Ben Bigler (Director/Owner)

Ben lives in Los Angeles working as a professional dancer/choreographer under SAG/AFTRA. He has performed for artists such as CHER, Karol G, Jennifer Lopez, LeeAnn Rimes, Becky G, and more. He was a regular character on Welcome to the Chippendales and Westworld. He can be seen dancing on Brooklyn 99, Speechless, AJ and the Queen, Lucifer, Dear White People, RuPaul's Drag Race, the 2019 Turbo Tax National Commercial, The Talk, and more. He has also performed on live TV such as the 2018 BET Awards with Meek Mill ft. Miguel, The Greatest Showman Live Commercial, America's Got Talent and Dancing With the Stars. He has performed in live theater for CHER at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Coachella for Karol G, the 2019 Met Gala, the Alfa Romeo Launch in Shanghai, China, for “Anais: A Dance Opera” in France and Morocco, the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball, and more. He has modeled for the premiere event of American Horror Story Season 8, RuPaul’s DragCon, LA Fashion Week, JOICO Hair Products, and more. Ben currently teaches internationally because he truly loves being able to find potential in young artists, and become inspired by them, and witness their growth.

Jason Martin (contemporary)

Originally from the Bay Area, Jason grew up training at Dance Direction under the guidance of Lisa Clark Schmeling and received his BFA in Dance Performance from Chapman University. Jason has appeared in a variety of tv, film, music video and live performance works that include: Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Ben Platt, Nike, The Late Late Show with James Corden, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Prom a Netflix Original, Poppy International Tour, Cirque du Soleil, Universal Studios Japan and more. In addition, Jason is a current member of Entity Contemporary Dance Company. ​ As a choreographer and teacher, Jason’s goal is to instill confidence in his students and cultivate a healthy environment to explore in. You may see his work across the convention/competition circuit as well as choreography festivals, intensive programs and showcases. Jason offers a variety of disciplines ranging from contemporary, jazz, lyrical, modern, and technique. Jason’s love for teaching has allowed him to tour throughout the US and internationally (Canada, Mexico, Japan and Hong Kong) to work with eager and talented dancers!

Nikki Charest (contemporary jazz)

Nikki Charest is a dance educator & choreographer from Orange County, California. She grew up as a competitive dancer and went on to study Business and Dance at Chapman University. After spending a brief period of time pursuing a career in the commercial industry, Nikki realized that her true passion lies in the art of choreography and teaching. Since then she has worked to develop her own creative voice and choreographic style, while training and growing a new generation of passionate dancers and artists. Nikki has been teaching for nine years, and she is currently in her fifth season of directing the award winning performance company at AVANTI Dance Company. Nikki’s students have become widely recognized, and her work has been awarded for its distinct creativity and musicality. Over the last few years, Nikki’s passion for teaching and choreographing has led her to work across the US and internationally— in Mexico, Costa Rica, and most recently Poland. Her greatest joy is being able to share her love for dance with artists from all over the world!

Vince & Chris Castillo (hip-hop)

Vince Castillo was born in California and moved to Utah at the age of 3. He is trained in all styles with a passion for hip hop. Vince moved to back to Los Angeles to pursue his career at the age of 19. Some of Vince’s credits include The Oscar’s, Latin Billboards, Latin American Music Awards, The Masked Singer, HRVY, Disney, & Kelly Clarkson. Vince also teaches at Playground LA with his brother as the Castillo Bros and loves to travel to share his passion with other artists. Chris, originally from California, found his love for dance at the age of 8 in Utah, diving into Hip Hop and various styles. Moving to Los Angeles, he signed with BLOC talent agency, landing his first gig on Selena Gomez’s tour and performing with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Dua Lipa. He’s trained with top choreographers, specializing in Hip Hop, and teaches classes in studios across Utah and Los Angeles. Chris’s passion for music shines through his choreography work and performances.

Brooke Huzl (tour manger/faculty)

Brooke Huzl was born in Akron, Ohio.  She has been dancing since the age of three.  For the past 12 years, Brooke has trained at Center Stage Dance Studio in Northfield, OH.  At the age of 18, Brooke graduated from North Royalton High School and simultaneously earned her Associates Degree in the Arts.  Since graduation, Brooke has assisted and taught master classes for her home studio as well as many other studios throughout Northeast Ohio.  She specializes in all styles of dance.  Brooke spent the summers of 2015 and 2016 training with The MusEffect in Los Angeles.  In 2017, she was hired as an apprentice with MusEffect.  Brooke now lives in Los Angeles, where she is pursuing her passion for dance.  She is training at multiple studios including Millennium, Edge, Movement Lifestyle, Playground LA, and Debbie Reynolds. Brooke is thrilled to be a part of REINFORCE and to spread love, kindness, and inspiration to dancers nationwide.

Jason Pickett (hip-hop/seminar speaker)

Professional dance educator, choreographer, adjudicator and international artist, Jason Pickett strives to help dancers grow to the next level of their artistic journey. With over a decade of performance, choreography and teaching experience, the Utah native has performed live on shows like Americas Got Talent, collaborated with global brands Hermès, Icon Fitness, Toys-R-Us, Crocs, Bud Light and more, and been featured in viral YouTube videos Stormtrooper Twerk and High School Dance Battle – Geeks vs. Cool Kids! (4k), just to name a few. In addition, Pickett has toured internationally throughout Germany and Israel with Odyssey Dance Theatre as company artist. Jason Pickett is the creator and host of No Starving Artists - a dance media company that provides mentoring, coaching & peak performance strategy to dancers, parents & teachers.

Mike Wittmers (tap)

Mike Wittmers is originally from Cupertino, California and has been dancing for 38 years. He is the owner and Artistic Director of Adaptive Force Performing Arts in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mike is a former cast member of Tap Dogs, where he played the role of THE RAT. Some of Mike’s other professional musical theater credits range from “A Chorus Line” to “Crazy for You.” Mike has been a tap teacher in Los Angeles and on staff at EDGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, Millennium Dance Complex and Debbie Reynold’s Studio, as well as taught at the world-renown Broadway Dance Center in New York. Industrial and commercial credits include, SONY, ABSOLUT VODKA, COMPAQ, TOSHIBA, KIRIN BEER, TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL, CASINO ARIZONA, SONIC, GoDaddy.com and various print-work. Mike’s choreography has been seen everywhere from conventions across North America and Disneyland theme parks, to dance competitions in Australia. Mike also choreographed the videos “Snap Story” and “Too Sophisticated” for up and coming pop/rock artist JoAnna Michelle. Aside from dance, Mike enjoys playing hockey, guitar and the drums. Television and film credits include, The Tonight Show, “Maneater” on the Lifetime Network, The Jerry Lewis Telethon, as well as the widely acclaimed short films, Tap Heat and Generation: LOST. Mike’s production company, Double Bass Productions, has released two instructional tap DVDs entitled “The World Is My Drum Vols. 1 & 2”, as well as produced it’s full theater debut of the rock and blues tap show, “Scuff’d Up!” Mike has taught on convention for Tremaine, Co. Dance, Dance League, Hollywood Dance Jamz, Dance Masters of America, Dance Olympus, The Teacher Workshop at The Pulse, Rhee Gold’s Dance Life Teacher Conference, One Rhythm, & more.

Alan Salazar (movement exploration/ballroom)

Alan Salazar originally from Mexico City grew up in Orem, UT. Alan started dancing at the age of 14 at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio. There he trained extensively in the disciplines of Ballroom, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Ballet, Partnering and Hip-Hop and was part of national and international award winning competitive dance teams and has received individual recognition for solo performances. Alan has been teaching for over 20 years and has choreographed for numerous TV shows including World of Dance, Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, The Bachelor and most recently was Assistant Choreographer to Zach Woodlee for Disney’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. As well as for nationwide tours Maks and Val, Dancing With the Stars, Andrea Bocelli, and Ava Max. Alan’s great attention to detail, gives his students more to think about than just steps. His innovative creative processes and improvisation exercises inspire dancers to push outside their comfort zones. His multi-disciplined background has allows him to fuse elements of many styles together to create dynamic and innovative choreography. Alan currently resides in Los Angeles continuing his education as a performer and teacher in this ever evolving industry.

Lonni Olson (lyrical)

From a top dancer on the competition circuit to a working professional dancer in Los Angeles, Lonni brings a unique dynamic to all she does in the dance world. She grew up training under some of the industry’s most renowned working choreographers. She is now making her mark in the professional dance industry as a dancer, choreographer, and assistant to Marguerite Derricks! Lonni has appeared in numerous TV shows and films such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Voice, Latin AMA’s, World of Dance, THEM, The Affair, and many more. She had the opportunity to tour with Lindsey Stirling and also appeared in music videos for Hayley Warner, Derek Hough, Cait Fairbanks, and Megan Nicole. Lonni both choreographed and danced for Dove Cameron, danced in the national Gucci Showtime Campaign commercial, League of Legends World Championships and has also danced in industrials for multiple world renowned companies such as Google, Sprint, Verizon, and Nuskin. Lonni is a young force to be reckoned with in the industry who brings a great relatable energy to all aspiring dancers and loves to share her passion with everyone!