadway choreographic debut at Theater Row with The Magnificent Seven and co-choreographed with Mary Ann Lamb Mamma Mia at Connecticut Repertory Theatre directed by Terrence Mann. Asst Chore. on David O Russell’s film Amsterdam starring Christian Bale and Margo Robbie. As an educator, Jessica has taught at USC, Loyola Marymount, UNSCA, Western Oregon University, Joffrey Ballet School, Millennium Dance Complex, Steps on Broadway, Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, Equinox, Showstopper National Dance Conventions. Jessica creates a nurturing supportive environment and emphasizes the importance of technique, musicality and artistry. She encourages dancers of all levels to reach their maximum potential.
Shari Washington Rhone is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, singer, and voice-over artist with a career spanning stage, touring productions, and creative education. She began her performing journey in Indianapolis with the Indianapolis Dance Company serving as Asst Dir. (now Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre). She later moved to Los where she studied under the renowned Lula Washington.
Shari is known for her work in musical theatre, where she has served as a performer, swing, and understudy in major productions.). She is a seasoned performer and has performed in outstanding shows such as , Nat’l Tours: The Notebook, Tina -The Tina Turner Musical, the original Los Angeles theatrical company of The Lion King . Other credits include, Principal Dancer Jazz Antiqua., Soloist Lula Washington Dance Theatre. Choreographer Disneyland resort. Director and choreographer at Jaxx Theatricals. Bands: Proud Mary, Bella Donna, Soulicious as well as Audition Coaching and Dance Master Classes throughout the United States and Brazil.
Raydel Cáceres is a Cuban-born professional ballet dancer and guest teacher with extensive international performing and teaching experience. He studied at the Professional School of Arts Raul Sanchez and later at the National School of Ballet de Cuba in Havana and continued his training under the legendary Laura Alonso at the Centro Pro Danza de Cuba,. Raydel performed with the California Ballet, Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota, Ballet Theater of Maryland, Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami and currently performs with Les Ballet Trockadero De Monte Carlo
Known for his strong classical technique, artistry, musicality, and partnering skills, he brings a supportive, energetic, and inspiring approach to every class. Passionate about developing the next generation of dancers, Raydel enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. His teaching emphasizes strong technical foundations, confidence, artistry, discipline, and a genuine love for dance. Drawing from years of professional stage experience, he creates a positive and encouraging environment where students are challenged to grow while feeling supported in their individual journey as artists.
Steven Applegate, Music Director
Steven is an award-winning Music Director and pianist, and has worked in almost every theatre in the Los Angeles area as well internationally.
He is a staff Music Director for Broadway Advantage who encourages and nurtures young performers across the country. We have had several students go on to do Broadway shows and National Tours.
Steven loves working with young singers and actors, and getting the best performances possible, whether it be in solo work or in ensembles. He teaches privately in the Los Angeles area, and travels across the nation doing workshops, Master Classes, and full stage productions.
He has had the privilege of working with Stephen Schwartz, John Raitt, Sutton Foster, Shirley Jones, Christine Ebersole, Adam Pasquel, Idena Menzel, Ken Page, and many more.
Jaymz Tuaileva began dancing at the age of 11. Growing up as an athlete and artist, he decided to pursue his true passion, dance. Some of Jaymz's credits include a principal role, “Javier” in High School Musical 2, a guest professional and choreographer on multiple seasons of Dancing with the Stars, a finalist on the season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance, a principal dancer in Legally Blonde 2, “Rebel Warbler” in the feature film Glee Live 3D as well as the tv show, and performed on other tv shows such as Americas Got Talent, World of Dance, HBO’s Barry, Eli Stone and many more.
He was also a choreographer on season 3 of Masked Singer. He has done commercials for AT&T, Bud Light, Jello, Greyhound Bus and Orbit Gum; and worked with artists such as Michael Jackson, Cher, Usher, Nicki Minaj, Ne Yo, Ariana Grande, Kevin Hart, Meghan Trainor, Bow Wow, Bret Michaels, Aloe Black, and many others.
He recently Created, Directed, Choreographed and Music Produced “Motown With A Twist” while performing in it as well; featuring stars from So You Think You Can Dance, The Voice, America’s Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars and American Idol.
Jaymz also choreographed the show, "Donny and Marie" in Las Vegas which was voted "Best Show in Vegas" 4 years in a row. He also choreographed Andre Bocelli’s “Cinema Tour”. Jaymz has worked on Broadway, not only as a performer, but as a Choreographer and Dance Captain too. His proudest accomplishment was being hand picked by Michael Jackson for his “This Is It” tour. You can also find Jaymz dancing in recent live action movie, “Spongebob 3" alongside Snoop Dogg, choreographed by Mia Michaels. While these are only a few of his long list of accomplishments as an artist, he can’t wait to add more. Jaymz plans to further his career in the entertainment industry by continuing to create, direct, choreograph and instruct as well as continuing to perform.
Miss Debi (Debi White) is a results-driven movement professional with over 30 years of teaching experience in both dance and fitness, working with students from beginner to advanced levels.. She is the founder of Miss Debi Fitness, which she launched in 2009, and has been a dedicated fitness and dance educator for more than a decade
Debi earned a Bachelor of Arts in World Arts and Cultures with a dance concentration from UCLA. . Her dance training spans ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, lyrical, and dances of the African Diaspora. She also holds a Career Technical Education credential in Arts and Entertainment
Miss Debi is certified through ACE, AFAA, and NASM, with advanced specializations including: Group Fitness Instructor (GXI), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Senior Fitness Specialist, Stretch and Mobility Coach, 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), Zumba Instructor (including Zumba Strong, Zumba Toning, Zumba Gold, Aqua Zumba) and She is also trained as a Myofascial Release Trainer
Career Highlights: Top 10 Zumba Instructor in Los Angeles (ranked #3 in 2012)
Longtime instructor at 24 Hour Fitness, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, and Crenshaw Yoga & Dance Fitness Specialist at LA Care Resource Center ,Personal Trainer at BLOWFISH SHOE LLC , Fitness Instructor at West Los Angeles College