Join Us in Wilmington, NC on September 13, 2025 We are launching COAST TO COAST DANCE CONVENTION!

DANCE DIRECTOR ~

TAP, HIP-HOP, JAZZ & TUMBLING 

(DISNEY)

Derek received a degree in dance from East Carolina University and has co-owned and operated dance studios and performing companies in North Carolina, Florida, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Los Angeles. Derek has worked as a performer at Walt Disney World, Busch

Gardens Tampa Bay, Dance Revolution, Glory Dance Company & Holy Land Experience. His fitness journey started in Honk Kong and Singapore and led him to Los Angeles. He's had the opportunity to work with amazing organizations such as Tracy Anderson, Orange Theory, Equinox, Bay Clubs, Pure Fitness, Exhale & Griffin Club LA.

DANCE DIRECTOR ~ 

BALLET, MODERN & CONTEMPORARY

Cami received a BFA in Modern Dance from East Carolina University and has over 30 years of experience teaching dance and working in the entertainment industry.  She founded and directed professional dance companies and studios in Hong Kong, Singapore, Florida, Los Angeles, CA (Palisades Studio) and North Carolina, (GAFA) . She has a passion to mentor youth and assists them in developing careers in the area of performing arts. Cami also worked with Kreativ Media Partners as a youth talent manager for 7 years in Los Angeles, CA. She was the administrator and children's dance instructor for Abby Lee Dance Company in Los Angeles, CA. In Orlando, Florida, she worked as co-artistic director/choreographer for the Holy Land Experience theme park. Cami toured inte with dance conventions as a dancer, guest speaker, instructor, choreographer, and talent judge.  She has also choreographed and performed in music videos, TV shows, films and events internationally. This year marks the 27th year of marrige for Derek & Cami. They are most grateful for their 3 treasures Cayden, Sasha, and Cole.

Legs & Feet Technique/ Acrobatics ~  (DANCE MOMS)

At just 14, Abby Lee Miller founded the Abby Lee Dance Company, determined to train strong, fearless, and technically skilled dancers capable of executing her bold choreography. By 22, she had taken over her mother’s esteemed studio and expanded the ALDC Competition Team to 148 members. Fueled by passion, perseverance, and a massive leap of faith, Abby built a state-of-the-art facility in her hometown, producing not only professional dancers but stars. Her students have graced 25 Broadway shows, performed at Tokyo Disney, danced with the Rockettes, and appeared in top productions worldwide. In 2011, Abby became a household name with Dance Moms, a global TV sensation. Today, she continues to teach, inspire, and entertain through live events, online classes, and her thriving digital platforms—cementing her legacy as a force in the dance world.

BALLET  (CAROLINA BALLET)

Jan Burkhard

Jan Burkhard began her professional training at The School of American Ballet at the age of 9. She performed numerous ballets with New York City Ballet and was involved in the New York Choreographic Institute. Upon completion, she was also the recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award in 2005 for Most Outstanding Promise. In the fall of 2005, she became a member of Carolina Ballet’s corps de ballet. In 2009, Ms. Burkhard was nominated for the Princess Grace award. She has performed principal roles including Princess Aurora, Juliet, Firebird, Sugar Plum Fairy, and Giselle. Her repertoire also includes George Balanchine’s Tarantella, Valse Fantaisie, Apollo, Who Cares?, Allegro Brillante and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux; August Bournonville’s La Sylphide and Flower Festival; Robert Weiss’ A Classical Ballet, Intimate Voices, Les Saltimbanques, Lady in the White Veil, Poemes des Rivages and Lullaby; Zalman Raffael’s Rhapsody, Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, In the Gray, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1, The Other Ravel, Metaphorical Heart, and Frankenstein among others.

 CONTEMPORARY  (DANCE MOMS TV)

Sarah, 20, is a professional dancer, teacher, choreographer, and social media influencer from Pittsburgh, PA. She gave her life to Jesus at age 5 during Vacation Bible School and has followed God’s plan for her life ever since. At age 7, she began training at the Abby Lee Dance Company, and just a year later, was cast on the reality TV show Dance Moms, which airs worldwide. She appeared on the show for over three years and trained at ALDC for 11 years, developing skills in styles like lyrical, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, acrobatics, and voice.  ALDC helped shape her as a dancer, while her faith in Jesus shaped her life. She continued her training at Millennium Dance Complex for five years and studied ballet en pointe for three years at The Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh. In 2019, she toured with Casting Crowns, performing to their song “Oh My Soul,” and has since danced in videos for Christian artists like Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen, Jeremy Rosado, Cade Thompson, and Manic Drive.  Today, Sarah is passionate about using dance to honor God. With the support of her family and strong faith, she is committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of dancers to use their gifts for His glory.

 CONTEMPORARY   - JANUARY 2026 CONVENTION

Gianna Martello is a dancer, teacher and choreographer from Pittsburgh, PA. You may know her from the fan favorite, Dance Moms. You can catch her choreography on all 8 seasons of the hit reality TV show! Raw talent and intensive training under the direction of Abby Lee Miller and the faculty at the Abby Lee Dance Company earned her regional and national accolades growing up as a “competition kid. At 16, Gianna began choreographing routines alongside Ms. Miller as well as on her own which led her to discover her passion for teaching and choreography. She has been on faculty at the ALDC for over 15 years and serves as a guest instructor and competition judge around the world.

Gianna was able to balance her academic and dance opportunities with great success. She graduated from Point Park University in 2011 with a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations. Her choreography can be seen in the movie, Dance-Off, Go90’s Crashed series, Kid’s Choice Awards and Dance Class Live promos, Australia’s ASTRA Awards, Abbys Ultimate Dance Competition, and music videos for Rachael Sage, Alexx Calise, Nia Sioux, Todrick Hall, and many more. 

 HIP HOP, CONTEMPORARY & ACROBATICS  -  JANUARY 2026 CONVENTION

Natalie is a graduate from the University of Akron; BA in Dance with Business Cognate. She teaches Hip-Hop, Tumbling/Acrobatics & Contemporary.

Natalie began dancing competitively at the age of 14 with her dance studio, and high school team.  In college Natalie was a 4 year member of the University of Akron dance team and trained weekly at The Abby Lee Dance Company in PA. Natalie regularly teaches at Abby Lee Dance Company LA,  DanceKidz LA and Palisades Studio.  Her most recent performance credits include dancer/choreographer for the "Boys of Summer National Tour 2021-2022" and "Playlist Live Orlando".  She has appeared in various music videos such as “Tainted” by American Idol’s Allegra Miles, “It’s a Vibe ft. R3HAB” x Peloton collab, RIP Youth, Alexis Ma.

BALLET -  JANUARY 2026 CONVENTION

Bethany Dean began her dance training at the age of 3 in Hong Kong.  She has studied dance in Thailand, China, New York and Los Angeles. Styles ranging from Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, Thai Dance, and Chinese Folk.  Her most recent studies are from "AMDA" Dance Conservatory in Hollywood and "Steps" in New York City. She has performed with dance companies, been the principal dance lead in commercials as well as photography projects. As an instructor, her goal is to inspire children with creativity and imagination. She believes in the discipline, freedom and the focus dance can bring to help children achieve whatever dreams they aspire to accomplish in life. 

BALLET & CONTEMPORARY (BALLET MAGNIFICAT BRAZIL TRAINEE) - JANUARY 2026  CONVENTION

Sasha was accepted into Ballet Magnificant Brazil training school and is performing  in the year long training program overseas. She began her dance training in Hong Kong at the age of 2.   Sasha was receently invited to join Ballet Magnificat Professional training Company in Brazil.  Her parents (Derek & Cami Capps) were professional dancers and Sasha had the opportunity to train in dance, travel and live in Florida, Hong Kong, Singapore and Los Angeles.  She has also had the opportunity to study at the Hong Kong Ballet Academy, Jean M. Wong Ballet Academy, Cheng Ballet School, Glory Academy of Dance Arts, Marat Daukayev Ballet Theater , Ballet Magnificant, Abby Lee Dance Company and the Grand Academy of Ballet.  Currently she is studying dance and assisting classes at Palisades Studio.