Meet The Choreographers
CHOREOGRAPHER
CHARITY BARONI
SAG / AFTRA
Charity was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and thrived in the entertainment industry as a professional background dancer. She performed and toured with artists such as Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift all over the world, and also performed with artists such as Beyoncé in music videos, live performances with Flo Rida, danced on the Grammys with Katy Perry and more. She performed on multiple live shows and awards shows: Billboard music awards, MTV movie awards, X Factor, CMT awards, Radio Disney Awards, Cowboys Thanksgiving half time show, SYTYCD Australia, and Buzzfeed to name a few.
Back in Nashville, she now focuses on choreography, mentoring other dancers and performance coaching artists. Her choreography credits include working with Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Sara Evans, Mitchell Tenpenny, Zayn to name a few. She has also worked with the USA women’s gymnastics national and Olympic teams. She is a licensed and certified counselor with a Bachelor of Arts in counseling. Through all of her experiences, she has learned how to hold onto truth, boldness, light and fun and reminds people to focus on the importance of mental and emotional health while working in the entertainment industry.
CHOREOGRAPHER
MELISSA HURLEY CASSIDY
SAG / AFTRA / EQUITY
Melissa has enjoyed an outstanding career as a dancer and performer for over twenty-five years. Fresh out of high school, she was cast for three years as a series regular on the NBC television series FAME. Following the series, she performed in David Bowie’s GLASS SPIDER world tour, Cher’s LOVE HURTS tour, two national equity Broadway tours of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and the LOS ANGELES CHAMBER BALLET.
Her films include RENT, MR. AND MRS. SMITH, HAUNTED MANSION, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, THAT THING YOU DO, THE MASK, I’LL DO ANYTHING, FOR THE BOYS, MOBSTERS, THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY, RUNNING MAN and MY BLUE HEAVEN opposite Steve Martin. She was also featured in a now famous Tonight Show skit with Mr. Martin called THE GREAT FLYDINI. Television credits include: FAME (series regular), FAME LA, MATLOCK,
COP ROCK, GAMBLER 4, LOVE AND WAR, COACH, 3 RD ROCK FROM THE SUN, CINDERELLA (mow), MRS. SANTA CLAUS (mow), POLLY 2 (mow), BOB HOPE 90 TH BIRTHDAY SPECIAL, THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW, 69 TH AND 72 ND ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, GRAMMY AWARDS, COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, AND MTV MOVIE AWARDS.
Melissa’s various video appearances include: SMASH MOUTH number one hit; Walking on the Sun, DAVID BOWIE, JANET JACKSON, LIONEL RICHIE, GLEN FREY, NATALIE COLE, JULIO IGLESIAS, ALICE COOPER and REBA MCENTIRE just to name a few.
As a natural extension of her talents, Melissa began choreographing and teaching. One of her memorable films was SHAKES THE CLOWN, where she enjoyed choreographing Robin Williams as a mime and Bobcat Goldthwait as a clown. Melissa choreographed several episodes and videos for the ABC series LAST MAN STANDING and ABC Family sitcom RUBY AND THE ROCKITS.
Melissa was assistant choreographer on the national equity tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.
Melissa Currently lives in Nashville with her husband Patrick Cassidy, who is the Artistic Director of STUDIO TENN, a regional equity theatre company. She choreographs many productions and is on faculty at the NASHVILLE BALLET.
CHOREOGRAPHER
LIZZIE CLARK
Lizzie Clark is an award-winning choreographer, educator, and performer. Her work has been commissioned and acknowledged worldwide for her unique style and approach to her craft. With a creative voice and signature teaching style, she has helped create a culture of authenticity and excellence within the dance community. She is passionate about encouraging each dancer to create from their story and find a deeper sense of self-worth through movement.
Some of Lizzie’s credits include works airing on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Brett Young, Little Big Town, and performing with CirqueDreams. She also creates and develops dance curricula for middle school public education after-school dance programs under the non-profit Fine Arts Matter. She is currently a faculty member at Millennium Dance Complex Nashville and enjoys meeting dancers nationwide. Lizzie feels extremely blessed to be a voice of influence and encouragement as she continues to perform, teach, judge, and choreograph.
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CHOREOGRAPHER
WILLIAM HARRIS III
SAG / AFTRA
William was born and reared in Nashville, TN where he began dancing at the age of 14. Post high school he was hand-picked by Debbie Allen to attend the Debbie Allen Dance Academy on a full scholarship. He was promoted to Artist- in- Residence, assisting Ms. Allen on several projects. Choreographer/Assistant Choreographer credits include FOX’s hit show “So You Think You Can Dance”, music videos, television pilots, musical theatre productions, as well as international touring shows.
As a dancer William has worked in the industry for over 15 years. Credits include several international films most recently Dolly Parton’s new NBC film “Dolly Parton’s MagicMountain Christmas”. Tour credits include GLEE’S first national tour and touring shows internationally in Spain, Scotland, China, and Japan. Theatre credits include a production of “Sophisticated Ladies”, starring Broadway legend Jennifer Holiday, “Singin’ In The Rain”, “AIDA in Concert” with Studio Tenn. He has worked with companies such as Harley Davidson, Reebok, CABI, and Toyota as a dancer and model. Has appeared on television shows like “The Late Late Show with James Corden”, “Real Country”, “CMA Country Christmas”, and “A Black Lady Sketch Show” on HBO. William can be seen dancing on award shows such as the CMT Awards with Walker Hayes, CMT Artist of the Year with Kane Brown, and dancing with Neil Patrick Harris at the Oscars. He has appeared in several commercials including TAKL starring Kathie Lee Gifford, Noelle Hotels by Marriott, and more. He has appeared in numerous music videos with artists across different musical genres.
CHOREOGRAPHER
CHELSEA "SOLACE" HOUGH
SAG / AFTRA
Chelsea “SOLACE” Hough - born in Los Angeles, but reared in & based out of Nashville, TN, Solace considers herself a multidisciplinary artist.
Solace has toured domestically and overseas and has appeared on television, award shows and commercials, including Season 15 as one of the “Top 10” on So You Think You Can Dance. She has performed with various artists, including but not limited to: Taylor Swift, Mary J Blige, Pitbull, Thomas Rhett, Trisha Yearwood, Kristin Chenoweth, Helene Fischer, Prince Royce, Farruko, etc.
Her most recent work includes partaking in the premiere of the May We All Country Jukebox Musical that officially made its debut at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, & the Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas Special.
Solace has also worked with several different local artists with movement & choreography including Ayanna Jahneé, The Artist Redd & COIN.
CHOREOGRAPHER
CHI LOPES
SAG / AFTRA
Chi a Nashville native, has been pro-dancing for over 20 years and choreographing for 15+ years in Los Angeles & Nashville. Dance Credits include: Justin Timberlake, Pitbull, Ne-Yo, Mike Meyers, Jake Owen, Kenny Chesney, Lenny Kravitz, Natalie Grant, Tom Jones, Heather Locklear, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, and four tours with Paul McCartney. Chi has also performed on and represented: Grammy’s, Emmy’s, VMA’s, CMA’s, CMT Awards, America’s Got Talent, CSI, Nickelodeon, Fruit of the Loom, Haagen Daz, Dom Perignon, Nike, GMC, Maybelline, Redken and more. She was even named one of the TOP TEN Commercial Dancers in L.A. by Dance Track Magazine. She most recently finished working on the film “Megalopolis” directed by Francis Ford-Coppola.
After years of pro dancing, Chi naturally moved into Choreography. Her strengths are her versatility, adaptability, positivity, excellent reputation, ability to work with all ages & levels of talent including children, non-dancers, background vocalists as well as musical artists. She most recently choreographed Lauren Daigle’s World Tour 2021, ACM Awards with Carrie Underwood & CeCe Winans, a music video for pop artist Marin Rylee, and a commercial for a clothing designer William Harris III. Other choreo credits include: Real Country w/Jake Owen, Ringling Bros Circus, K-Love Fan Awards with Danny Gokey, Dollar General, Ally Bank, Bellissimo Dance Boutique, Krystal Meyers on the Revolve Tour, Harrah’s Casino, and Wyndham Bahamas Resort.
With her years of experience in Los Angeles & Nashville, Chi created an industry training camp for aspiring pro dancers ages 10-30yrs called HOLLYWOOD DANCE INTENSIVE (@HollywoodDanceIntensive). Finally, Chi has authored her own book called “Touring with a Beatle”, where she describes her journey to LA, the thrill of being hired by Paul McCartney, and all the excitement of touring the world with one of the most famous musicians of all time! You can find Chi on youtube at “Shy Dance Productions”.
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CHOREOGRAPHER
RICHY MON
Fort Wayne native, Richy Mon has been an active dancer for 15 years now, professionally dancing and choreographing for 10. Originally a self-taught bboy, Richy has been a part of many different studios and competitions where he has trained and competed in jazz, lyrical, contemporary and his favorite, hip-hop.
Aside from competitive dancing, Richy dedicates himself to traveling and getting trained by some of the biggest choreographers in the industry. More recently, Richy toured as a faculty assistant and cinematographer for BellaMoxi Dance Convention where he has worked with well-respected industry choreographers - Michael Dameski, Bobby Newberry and Cameron Lee, to name a few.
As a choreographer, he has choreographed dance routines for the Indiana High School Dance Team Association as well as competitive dance studios all over the country, primarily in the midwest & east coast. In recent years, he has choreographed and/or danced for many artists in Nashville including Tyler Hubbard, Walker Hayes, Raelynn, LOCASH, Blanco Brown and Leslie Jordan. More recently, Richy danced in Tanya Tucker's "A Nashville Country Christmas" and performed with Walker Hayes on NBC's Today Show. Richy has also judged for many different competitions in the Midwest including Dance Masters of America, Power of Dance, Dynamite National Talent Competition and many more.
At this time, he resides in Nashville where he is signed with his agency, Fresh Talent Group and also teaches weekly at Millennium Dance Complex.
CHOREOGRAPHER
JOY DENVER SPEARS
SAG / AFTRA
Alabama native, Joy Denver Spears started her professional career in 2006, as one of the top 10 female dancers/“TOP 20” on season 2 of the hit FOX reality talent show, So You Think You Can Dance. She then went on to begin her career, as well as receive her Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Journalism from the University of Alabama. Her journey has indeed taken her back and forth, maintaining many different responsibilities and roles, which is something she finds so special to share as she educates and mentors.
“Each individual has their own journey that is true, winding, sometimes confusing, however valuable and unique to them”.
After a successful commercial dance career in Los Angeles, Joy now resides in Nashville where she started her professional choreography career. She served as the Choreographer on the final season of the ABC/CMT TV show, “Nashville” and is now one of the most sought after dancers and choreographers in Music City. Some artists on her roster include; Thomas Rhett, Walker Hayes, Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, RaeLynn, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, RaeLynn, Kassi Ashton, Danielle Bradbery, Kelleigh Bannen, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, LoCash, Blanco Brown, Brantley Gilbert, Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley(as well as Hot Country Knights), Madeline Edwards, Tenille Arts, Lauren Alaina, Chris Lane, Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Lucie Silvas, Tyler Hubbard, Leslie Jordan and many more including “Mister Worldwide”, Pitbull.
As a performer, Joy has also danced alongside artists such as Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Paula Abdul, Pharrell, Pitbull, Will.i.am, Fall Out Boy, Kat Graham, Priyanka Chopra and DJ Havana Brown. The experience she gained through working through some of the most renowned choreographers guided her to where she is, full circle now doing what the people she admired and looked up to the most have always done.
With a career teaching on the competitive dance convention circuit, studying dance in college, as well as working in television/film, music videos, award shows, world tours, industrials and commercials, Joy truly loves being a teacher and encouraging positivity, creativity, reality, vulnerability and accountability, as well as how to lead by example.
As of 2023, Joy is now represented by United Talent Agency (as well as Fresh Talent Group Nashville & Independent Artist Ent Los Angeles), with many exciting new ventures coming up. She teaches weekly at Millennium Dance Complex Nashville, as well as several other studios local and nationwide.
Roll Tide
CHOREOGRAPHER
GAGE WAYNE
SAG / AFTRA
Gage Wayne is a Cincinnati native now residing in Nashville, TN. He began dancing at the age of 10 at Z Company Arts, where he was part of their pre-professional company. Before deciding to pursue a career in entertainment he was fortunate enough to have opportunities to dance for artist Angela AI, and also at the Capezio ACE Awards in 2010. He always knew that dance would be part of his life, but was not sure how.
After 4 colleges, 4 majors, and 2 states: Gage finished his bachelors in Entertainment Business at Los Angeles Film School in 2016. From there he went straight into the industry and has worked consistently with artists, on TV shows, Films, and Live stage performances.
Some of his credits include: Netflix’s “A Week Away”, Hulu’s “Will Trent”, Disney+ “Walk The Prank”, YouTube series “Boss Cheer”, Toni Braxton, Presley Tennant, Fancy Hagood, LO Cash, Leslie Jordan, VROOM, Panda Express, American Horror Story: CULT, The Greatest Showman Live, Masked Singer, and most recently Mean Girls Movie Musical, and Academy of Country Music Awards with Dolly Parton.
When not in front of the camera, Gage has been growing as a choreographer and educator. He has worked with many up and coming artists, and has taught around the country at intensives and conventions. He has worked with Chasing Jonah, Matt Mackey III, Robby Betts, at many regional theaters, and a documentary for Rhett & Link. His passion for his craft shows in his work with students and artists to bring their best out in their projects. As a certified life coach, his goal to help them find their confidence, and present themselves the best way they can! A lot of his work has received national recognition for his choreography and out of the box ideas that transform on video and on stage.
“I have always been told that Pressure Makes Diamonds. There is nothing that I cannot handle, and I am proud to see those hard moments lead to such amazing outcomes.”
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