Instructors
Kari Kohls-Bruch
Kari is the director/owner of Kari’s Dance Academy and the national award-winning Starfire Dance Company both based in Emporia, Kansas. She travels extensively instructing master classes and setting choreography throughout the United States. Kari has served as a faculty member for Dance Caravan, Dance Olympus, Starlight Productions/ Company Dance, Nexus and her own dance intensive, Midwest Movement. She has choreographed many opening numbers for national dance competitions and pageants, as well as her personal favorite, Tanzsommer, an international performance held in Germany, Austria, Italy and France. Kari currently serves as a judge for a variety of regional and national competitions and considers herself honored to present her opinion to those who commit to the art of dance.
Barry “BYB” Youngblood
Barry has danced/performed and worked with J.Lo, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Paula Abdul, P.Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Nelly, LL Cool J, Donnie Osmond, Brian McKnight, and the Queen of England. His television credits include The Ellen Show, The Today show, MTV awards, BET awards, VH1 awards, Miss America, Regis & Kelly, Discount Mugs and The Goldbergs. Barry’s has been a featured dancer in Movies such as “The Wedding Year” with Sara Hyland, “Disjointed” with Kathy Bates, “Bringing Down The Houze” with Steve Martin, and Queen Latifah. He has choreographed industrials/commercials for Nike, Reebok, Skechers, Cadillac, and Sega. Barry has toured the world nationally and International teaching and choreographing. In 1993-1995 he toured with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Live Stage tour all over the world. He is a Master Teacher/Choreographer/Dancer and the Creative Director of Hollywood Dance Jamz.
Leslie Rutledge-Syring
Leslie received her formal training under Kari Kohls- Bruch with the Starfire Dance Company, and is currently on staff as a choreographer. She also trained under some of the best in the business including Judy Rice, Barry Youngblood and the late Gregg Russell. Leslie was a featured performer at Tanzsommer, The International Festival of Dance, traveling through Germany, Austria and Italy. She can be seen in Hanson music videos and performed at the Grand Opening of the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Leslie traveled as an assistant to Barry Youngblood for many years, is honored to be a member of the Company Dance Hall of Fame and was part of the Global Dance Convention in Sydney, Australia. She spends most of her time setting competitive material, for which she has won numerous awards, and teaching Master Classes for studios around the country. She loves to share her passion with this next generation of dancers and she wishes to instill the hard work and perseverance she was taught growing up in the amazing dance industry.
Darian Bruch
A 2020 graduate from The University Of Kansas, Darian earned two degrees; a BS in Exercise Science and a BA in Dance. She has received multiple honors and scholarships with her dance/cheer performances including National Performer of the Year. Darian has had the opportunity to perform in various shows/productions including the opening for New Kids On The Block and singer songwriter Nico Santos and rapper Kontra K. A four-year member of the KU Rock Chalk Dancers, Darian represented KU at Pro Action Dance and served as choreography captain. She was an instructor for NCA for eight years where she served as an HI for the organization. Darian was also selected as a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader in 2020 and cheer for them for four seasons including cheering at international games and two Super Bowls. She is currently on three teaching staffs at prominent dance studios and actively travels throughout the United States setting choreography for various competition groups and dance teams. Sharing her love of dance and cheer to others is her biggest passion.
Johnny Hackett
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Johnny Hackett began his dance journey competing with South Tulsa Dance Company and later attended Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. Johnny attended The Juilliard School in New York City and graduated in the class of 2021 receiving his BFA in Dance. He made his professional debut in Lisbon, Portugal with Quorum Ballet where he worked for three seasons. In 2024 he moved to Germany to join Staatstheater Nürnberg under the direction of Goyo Montero, and he has now joined Staatstheater Hannover for the 2025/26 season. Johnny has premiered roles in works by Bryan Arias, Marco Geocke, Stefanie Lake, Andrea Miller, Goyo Montero, and Ohad Naharin and performed repertoire by Rafael Bonachela, Mats Ek, Itzik Galili, Martha Graham, Paul Lightfoot and Sol Leon, José Limón, and Donald McKale.
Elaine Kimble
Elaine Kimble holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, with a minor in Film Studies, from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. She has worked with renowned choreographers including Robert Battle and Joshua Beamish. Her choreography has garnered national recognition, earning multiple Youth America Grand Prix “Outstanding Choreographer” awards and nominations for “Best Contemporary Performance” from the Industry Dance Awards. Her professional credits include Kansas City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School, California Festival Ballet, Quixotic Fusion, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and Musical Theatre Heritage.
A passionate educator and artist, Elaine continues to inspire the next generation of performers, with her students advancing to prestigious programs, universities, and professional companies around the globe.
Denah Gregory
Denah grew up in Stilwell, Kansas, and started dancing when she was 3 years old. When she was 9, she began traveling and assisting for multiple different, choreographers and dance conventions such as Jump, Artist Simply Human, Wild, amoung with many others. After being on tour for many years, Denah decided to focus her career on ballet and performed the lead roles of, Cinderella, Kitri, Odile, Sugar Plum Fairy, Snow Queen, Rose, Arabian Princess, Russian lead & Lilac Fairy. She also danced professionally in the following contemporary companies: Concept Zero, XY Dance project.
Denah has lived in Los Angles, New York, Michigan and she is now back in her home town Kansas City. Denah teaches regularly at Inspire Dance Academy, as well as teaching master classes, Private lessons and choreography at several studios in the KC area. She is proud to be a faculty member for Symposium Talent dance convention, as well as a judge for there competition. Denah has also choreographed and taught master classes at multiple different studios around the world. Her choreography has won 1st Overall, 1st in Category, Specialty Awards, Title Winner, as well as Choreography awards. After experiencing dancing professionally, Denah is now excited to be sharing her knowledge and love for dance with students all across the USA. She is incredibly grateful for her family and friends that continue to love and support her throughout her career of dancing, teaching, and choreographing.