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 fifth season for Vince as a principal dancer in PRJ since returning to the South. Over2500 students in the PRJ Dothan City School Program take classes from Vince. Vince also teaches at The Boys and Girls Club of America, The Kelly School of Dance in Dothan, Steps in Headland and The Eufaula Community Center when he serves as choreographer for the Eufaula All Star Wildcat Dance Team. Vince works frequently in Atlanta with several R&B artists and dancers.

MARIA HOLDER is a graduate of Auburn University and is beginning her fifth season as PRJ Principal Dancer after a brief two year absence. During her time away from the company Maria studied abroad in Italy, attended a leadership conference in China, and received her Bachelor of Economics Degree. She began her technical dance training in 1996 at Oz Dance Center and began her hip hop training in 2005 while dancing with PRJ. In addition to dancing with the company Maria works full time at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Maria also serves on the board of directors for PRJ as the company liaison. She would like to dedicate this season the all of the fans of PRJ. Maria hopes that the power and energy of Patti Rutland Jazz will inspire those watching and lives will be touched by the unmatchable and unspoken heart of the dance.

JESSIE MANN is a returning PRJ company member and was a part of the group that attended and won the Jazz Dance World Congress in 2005. While dancing with PRJ, she attended Troy University where she was a musical theatre major and a broadcast journalism minor. After two years at Troy Jessie took her talents to Los Angeles, CA where she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After graduating Jessie worked for Ellis Law Corporation while pursuing her acting career. She worked on various short films and performed at the Glendale Centre Theatre in productions like “Oklahoma” and “Will Roger’s Follies”. After four years in the big city, Jessie felt a call to come back to her roots. She moved back to Dothan and fell in love with PRJ all over again. Jessie teaches dance classes at Vaughn Blumberg Center, PRJ Outreach Classes in Dothan City Schools, is the tap instructor at Oz Dance Center, and is the choreographer for Dothan High Show Choir. She is also very proud to be the Company Manager for Patti Rutland Jazz. “It’s funny how life comes full circle. PRJ has been one of the most influential things in my life and has given me so much, and now I am so proud to be able to give a little back,” says Jessie.

SHANE CARRIGAN first joined the PRJ family in 2005 and is returning this year as a principal dancer. He was a featured guest artist last season in Limelight and Mindscape. He received most of his training at Panama City Dance Academy and various other studios in Florida. Shane has been a guest teacher and choreographer for many studios and ministries in the Southeast and was also a featured dancer in SEACT’s production of Footloose. Shane works as a graphic designer, music editor, choreographer, videography, musician and teacher. In other words, a jack-of-all-trades! He plans to have a long career in all of the above. Shane is ecstatic to be back with PRJ, the family he has missed so much. He would like to thank Bret, Sam, Eli and Patti and the entire company for the love, support and rich moments that made him the person and artist he is. MEH!

SANTAVIAN McKINNIE has worked his way through the Patti Rutland Jazz ranks. Five years ago Santa’s dance career started when he began taking classes at the Cultural Arts Center through PRJ Outreach. After only two years of training, Santa made a guest appearance in PRJ’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” a tribute to Elton John, and was soon after made a member of the PRJ apprentice company. In 2009 Santa became a principal dancer with the company and also began teaching with PRJ Outreach. He has taught students at Faine Elementary, Grandview Elementary, Ozark Middle School, and the Cultural Arts Center. Santa is currently on faculty with Dothan School of Dance, Enterprise School of Dance, and is in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. ChYeA!!!

LANCE WASHINGTON is a third year company member and comes to us from Chicago, IL. Lance works as a teacher and mentor in the PRJ Outreach Program and teaches at The Cultural Arts Center and Montana Magnet. He is also on faculty at Oz Dance Center and Steps in Headland and works as a hip hop choreographer for many groups in the Southeast. Lance made it through the choreography round on the hit television series So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. 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 crew the opportunity to be featured on the front cover for the Platinum Dance Convention brochure. Lance wants to thank Patti and Bret Simpson and his whole PRJ family for changing his life.

JESSICA TYREE is originally from the Tampa Bay area, where she was trained in classical ballet for 10 years at the West Florida Ballet, 1 year at Florida West Ballet and 2 years at the Suarez-Moreno Academy of Dance. Jessica moved to Dothan in 2006 and joined Patti Rutland Jazz Company for the 2006-2007 season. From 2007-2008, she taught ballet and Pointe classes at Oz Dance Center and also set choreography. Jessica currently works at BankSouth in Dothan where she is a loan assistant. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering with the youth group at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Jessica very excited to be back with her PRJ family for another dynamic and inspiring season. This year she plans to expand her repertoire and further her training in contemporary and jazz, while still being fondly known as “Ballet Jessica.”

CRYSTAL WRIGHT is a second year PRJ principal dancer from Prattville, AL. She has trained in all areas of dance for 28 year. Crystal was trained in ballet and contemporary by Todd Putman from Alabama Dance Theatre. She is also extensively trained in gymnastics and has taught at various gyms throughout the southeast such as Gulf Coast Gymnastics in Pensacola; All-American Gymnastics in Savannah, and Alabama Elite Gymnastics here in Dothan. Some of Crystal’s professional credits include performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, UCA All-stars, and USAG. Crystal is currently on staff with Tonya Speeds Dance Connection in Montgomery. She would like to thank her family and PRJ for believing in her and for everyone’s endless love and support.

CAMERON JOHNSON was first introduced to dance through the Patti Rutland Jazz Outreach Program. Cameron is a shining example of the success of the PRJ outreach program. After taking classes in our after school program, Cameron went on to study on scholarship with PRJ and at Oz Dance Center under the direction of Tara Adkins Reiley. This is Cameron’s first year as a principal dancer. He has appeared as a PRJ ensemble dancer and as an apprentice dancer in the last three seasons. Cameron is currently a member of Dothan High Show Choir. He was a featured dancer in SEACTS production of Footloose. Cameron has worked very hard and is proud to be a principal dancer on the company dancing with his uncle Vincent Johnson. So, if you’re bored, text him and junk!

LAUREN HART, a first year company member, comes to PRJ all the way from Owensboro, KY where she trained for thirteen years with Joy Johnson’s Dance Studio and Owensboro Dance Theatre. Lauren has worked as a counselor for the Jazz on Tap on Tour and has performed throughout the country as well as Costa Rica. She received her professional training at Western Kentucky University where she was a company member and dance major with a stage electrics minor. She has also been choreographing for many years and has set work for the Owensboro High School Show Choir and Owensboro Community Theatre productions. Lauren is thrilled to be a part of the Patti Rutland Jazz family!

STEPHANIE GOLDING is a first year principal dancer with PRJ, and comes to the company from Panama City, FL. She took her first ballet class at the age of three and has trained in all forms of dance for the past eighteen years. Stephanie received most of her training from the Panama City Dance Academy and was also on the PCDA competition team for twelve years. Through professional workshops Stephanie has worked with choreographers such as Mia Michaels, Tyce Diorio, Scott Benson, and Jason Michaels. From 2004-2006 she was a member of the Bay High Dance Academy and performed in shows such as “Footloose,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and “Peter and the Wolf.” Stephanie is currently on staff with the Panama City Dance Academy. She would like to thank her mother and father for always being so supportive of her passion for dance and her PCDA family for preparing to be where she is today. In addition, Stephanie would like to express her love and gratitude to her boyfriend Myles who has been there for her and their little baby girl when mommy has to go to Dothan to dance.

Emma Grace Benton	Patti Rutland Jazz Ensemble	Paola Bracho-Ruiz
Mollie Etheridge	Caroline Giersberg	Porter Grubbs
Amber Hamm	Bridgette Howell	Amber Johanson
Emily Loyed	Destiny Oliver	Sydney Wingate

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