Patti Rutland Jazz || THE COMPANY

THE COMPANY

Company Members for the 2009/2010 Season

	VINCENT VIDAL JOHNSON* serves as Director of Hip-hop for Patti Rutland Jazz and PRJ outreach. Vince danced two seasons after joining the company in 1991 and then left to tour Europe, The United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa as well as The United States with artists Brandy, Xscape, Keith Sweat, Monica, Davine Stevens and Salt-N-Peppa over the next decade. Vince has appeared in music videos with TLC, Outkast and Xscape. Television credits include NBC’s Inside Stuff with Usher, B.E.T.’s Video Soul and Live At The Apollo. Vince currently choreographs for several R&B artists in Atlanta and has choreographed for Ciara, Xscape, TLC, and the latest tour for 112. Vince premiered two works with PRJ, Benny and The Jets and One In A Million at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre in 2008 and received rave reviews. This is the fourth season for Vince as a principal dancer in PRJ since returning to the South. Over 100 students in the PRJ Outreach program take classes from Vince at Faine Elementary, The Cultural Arts Center and The Boys and Girls Club of America. Locally, Vince is a regular teacher for Oz Dance Center and The Kelly School of Dance in Dothan, Center Stage in Enterprise, Steps in Headland and The Eufaula Community Center when he serves as choreo grapher for the Eufaula All Star Wildcat Dance Team. Vince also currently works frequently in Atlanta with several R&B artists and dancers and is on faculty for The Kelly School of Dance and OZ Dance Center in Dothan.
	MATT MARTINE serves as the Assistant to the Artistic Director of PRJ and has been a principal with the company since 2006. Matt received his professional training from Florida State University and works nationally for Dance Educators of America as a master teacher and judge. In 2009, Matt was selected as one of 13 choreographers in the world to present work in Chicago at The Jazz Dance World Congress. Matt’s theatrical debut was the choreography for Southeast Alabama Community Theatre’s production of Oliver! and film credits include choreography for Writing Christmas Cool. Generation Alteration, a critically acclaimed contemporary work by Matt premiered at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre in 2008. Matt has set work for many studios in the Southeast, Dothan High Show Choir , PRJ and The Troy State University Dance Ensemble. Matt is a PRJ Outreach Teacher and works at Grandview Elementary and The Cultural Arts Center. He is also on faculty at Oz Dance Center in Dothan and Steps in Headland.
	CAMILLE WHALEY is the owner of OZ Dance Center and the director of the “Touch the Arts’ program at Evergreen Touchstones Ministry.Has been a company member since 1993 and is in her fourth season as a PRJ principal dancer and award winning choreographer. Camille received her professional training from Florida State University. Camille was instrumental as a teacher, choreographer and mentor in the Integrated Arts In Education Program and implemented the pilot program in Headland City Schools last year. This year, Camille serves as the director of this program at Montana Elementary Magnet School and Heard Elementary Magnet School. Camille also is the director of the “Touch The Arts” program at Evergreen Touchstones Ministry. In addition to teaching in the PRJ Outreach program, she also teaches at Oz Dance Center which she owns wi th business partner Tara Adkins Reiley.
	TARA ADKINS REILEY joined the company in 1992. Tara received her professional training from Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago then moved to Los Angeles and worked professionally as a dancer for the MTV Movie Awards, Xbox, Wayne Foster Entertainment and The Backstreet Boys. This is Tara’s third season as principal dancer since returning from Los Angeles and Chicago where she received her professional training from Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. While in LA, Tara danced with The Pussycat Dolls on The MTV Movie Awards as well as performed with Wayne Foster Entertainment and The Backstreet Boys. Tara was a featured dancer in the Backstreet Boys video for the release of the Black and Blue CD and also toured nationally with the XBox promotional tour. Movie Credits=2 0include American Pie 2, Old School, Gigli and In The Mix. Her television credits include CSI Miami and Spin City. Tara set work for Folklorico Dance Santa Monica in California and locally for The Dothan High School Show Choir and PRJ. Tara is a PRJ Outreach teacher also teaches at Oz Dance Center which she owns with business partner Camille Whaley.
	ASHLEY SPEARS first joined the company in 1989 and is starting her 17th year as a principal dancer! After studying professionally at Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, Ashley returned home to pursue her degree as a PTA and currently works at Southern Bone and Joint. As a master teacher, Ashley has worked for Dance Masters of America and has been on faculty at many workshops around the country. Theatrical credits include the part of the delivery girl is Forever Plaid in Chicago. As a choreographer, Ashley set work for many area dance ensembles and Patti Rutland Jazz. She has also set work for the Houston Academy Cheerleaders, Northview Show Choir, Northview Theatre Department and the now famous dancing ushers of the Miss Houston Academy Pageant! Ashley was an original teacher in the PRJ Outreach program and continues to teach and men tor those young dancers. Ashley is currently on faculty for Oz Dance Center.
	KYLEE MONTGOMERY joins us this year as a PRJ principal dancer and currently lives in Montgomery, AL. She received her professional training from Point Park University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a dual concentration in Ballet/Contemporary Dance. She has danced professionally with The Point Park Conservatory, The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Montgomery Ballet and Pablo Ballet in Spain. Kylee has appeared in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Scheherazade, Carmen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Miss Saigon to name a few. Other professional credits include dancing with The Black Eyed Peas, John Gi llette, Swarovski Crystal and commercials for Nike and Pepsi Cola. As a master teacher, Kylee has taught the classical styles of Vaganova/Russian ballet technique for The Montgomery Ballet and Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection. An award winning choreographer, Kylee has set work for The Montgomery Ballet, Long Beach Ballet Arts Center, Point Park University, Junior Miss and many competitive dance ensembles. Currently, Kylee is on faculty at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection.
	REGINALD FINKLEA is starting his third season as a principal dancer in PRJ and resides in Montgomery, Alabama where he works as a massage therapist. He received his professional training from Elisia Brasell (Applause Dance Studio), Anthoney Exell (Exell’s Contemporary Dance Studio), The Mobile Ballet and The Montgomery Ballet. Television credits include The National Geographic film, Surviving Super Twisters. Choreographic credits include work for Applause Dance Studio, Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection, Fine Arts Dance Connections and Patti Rutland Jazz.
	SANTAVIAN McKINNIE has worked his way through the PRJ ranks. Four years ago, Santa started in the PRJ Outreach classes at The Cultural Arts Center. After two years, Santa made a guest appearance in Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and apprenticed with the company the rest of the year. In 2009, Santa became a PRJ principal dancer and also a teacher/mentor in the outreach program. In addition to dancing, Santa is studying computer and serves in The United States National Guard.
	JORDAN HAMNER joined Patti Rutland Jazz in 2007. She has studied locally at The Kelly School of Dance, The Dothan School of Dance and Oz Dance Center. She has appeared in many productions for Southeast Alabama Dance Company and most recently played the part of Sharpay in Southeast Alabama Community Theatre’s production of High School Musical. In August 2009, during an open scholarship audition in Chicago, Jordan was awarded scholarship opportunities to Point Park College, University of Buffalo and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Jordan has been very active in the PRJ Outreach and volunteered last year with our students at Grandview Elementary. Currently, Jordan is a student at Auburn University.
	TRENTON WILLIAMS started with PRJ as a Ghostbuster in last season’s Reunion Show. This is his first season as a PRJ principal dancer. Trenton has been active in high school theatre and show choir and currently is a member and choreographer of The Enterprise Entertainers. Community theatre credits include playing the part of Zeke in Southeast Alabama Community Theatre’s production of High School Musical. Trenton received a scholarship for the summer of 2010 to Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago after auditioning this past August. Trenton is currently studies dance at Center Stage in Enterprise, AL.
	PAUL THOMAS PEDEN is starting his second season as a principal dancer and brings over twenty years of performance with him. Professional film credits include Interrogation, 3 Amigos, Hometown Legend and Fumble Fist. Professional music credits include three albums for Soundworx Records. Paul is currently traveling between New York and Los Angeles working on a duet album with tenor David Edgar. Paul received his professional training from Matt Ames and won the Bay Areas Best Actor four out of seven years, as well as received nine nominations for the Irene Ryan Acting competition in the American College Theatre. He has taught, voice and acting in New York and Mobile, AL. Nationally, Paul has appeared in Caberet, George M and The Little Mermaid. Locally, Paul has appeared in Southeast Alabama Community Theatre’s productions of The Wizard of Oz and High School Musical.
	LANCE WASHINGTON comes to us from Montgomery, AL where he is a dancer, teacher and award winning choreographer at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection. His professional hip-hop training came from Maurice Fulkon in Chicago, Joshua Allen in Texas, Steven Boss and Tight Eyes in California. Professional credits include industrial television work in Chicago. National awards in choreography include the Platinum Power Award from Platinum National Dance Competition which also earned his choreography to be featured on the front cover for the Platinum Dance Convention brochure.
	BRITTNEY HOLMES became a principal dancer with PRJ in 2005. Brittny is a true triple threat and was the inspiration behind Patti Simpson writing Santa’s Workshop. Brittney received her professional training from Chipola College where she received a full theatre scholarship. While in college, Brittney appeared in All My Sons, Greater Tuna, Grease, I Hate Hamlet and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Brittney has appeared with The Understudy Dinner Theatre in Ain’t Misbehavin. Choreography credits includes work for the PRJ New York Premiere at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre, BSU Dance Team, Chipola Show Choir, Dothan High School Dance Line and Dothan High School Show Choir. Brittney works through the PRJ Outreach program and teaches classes at Girls, Inc. and The Cultural Arts Center. Brittney is currently on faculty for Oz Dance Center in Dothan and Steps in Headland.
	RHONDA MENDOZA is starting her second year with PRJ as a principal but will not get to finish the season. Rhonda, a dance major from Colorado State University will depart soon after the PRJ Black and White to parts unknown with her husband Tim, an Army Aviator currently posted at Fort Rucker. While at Colorado State University, Rhonda appeared in numerous productions with the dance department while also choreographing for area high schools, elementary schools and community events. Rhonda’s wide variety of choreographic styles include hip-hop, modern and salsa. Rhonda has been involved with PRJ Outreach and continues to work as a guest teacher.