Meet the faculty.
Lacey Schwimmer — Ballroom
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Lacey Schwimmer
Ballroom
Lacey is well known for her success as a finalist on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" as well as a professional dancer on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars."
Lacey has choreographed and artistic directed "DWTS", "Strictly Come Dancing", and "So You Think You Can Dance", as well as choreography work on Las Vegas shows. She's worked with Grammy award-winning artists, Christina Aguilera, Nicki Minaj, LMFAO, One Republic, Reba McEntire, Backstreet Boys, and New Kids On The Block. Lacey's also created award-winning contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, Latin, swing, and ballroom pieces for competition, and won multiple U.S. and world titles for Swing dance and International Latin. Lacey brings an undeniable energy and incredible enthusiasm to every class she teaches. Coming from a family of professional dancers, Lacey is proud and honored to educate dancers!
Stephanie Rutherford — Contemporary
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Stephanie Rutherford
Contemporary
Stephanie Rutherford is a Canadian choreographer, dance educator, and creative director dedicated to inspiring dancers to stay curious, passionate, and open to new possibilities in both art and life.
As the Director of Rutherford Movement Exchange (RME), she has produced over 25 sold-out events across Canada, building one of the country's most supportive and dynamic training platforms for young dancers.
Her choreographic and teaching career spans national and international stages. She has choreographed for So You Think You Can Dance Vietnam, served as Team Canada's Modern and Contemporary choreographer at the IDO World Championships in Europe, and was a finalist for the Capezio ACE Awards in New York City.
Stephanie's work also extends into theatre and commercial industries. She is currently choreographing Jesus Christ Superstar at Rainbow Stage, and her previous projects have included work with Manulife Global Awards Show, General Motors, MTV Canada and Orange Mobile in Egypt, where she worked as assistant choreographer.
Alongside her choreographic practice, she is a fully certified Pilates instructor, integrating principles of strength, alignment, and injury prevention into her teaching.
Her work is grounded in intention and clarity, with a strong focus on technical detail, movement quality, and embodied performance. Influenced by contemporary dance and theatre, she creates work that challenges dancers to move with precision, awareness, and expression.
Above all, Stephanie is committed to creating environments where dancers feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow into their full potential.
Brian Rabenda — Lyrical
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Brian Rabenda
Lyrical
Brian Rabenda formally was the Owner/Artistic Director of Award winning, and nationally recognized B-Discovered Dance Company in Chicago IL. After a decade of owning/developing his own company he has transitioned into a freelance teaching career. At 20 years teaching experience, Brian continues to strive, share his knowledge, and personal experiences with his students — providing not only exceptional technique fundamentals but also to develop a strong work ethic. His choreography/training has won dancers countless awards, including top scores, and many national titles. His students have gone on to the countries top Universities and Conservatories such as USC, Juilliard Summer Program, Boston Conservatory, ChuThis, and University of Arizona. Along with training dancers Brian is a master adjudicator for top conventions and competitions around the country. Brian is known for pushing his students to their ultimate potential, allowing them to flourish in and out of the classroom. His movement comes from his heart, creating, and refining works of art to share with his audience.
Nate Poole — Hip Hop
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Nate Poole
Hip Hop
Nate Poole is a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, emcee, and educator based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Trained in multiple styles of dance, Nate began his journey at the renowned Larkin Dance Studio before going on to assist some of the industry's leading conventions and training programs. As a young dancer, he was selected as a finalist for the Monsters of Hip Hop Show and performed in the prestigious Monsters Show in Los Angeles—an experience that served as a catalyst for his professional career.
Since then, Nate has worked across many facets of the entertainment industry, including live performances with Selena Gomez at the American Music Awards, music videos such as Jason Derulo's "Other Side," and television appearances on Dancing with the Stars and GLEE.
Alongside his professional performance career, Nate has cultivated a deep passion for teaching, mentoring, and choreographing. He has taught and set work for dancers across the country, helping artists develop not only their technical abilities but also their confidence, creativity, and connection to movement.
Currently, Nate serves as faculty and host for Monsters of Hip Hop and Hall of Fame Dance Challenge. Believing dance to be one of the purest expressions of music, he strives to create an environment where dancers feel an authentic connection to the sound, the space, and the unique opportunity that a classroom provides.
"Often a teacher, always a student."
Ingrid Yecora — Conditioning
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Ingrid Yecora
Conditioning
Ingrid Yecora is one of the Nation's most respected dance educators and coaches, with a career that spans over two decades of excellence in both performance and education. A proud alumna of Miami's prestigious magnet programs — Southwood Middle School and New World School of the Arts — Ingrid went on to dance professionally alongside international ballet legends including Fernando Bujones, Marielena Mencia, and Yanis Pikieris. Ingrid earned her Bachelor's Degree in Dance Education from Florida International University and a Master's Degree in Educational Computing and Technology from Barry University.
For 20 years, Mrs. Yecora served as Dance Director at Southwest Miami High School with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year and later Teacher of the Year. As President of the Dade Association of Dance Educators, she led one of the nation's largest school districts in organizing major dance events and advancing arts education.
Ingrid has coached thousands of dancers one-on-one since 1999, helping them achieve success at top national competitions. Her students have appeared on major television programs and have also graced the stages of Broadway. Many have gone on to professional ballet careers with renowned companies such as the New York City Ballet and Ballet BC in Canada.
As an educator first, Mrs. Yecora strongly believes in the balance between artistry and academics. Her students have been accepted into the most competitive collegiate dance programs in the nation, including Juilliard, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, SUNY Purchase, Pace University, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
Driven by passion and purpose, Ingrid Yecora continues to inspire excellence through her work with Details Elite Coaching, guiding young dancers to surpass their limits and discover their true potential — both on stage and in life.
Destanye Diaz — Contemporary
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Destanye Diaz
Contemporary
Originally from Miami, Florida, Destanye Diaz has built an impressive career as both a performer and choreographer. Her artistry has been showcased on numerous Latin television programs, and she has had the privilege of assisting top choreographers, as well as working closely with her longtime mentors Victor Smalley and Angel Armas.
Destanye began dancing at just three years old, performing her first solo by the age of four. Under the direction of Angel Armas and Victor Smalley at Stars Dance Studio, Destanye developed into one of the nation's premier competitive dancers. Her foundation in ballet and contemporary styles is complemented by versatility across modern, tap, and hip-hop, giving her performances a distinctive edge and emotional depth.
Now an accomplished choreographer, Destanye continues to inspire the next generation of dancers. She has created award-winning choreography for soloists and groups at top national competitions and collaborates with studios across the U.S. and internationally. With her blend of technical excellence, creative vision, and mentorship, Destanye empowers young artists to reach their fullest potential — on stage and beyond.
Sam Shelton — Ballet
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Sam Shelton
Ballet
Samantha Shelton is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She received her professional training from the Joffrey Ballet in New York and in Michigan with Rose Marie Floyd. She also studied in London with Anita Young (Royal Ballet) and at the Cecchetti International program in England. Most recently, she was appointed to the American Ballet Theatre Board of Examiners, traveling to various schools across the nation to examine for the ABT NTC and teach master classes. For the past 25 years, she has been on the ballet faculty for American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensives, currently directed by Kate Lydon, teaching ballet technique, setting ABT repertoire and choreographing new ballets for the final performances. She has also traveled the country as an adjudicator for the ABT National Audition Tour, selecting dancers for training programs in New York, Texas, California, Florida and Alabama. She has choreographed and taught for the professional ballet programs at Houston Ballet, Walnut Hill School in Boston, Ballet Tennessee, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Duke University, Tainan University (Taiwan) and Interlochen Arts Academy and taught company class for Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Complexions, Ballet Hispanico and Grand Rapids Ballet. Samantha received her first professional offer at 17, and has performed extensively in both classical and contemporary ballets. Classical roles include the Grand Pas from Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Giselle and Raymonda. In her guest artist performances, she has partnered with Craig Salstein (of ABT), Arch Higgins (New York City Ballet) and Christopher Stowell (San Francisco Ballet) among many others. Samantha holds an M.F.A in Dance from the University of Michigan, where she was awarded a Rackham Thesis grant, and a B.A. in Political Science also from the University of Michigan. She has also done graduate work at New York University in Performing Arts Administration with internships in development, PR and marketing at Carnegie Hall and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. She has held professorships at several colleges and universities, including Wayne State University, Alma College, Grand Valley State University and Belhaven University.
