Former Professional Dancer • National Award Winning Choreographer • 20+ Years Teaching

AJ Ocampo trained at the renowned Larkin Dance Studio in Minnesota, with additional training in New York and Los Angeles. He was the first recipient of Joe Tremaine’s Male Dancer of the Year award before beginning an extensive professional performing career.

AJ’s credits include two European tours with Mylène Farmer and performances with Prince, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, Cher, Mary J. Blige, the Dixie Chicks, Penn & Teller, the Country Music Awards, Divas Live and the Super Bowl. His Las Vegas credits include Splash at the Riviera, SpellBound at Harrah’s and Storm at Mandalay Bay, where he worked with acclaimed director and choreographer Jamie King. His theater credits include the original Fosse Project and Journey to the West in New York.

As an educator, AJ has taught conventions and master classes in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, acro, improv and technique. His teaching style combines strong technical training with a challenging, energetic and fun classroom environment.

AJ’s choreography has earned regional and national awards, and after more than 20 years of teaching, his former students can be found performing on stages around the world.

Former Professional Dancer & Aerialist • Walt Disney World • Las Vegas Strip

Michelle is a former professional dancer, aerialist and ballerina whose career has taken her from major ballet companies and cruise lines to Walt Disney World and the Las Vegas Strip. Her professional credits include Walt Disney World, Orlando Metropolitan Ballet Company, Tokyo DisneySea, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean.

Throughout her career, Michelle trained with and learned from renowned artists including Ann Reinking, Savion Glover, Debbie Allen and Miami City Ballet founder Edward Villella. Her television credits include performances for NBC and ABC, including Live from Walt Disney World Christmas Spectacular, where she appeared as the Sugar Plum Fairy. She has also been featured in Dance Magazine and Las Vegas Weekly.

After making Las Vegas home, Michelle performed in numerous Strip productions including Dirk Arthur Extreme Magic, Le Can Can Cabaret Paris, Nathan Burton Magic, Show in the Sky, Broadway Bares and Peepshow Las Vegas.

Now retired from professional performing, Michelle brings her extensive stage experience and love of dance into the classroom, helping Ignite dancers develop strong technique, artistry and confidence.

Ignite Alumna • UNLV Rebel Girl • National Award Winning Choreographer

An Ignite alumna, Katie performed internationally in Ireland and France while still in high school. She later became a member of the prestigious UNLV Rebel Girls while earning her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

Katie has taught at the collegiate level and trained college dance team dancers. She is also an award winning choreographer whose work has earned choreography honors and national titles.

She is currently pursuing her doctorate to become a physical therapist, bringing her knowledge of movement, anatomy and performance into her work with dancers.

Katie grew up dancing at Ignite, and now she’s back in the studio teaching and choreographing for the next generation.

Current Professional Dancer • Las Vegas Strip • TAPS Graduate

Originally from Colorado, Madison Cantwell grew up training extensively in multiple styles and competing at dance conventions and competitions. She later continued her professional training at Theater Arts Preparatory School (TAPS) in Las Vegas.

Madison is currently a full time featured performer in Fantasy at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Her professional credits also include performing as a principal dancer in Extravaganza at Bally’s, as well as LadyLike at Virgin Hotels and The Lala’s Show. She has also performed with artists and companies including Madison Beer, Now United and Colorado Ballet.

Madison has trained with Velocity Dance Convention under the direction of Kyle Hanagami and Whitney Bezzant, further developing her versatility, artistry and performance quality.

Madison loves bringing her professional experience into the classroom and is passionate about helping Ignite dancers develop strong technique, confidence and artistry.

35+ Years in Tap • Former Studio Owner • Award Winning Choreographer

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Martine has been tapping for more than 35 years. She co-owned a dance studio with her mother and teacher, where she taught and choreographed for 10 years, and also taught on the regional convention circuit.

As a competitive tap dancer, Martine earned overall honors and North Carolina Pro-Am Tap titles and awards. Her performance experience has taken her to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, New York and festivals across the country, while her choreography has earned top honors from coast to coast.

Throughout her training, Martine had the opportunity to study with some of tap's most influential artists, including Dr. Henry LeTang, Dr. Jimmy Slyde, Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. After moving to Las Vegas, she joined M.A.D.D. Rhythms Las Vegas and served on its board of directors while also teaching competitive tap teams in the valley.

Martine is passionate about passing down the history, technique and artistry of tap while encouraging young dancers to develop their own creativity and individual style.

Ignite Alumna • National Champion • Award Winning Choreographer

An Ignite alumna, Kami began dancing at just three years old with her grandmother and quickly developed a love for tap and jazz. During her years at Ignite, she became a member of our tap company and earned numerous awards for both group performances and solos, including becoming a National Champion.

Today, Kami is an accomplished teacher and award winning choreographer. A natural leader, she has built strong connections with her dancers and is known for creating classes where kids feel supported, challenged and excited to learn.

Kami is currently attending UNLV, where she is majoring in Social Work.

From growing up in the studio to now teaching and choreographing at Ignite, dance continues to be a big part of Kami’s story.

Ignite Alumna • LVA Dance Graduate • Award Winning Choreographer

An Ignite alumna, Kaydien Teller grew up training and competing with Ignite, where she was part of National Championship winning performances and developed into a strong and versatile dancer.

Kaydien attended Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA), a performing arts high school, where she majored in dance and continued developing her technical training and artistry.

After growing up in the Ignite program, Kaydien completed Ignite’s teacher training program, preparing her to bring that same foundation into the classroom. She has quickly become an impressive teacher and choreographer, known for connecting with her students while challenging them to grow in both technique and performance.

Kaydien is already an award winning choreographer, with her work earning recognition on the competition stage.

From National Champion Ignite dancer to teacher and choreographer, Kaydien is now helping shape the next generation of Ignite dancers.

LVA Dance Student • Top Teen Performer • Revel Pro Reveler

Brynn Liening is a longtime Ignite dancer and current student at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA), where she is continuing her dance education alongside her training at Ignite.

Throughout her competitive career, Brynn has earned numerous scholarships and honors and has been a member of two Ignite National Championship winning teams. Most recently, she was named Top Teen Performer at Nationals, recognizing her exceptional technique, artistry and performance.

Brynn was also selected as a Pro Reveler with Revel Dance Convention and is currently touring nationally with Revel, where she has the opportunity to train, assist and perform alongside leading educators in the dance industry.

In addition to her own training at the studio, Brynn has completed Ignite’s teacher development and training program, preparing her to bring her experience, work ethic and love of dance into the classroom.

Brynn has grown up at Ignite from student and competitor to teacher and mentor, and we are proud to have her helping inspire the next generation of dancers.