2024 Conference Speakers

Amanda Gaines just finished her 12th season coaching the University of Minnesota Dance Team. Amanda has been an integral member of the Golden Gophers winning 19 different National Championships from 2006-2024 as an athlete, choreographer and coach. In addition to the Gophers, she has taught, choreographed, and judged throughout the United States and multiple countries abroad!

Dr. Angela Shaba, PhD, LPC is a licensed clinical and sports performance counselor and the founder, owner and clinical director of Elite Psychology and Wellness a group counseling practice in Scottsdale Arizona.

Dr. Shaba received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany, received a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University in New York City and received her PhD in Performance Psychology at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Dr. Shaba has worked with a variety of professional and elite athletes, teams and coaching staff, including the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, Chicago Cubs, and Olympians at the summer and winter games. She worked as a senior staff clinician at Arizona State University, where she counseled Division 1 athletes, supported coaches, and worked collaboratively with sports medicine physicians, as well as providing therapy services to the general student population. She also worked as a mental health clinician and supervisor at the City University of New York, Staten Island where she developed the first group counseling program.

Dr. Shaba has developed collaborative partnerships with Rutgers University Medical Center, Dignity Health, St. Joseph’s Hospital, and other mental health agencies in Arizona to implement and support athlete mental and medical health needs. Dr. Shaba is an active committee member of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, working with other providers to help develop policies for youth to stay safe while playing sports.

Brittany Kwallek is the head coach of the Saint Cloud State Dance Team. In her six seasons coaching, she has achieved 11 top 3 finishes, including 5 first place finishes. Prior to coaching, Brittany was on the SCSU Dance Team for 5 seasons and served as captain for 2 seasons. In her first season as captain, the St. Cloud State Dance Team achieved their first ever national title in the Open Pom category. She is a graduate of Saint Cloud State University and received her B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in School Counseling. Today, she is an Assistant Director for Saint Cloud State Admissions. Go Huskies!

Carrie has coached, choreographed, judged, and consulted at every dance team level over the past 35 years. She has degrees in physical education, health, education, and educational administration. Carrie worked for UDA for 25 years before retiring and moving to Germany. She currently teaches and coaches at Stuttgart High School. Carrie was inducted to the NDCA Hall of Fame in 2023 and enjoys working (and keeping it real) with fellow coaches.

Carsen Rowe is the accomplished Founder and CEO of TRIBE 99 Choreography, a premier dance company that provides industry leading choreography and events to clients across the globe. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Carsen is a true visionary with a passion for dance and a gift for leaving a huge impact on all those she works with.

Carsen's love for dance began at a young age, training in all styles at Tri-Cities Academy of Ballet and Eastern Washington Elite All-Stars. She went on to become a two year captain of the University of Cincinnati Dance Team from 2013-2015 where she won two UDA D1A Hip Hop Titles and four gold medals competing as Team USA at the ICU Championships.

Carsen has since devoted her career to perfecting her craft and sharing her talent with others. Over the years, she has choreographed for some of the most renowned dance teams and studios, including The Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, Larkin Dance Studio, and so many more. She has choreographed 13 national championship routines in the last 5 years.

Her choreography has been featured on ESPN, CLI Studios, Inside Dance, People, Access Hollywood, CBS Sports, and the Kelly Clarkson Show.

Some of Carsen’s professional dance credits include Ciara’s “Dose” Music Video, Step Up: High-Water, Empire on FOX, Love Simon, and she was featured as a “New Bella” in Pitch Perfect 3. In 2022, Carsen also choreographed sections of the world tour for pop and RnB artist Ne-Yo. This special combination of dance team and industry work gives her a unique perspective and edge within the dance team space.

As a business owner, Carsen has taken TRIBE 99’s initial vision as a choreography company and expanded its reach far beyond just choreography. While TRIBE 99 is home to an extensive network of highly skilled choreographers, it also produces unique recruiting events like The Dance Combine and THE EXPO, and leading summer intensives through THE TOUR.

With her impressive track record of success, Carsen is a true leader in the dance community and a role model for aspiring dancers and entrepreneurs alike. Her commitment to excellence, creativity, and innovation has launched TRIBE 99 Choreography apart as one of the most respected and sought-after dance companies in the industry today.

Demi Agaiby is a Mental Performance Consultant & founding director of Beyond Horizons Performance. With 20+ years of commercial and concert dance training and an M.S. in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Demi believes in integrating psychological skills training and mental wellness into all performance spaces. From performance anxiety and comparison to mental toughness and confidence, Demi has had the privilege of working with performers from across the nation in developing their personalized mental skills “toolbox” equipped with strategies needed to manage the pressures of being a high achieving performer. To learn more about Demi and her work visit: http://beyondhorizonsperformance.com/

Originally from Michigan, Emily has been dancing since the age of three where she trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, pom, lyrical, and hip-hop. She is an alumnus of The Ohio State University Dance Team where she won seven national titles in Jazz, Pom, and Gameday. Emily graduated from Ohio State in 2022 with her B.S in Exercise Science. She is now based out of Atlanta, GA working as a Sports Performance Specialist focusing on dance training development, as well as working with collegiate and professional athletes of all sports. Emily is also continuing to pursue her dance career in Atlanta, training and taking classes from other national choreographers.

Jacque “GK” Genung-Koch is a committed learner to the concepts of team dynamics, leadership, character, accountability, and transformational growth. Fueled by her passion for collaboration and love for dance, she is grateful to have found her calling teaching dance and coaching student-athletes in the exciting and ever-changing dance team world. Genung-Koch is currently in her 24th season of coaching and her 12th season as the Head Coach of the GCU Dance Team. She holds a M.A.Ed. in Secondary Education with Dance Endorsement and directed high school dance programs for 10 years before creating dance education curriculum and serving as adjunct facility for multiple college dance education programs. She is a graduate of the Pacesetter Leadership Dynamics course and is passionate about goal-getting, student leadership and team relationships. Recreationally, Genung-Koch enjoys hosting her podcast, “The Dance Coach Playbook,” and is a 14-year member of the professional dance company "The Parking Lot Project," which performs in various festivals and concerts.

Originally born in Seoul, Korea and adopted at the age of 4 months. Raised in Spokane, WA and attended UNLV and WSU for undergrad, and graduated with a degree in Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles. Following graduation pursued a career in dance with the Spokane Shock Dance Team, Denver Nuggets Dancers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders. Hired by Washington State University in 2015 as the Assistant Spirit Coordinator and Head Dance Coach and helped develop a more rigorous and competitive program throughout the years with 3 top 3 finishes, 1 top 5 finish, and 7 consecutive years of a top ten placement at UDA College Nationals. Promoted to Director or Spirit Programs and Head Dance Coach in 2020 and then moved over to WSU Football for the 2022 season as Director of On-Campus Recruiting, and High School and Alumni Relations. Currently works for the Pac-12 Conference as Assistant to the COO and Football Operations.

Katie was born and raised in Columbus, OH, and started her dance journey at 5 years old. Throughout her years of training, she had the great opportunity to learn from many esteemed choreographers, and was given the opportunity to assist, teach, and work in the studio from the age of 14.

She attended The Ohio State University in 2015. During her four years at Ohio State, Katie was a member of the Ohio State University Dance Team, and contributed to the team’s first three national championships, including one win as the sole captain her senior year. Katie was also the 2x recipient of the Leadership Award, and was voted MVP by the team her senior year. She graduated summa cum laude in May of 2019 with a B.S.B.A. in Human Resources, and a minor in psychology.

After graduating from The Ohio State University, Katie has been one of the Assistant Coaches of The Ohio State University Dance Team, helping the team to win 8 additional National Championships. She has also choreographed for various high school and collegiate dance teams and works throughout the week teaching dancers ages 2.5-10 at Lineage Dance Co.

Katy Allen-Nyenbrink has been serving as the Grand Valley State University Laker Dance Teams Co-Head Coach since 2012. Under her and Co-coach Rael Orao’s direction they have led the team to 12 National titles at both NDA and The College Classic. Over the last 12 years the program has been built to include a rigorous training program, community outreach opportunities, officer/leadership development, recruiting events, dance clinics, and a strong social media presence.

Coach Katy has been a dance educator for 30 years, working as a dance instructor, choreographer, curriculum coordinator, coach, studio manager, associate professor, and mentor. In addition to coaching the GVSU Laker Dance Team, she currently works at Body Language Dance Company in Jenison, Michigan, Zeeland High Schools Fine Arts Dance Program in Zeeland, Michigan, and Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Katy holds a B.S. in Education and Science from Grand Valley State University. She resides in Grand Haven, MI with her husband and 12-year-old twin daughters.

bio coming soon

Kelli Barton Schneider, PT, DPT, OCS is a physical therapist and board-certified specialist in orthopedics who has dedicated her career to helping dancers achieve their full potential.

As a member of the University of Cincinnati dance team, she won the D1A Hip Hop UDA National Championship in 2009 as well as competed on Team USA - winning gold in hip hop (2009, 2011), pom (2009, 2011), and jazz (2009) at the ICU World Championship.

After graduating as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Kelli lived in Chicago for 5 years where she had the opportunity to work in the clinic, onsite, and backstage with dancers from various companies including Columbia College of Chicago, Joffrey Academy of Chicago, and Broadway in Chicago.

Kelli relocated to Los Angeles in 2020 and started her own company, Electric Edge, where she offers physical therapy for injured dancers in addition to movement training focused on injury risk reduction and performance enhancement for healthy dancers. Most recently, she was contracted by Minchella Physical Therapy as the physical therapist for Dancing with the Stars: LIVE!, providing physical therapy services to the professional dancers to keep them healthy throughout the US tour.

As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 7500 dance studios in 47 countries. Over 400,000 dancers participate in Acrobatic Arts classes on a weekly basis. Mandy created the Acrobatic Arts training and certification program, and the Acrobatic Arts Curriculum, producing the most comprehensive, researched program available for AcroDance.

A lifelong learner, Mandy has achieved certification in countless courses, including contortion, hand balancing, inclusive learning, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and safe coaching, to name a few. Mandy has sat on the advisory boards for IACDP and YPAD, and assists with the mission of keeping kids safe in dance through these organizations. Highly sought for workshops, Mandy has taught thousands of dance teachers, and provided expert classes around the world. Mandy is known for bringing passion, technique and in-depth practical knowledge to engaging classes.

Nicholas Kade Clement has been choreographing, teaching and inspiring young dancers in the dance team industry for over 15 years. After college, Nick was a performer in parades and shows at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Nick has also danced for several artists including Jennifer Hudson and Jordan Sparks. He eventually used his passion for dance and kick knowledge to create High Kick Technique Intensives that are well known throughout the country as being the most innovative in the industry and producing incredible results. Nick has also created judges kick curriculum for many state and national competitions. Nick’s choreography and intensives have produced multiple National Championships, World Championships and numerous teams finishing in top spots at Universal Dance Association, National Dance Alliance and Dance Team Union national competitions.

Patrick is in his 15th season as assistant coach for the Ohio State University Spirit Program, with the past 14 years being dedicated to the 11-time National Championship winning Ohio State Dance Team. Patrick is honored to have received the 2022 NDCA National College Coach of the Year Award. Dance has always played a large role in Patrick’s life, and he sees it as a way to connect and communicate with others. He grew up participating in gymnastics and dance, and that passion led him to become a cheerleader at Ohio State University for 4 years. He also began dancing and performing professionally post-graduation in theatrical productions and dance companies. During this time, he was a faculty instructor for BalletMet Columbus and a cheer/dance judge. Patrick successfully balances his love of dance with his business career. He currently is a consultant in Leadership Development and Cultural Change with Nationwide Insurance.

Rachel Caldwell is an Author, Speaker, Dance Educator, and Host of the Creative Impact Podcast. Rachel is a graduate of Belhaven University, where she received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Business Administration. Over the years, Rachel has enjoyed performing, teaching, and choreographing in a variety of settings. Rachel served as the Head Director of the Dulles High School Dolls Dance Team in Sugar Land, Texas, from 2017-2022. In 2022, Rachel founded Brighteyes Unlimited, LLC, to provide the dance team community with resources and workshop offerings designed to promote positive team culture. Her goal: helping teams thrive. Since founding her company, she has had the joy of working with teams and directors across her home state of Texas and beyond! Rachel’s heart is to encourage others and cultivate community, whether through workshops, speaking, or her podcast! You can learn more and connect with Rachel at https://rachelleighcaldwell.com/

Rob Miller is a nationally known motivational speaker and a partner in Proactive Coaching with Bruce Brown. Rob played college basketball for 4 years and has coached at the collegiate, high school and youth levels. He is the former NAIA National Director of “Champions of Character” program. Rob uses his speaking skills and coaching knowledge to promote the Proactive Coaching Mission of helping coaches positively impact their athletes’ lives. His experience gives him an great perspective of modern day coaches and parents. All coaches will benefit from his presentations: “Creating Character-based Team Cultures”, “Developing Confident, Tough-minded, Fearless Competitors” and a session for the ADs on “Training Coaches for Excellence and Significance”

Sarah Barland Flisowski is in her 13th year as the Blinn College head cheer and dance coach. The Blinn College dance team has won numerous American Dance and Drill Team collegiate championships, has won nine national titles at the National Dance Alliance (NDA) College Nationals and six national tiles at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals. In 2019, Blinn’s dance team made history by claiming national titles in Dance Team Performance Open and Pom Division II. Barland Flisowski is a former member of the Blinn dance team and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University – now Texas State University – in San Marcos with a degree in exercise sports science and minor in political science. She was also a member of the dance company Orchesis. She also earned her master’s in physical education and health from Prairie View A&M University. Barland Flisowski started her teaching career at Mesquite ISD, where she taught for two years at Berry Middle school. She went to Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD to become the director of the award-winning RL Turner Lionettes and dance department head. She was the director of the Lionettes for seven years before coming back to Blinn as the coach of the Blinn College cheer and dance teams. Barland Flisowski also is a 22-year staff member with American Dance and Drill Team School, where she has been the Novelty Staff Captain and Social Officer Coordinator. Sarah has traveled to Florida as a member of ESP Productions, the halftime production company of the Citrus Bowl for over 10 years. She has been a speaker at Drill Team Directors of America and assisted with speaking at Texas Dance Educators Association. Sarah is a member of NDCA, National Dance Coaches Association where she is an Executive Board member, College Division President and on the Small College Committee. She has done choreography for high schools all around Texas and beyond and loves working with all dancers and helping them find their place in college dance. Sarah and her husband, Dax Flisowski, make their home in Brenham with their daughter, Kate.

Tasha Hinex is a 6-time National Championship coach, teacher and choreographer. She worked 13 years with the National Dance Alliance as a Head Instructor and Choreographer, teaching high school and college pom camps across the United States. This opened numerous doors including judging NDA High School Nationals, NDA All-Star Nationals and many regional competitions. She also had the opportunity to teach and judge the JCDA (Japanese Cheer Dance Association) in Japan. Through the National Dance Coaches Association, she was nominated for Collegiate Coach of the Year and is an advocate for expanding the dance team coach community. Tasha starting coaching for Oklahoma City University Pom Squad in 2009 and Bishop McGuinness High School in 2022. She continues to teach, choreograph and clean jazz, pom, hip hop and modern routines for local studios, high schools and colleges.