Lisa Woods - Director

is best known for her passion for dance and her innovative choreography. Lisa began her training in Houston, Texas at the age of three and went on to become a member of the Jefferson Jazz Company and the Beaumont Civic Ballet. Her numerous performances earned her a full scholarship to study at Robert Joffrey's School of Ballet when she was thirteen. At the age of 17, she moved to Los Angeles to utilize a scholarship from Joe Tremaine. She appeared in many commercials, videos, industrials and television productions including Mcdonalds, Diet Coke, Dance Club Barbie, the Tracey Ullman Show, Tony Danza, and Nike. She has appeared with Paula Abdul and danced as Doug Caldwell's assistant on the Tremaine workshop. Lisa founded Studio J School of Dance and owned it for six years as well as working in the University setting before starting Ok-La. She has taught across the country and loves to encourage dancers to set goals and follow their dreams. Her proudest accomplishment is being in a wonderful marriage and having the blessing of raising three amazing children.

Adam Parson

Adam was a featured choreographer in 2009 for So You Think You Can Dance, in Australia. He is the founder and artistic director of Commonality Dance Company that has toured the United States, Mexico, South Korea, and Europe. Before becoming a choreographer he performed worldwide as a Power Ranger for a number of years. Among his many television, commercial and video credits are3rd Rock from the Sun, Pepsi, Prince, Monica and Shell Oil. Adam also performed as a principal dancer for a special performance of the ballet Rodeo presented to President Bill Clinton at the White House. Based at EDGE in Hollywood, Adam travels extensively teaching master classes and intensives for dance companies, private studios, and universities in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland and the Untied States.

Lachlan McCarthy

Lachlan, a native of Sydney, Australia, moved to Los Angeles in the summer of 2003 to train at the Edge Performing Arts Center under their scholarship program. His work credits span both the Australian and Los Angeles entertainment industries including the Warner Bros. animated film, Happy Feet, Baz Luhrmann's Midsummer's Night Dream at the Sydney Opera House, as well as numerous Australian Awards Shows. In addition, Lachlan has performed in industrials for Mercedes Benz and Samsung. He is also a current member of Adam Parson's Commonality Dance Company and was an original cast member of the LA smash hit musical Rock of Ages. Most recently, Lachlan performed with Hugh Jackman and Beyonce in the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Lachlan is proud to work with OK-LA and share his passion and international expertise.

Shelby Rabara

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Shelby received her training from Keith Clifton . She then continued her training at the Edge Performing Arts Center on a scholarship program in 2001. Shelby is a member of Adam Parson's Commonality Dance Company. She is a recent graduate from UCLA with a World Arts and Cultures degree with an emphasis in dance. Shelby is very involved in various organizations working with underprivileged youth around Los Angeles promoting social and political arts activism through her passion of dance. She has danced for the Los Angeles Lakers for the past three seasons and has done numerous commercials and print jobs for Fresca, Sony, Apple iPod, Nike, TAG body spray, and Toyota. She has appeared as a guest star onThe Bold and the Beautiful as well as Grounded for Life. In addition, you can see her dancing in the feature films Spring Breakdown, Fame, Hannah Montanna, and Step Up 3.

Scott Hislop

Scott Hislop has been dancing since the age of 11. At 18 he relocated to Los Angeles from his home town of Reno, Nevada to study on scholarship at EDGE Performing Arts Center. He has enjoyed a thriving career ever since. Some notable jobs on his long list of credits are: commercials for Hyundai, Sony Plasma TV, Cadillac Escalade and Wendy's. Industrials for McDonalds, Acura, Honda, and Disney. He has been featured in 16 feature films, some of which are: Spiderman 3, Not Another Teen Movie, She's All That, Titanic, Charlie's Angels, The Wedding Planner and most recently this year's, The Muppets. On television in The Starter Wife, Eli Stone, Scrubs, and How I Met Your Mother. Two huge highlights of his career thus far was working for Rob Marshall in the 7 time Emmy winning TV special, "Tony Bennett, An American Classic" and sharing the screen with Cate Blanchett as her pas de deux partner in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. His unique method of reaching students is posed through questions and motives that force you to not only use your technical training but your own life experience as well. Scott tries wholeheartedly to convey the importance of keeping the body in shape through vigorous training and making authentic choices that color your dancing and sets you apart.

Jeremy Duvall

A graduate of Oklahoma City University, Jeremy has worked professionally in several different venues of the industry including Radio City Christmas Spectacular, the Music Theatre of Wichita, Tokyo Disney's Encore, the Hollywood Bowl production of Camelot, Madison Opera's Carmen and various films. Jeremy also performed with the new dance company Evolution under the direction of Mark Meismer and Jeff Amsden's A Few Good Men Dancin production, as a devoted teacher and choreographer. Jeremy's knowledge has allowed him to teach at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in N. Hollywood. He is also on guest faculty at the Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Jeremy has traveled to Japan, Italy, Canada and numerous U.S. cities sharing his knowledge with others. Jeremy has appeared in the film National Lampoon's Clubhouse Trick or Treat and was featured in the musical Applause starring Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Liz Porter

Liz graduated with a bachelor of performing arts degree from Oklahoma City University and acts as one of the highest ranked alumni as a triple threat professional in the school's long history. As a member of the American Spirit Dance Company, Porter traveled with the touring company across the nation, and later, into China as a part of an inter-continental dance education program created to further the understanding of classical American dance. Because of Liz's on-stage charisma, industrial work has always found her. Mary Kay's national Beauty Control convention, the Tress choreography show, and numerous USO tours have all seen the likes of this very diverse performer. Her work with Lyric Theatre has given her the opportunities to perform lead roles in musicals such as: The Wizard of Oz, Footloose and Chicago. Liz has since held a position with the internationally-known Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and has had the opportunity to sing the national anthem at both Cowboys' and Kansas City Royals' games. Since moving to Los Angeles, Porter has been seen on CBS, VH1, the WB and FOX Networks. She was a featured dancer in live performances with Destiny's Child under the choreographer of Frank Gaston and The Big and Rich Tour. Commercially, Liz has appeared as a national spokesperson for the Salvation Army and the Red Kettle Kickoff. Her interest in health and fitness has also given her the opportunity to work with the hit show "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" as a fitness trainer. Most recently, Liz has been busy writing and producing her first pop solo album scheduled for release in early 2008.

Christina Woodard

Christina's unique style and challenging classes have put her in demand as a master teacher and choreographer throughout the world. Her extensive knowledge of anatomy, allows her to provide exciting and educational classes with a deep focus on stretch, strength and placement; while her incredible energy and compassion has made her popular with dancers of all ages. She is a faculty member of EDGE Performing Arts Center (Hollywood, CA), Dance Masters of America, Groove Street Dance Conventions and Harbour Dance Center in Canada. Christina's TV and FILM credits include: VICTORIOUS (Nickelodeon), iCARLY (Nickelodeon), Motion City Soundtrack "HER WORDS" Music Video,, GARY UNMARRIED w/ Rob Riggle (CBS), The STEVE HARVEY SHOW (WB), SUDDENLY SUSAN w/Brooke Shields (WB), FAME (Sony), and THE NIKKI COX SHOW (WB). Industrials for GUESS, DISNEY, NESTLE AND NIKE. Currently Christina is teaching all over the country, and choreographing for the new show "Victorious" with Victoria Justice on NICKELODEON.