2024 Encore Extreme
Convention and Competition
Wyndham Resort and Conference Center
Friday, October 4-Sunday, October 6, 2024
Updated Schedule Posted 10-4
Encore Extreme Lancaster Schedule 2024
Encore Extreme
2024 Rules and Fees
Updated September 10
Registration opened August 1, 2024!
Dance
with the stars in 2024
Three days of master classes in Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theatre, and more! Also featuring workshops, classes and networking events for teachers AND Jazz Funk classes for parents!
Experience our exciting group competition with live judges’ feedback for all routines and a $1000 cash prize!
Compete for the title of Miss and Mister Encore Extreme!
2024 Choreographers
Lancaster, PA
Brooke Paulsen-Zelus
Brooke hails from Toledo, Ohio where she learned how to dance from her masterful mother Brenda Paulsen. She has worked with tap heavy weights such as Jason Samuel Smith, Chloe Arnold, Jason Janas, Gregg Russell and, Fayard Nicholas. She is one of the most respected female tappers in the country. She continues to travel the world sharing her knowledge and love for dance. She assisted Al Gilbert and Darryl Retter on Stepping Tones, now known as Music Works. Because of this experience, she has the ability to teach any age and any level. At the age of 17, she moved to Los Angeles, California.
Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, she was quickly recruited to be in Gregg Russell’s company Tapsounds Underground. She trained under him for many years along with Keith Clifton, Alex Magno, Helene Phillips, Jason Samuel Smith and Heather Cornell. There were many opportunities that came her way such as performing with Pink, Sisqo, Paulina Rubio and T.A.T.U. featuring the Pussycat Dolls. She has performed in the The MTV Movie Awards, The Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, which won an Emmy for choreography and industrials including Adidas, Domino’s, IBM and Google. She appeared on television shows like Sabrina: the Teenage Witch, The Nikki Cox Show and The Young and the Restless. She was also one of the founding members of C.O.M.M.I.T. tap company under the direction of Jason Janas. Brooke realized that she wanted to continue sharing her passions and knowledge of dance. She has taught for The Edge Performing Arts Center, Debbie Reynold’s Dance Studio, Movement Lifestyle and Retter’s Academy of Dance. She taught for Dance Masters, Music Works, New Talent Generation, Hollywood Dance Experience and, Dance Makers, INC. She has also judged for Rainbow Dance Connection, VIP Dance Competition, Encore and, Showstoppers. She is in such high demand that she is asked to teach and choreograph around the world. Her choreography is nationally award winning. Brooke continues to transition from dancer to upcoming choreographer. She works as an associate choreographer to Kevin and Marcel Wilson. Together they choreographed industrials, commercials, music videos and stage shows. Their work includes the Rio Hotel & Casino: The Show in the Sky, the Bellagio New Year’s Eve show, Beach Body, Jery Sandoval music video and VIV Magazine commercial. They choreographed the “James Brown Tribute” starring Wayne Brady on “Dancing with the Stars and worked as the assistant choreographer for Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. Brooke has also choreographed for Beach Body, worked with the world renowned trainer Autumn Calabrese. She has recently worked as an associate choreographer for Latin Grammy’s and for a New Year’s Eve event at Resorts World and Aria Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. She was also very honored to work for Disney as an associate choreographer at the historical El Capitan theater in Los Angeles. Lastly, she has been working for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as an install choreographer.
Julius Rubio
A proud Dominican native, Julius grew up and trained in Miami, FL where he attended The New World School of Arts and Dance Attack Studios. Just fresh off of co-choreographing The 77th Annual Tony Awards with longtime collaborator and friend Ariana DeBose, Julius resides in New York City.Along with creative directing, choreographing and acting he has worked with renowned choreographers and directors such as Steven Spielberg, Bill Condon, Chris Scott, Kenny Ortega, Marguerite Derricks, Sonya Tayeh, Sergio Trujillo, Jerry Mitchell and as associate/assistant Choreographer to Mia Michaels.
Between on camera and Broadway some acting/film/tv credits include Steven Spielbergs 2021 remake ‘West Side Story’ as a new featured Shark role “Quique”, Law & Order, FBI: Most Wanted , The Greatest Showman, Kiss Of The Spiderwoman Film feat. Jennifer Lipez, Annie (2014 Remake), Starz ‘Run The World to name a few.[BROADWAY]: ‘Santiago’ u/s MOULIN ROUGE!, ‘King Agnar’ u/s FROZEN, ‘Escape To Margaritaville’, 'On Your Feet!' , 'Finding Neverland', 'Wonderland', Twyla Tharp's COME FLY AWAY [LIVE STAGE] Radio City Rockettes, Beyonce, Dove Cameron, Loren Alred, Adam Lambert, Kylie Minogue, Natasha Bedingfield, Academy Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, MTV and more.
Brandon Girouard
Brandon Girouard BA/MFA is a highly in-demand international choreographer, teacher, dancer, and talent manager – having brought audiences to their feet in Paris, Canada, London, Argentina, NYC, Mexico and Spain in summer of 2017. Known for “compelling, explosive movement”, Brandon has performed with dance companies such as dancetheatreX, Melanie Stewart Dance Theatre, Ailey 2, Koresh Dance, Plasma Dance Theatre, and for Bill Clinton’s Inaugural Presidency Gala.
Brandon resides as Guest Faculty at Broadway Dance Center NYC, Millennium Dance in Philadelphia, Studio Harmonic in Paris and is faculty to many dance conservatories on Long Island, NY. Holding a BA in Theatre & Dance from Muhlenberg College and a MFA from NYU, Brandon also studied for 18 years at the Cheryl McCormack Academy of Dance in New Bedford, MA.
Josh Perez
Josh (Jato) Perez has helped launch many Hip-Hop programs over the years at multiple dance schools in the New England area. He has trained with master teachers from around the world. In 2010 he made his television debut on the 5th season of MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew" with his crew "Draztik". In 2012 Josh toured with Jordan Knight of "The New Kids on the Block". In early 2017 he choreographed and was showcased on the hit reality TV show "World of Dance" by Jennifer Lopez. He also choreographed opening acts for some of the industries best like Chris Brown, Afrika Bambaataa, The-Dream, Lloyd, Busta Rhymes, and many more Artists.
Josh's style goes beyond Hip-Hop, Josh is the real deal with the perfect combination of natural ability, learned skills and determination. With the emerging popularity of Hip-Hop, his high energy, fun and original classes are a game changer for today's youth. Josh brings a fresh, new, authentic style to his classes and he is excited to be able to share his love of movement with all dancers.
Lauren Hummel
New York based artist, Lauren Hummel is an award-winning choreographer and dancer in the industry. She began her artistic career in Syracuse, NY where she grew up training in all styles of dance and was a competitive and convention dancer for 15 years. Lauren holds a BS in Business Administration with a Minor in Dance from SUNY Geneseo where she completed an additional 4 years of performance dance and worked with numerous guest artists including John Lehrer and Guy Thorne. Lauren is a sought after choreographer who travels to share her passion and knowledge with young artists all over the country.
She is currently on faculty with Quest Intensive and Encore Extreme Dance Convention and is a judge for Encore DCS. Lauren is known for her work in Contemporary dance, which has led her to receive multiple choreography awards and recognition for her innovative and distinctive choreography. Most recently, Lauren was awarded Top Choreography 2022 for her piece Cry Me a River by Young Creators Challenge X CREO. Follow Lauren @laurenhummelchoreo.
Jenny Oehlwein
Jennifer Oehlwein grew up in the competition circuit and has now made a career out of dancing, choreographing, and directing professionally. A graduate of Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Dance and a minor in Musical Theater. I have been blessed to have been dancing professionally ever since graduation. In addition to dance I am also a singer and aerialist.
Upon moving to NYC 3 years ago a new challenge fell into my lap as a rehearsal director/installer for an entertainment company that casts for a multitude of different arenas. Cruise-ships, national tours, theme parks, industrial gigs, etc. When I am not working on their shows and installing their casts of professionals. I also work with their casting team assisting there dance calls all over the world and teaching master classes. Most recently I have taken a step back into the performance side of the dance world performing in Legally Blonde, The Bodyguard, and the national tour of Elf the musical! I am very passionate about dance education and students who love what they do just as much as I do. I consider myself lucky to have made a career out of my life passion and look forward to continuing it with inspiring dancers this competition season!
Lia Danielle
Lia Daniele is incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to perform professionally for 25 years, have 20 plus years teaching experience, and a 17-year judging competition career. It all started when Mrs. Daniele was 4 yrs old, with training from renowned teachers at Ballet Arts, SUNY Purchase, The Hartt School of Fine Arts, and Joffrey Ballet School. Her classical training led to dancing with companies such as Joffrey Ballet, APAP, and NYPP, and with Maria Torres’ company, Rhythm Divas. In the operas “The Merry Widow” and “Rigoletto”, and as “Rosie” in ``Bye Bye Birdie, and “Graziela” in West Side Story. Lia then expanded her career out of NYC and performed in Atlantic City and around the country in shows including a Latin review show “Havana After Dark,” a 50’s show “Jukebox Live,” and review show “The Rat Pack.”
She has traveled all over the world teaching and performing, including her favorites Greece and Italy, always bringing it back to where it all began teaching at Broadway Dance Center and master classes at Alvin Ailey, Ballet Arts, and Main Stage Dance Academy. Lia‘s major choreographic works include an original family musical “Zephyr’s Pond,” original holiday show “Joy To The World,” and in 2014 conceptualized, directed, and choreographed an original show “Holiday In!” She currently lives in Augusta, GA and teaches for Augusta Ballet Performing Company. Lia is also the dance director for SAIL: School for Arts Infused Learning, a charter elementary/middle school, where she teaches grades K-8. Lia has 17 years of experience in judging dance competitions. Encore has always been a part of Lia’s judging life and considers the Encore family a part of her family. She is thrilled to be joining Encore DCS for its 25th Anniversary Tour! Lia loves being able to share her love of the performing arts with her daughter Avelina, and husband Will.
Allynn Simons
Allynn Simons is an NYC based freelance casting director who has the pleasure of casting for TV/Film, commercials, theater and print. She
holds a B.A. in Musical Theater with a minor in dance from Point Park University. While in school, Allynn was chosen to dance in original pieces choreographed by Kiesha LaLama and Kiki Lucas, just to name a few. Before settling in New York City, Allynn taught dance and musical theater all over Pennsylvania and New Jersey and still teaches numerous classes all over the country.
She is also a regular faculty member of QUEST Intensive; a prestigious in-studio dance experience that brings the industry to the studio. She is currently a faculty member at THRIVE Dance Convention where she teaches contemporary and how to market yourself. She also adjudicates for numerous dance competitions in the U.S. Some of her favorite casting credits include: the North American premier of Dirty Dancing, The Mansion which premiered at Sundance and a multi-million dollar campaign for NIKE that had her casting on the streets of NYC. She enjoys traveling to choreograph all over the county for which she has won numerous awards for. She grew up in the dance competition community and loves seeing young artists flourish. The future of the arts is in the hands of the next generation, so let's cultivate it!
Dream team
Encore DCS is proud to offer an amazing opportunity for elite dancers to be cast in a one-of-a-kind promotional video and become a member of the Encore DCS Dream Team!
Students were selected at Encore Extreme and this January each dancer was choreographed, staged and featured in a video to create a new advertising campaign for Encore DCS. This opportunity gives up and coming stars the chance to taste what the world of entertainment has to offer with a “dream job” experience.
Professional lighting, staging, make-up, choreography and directing are just some of the many facets of this experience! The video features many styles of dance and is the perfect opportunity to showcase well rounded dancers.
Interested in becoming a member of the next Encore DCS Dream Team? “Shooting Star” tickets will be awarded at Grand Finals. This ticket will give select dancers a free convention fee at Encore Extreme and guarantees their spot on the Dream Team. The remaining Dream Team members will be chosen at Encore Extreme this fall. Don’t miss out on the “Dream Team” cutting edge experience only offered by Encore DCS!
Host Hotels For Encore EXtreme Lancaster
The Wyndham Lancaster Resort and Convention Center
Lancaster Resort by Wyndham
2300 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17602
SPECIAL RATE: $169 (Triple & Quad=$179)
NOTE: Encore Group Rates are SOLD OUT (See option hotel)
RESERVATIONS - (717) 299-5500
* Hotel is Inside of Venue
* Restaurant inside of hotel premises
* BOOK EARLY as rooms are limited for this grand Extreme event!!
For help with reservations, contact:
Don @ 904.303-4424
Results
Congratulations to the 2024 Lancaster PA Encore Extreme Dancers
Overall Mister Encore Extreme 2024
Anthony Hunt
Steel City Dance and Gymnastics
Overall Miss Encore Extreme 2024
Haylie Dunaye
Starz Dance Galaxy
Senior Miss Encore Extreme 2024
Onna Williams
Evolve Dance Complex
