2025 Encore Extreme
Convention and Competition
ONE DAY - Sunday, October 26, 2025
Durham, NC Convention Center
301 W Morgan St
Durham, NC 27701
Full day of Exciting Master Classes
Encore Extreme
2025 Rules and Fees
Registration Opens August 1, 2025
Dance
with the stars in 2025
One full day Workshop of Exciting Master Classes taught by the best faculty! HANDS-On instruction with the focus always being on technique!
It's the Encore Extreme you've come to know and love, now in a more compact version to accommodate every dancer!
Audition to become part of the "Dream Team."
2025 Durham, North Carolina Faculty and Choreographers
Marissa Ledford
Marissa Ledford is a passionate Michigan-based dancer, choreographer, and instructor with a lifelong love for movement. She began her training at age six, building a strong technical foundation in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, tap, and lyrical, shaped by years of studying the Cecchetti method. After a successful competitive career, Marissa transitioned to teaching straight out of high school, eager to share her love of dance and help students of all ages grow in both confidence and creativity
Over the years, Marissa has choreographed a wide range of solos, duets, and group pieces for competitive studio dancers as well as dance teams throughout the state of Michigan and beyond. Many of her routines have earned top placements, special judges’ awards, and recognition for choreography at regional and national competitions. Her work is known for its musicality, emotional depth, and inventive movement style. She has been praised for her storytelling approach, which blends technical precision with artistry.
While she enjoys all styles, tap holds a special place in her heart. She’s captivated by its rhythmic complexity and expressive potential, viewing it as a conversation through sound. With deep respect for its history and a fresh, creative perspective, Marissa is honored to return to Encore as a judge and looks forward to celebrating the individuality and artistry of each performer
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 his choreography was showcased on Season 1 of the hit reality TV show "World of Dance" produced by Jennifer Lopez. He also choreographed opening acts for some of the industry’s best artists like Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, The-Dream, Lloyd, Newcleus and many more.
As a teacher and mentor, he takes pride in preparing his students for a successful career in the dance industry. Many of his students have been signed to major talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York and have toured with popular artists such as Missy Elliott, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat just to name a few.
Josh’s dedication to his craft has awarded him many accolades and recognition for his dynamic choreography. In 2018 he was invited to join Liv3lihood, an entity of Thr3e Live Dance Complex based out of Rhode Island. Throughout the years his role has evolved to Co-Choreographer and Visual Assistant. His contributions have helped lead to numerous winnings including 1st place USA Division at World of Dance Finals LA in 2023 and 1st place at Elements 2022-2024.
Josh's style goes beyond Hip-Hop; Josh is the real deal! He’s 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 authentic style, and he is excited to be able to share his love of movement with all dancers.
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.
Katie Lovejoy
Katie Lovejoy is a Greensboro, North Carolina native who competed dance through the age of 18. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. For the past three years, Katie has served as the assistant coach of the High Point University Dance Team and is thrilled to step into the role of Head Coach as she enters her fourth season with the program.
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!
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!
2025 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!
Visit the Encore Dream Team Page to view the Dream Team Videos....
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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
