2025 Jazz Intensive
july 20 - july 25, 2025
The Jazz Intensive is designed for students pursuing excellence in jazz and commercial dance training. Curriculum includes jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, conditioning, musical theatre, and more.
Faculty
Christopher Aldeguer
Christopher Aldeguer is a highly accomplished dancer and choreographer from Daly City, CA with a passion for hip hop culture. With 18 years of experience under his belt, Christopher's impressive career began with 8 years of training in movement and music in Daly City, where he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned choreographers Pat Cruz and Shaun Evaristo. As a member of the world-renowned dance crew, The Company, Christopher made a significant impact in the dance world, gaining recognition for his outstanding talent and contributions.
In 2012, Christopher embarked on his professional journey in Las Vegas, NV, where he quickly rose to prominence for 10 years. His career spanned a diverse range of dance roles, from being an extra for multiple flash mobs to performing as a backup dancer for high-profile acts like the K-Pop group BTS. He even had the privilege of being a guest performer for the World of Dance Las Vegas tour.
Currently, Christopher is a dancer and choreographer for Unbound Dance Company led by Caroline Lewis Jones, showcasing his talent and creativity in a new setting. He is also training under an elite Krump crew called Lionzden based in Columbia, South Carolina, led by Davon Bush aka Lionheart. As a choreographer, Christopher's work has been featured in many corporate events and shows, including Mariah Carey's live show in Las Vegas and the new Donny Osmond show. Additionally, Christopher achieved a dream in 2021 when he was able to assist the legendary dance duo Nappytabs.
Christopher's passion for dance and dedication to his craft have enabled him to leave an indelible mark on the dance world. His remarkable talent, along with his impressive resume, make him an invaluable asset to any dance production or event.
Joshua Alexander
Joshua Alexander has recently returned to South Carolina where he began his dance training at Columbia City Jazz Conservatory. Before leaving LA, Joshua has worked with numerous Musical Videos with artist such as Arianna Grande, DJ Khalid, Katy Perry, and on more than one occasion Beyoncé. In addition to appearing on the 6th season of Glee, he has appeared in reality television shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and World of Dance and America’s Got Talent. Joshua has also dance for world renowned LA native Lula Washington and her dance company, Lula Washington Dance Company. As a SAG-AFTRA affiliate Joshua has also had the privilege to be apart of numerous award shows like the AMAS, VMAs, Grammys, the Latin Billboard Awards and more. In more recent years Josh has appeared in NBC’s Hairspray Live! and performed with The Weeknd at the Super Bowl LV Halftime Show in 2021.
Jessica Edwards
Jessica is a South Carolina native, who began dancing and competing under the instruction of Lauren Metts at The Dance Dept. While still in high school, Jessica was a featured dancer in The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, soloist in DanceWordz the company, dance captain and a featured choreographer for various performances. After graduating from the National Honors Society of Dance Arts, Jessica was invited to New York City to complete Broadway Dance Center’s most prestigious program, the Professional Semester. At completion, she was awarded “The Quiet Storm Award,” one of the highest honors.
Jessica has performed in live stage, film, TV, music video, and theme park productions. Her favorite credits include: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids’ “Gypsy of the Year” with the Broadway cast of Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark, on Good Morning America, fitness video with Insanity workout video sensation Shaun T, music video with singing group Neon Trees, at Lincoln Center with the Buglisi Dance Theatre in their Table of Silence 9/11 Project and completed a contract as the lead female performer in an original Halloween production by RWS and Associates.
While Jessica is a dynamic and talented performer, she found her true talent of teaching and choreographing at a young age. She is extremely passionate about sharing her love of dance and longing for her student’s growth within the entertainment industry. She has traveled across the country adjudicating and teaching for many National Dance Competitions, taught as a middle school dance educator and artist in residence in the South Carolina Public School system, was a Raleigh based Company Director for a Competitive Studio and has choreographed for numerous pageants, schools and studios throughout the nation. She recently moved back to her hometown of Columbia and is a resident teacher and choreographer for her home studio. Jessica is also a Certified Health Coach.
Erin Jaffe Gardner
A native of Columbia, SC, Erin received her early training from William Starrett, Mariclare Miranda, and Professor Susan E. Anderson. At the age of 16, she entered the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School's Professional Division, where she studied under Jacqueline Webber and Galina Yordanova. Upon graduation, Erin returned home to study at the University of South Carolina, training under Stanislav Issaev. In 1998 she competed in IBCs in Jackson, Mississippi and Varna Bulgaria, where she was a semi-finalist. Erin danced professionally as a principal with Columbia Classical Ballet. In 2000, she began studying and competing in international style Ballroom and Latin, under Valery Ganiev. In 2005, Erin opened a full-service ballroom studio, Vista Ballroom. At that time she began training in Argentine Tango under Harby Gonzalez and then Orlando Farias. Erin was invited to perform during the 2008 - 2010 Spoleto arts festival with Quintango Orchestra, of Washington, DC, in Charleston, SC. In 2009 she created an original Argentine Tango show "Tango Dream," which was performed annually, through 2013, touring South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. In 2010 she produced an annual Argentine Tango seminar called "Mad Hot Tango." The workshop hosted notable Argentine Tango instructors and brought students from across the United States to study Argentine Tango in South Carolina. Currently, Erin is an Adjunct Ballet Instructor for the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance, Board Member of USC Dance Company, and Freelance Dance Writer for The Free-Times in Columbia, SC. Erin holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.
Susan Hancock
Susan Hancock was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina and began her ballet training at the Calvert-Brodie School of Dance. In 1989, Susan entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of the New York City Ballet, and studied there for three consecutive summers. In 1992, she was invited to stay for the winter term, but instead decided upon The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, then known as North Carolina School of the Arts. From there Ms. Hancock went on to join The Los Angeles Classical Ballet in 1994. Susan performed roles in ballets such as The Nutcracker (Mirlitons) Coppelia (Swanhilda’s friend), A Midsummer Nights Dream (Helena, Hermia) and Paquita (principal role). In 1998, Ms. Hancock joined Francisco Martinez Dance Theater while continuing to dance with Los Angeles Classical Ballet. During her time in L.A., Susan was a featured dancer on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, as well as the VH1 comedy hour featuring Wendy the Snapple Lady. After her time in L.A. was over, Susan moved back home to study at the University of South Carolina under the direction of Dr. Susan Anderson and Stacey Calvert. While dancing with the USC ballet company she danced numerous featured roles including George Balanchine’s Apollo, Western Symphony, Who Cares?, Walpurgisnaught, Allegro Brilliant, Mozartiana and Serenade. Susan performed featured roles alongside members of The New York City Ballet. Those included Dark Angel from Serenade and Polycythemia from Apollo. She was also a principle dancer in Alan Hineline's production of Glennies, as well as Martha Graham's Sketches from Chronicle. Ms. Hancock was featured in SCETV’s documentary following the re-staging of Sketches from Chronicle. While at USC, Susan represented the dance company at the American College Dance Festival and Spoleto Festival, and received the Director's Award for Outstanding Artistic Merit and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance and Choreography.
Terrance Henderson
An International award winning choreographer, Terrance has been the creative force behind Columbia’s own Vibrations Dance Company serving as Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer for over 10 years. Terrance is now also developing independent dance/theater projects under his personal brand T.O. Henderson Dance Incorporated (TO DANCE, Inc) with whom he is presenting his latest original work HOLE IN MY BUCKET: a perspective through dance image word and sound here at the 2013 Rogue Festival. Terrance was the 2009 Artist Fellow for the state in Dance Performance and later that same year received the BRONZE LEO AWARD for Outstanding Jazz Choreography at the Jazz Dance World Congress in Chicago- a first for a choreographer from South Carolina. A company member at Trustus Theater-South Carolina’s only professional theater, Terrance’s has served as choreographer and director for multiple productions and has been seen as a performer on the main-stage in such shows as Next to Normal, Passing Strange, Smokey Joes Cafe, Hair, and Rent. Terrance is also on the dance faculty at both Columbia Ballet School and Southeastern School of Ballet and has been the long-term artist in residence in the public schools at Logan Elementary where he has been teaching dance and drama now for 15 years.
Lindsey Brinkley Hodges
Lindsey Brinkley Hodges was born and raised in Columbia, SC where she trained at the Southern Strutt from the ages of 3-18. While competing with their elite teams from ages 6-18, she was awarded many scholarships, won two National Solo Titles as well as National Titles with her team. She had the opportunity to spend her summers in Los Angeles while training under the most well known choreographers: Mark Meismer, Ray Leeper, Mandy Moore, Justin Giles, Dee Caspary, and many more. After high school, Lindsey went on to the University of South Carolina where she graduated with honors, earning her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and minor in Spanish. During her time at USC, Lindsey was a member of the professional company, Unbound Dance Company, as well as the Carolina Girls Dance Team. While in Unbound, she was a featured principal dancer in several of the company’s showcases. While on the Carolina Girls Dance Team, Lindsey had the opportunity to dance in front of 80,000 fans at USC football games and 18,000 fans at the USC men’s and women’s basketball games. She also spent years after college as the Assistant Coach and Co-Choreographer of the University of South Carolina's Carolina Girls Dance Team, where they placed 3rd and 4th at National Dance Alliance College Nationals. Lindsey was an NFL cheerleader for the 2012 Carolina Panthers TopCats Team, where she got to cheer on the fan favorite quarterback, Cam Newton. She also spent years during and after college as a dance teacher, licensed Zumba instructor and choreographer of the Southern Strutt. Her students received Top Choreography and 1st place nationally for her competition piece she choreographed. Lindsey has been a Coach of the Chapin High School Chapin Girls Dance Team, where she has received Top Choreography awards for her jazz routine, as well as 1st place nationally. She has also choreographed for Newberry College’s Dance Team where her hip hop choreography was 1st place nationally. Lindsey is currently on faculty at Beyond Words In House Dance Convention, founded by Jasmine Edney. She has also taught internationally at Costa Rica’s Jazz Dance Fest.
Ellery Jernigan
Ellery Jernigan (she/her) of Knoxville, Tennessee began her training at Studio Arts for Dancers and GO! Contemporary Dance Works. She graduated with a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography and minor in Psychology from the University of South Carolina. Ellery has had the privilege of attending summer and winter intensives at New Dialect and NYU Tisch School of the Arts, studying contemporary dance forms, the creative process, and improvisation. She has learned from artists such as David Dorfman, Joy Davis, Yin Yue, Banning Bouldin, Tanya Wideman-Davis, and Caroline Fermin. One of her most memorable experiences in dance has been presenting her work, Dust to Dust, at the American College Dance Association Southeast Conference in 2022. Ellery has previously been a part of Yuhas & Dancers and Moving Body Dance Company. She is currently based in New York City.
Caroline Lewis Jones
Caroline Lewis-Jones, from South Carolina, has been dancing for over 27 years. At the age of 18 she moved to New York City where she performed for six years. Her credits include the VMA’s with NSYNC, the Latin Grammy Awards, WNBA National Commercial, Commercial work, Disney Industrials, Britany Spears “Me Against the Music” video, MTV’s Body Rock Fitness Video, and more. Although successful as a commercial dancer, her true passion lies within contemporary company work, where she has had the opportunity to work for Mia Michaels Company R.A.W, Dee Caspary’s IV Dance Company, Notario Dance Company, Rhapsody and Company, A.S.H Contemporary, and Justin Giles’ Soul Escape. In 2001 she traveled to Seoul, Korea where she performed for Jason Parson’s and POZ Dance Theatre. In July 2010, Caroline performed with Sonya Tayeh from “So You Think You Can Dance” with her company in Chicago. She also choreographs for studios around the country, and teaches for Adrenaline Dance Convention and The Dance Sessions.
In December 2007, Caroline choreographed and performed a one-woman show, called Finding My Way. It was about the loss of her mother and her life currently without her. It is her greatest accomplishment yet. Caroline also founded Unbound Dance Company in Columbia, South Carolina in 2008. Her goal as Artistic Director of UNBOUND is to inspire and give dancers over 18 years old a new outlet to perform. She wants to show Columbia a new way of moving with No Boundaries.
Kiyomi Mercadante Ramirez
Kiyomi Ramirez is a dance educator with over twenty years of experience and a professional dancer with over fifteen years of performance experience. Mrs. Ramirez has an Associate’s Degree in Theatre, Film, Radio and Television. In 2017, Mrs. Ramirez earned her “Fellow” in the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA). She shares this title with approximately fifty colleagues across The United States. Mrs. Ramirez has experience as an Adjunct Faculty Member and Rehearsal Director with the University of South Carolina Dance Department, from 2011 through 2015; and was Artistic Director of Dallas Dance Company from 2009 through 2011. With over fifteen years of professional dance performance experience, Mrs. Ramirez has had the honor and privilege to perform with companies such as Ballet Dallas, The Dallas Opera, The Richmond Ballet, Ballet Austin, Dallas Summer Musicals, Rasa Dance Chicago, Dallas Dance Company, The South Carolina Philharmonic, Artists for Africa, and more. When opportunities arise, Mrs. Ramirez continues to make guest appearances.
Sidney Ramsey
In 2017, Sidney Ramsey left home in Columbia, SC, to attend the University of Southern California, where she pursued a double major in Dance (BFA) and Health and the Human Sciences (BA). Her passion for dance stems from the union of the mind and body, and she hopes to continue exploring the possibilities of intertwining dance and scientific research as she begins her professional career. During her time at USC Kaufman, Sidney has performed repertory by choreographers like William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Barak Marshall, Matthew Neenan, Paul Taylor, and more. She has also developed her own choreographic approach, inspired by the steps of the scientific method, through implementing structures and scores informed by psychological concepts and theories that she has found interesting in her studies. With her major in Health and the Human Sciences, Sidney has gained experience in internships exploring the correlations between dance, quality of life or holistic health, and one’s social environment. Immediately upon graduating, Sidney wants to perform and tour with a contemporary company. She also has long-term goals to use her degrees to explore how rigorous dance training impacts one’s health and aging process. Through conducting and advocating for further research into professional dancers’ health, Sidney will seek solutions to how dancers can sustain longer careers and increase their longevity.
Heather Stokes
Heather Stokes was born and raised in Columbia, SC has been dancing and performing since the age of three. She studied dance with Calvert Brodie, Brodie Burnham, Columbia Ballet School, Broadway Bound, and Dreher High School where she was trained in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, modern, theatre and character. Heather also participated in summer dance intensives with the Bolshoi Ballet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The University of South Carolina, and the Radio City Rockettes. Heather is a 2013 graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City where she majored in Dance Theatre. Heather is a veteran of numerous community theatre productions, and appeared in her first professional performance as a member of the ensemble in the musical comedy “Once Upon A Mattress” (understudying the role of Lady Larkin) with the Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, in 2013. For the past 3 years, Heather has taught at numerous local dance studios as a master teacher, and choreographer for several local productions and school districts. She recently choreographed Spring Valley High School’s Beauty and the Beast and Guys and Dolls. She also choreographed for Town Theatre’s production of Hairpray. She has also been an instructor in the SC Summer Dance Conservatory, Broadway at USC summer program, and a jazz teacher for the USC Dance Program.
Susan Anderson
MFA, University of California at Irvine. 2011 SC Professor of the Year. 2009 Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor. 2009 Governor's Professor of the Year.
Professor Anderson is the founding director of the USC Dance Company, USC Dance Conservatory, and South Carolina Summer Dance Conservatory, which hosts international students and world-renowned faculty and choreographers.
Under her directorship, the dance program implemented a BA major in Dance Performance and Choreography in 2004, with concentrations in Ballet or Contemporary Dance. Soon after, the program added an emphasis in Dance Education, a K-12 Teacher Certification program, in partnership with the College of Education. Since this time, the dance program has become nationally recognized, earning distinction from Dance Magazine as one of the top three collegiate programs to consider for classical ballet study. The program now has more than 65 course offerings and approximately 3,000 students enroll each year taking dance courses.
Some of Susan Anderson’s professional artistic works include the creation of over 200 ballets such as Scheherazade, Ondine, Taming of the Shrew, Plant Dance with artist Blue Sky, The Firebird, Phantom of the Night, Crown Jewels, Sylvia, Carnival of the Animals, Pleasures of Paris, and The Young Man and Death. She has choreographed and taught master classes for Gus Giordano Dance Company in Chicago, the University of California, University of Buffalo, University of Georgia, Several Dancers Core in Atlanta, Murray State, Knoxville Dance Theatre, Loyola University, Inco Ballet in Colombia, South America and Stadtische Opera in Gera, Germany.
In 2009, she was named the Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor of the Year and Governor’s Professor of the Year.
In 2011, she was named SC Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.