Focus News & Events

Doug Caldwell Lyrical CANCELLED. :-( Sorry Folks. Something came up and Doug will have to reschedule.	Artistic Director of Tremaine Dance Conventions, he is also an international dan cer, teacher and choreographer. Doug recently worked on the movies "The Sweetest Thing" starring Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate and Austin Powers 3 - Gold member". He has choreographed a variety of TV shows from "Charmed" to "Days of O ur Lives". Live stage shows for such stars as Rita Moreno and Kiki Shepard, plus various commercials and videos. As an invited master teacher in many countries; Japan, Sweden and Brazil to name a few, his love of dance and passionate style of choreography is known the world over. His students can currently be seen danc ing with Britany Spears, Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson. And over the past ten years Doug has produced his benefit concerts entitled "Love is All That Mat ters" and has raised thousands for various charities.

See our previous Hot Spot instructors, below:

Amy Bates-Nakamura Lyrical Tuesday, July 15, 2008 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Amy Nakamura is an accomplished teacher, choreographer and dancer whose distinctive work has been seen nationwide. She received her training from the Joffrey Ballet, NYC and has danced professionally with Ballet Pacifica, Noveau Chamber Ballet, and Dance Repertory Theatre. Amy received her BA in Dance from CSU Fullerton and an MFA in Dance from UC Irvine, where she was awarded the Freedman Foundation Fellowship. She also holds a Pilates Teaching Certificate from the Pilates Center of Orange County. Her choreography has been presented at many exciting venues including ACDFA and Star Search, and has received numerous title and high point awards at national competitions including the Palm Desert Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival. She received the Showbiz Capezio Choreography Award for 1995-2000 and choreographed for the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards in 1999 and 2002. Her students have been on Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and in Wicked. Her college teaching experience includes Chapman University, UC Irvine, Santa Ana College and OCC. She has also taught at the Orange County High School of the Arts, Focus Dance Center and West Coast School of the Arts. She is currently teaching at Mt. San Antonio College where she is the Dance Department Chairperson.

Mark Meismer Lyrical Tuesday, July 22, 2008 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Mark grew up in Orange County, California where he trained for four years at the Orange County High School of the Arts. Mark has been dancing professionally for fifteen years. He has danced and worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Paula Abdul, Martina McBride and toured with Reba McEntire. Some of his TV credits include: Dancing with the Stars, Scrubs, Will & Grace, The George Lopez Show, Home Improvement, Mad About You, The Hughleys, The MTV Video Music Awards, The American Music Awards, The VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Rosie O'Donnell Show. Some of Marks film credits include: Jackass 2, Austin Powers 2, Austin Powers 3 - Goldmember, Starsky and Hutch, Gigli, North and A Time For Dancing. He has danced in commercials for Dr. Pepper, Reebok, Pepsi, Toyota and Frito Lay. Mark is also an original member of Mia Michaels' dance company, RAW, based out of New York City. He was the assistant choreographer to Mia on Celine Dion's show "A New Day" in Las Vegas and assisted Mia on the Fox TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance. Mark has choreographed for the TV shows Scrubs, Dancing with the Stars and The George Lopez Show. Mark has had a very diverse career in concert dance and commercial dance and is currently the artistic director of his own contemporary/commercial dance company, Evolution. His biggest accomplishment and proudest achievement is being a dad to his beautiful daughter Ryan.

Laurie Johnson Tap Tuesday, July 29, 2008 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Laurie grew up dancing at her mother’s studio in NY – Yes, that includes ballet and jazz. Tap however, was her favorite. She graduated with a B.A. from George Washington University, Washington, DC.; Interned on Capitol Hill for the United States House of Representatives; Traveled to Guinea, West Africa to study and perform Djembe (drumming) with Les Percussions de Guinea and Les Ballets Africains; Toured the U.S. with two of her sisters in a tapping and drumming group called “Three Sister’s Tappin; Earned her M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin; Gave up her corporate career (with various fortune 500 companies) to tap dance and to TAP IN to her full potential!; Travels the country with Tremaine Dance Conventions teaching tap dancing.; Conducts tap workshops across the country while encouraging and inspiring participants to make “rich choices.” Performed, or was a featured guest on: American Choreography Awards, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution, The Gregory Hines Show, The John Walsh Show, Good Morning Texas, The Daily Buzz, CNN's Real Life - Is a member of Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association. - Authored her first book Rich by Choice, Poor by Habit in 2004. - Collaborated with some of the best dancers and choreographers in the industry to create an online dance school - OnlineDanceAcademy.com. - Compiled a book of dance quotes entitled Live, Love, Laugh – Dance!

Cory Finn Tap Tuesday, August 5, 2008 8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Bio To Come...

Joelle Martinec Lyrical Tuesday, August 12, 2008 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	Joelle’s unique style, challenging classes, and ability to inspire dancers has put her in demand as a master teacher and choreographer throughout the world. She has been a favorite instructor of dancers and teachers on the dance convention circuit for the past 11 years. She has worked with the likes of The Cohen Brothers (Fargo) in “The Big Lebowski”, Marguerite Derricks (Austin Powers) in “A Time For Dancing”, Jerry Evans (The Mask) in “Romy and Michelle: In The Beginning”, and Michael Rooney in the MTV music award winning video “It’s Ohh So Quiet”. Joelle has done many stage shows for Buena Vista Special Events and The Platinum Guild. She has also been a soloist for Liz Imperio’s Instincts Live Media Dance Company and a guest artist for The Wes Veldink Movement. Currently Joelle is the assistant choreographer on the LA production of "The Who's Tommy" featuring Tony Award Nominee Alice Ripley, Nona Hendryx and "Wicked's" Jenna Leigh Green. Joelle is also a faculty member at the Edge Performing Arts Center and International Dance Academy in Los Angeles, a master teacher for the cast of Cirque du Soleil Le Reve in Las Vegas, and inspiring many young dancers on the dance convention circuit. Joelle also choreographs for numerous organizations, dance companies, and commercial projects. Her award winning choreography can be seen on The GTSC Performing Company (Indiana), The Essex County Dancers (Ontario, Canada), Southern Dazzle Dance Company (Georgia), Jill Johnson’s Performing Company (California), and The Boyd Ensemble (Texas). Joelle’s passion and enthusiasm is contagious to not only the dancers, but to everyone around her.

Mark Meismer Lyrical Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Mark Meismer grew up in Orange County, California where he trained for four years at High School of the Arts. Mark has been dancing professionally for thirteen years. Mark has danced and worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Brittany Spears, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Paula Abdul and toured with Reba McEntire from 2000 to 2002. Some of his TV credits include; "Scrubs", "Will and Grace", "The George Lopez Show", "Home Improvement", "Mad About You", "The Hughleys", "The MTV Video Music Awards", "The American Music Awards" and "The VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards". Some of Marks film credits include; "Austin Powers 2", "Austin Powers 3 Goldmember", "Starsky and Hutch", "Gigli", and "A Time For Dancing". He has danced in commercials for Dr. Pepper, Reebok, Pepsi, Toyota and Frito Lay. Mark is also an original member of Mia Michaels dance company "RAW" based out of New York City. He was the assistant choreographer to Mia on Celine Dion’s show "A New Day" in Las Vegas. Mark is currently a faculty member of LA Dance Magic and teaches around the country.

Cory Finn Tap Tuesday, August 7th, 2007 8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Bio To Come...

Laurie Johnson Tap Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Laurie began her performing arts career as a child at her mother's dance studio in New York, The Adele Johnson School of Performing Arts. She has toured nationa lly with two of her sisters as part of a tap dancing and drumming trio called Th ree Sisters Tappin'. She has worked and performed with Henry LeTang, Jimmy Slyde , Lavonne Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and many others. In 1998, she danced and choreographed with Gregory Hines on the CBS sitcom, The Gregory Hines Show. Laurie currently tours with Tremaine Dance Conventions as an instructor and a performer. Laurie completed her undergraduate work in Government Studies at The George Wash ington University in Washington, DC. In 1995, she received an MBA (Master of Bus iness Administration) from The University of Texas at Austin.

Christian Vincent Jazz Tuesday, July 17th, 2007 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	A native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Christian Vincent holds a BFA from Butler University where he graduated with the highest honors, Cum Laude. A multi-talented performer, he first experienced success in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer and choreographer. Vincent worked with such artists as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Mandy Moore, Macy Gray, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ashanti, Prince, Gloria Estefan and Madonna -- where he was dance captain for her Drowned World Tour. Vincent has appeared in various feature films including She's All That, Sex Politics & Cocktails, Starsky and Hutch and Ms. Congeniality 2. His television appearances include Buffy, Disney's Annie, Arrested Development, Baywatch, The George Lopez Show and Cold Case. Vincent has appeared in many theatrical productions including the off-Broadway production of "Radiant Baby," directed by George C. Wolfe and as a lead vocalist in the stage show "Generations." He has appeared in multiple commercials and print ads for Chevrolet, Muscle and Fitness "Hers" and Verizon. Christian's talents as a choreographer can be seen in various Target commercials.

Doug Caldwell Lyrical Tuesday, August 16th, 2005 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	Artistic Director of Tremaine Dance Conventions, he is also an international dan cer, teacher and choreographer. Doug recently worked on the movies "The Sweetest Thing" starring Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate and Austin Powers 3 - Gold member". He has choreographed a variety of TV shows from "Charmed" to "Days of O ur Lives". Live stage shows for such stars as Rita Moreno and Kiki Shepard, plus various commercials and videos. As an invited master teacher in many countries; Japan, Sweden and Brazil to name a few, his love of dance and passionate style of choreography is known the world over. His students can currently be seen danc ing with Britany Spears, Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson. And over the past ten years Doug has produced his benefit concerts entitled "Love is All That Mat ters" and has raised thousands for various charities.

Tina D'Amato Jazz Tuesday, December 7th, 2004 (8:30pm - 10:30pm)	Tina's students have worked with stars such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Paula Ab dul, and Drew Carey. They have toured with Reebok, Team Rollerblade, Aaron Carte r, and have danced on the Academy Awards. Tina's teaching has taken her to Japan , Canada, Guam, Saipan, and Australia. When she is not traveling or choreographi ng, Tina teaches regularly at West Coast School of the Arts in California.

Joelle Martinec Lyrical Tuesday, August 17th, 2004 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	Joelle has been busy dancing and choreographing all over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She can be seen in the upcoming T.V. movie Roamy and Michelle, Behind the Scarlet Rope. along with on tour with Liz Imperio's Instincts Live Media Dance Company. Joelle is a passionate dancer and teacher. She hopes to instill in her students the passion, the enthusiasm, the joy, and the love she has for the amazing art that is dance.

Mark Meismer Lyrical Tuesday, July 27th, 2004 (8:30pm)	Mark Meismer grew up in Orange County, California where he trained for four years at High School of the Arts. Mark has been dancing professionally for thirteen years. Mark has danced and worked with artists such as Celine Dion, Brittany Spears, Ricky Martin, Madonna, Paula Abdul and toured with Reba McEntire from 2000 to 2002. Some of his TV credits include; "Scrubs", "Will and Grace", "The George Lopez Show", "Home Improvement", "Mad About You", "The Hughleys", "The MTV Video Music Awards", "The American Music Awards" and "The VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards". Some of Marks film credits include; "Austin Powers 2", "Austin Powers 3 Goldmember", "Starsky and Hutch", "Gigli", and "A Time For Dancing". He has danced in commercials for Dr. Pepper, Reebok, Pepsi, Toyota and Frito Lay. Mark is also an original member of Mia Michaels dance company "RAW" based out of New York City. He was the assistant choreographer to Mia on Celine Dion’s show "A New Day" in Las Vegas. Mark is currently a faculty member of LA Dance Magic and teaches around the country.

Doug Caldwell Lyrical Tuesday, April 20th, 2004 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	Artistic Director of Tremaine Dance Conventions, he is also an international dancer, teacher and choreographer. Doug recently worked on the movies "The Sweetest Thing" starring Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate and Austin Powers 3 - Goldmember". He has choreographed a variety of TV shows from "Charmed" to "Days of Our Lives". Live stage shows for such stars as Rita Moreno and Kiki Shepard, plus various commercials and videos. As an invited master teacher in many countries; Japan, Sweden and Brazil to name a few, his love of dance and passionate style of choreography is known the world over. His students can currently be seen dancing with Britany Spears, Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson. And over the past ten years Doug has produced his benefit concerts entitled "Love is All That Matters" and has raised thousands for various charities.

Mike Esperanza Jazz Tuesday, January 13th, 2004 (8:30 - 10:00pm)	Mike Esperanza discovered his love of dance while working on his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at Cal State Fullerton. He has studied numerous styles of jazz and modern dance throughout the nation and has developed his own unique vocabulary of movement. His work has been presented in many prestigious shows such as Defore Dance Center's "Pulse", Jazz Spectrum Dance Company's concert, Imagination Celebration at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Rising Stars at the House of Blues and American College Dance Festivals (ACDF) in Long Beach, New Mexico and Modesto (where he was also a master teacher). In 2003, Cal State Fullerton earned it's first invitation to the honored ACDF gala concert with Mike's "IV" - part 1. While working as an art director at a design firm in Costa Mesa, he still manages to teach his classes at Defore Dance Center and Ballet Conservatory and serve as a guest choreographer at Cal State Fullerton, Santa Ana College and Cal Poly San Louis Obispo.

Gabriel Francisco Hip-Hop Saturday, November 1st, 2003 (3:00pm - 4:30pm)	Gabriel has and continues to train with Hip Hop dance pioneers such as Eric Fenn , Angie Bunch, and Gus Bembery. He is currently the Artistic Director for Future Shock as well as alumni core dancer and choreographer within Culture Shock San Diego. Europe and Asia s premiere Hip Hop and House presenter, Gabriel Francisco has emerged on the dance and fitness scene as a passionate dancer, unique chore ographer, and a teacher who teaches from the heart. Presenting his Universal Sty le, an eclectic blend of West Coast Hip Hop and East Coast House, on an internat ional level, he is able to cross any cultural boundaries creating an enjoyable a nd successful class. His dance style includes Hip Hop, House, B-boy, and Campbell-lock, with influenc e from Post-Modern and Jazz. Gabriel s style is innovative and progressive and w ill challenge and inspire dancers of all levels.

Rhonda Kaufman Jazz Tuesday, October 21st, 2003 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Rhonda is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She trained under the wonderful guidance of Monie Adamson since she was six years old, and she is still inspired by her to this day! Rhonda's numerous credits include the UCLA Dance Team, 3 years as a Los Angeles Laker Girl including the 2000 championship season, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Day Live, 72nd Academy Awards, MTV Movie Awards, Mad tv, Suddenly Susan, the movie "Beautiful," commercials for Westfield Shopping Towns and CBS Monday Night comedies, industrials for 7 UP, FOX, NBC, Sunrider, Carl's Jr., and stage performances for Disney's California Adventure, "Tap Girls," and "Mack and Mabel" at Lincoln Center, among others. Rhonda is a Radio City Rockette and performs every winter around the nation in the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." She is currently working in New York City on a new production entitiled "Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way." She will perform as a Rockette in this show which is scheduled to open October 8 at Radio City Music Hall! Rhonda enjoys sharing her professional experience with students around the world, and her master classes are both challenging and inspiring to the young dancer who is interested in pursuing dance in college and/or as a career.

Laurie Johnson Tap Tuesday, October 7th, 2003 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Laurie began her performing arts career as a child at her mother's dance studio in New York, The Adele Johnson School of Performing Arts. She has toured nationa lly with two of her sisters as part of a tap dancing and drumming trio called Th ree Sisters Tappin'. She has worked and performed with Henry LeTang, Jimmy Slyde , Lavonne Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and many others. In 1998, she danced and choreographed with Gregory Hines on the CBS sitcom, The Gregory Hines Show. Laurie currently tours with Tremaine Dance Conventions as an instructor and a pe rformer. Laurie completed her undergraduate work in Government Studies at The George Wash ington University in Washington, DC. In 1995, she received an MBA (Master of Bus iness Administration) from The University of Texas at Austin.

Tim Stevenson Tuesday, September 23rd, 2003 (8:30pm - 10:00pm)	Tim Stevenson is one of today's most innovative choreographers, producers, and song writers. In choreography he has worked with some of the industry's greatest performers like Jennifer Lopez, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Rock, Ty Herndon, Destiny's Child, Stacie Oricco and More. Tim comes from an extensive background in all styles of dance and has performed on stages, concerts, television award shows, and music videos with Jennifer Lopez, Boys II Men, Usher, Brandy, TLC, Jennifer Love Hewitt and many more. As a music producer Tim has come up with a unique sound that stems from his dance background and spreads out his sound through all types of music. He is currently producing numerous upcoming artists across the country and will continue to make his mark in the industry for years to come.