Choreographers
(subject to change)
Kelly Ann Vitacca - Contemporary
Kelly Ann Vitacca is Dance Houston's Creative Director and the former Artistic Coordinator for the Houston Ballet. As the Founder/Artistic Director of Inaside Dance Chicago, her works have been performed internationally in: International Choreography Showcase, Dance Chicago, Actors Equity Fights Aids Gala, La Dancer, and the American Cancer Society Gala. Ms. Vitacca was a U.S. medalist for the International Choreography Competition at the Jazz Dance World Congress and was honored with the Dance Chicago Outstanding Choreography Award. In addition, Ms. Vitacca was presented with the choreography fellowship grant from the Illinois Arts Council. She danced in the National Broadway tour of 42nd Street, the musical. She received her bachelor of performing arts from Oklahoma City University. In 2012, she was a featured dance instructor on the "Made" series.
Ingrid Menendez - Latin Jazz
Ingrid Menendez specializes in fun latin movement for people of all ages and backgrounds. She trained at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center and Rodriguez Dance Academy and graduated from the University of Houston. She has taught for Dance Houston for five years and has always been a favorite teacher among our students. Her abilities in break-dancing earned her a place in the Planet Funk dance company. While dancing with Planet Funk, Ms. Menendez participated in Monsters of Hip Hop, training with Brain Friedman and Wade Robeson. She has taught dance at YES College Preparatory, Fondren Middle School, and Rodriguez Dance Academy.
Tina Sabuco - Arts Alive!
Tina Sabuco, Artistic Director and Foundress of ARTS ALIVE! Inc., holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Drama and Children’s Theatre from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Northern Michigan University. She began dancing at age three in her hometown of Escanaba, Michigan and has never stopped. 2012 marks her 37th year of teaching. Tina founded ARTS ALIVE in 1994, blending her drama and dance backgrounds to offer an expressive arts program for students of all ages and abilities. Her students include babies and their parents, children of all ages, seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia and special needs populations. Ms. Sabuco is impassioned about teacher education - - not only for teachers that have been in the field for some time, but also for teachers of the future. She combines unique teaching methodologies with her extensive teaching experience to provide workshops in arts education for classroom teachers.
Yifan Zheng - Chinese
Yifan graduated from the Shanghai Dance School at the age of 18. Zheng Yifan won the national recognition award for her performance of "Hu Tung Er" in the 2006 Tao Li Cup National Competition and Gold Medal for the performance of "Qing's Princess" in the 2003 Tao Li Cup National Competition. She was also recognized as one of City of Shanghai's best dancer in 2006. Yifan also performs as a soloist with Dance of Asian America.
YungChris INTERNATIONAL - House, B-Boy, Breaking
Born and raised in Houston,Texas, YungChris has spread his wings across the world through dance. Performing as “YungChris INTERNATIONAL,” he has served as a Cultural Diplomat for The U.S. Embassy and taught and danced in over 18 countries ranging from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America. He has won two of Debbie Allen’s Fame “US” challenges. YungChris has taught dance at U of H, TSU, and as a guest artist in schools in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Arizona, New Jersey and North Carolina. Since 2007, He has been touring for Houston-based international cultural engagement organization American Voices. YungChris has teamed up with two local “all-style” dancers in the formation of SON Kiss'd. The company’s name refers to the members’ belief that their lives have been transformed by a touch from the Son himself Jesus Christ.
Andrea Cody - Jazz
Andrea trained in jazz and lindy hop from Tony-Award Winning choreographer Frankie Manning and 3-time National Champion Carnell Pipkin. She has choreographed for Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, the Houston Swing Dance Society, Dance of Asian America, and City Dance Company. As an instructor for Dance Houston, Project Row Houses, and Arts Alive, she has taught and mentored thousands of children ages 4 - 17. She is a graduate of St. John's School and the University of Chicago. She is the Director of Dance Houston and serves on the Advisory Board of Hope Stone, Inc.
Beena Harricharan - Bollywood
A new favorite No Limits Choreographer, Beena Harricharan is a former award-winning lead dancer of Shivshaki Dance Company. She performed in numerous cities in North America, Europe, India and the Caribbean and specializes in Bharatnatyam, Bollywood and classical dance.