The Team

ABDUR-RAHIM JACKSON

Artist Director

Ballet 1 & Contemporary 1

Abdur-Rahim received a Bachelor Degree of Fine Arts from The Juilliard School and performed as a Principal Dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for a decade and made his Broadway debut in "Soul Doctor". He has created ballets for Kansas City Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Co-Choreographer). Abdur-Rahim choreographed sections of the Beyoncé "Crazy in Love" Super Bowl XLVII Halftime performance on CBS and Co-Choreographed the Beyoncé "Halo" music video. He has directed fashion / dance shoots for PAPER Magazine and VIBE Magazine. Abdur-Rahim has also choreographed for Taylor Dayne, The Salt-N-Pepa Lane Bryant Campaign, Hair / Fashion Award Shows for JCPenney Salons, ULTA Beauty and Matrix (a division of L'Oréal) across the US and Mexico and STAUD New York Fashion Week Show.

Lydia Holtz

Jazz & Tap all levels + 5&Under Program

Ayden Pratt is a Musical Theatre performer based in New York City. They were a trainee at The Rochester City Ballet for eight years, and then received their BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. While Ayden was still in college, they performed in two seasons at The Mac-Haydn Theatre as the Dance Captain, Associate Choreographer, and Children’s Theatre Choreographer, and did the China premiere of “A Chorus Line” (Tricia/understudy Val and Cassie). After graduating, they did the Broadway National Tour of “Hello, Dolly” (ensemble/understudy Ermengarde), performed at the 2021 Met Gala, and did the Broadway National Tour of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” (Heel Swing). Most recently, Ayden played Anybodys in “West Side Story” at Lyric Opera of Chicago."

Ballet & Contemporary + 5&Under Program

Julia Fuchs is a native of Montclair, New Jersey. She began her dance training at Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts and went on to study in The Ailey School’s Junior Division. Julia is a recent graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA program, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. While in school, Julia participated in the Ailey Spirit Gala at Lincoln Center. She performed alongside the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria during the company’s 2022 and 2023 seasons at New York City Center. Julia has spent summers training at the Martha Graham School, GALLIM, The Ailey School, Alonzo King LINES Ballet and Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE. Julia is excited to share her experience as a teacher and choreographer to help shape the next generation of dancers.

Hip-Hop

Originally from San Jose, CA, she attended the University of California Berkeley and graduated with a double major in Dance & Performance Studies and Social Welfare. Standout credits include: Theater: The Comedy of Errors (The Public Theater- Associate Choreographer), It Happened In Key West (The Fulton- Choreographer), Pirates of Penzance (Cape Rep Theatre- Choreographer), The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical (La Jolla Playhouse - Associate Choreographer), West Side Story (Milwaukee Rep - Associate Choreographer & Dance Captain),  Jesus Christ Superstar & Aida (MUNY - Dance Captain); Film: Isn’t It Romantic, Netflix: Making Malinche: A Documentary by Nacho Cano; US AirForce Band Airmen of Note; Industrial: PHISH NYE 2020 at Madison Square Garden. Alongside creating and performing, Brianna proudly serves as faculty at Molloy University/CAP 21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, Peridance Center, and Broadway Dance Center.

Acro

Lawrence Ward from Detroit, MI is experienced in Acrobatics and hip hop. He started his journey teaching all-star dance and PAL cheerleading at the age of 16. That lead to being the head coach of Northwest Cougars and Westside Cubs. Subsequently, becoming the tumble coach for Southfield high school and Coleman Young Gymnastics. Later, being the coach and choreographer for Majic Touch All Stars, Cowboys All Stars, Metro Cheer All Stars, Stratus Elite All Stars and Maximum Energy All Stars. Excitedly, he then founded and directed Flawless Elite All Stars. Lawrence went to college at Ferris State University, where he was the vice president and choreographer for the dance team D Cubed. He proceeded to Wayne State University to choreograph for the dance team GOLD AND ENVY. Lawrence moved to New York in 2014, where he was the owner and director of Big Apple All Stars. He has choreographed the US open half time show, appeared in the commercial for Pau Rio Afflelou Sunglasses and in Shaun T Cize workout video. His goal is to succeed in a stimulating environment, while building and educating groups in performing arts. Lawrence is USASF Tumble Certified.

Acro

William Warren Carver a Nashville, TN native, attended the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts. He’s was previously seen in the National tour of “An Officer and a Gentleman.” and has since been a member of the National touring company of “My Fair Lady.”  In addition to his musical and dancing talents, his 14+ years as a UCA/UDA Cheerville member will provide our young acro students a master level in advanced tumbling, lifts, stunts and more!