Ashley Rich
Throughout her career, Mrs. Ashley has received numerous accolades for her choreography, including both regional and national high score awards, as well as specialty honors. She has had the honor of seeing her students perform in gala showcases in the presence of dance legends such as Chita Rivera, Tina Landon, and Jeff Thacker. Her dancers consistently earn scholarships at conventions, invitations to prestigious summer intensives, and recognition through elite assistant programs. In 2023, one of her students was even named Dancer of the Year at Tremaine Dance Conventions. Many of her former students have continued their dance education with college dance teams and university programs, while others have moved to Los Angeles and New York to pursue commercial dance training and professional careers in the industry. Anyone that knows Mrs. Ashley will tell you that her passion for dance is only preceded by her love for teaching and inspiring her students.
Jackie Kosky
A Panama City Beach native, Ms. Jackie has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of four. As a dedicated and accomplished competitive dancer, she contributed to numerous award-winning routines at both the regional and national levels, building a strong foundation in performance and discipline.
After graduating from Arnold High School, Ms. Jackie pursued her passion for dance in New York City, attending Pace University and participating in the prestigious work-study program at Steps on Broadway. During her time in the city, she enriched her training through classes at both Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center, gaining exposure to diverse techniques and styles from some of the industry’s leading professionals.
Ms. Jackie recently earned her degree from the University of Florida and is thrilled to return to her hometown to share her love for dance with the IDC family. Her teaching is rooted in a commitment to continuous learning, with a special focus on introducing innovative and effective training methods to her students.
She is certified in Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), including Level 2, as well as Progressing Contemporary Technique (PCT), and incorporates these cutting-edge approaches into her classes to support strength, alignment, and artistry.
Ms. Jackie’s enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to her students’ growth make her a valued and inspiring member of the IDC faculty.
Kate Waggoner
Ms. Kate has been involved in dance from the very beginning, making her recital debut before her first birthday and growing up fully immersed in studio life. Her natural ability to connect with young dancers makes her a favorite in the classroom, especially among our tiniest performers. She has a special talent for creating a warm and supportive environment that helps them build confidence and a love for dance.
Over the years, Ms. Kate has been a member of numerous award-winning teams, earning top honors in both team and solo categories at regional and national competitions, including overall high scores and title awards. As a member of the Mosley High School Dance Team, she was named a UDA All-Star and had the unique opportunity to perform at the Thanksgiving Day Parade at Walt Disney World as well as the New Year’s Day Parade in London.
In addition to teaching, Ms. Kate plays an integral role in managing the studio alongside her mother, Mrs. Ashley, helping to ensure a professional and nurturing environment for all students. Her dedication to both the administrative and educational aspects of the studio reflects her deep commitment to the dance community.
Ms. Kate is passionate about sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with dancers of all ages and looks forward to continuing to inspire the next generation of performers.
Anna Waggoner
Anna Waggoner is an accomplished dancer and emerging educator with a lifelong passion for the art of dance. She began her training under the direction of her mother, Mrs. Ashley, and has spent years developing her technique and performance skills across multiple disciplines. Anna has received numerous awards at both regional and national competitions, reflecting her dedication and artistry.
With extensive experience in the convention circuit, Anna served as an assistant for Force Dance Conventions during the 2023–2024 season and is currently a member of the Tremaine Dance Convention Performance Company. She has earned multiple scholarships from leading conventions and workshops across the country, further broadening her exposure to high-caliber instruction and industry professionals.
As an instructor, Anna brings not only technical knowledge and performance experience but also a deep commitment to nurturing and inspiring young dancers. She is passionate about creating a positive, disciplined, and supportive classroom environment where students can grow both artistically and personally.
Anna is currently pursuing a degree in Business at Gulf Coast State College, combining her entrepreneurial mindset with her passion for dance to prepare for a long-term career in the arts and education.
Ellie Swainhart
Ms. Ellie recently graduated from the University of Florida where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a minor in Business Administration. Her dance studies consisted of performance, modern technique, choreography composition, world dance, ballet, teaching methods, movement analysis, dance history, and more. Recently, Ellie traveled to New York to perform a piece titled The Persistence of Time at White Water Dance Festival. The piece was choreographed by Dante Puleio, the current artistic director of the Limón Dance Company. While in New York, she was able to take company class with Limón. In addition, Ellie performed in many student, faculty, and guest artist pieces during her time at UF’s School of Theatre and Dance. In Dance 2019, she performed in the first co-ed restaging of José Limón’s 60-year-old work “The Traitor” by Dante Puleio. She has adjudicated and presented work in three of UF’s student BFA Showcases and one piece at Immerse Art Festival in Orlando. Her choreography has also won numerous awards in competition. Ellie has spent her past summers training in New York City, Toronto, and the Netherlands.
Brady Michael
Represented by Xcel Talent Agency, Brady Michael is a creative, currently based in Atlanta. He is the fearless leader of RISK Contemporary Dance Company, a freelance professional and pre-professional company in Atlanta.
Brady has made waves in the professional world. He has directed and choreographed three sold-out, evening-length dance performances: "the one" 2019, "Weightless" 2022, & "Five More Minutes" 2024. He has also created work for other companies and shows, including Admix Project’s “Catalyst” and "SURFACE" (dir. Rachel Truitt) and Xcel Talent Agency's "Image Nation" and “Living” (dir. Aris Goelmi & Bubba Carr). Brady can be seen as a dancer in Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis,” and he can be seen in the upcoming final season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” Brady served as a Headliner for World of Dance's tour stop in Atlanta 2023. He also was the choreographer of NASCAR’s Ambetter Health Indy 400 Race Opening Ceremony in 2025.
In the competition world, he is a sought-after instructor and choreographer in the southeast. He is 6-time Industry Dance Award Outstanding Performance nominee and a 33-time Choreography Award winner. He was also nominated for PNDC's 2022 Choreographer of the Year. He teaches weekly, professional-level classes at Xcel Studios in Atlanta where his class footage has achieved more than 3 million views on social media.
In 2022, Brady created RISK Contemporary Dance Company with the intention of creating opportunities for dancers in the Atlanta area. RISK has become an acclaimed company with athletic & artistic dancers, creating memorable performances & being well-known among the Atlanta contemporary dance community.
Brady always strives to create an accepting environment through peer encouragement and insight while teaching. He promotes love and expression of authentic artistry in his classes and choreography; he is so excited to continue to build new relationships in the futur
