Chris Jacobsen Sonya Tayeh Brooke Pierotti Craig Hollamon Monique Smith Liz
Schmidt Caroline Lewis Jenn Freeman Melody Lacayanga
Chris' passion for dance began at the tender age of 11. Stepping into
his first dance class, he felt himself come alive. A connection with the
art was created that has guided him through life since that moment. His
journey to self discovery continued with dance education at San
Francisco's prestigious School of the Arts where he studied
Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Afro-Haitian. Armed with a deeper understanding
of dance, he then experimented with the art of choreography. Finding
new forms of communication that enabled him to express his thoughts and
feelings as well as his vulnerabilities through movement.
In 1999, Chris established The Dance Company of San Francisco. As the Artistic Director, he created an alternative environment for passionate dancers to explore the art of dance with less focus on commercial standards and more on personal growth. The desire to share his passion consistently challenges his dancers to exceed their perceived capabilities. Many of his students have attended prestigious universities and have credits that include Cirque Du Soleil, Broadway's West Side Story and Wicked, and the television phenomenon So You Think You Can Dance.
Among the numerous accolades his work has received are a 2005 Jazz Dance World Congress Award and finalist recognition at the 2009 Capezio A.C.E Awards. Chris travels nationally with the highly acclaimed dance convention ADRENALINE and creates choreographic works for companies and schools across North America.
As co-director of The Dance Sessions, Chris is driven to create an environment unlike any other for students to enlighten and inspire each other with their own passion.
In 1999, Chris established The Dance Company of San Francisco. As the Artistic Director, he created an alternative environment for passionate dancers to explore the art of dance with less focus on commercial standards and more on personal growth. The desire to share his passion consistently challenges his dancers to exceed their perceived capabilities. Many of his students have attended prestigious universities and have credits that include Cirque Du Soleil, Broadway's West Side Story and Wicked, and the television phenomenon So You Think You Can Dance.
Among the numerous accolades his work has received are a 2005 Jazz Dance World Congress Award and finalist recognition at the 2009 Capezio A.C.E Awards. Chris travels nationally with the highly acclaimed dance convention ADRENALINE and creates choreographic works for companies and schools across North America.
As co-director of The Dance Sessions, Chris is driven to create an environment unlike any other for students to enlighten and inspire each other with their own passion.
Detroit, MI is the home of Motown, Techno, and many forms of inventive dance. Growing up in such a diverse environment, sound and movement became Sonya Tayeh’s nature. Listening, feeling and analyzing music as a child, allowed Sonya to move according to the sounds she heard and felt. She experienced the freedom of freestyle movement until she reached the age of 17.
At this time, Sonya realized that with this rooted style there had to be a base, a form, and a technique. Searching for a foundation, she decided to study dance at Wayne State University. She received her BFA in dance studying dance history, anatomy, and performance. Indulging herself in this art, she graduated one year early.
Sonya Tayeh now resides in Los Angeles where she is faculty at the Edge Performing Arts School, and LMU University. She is proud to be represented by MSA Agency for choreography. Her work has gleamed through television screens on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. She also travels the world teaching workshops, intensive master classes, and setting works. Sonya has had the pleasure of collaborating with artists such as Kerli, Tabitha and Napoleon, Beat Freaks and many more. She has received much recognition and prestigious accolades at various choreography competitions and University Gala performances.
"I believe that having a strong sense of self as a human being allows movement to become natural. Nature changes… it’s constantly evolving. Being of this earth, we must do the same. If we move with nature, our bodies will never lie, it will simply be natural.” ~Sonya Tayeh
At this time, Sonya realized that with this rooted style there had to be a base, a form, and a technique. Searching for a foundation, she decided to study dance at Wayne State University. She received her BFA in dance studying dance history, anatomy, and performance. Indulging herself in this art, she graduated one year early.
Sonya Tayeh now resides in Los Angeles where she is faculty at the Edge Performing Arts School, and LMU University. She is proud to be represented by MSA Agency for choreography. Her work has gleamed through television screens on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With The Stars. She also travels the world teaching workshops, intensive master classes, and setting works. Sonya has had the pleasure of collaborating with artists such as Kerli, Tabitha and Napoleon, Beat Freaks and many more. She has received much recognition and prestigious accolades at various choreography competitions and University Gala performances.
"I believe that having a strong sense of self as a human being allows movement to become natural. Nature changes… it’s constantly evolving. Being of this earth, we must do the same. If we move with nature, our bodies will never lie, it will simply be natural.” ~Sonya Tayeh
Brooke Pierotti started dancing at the age of three in the San Francisco Bay Area. A founding member of
The Dance Company of San Francisco, Brooke was a featured dancer in Tiffany Billings independent film
"Falling Star" and a principal dancer in Martha Kelly-Fierro’s “Altered Modalities". She attended the
School of the Arts in San Francisco and furthered her dance education at The University of California Irvine. Ms. Pierotti can be seen as a featured performer with the world renowned company Sonya Tayeh Dance.
With a broad vocabulary of dance techniques and an emotionally driven point of view, Brooke has a gift for reaching dancers on a cellular level. Anyone that has experienced her in the classroom can't help but be moved by her unwavering love for the art. Brooke continues to travel across the nation to dance, teach, and share her dramatic and passionate style of dance.
The Dance Company of San Francisco, Brooke was a featured dancer in Tiffany Billings independent film
"Falling Star" and a principal dancer in Martha Kelly-Fierro’s “Altered Modalities". She attended the
School of the Arts in San Francisco and furthered her dance education at The University of California Irvine. Ms. Pierotti can be seen as a featured performer with the world renowned company Sonya Tayeh Dance.
With a broad vocabulary of dance techniques and an emotionally driven point of view, Brooke has a gift for reaching dancers on a cellular level. Anyone that has experienced her in the classroom can't help but be moved by her unwavering love for the art. Brooke continues to travel across the nation to dance, teach, and share her dramatic and passionate style of dance.
Monique Smith graduated from School of the Arts in San Francisco as well as the Fordham/Ailey BFA Program with Honors in Dance. Her performances credits include Hot Feet on Broadway, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Philadanco and Sonya Tayeh Dance. Most recently, Monique has been performing in the Tony Award winning musical Memphis.
Known among her colleages to have a "wealth of knowledge", Ms. Smith has been a driving force behind the classical elements of the Dance Sessions since its inception and continues to bring new and innovative techniques to her students.
Known among her colleages to have a "wealth of knowledge", Ms. Smith has been a driving force behind the classical elements of the Dance Sessions since its inception and continues to bring new and innovative techniques to her students.
Craig Hollamon grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where he trained in multiple forms of dance. His move to Los Angeles at the age of 18 lead him to discover his love for the urban side of dance. Blending modern culture and classic funk, his movement has universal appeal. When Craig isn't choreographing for music videos or performing at sold out concerts, he can be seen on the television phenomenon Glee.
Craig takes his love of Hip-Hop very seriously. He conducts his sessions with the a level of professionalism and focus that surpasses industry standards. His approach is clear and concise with a touch of humor mixed in. His students often find themselves breaking through mental barriers with his movement.
Craig takes his love of Hip-Hop very seriously. He conducts his sessions with the a level of professionalism and focus that surpasses industry standards. His approach is clear and concise with a touch of humor mixed in. His students often find themselves breaking through mental barriers with his movement.
Liz Schmidt graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in dance
from Wayne State University. As a performer she has danced with top jazz
and contemporary companies around the Detroit area including Detroit
Dance Collective and Gravity Dance Company.
As a teacher/choreographer,
Liz spends most of her time pursuing her main passion as the artistic
director of Spotlight Dance Works. Her students at Spotlight have
consistently earned her recognition for best choreography at various
regional and national pre-professional dance organizations. Liz has also
been a national talent judge for Hall of Fame Dance Challenge for many
seasons. Recently, Liz was named by Dance Teacher Magazine as Best
Contemporary Choreographer of 2008.
Liz has been on faculty at the University of Michigan teaching advanced jazz technique to dance and theater majors. She has also enjoyed guest teaching positions at Wayne State University Dance Department, Western Michigan University Dance Team, Michigan State Dance Team and many local studios and workshops. Liz has received choreography grants under the Wayne State University Dance Umbrella Program and has also accepted a position as a guest writer for Movement Magazine.
Caroline Lewis-Jones is fluid in the language of movement. She spins a story with her body, tells a tale with twists and turns. A dynamo of jazz, hiphop, cabaret, ballet, contemporary and what she terms New Movement, Caroline draws her audience in with the drama of daring, high-energy dance.
Caroline has performed extensively in New York and her credits include work with NSYNC at the VMAs,
the Latin Grammys, MTV’s Body Rock, Disney, the Britney Spears Me Against Me music video and television commercials for the WNBA and French Energy. She has danced with renowned contemporary companies such as Mia Michael’s R.A.W., Dee Caspary’s IV Dance Company, Notario Dance Company, Rhapsody and Company, A.S.H. Contemporary, Justin Giles’ Soul Escape, Jason Parson and POZ Dance Theatre.
While performing is a driving force for Caroline, she is equally inspired to teach and choreograph. Caroline will be touring with Adrenaline, a multi-style dance convention and she is a monthly guest instructor at Southern Strutt, one of the top dance studios in the U.S. Her commercial experience includes music videos, theatrical productions, commercials, fashion shows, awards programs, pageants and numerous numbers for dance studios entering competitions.
Caroline has performed extensively in New York and her credits include work with NSYNC at the VMAs,
the Latin Grammys, MTV’s Body Rock, Disney, the Britney Spears Me Against Me music video and television commercials for the WNBA and French Energy. She has danced with renowned contemporary companies such as Mia Michael’s R.A.W., Dee Caspary’s IV Dance Company, Notario Dance Company, Rhapsody and Company, A.S.H. Contemporary, Justin Giles’ Soul Escape, Jason Parson and POZ Dance Theatre.
While performing is a driving force for Caroline, she is equally inspired to teach and choreograph. Caroline will be touring with Adrenaline, a multi-style dance convention and she is a monthly guest instructor at Southern Strutt, one of the top dance studios in the U.S. Her commercial experience includes music videos, theatrical productions, commercials, fashion shows, awards programs, pageants and numerous numbers for dance studios entering competitions.
As the son of a dance teacher, Mikeal's passion for the art runs deep. His performing credits include shows with Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Shirley MacLaine, Jocelyn Brown, Anita Ward and The Backstreet Boys. He has worked creatively with numerous
companies such as Disney, Nike, Adidas, Redkin, Dreamworks, Universal Pictures, 7-Up, and the Superbowl Halftime Spectacular. In addition, he has taught on a master level in Panama, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada and across the United States. Mikeal also donates his time & talents to many charity
organizations including The Headress Ball,
Broadway Cares- Equity fights AIDS, and Fashion Cares- Toronto.
As co-creator of DancelifeTV with Rhee Gold, Mikeal further developed his passion for dance education. His work includes features with industry icons Joe Tremaine, Art Stone, John Crutchman, Nan Giordano,
Joe Lanteri and Tyce Diorio; as well as pieces for Broadway Dance Center, The Edge Performing Arts, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, University of Arizona-Tuscon, and Jacob's Pillow.
Collaborating with co-director Chris Jacobsen on The Dance Sessions is a natural progression for Mikeal. His diverse experience in the industry and life long passion for dance allow him insight into both the personal and professional sides of the dance business. He believes that life's greatest opportunities come from being part of a great team and can only be realized when each member's strengths are utilized. Together with the faculty of
The Dance Sessions, Mikeal finds great joy in helping the next generation develop and nurture their passion for the one of a kind art that is dance.
As co-creator of DancelifeTV with Rhee Gold, Mikeal further developed his passion for dance education. His work includes features with industry icons Joe Tremaine, Art Stone, John Crutchman, Nan Giordano,
Joe Lanteri and Tyce Diorio; as well as pieces for Broadway Dance Center, The Edge Performing Arts, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, University of Arizona-Tuscon, and Jacob's Pillow.
Collaborating with co-director Chris Jacobsen on The Dance Sessions is a natural progression for Mikeal. His diverse experience in the industry and life long passion for dance allow him insight into both the personal and professional sides of the dance business. He believes that life's greatest opportunities come from being part of a great team and can only be realized when each member's strengths are utilized. Together with the faculty of
The Dance Sessions, Mikeal finds great joy in helping the next generation develop and nurture their passion for the one of a kind art that is dance.
P.O. Box 30065
New York, New York 10011
