Dream Team
“A good teacher can inspire hope,
ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.”
— Brad Henry
RENNIE GOLD
DIRECTOR
TEACHER
Rennie Gold was born into a show business family. His father, Al Gold, was a Vaudeville performer and, later, a theatrical agent. Rennie’s mom, Sherry Gold, was a professional dancer and, later, the founder of The Gold School. Rennie began dancing with his twin brother Rhee at the age of 3 in his mother’s basement dance studio. At age 11, he received his Actor’s Equity card and began performing professionally, touring the country in musicals in dinner theaters and with the Sherry Gold Dance Company throughout high school.
Rennie continued his career working as a freelance dancer, teacher, and choreographer throughout the ’80s. In 1992, he became resident choreographer at Walt Disney World, creating and directing work for the Magic Kingdom, Pleasure Island, and more.
In 1996, Rennie returned to The GOLD School as director, upholding his mother Sherry Gold’s legacy of excellent dance education while pursuing groundbreaking new programs with the Project Moves Dance Company. Rennie’s students have performed at the White House, at the World Tap Championships, the Joyce Theater in New York City, on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and at Dancers Responding to AIDS’ Fire Island Dance Festival. His alumni have gone on to have successful careers in movies, on Broadway, and in world-renowned dance companies.
Rennie continues to believe that he and his kids can change the world through dance.
KELLIE GRANT
FACULTY
Kellie Grant trained for 15 years at The GOLD School under the direction of Rennie Gold, performing in the early stages of the Project Moves Dance Company throughout the United States and Germany, before joining The GOLD School/Project Moves Dance Company faculty in 2006.
Kellie assisted and trained as a teacher and choreographer with Rennie Gold while working on her B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing with a minor in Hearing and Deafness at Emerson College. Kellie is a two-time nominee for the Evvy Award in Outstanding Choreography and is a three-time recipient of American Dance Awards’ Young Choreographer of the Year award. In June 2011, she was featured at the Young Choreographer’s Festival in New York City. Her work has been performed at the Joyce Theater in New York City, Symphony Space in New York City, The Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA in Boston, and numerous theaters and schools in the Boston area. She is immensely proud to be with Project Moves Dance Company and The Gold School.
Kayla King
FACULTY
Kayla King began dancing at the Gold School at the age of three years old. During her 15-year tenure, she performed with what is now known as the Project Moves Dance Company under the direction of Rennie Gold.
In addition to her own training, Kayla assisted in the classroom which sparked an interest in becoming a dance instructor. After graduating from Elon University with a BA in Marketing and a minor in dance, Kayla joined the Gold School faculty in 2014. She spent three years helping shape and share all that she has learned from the Gold School and other creative influences.
In 2017, Kayla took a break from teaching to earn her MBA at Boston University in Health Sector Management; but she couldn’t stay away too long and is happy to be back with her Gold School family. Kayla credits the Gold School with giving her the drive and determination to do anything in life whether it is dance or something else, and she is looking forward to sharing what she has learned with her students.
KATIE KOZUL
FACULTY
Katie Kozul began her dance training at the Gold School in Brockton, Massachusetts under the direction of Rennie Gold and her mother, Kathy Kozul. She attended the Walnut Hill School for the Performing Arts and later went on to the Alvin Ailey/Fordham Univeristy BFA program. At Fordham, she had the opportunity to perform works by Francesca Harper, Jennifer Archibald, and Malcolm Lowe. Kozul joined Hubbard Street 2 as an apprentice in September 2012 and was promoted to company member in August 2013.
JEN CONIDI
FACULTY
Jen Conidi started taking dance lesson at the age of 3. It wasn’t until she was 7 that she started taking ballet with Kathy Kozul. She knew from the very first class that she loved it. During high school, she continued dancing and started competing in numerous dance competitions where she won many awards such as the Gus Giordano Award for Excellence in Ballet and 3rd runner-up Miss Junior Dance of New England. Jen continued her dance training in college at The University of Missouri.
During her freshman year in college she was asked to travel to Albany, New York to perform in The Nutcracker for the Albany Berkshire Ballet Company—it was the first year they ever asked a freshman to go. She graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Jen moved back to Boston after graduation and started teaching at numerous dance studios in New England. She began teaching at The Gold School in September of 2005 and has loved every minute of it. When she’s not teaching and taking care of her two sons, Jen loves to read and watch reality TV. She also has an addiction to buying expensive shampoo.
ALISSA
MARSHALL
FACULTY
Alissa Marshall began dancing at age three. She went on to become a dance major at Adelphi University in New York. She has performed professionally for Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer stock production of West Side Story, The Flamingo Club in Tokyo, Japan and The Sands Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
She has also worked on several industrials while appearing in television commercials. She has done extra work on films as well as the daytime soap opera, Loving. While between jobs, Alissa enjoyed taking classes with Roseanne Ridings in Boston, The Hubbard Street School of Dance and at the Gus Giordano school in Chicago as well as with many amazing and inspirational artists at Broadway Dance Center and Steps in New York City. She has taught all ages of dance at various levels and finds teaching to be far more rewarding than any applause she has received on stage. When Alissa is not dancing, her favorite thing to do is to look for seashells on the beach with her three daughters. She is thrilled to be a part of The Gold School family.
Katie Kellie Stamm
FACULTY
Originally from Cranston, RI, Katie began her classical dance training at the age of five at the Festival Ballet Providence school. She performed as a member of Festival Ballet’s Junior Company under the direction of MaryAnn Mayer and Mihailo Djuric for four years and graduated from the school in 2013.
During her time as a student, she performed with Festival Ballet’s professional company in the corps de ballet in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and multiple productions of The Nutcracker. She has also trained at the Harid Conservatory on full scholarship and danced with Ms. Gelsey Kirkland Ballet in NYC. In 2013, Katie began an apprenticeship with Part of the Oath Dance Theater under the direction of Dr. Colleen Cavanaugh and Danielle Genest-Konicheva, and continued as a soloist until the company’s final performance in 2016. In 2017 Ms.
Katie co-choreographed a new production of The Nutcracker for The Talent Factory in North Kingstown, RI. Her contemporary choreographic debut placed in the Top 12 at the YAGP Boston competition in 2018, and her choreography has also placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd at the W.B.A.C. Grand Prix in 2020. She has coached classical and contemporary dancers to go on and place in the top 10 at YAGP and the CT Classic in 2021 and 2022, as well as 1st and 2nd place winners at Revel, A.D.E, and 5th place winners at Radix.
She is certified to teach Junior, Senior, and Advanced levels of Progressing Ballet Technique © and is certified in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet curriculum by Marcia Dale Weary.
Katie is excited to continue to nurture and inspire the next generation of dancers.
ASHLEIGH
ROWAN
FACULTY
Ashleigh began dancing at the age of three at The Gold School under the direction of Rennie Gold. She spent most of her 15 years at TGS performing and training with what is now known as, Project Moves Dance Company. She was taught by many prominent and respected teachers – most of whom are still Gold School faculty today. One of Ashleigh’s major dance achievements was as a member of the USA Dance Team. She competed in Germany with her team and they went on to win the gold medal and title of the “2002 Junior World Tap Champions”.
In addition to her own training, Ashleigh spent many years assisting in the classroom. She quickly fell in love with the idea of sharing her passion with younger generations. While in college, she continued to teach and assist at various studios while studying Public Relations with a minor in dance at Hofstra University.
As a faculty member at The Gold School, she is endlessly excited to be teaching dancers of all ages. She incorporates a little bit of every teacher she’s learned from into her own teaching style. This allows her to educate with passion, structure and excitement in a rather productive environment. She even uses the same techniques taught to her while in the first years of her own Creative Movement classes. Ashleigh aims to not only instill knowledge in growing students but also a love for dance.
Steven Vaughn
FACULTY
Steven Vaughn was born in the Midwest and raised in Massachusetts. He graduated with Honors from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, earning a BFA in Modern Dance, focusing on choreography. As a senior at the University of the Arts, Steven began working with Parsons Dance as an apprentice, performing at the Joyce Theater with the company while finishing his BFA. At graduation, he was honored with the Stella Moore Prize for Four-Year Achievement and the Award for Excellence in Modern Dance. After graduating he joined Parsons Dance full time, under director David Parsons; touring and teaching with the company. He danced with Parsons both domestically and internationally, including Italy, China, Brazil, Russia, and more.
He has taught throughout the United States including various dance college programs, Broadway Dance Center in NYC , University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University , as well as masterclasses in Italy and Israel.
Steven’s work was selected for the 2014 Emerging Choreographer Commission for Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and Harvard University, among others.
He has worked as a physical therapy trainer and Pilates instructor in New York City.
Now, having returned to his childhood home on the South Coast of Massachusetts, is co-owner and director of The Studio on Pope’s Island in New Bedford, MA.
KAITLYNN
BRIGGS
FACULTY
Kaitlynn graduated with a BA in Dance Education from Bridgewater State University in 2013. She has danced since she was 3 and spent her high school years dancing at Dance Theater of New England where she is now a choreographer. Kaitlynn was on the Bridgewater State University Dance Company and performed in many shows including Winterdance 2009, 2010, and 2011, Kaleidoscope 2010, and POPS! 2010 and 2011 and other fundraisers and benefit shows. Her choreography has won both regional and national awards. Miss Katie, as she is known to her beloved students, brings a fresh, and enthusiastic approach to her classes.
JBizz
FACULTY
JBIZZ has trained and performed in numerous forms of dance. He specializes in hip hop, jazz funk, and “Popping”. He Spent part of his young dance career in the group "I.T.M", performing in professional venues, such as the Celtics. His dance career has lead him along side various artists, including Britney Spears. He also Judges and teaches at several conventions and competitions throughout the country including Dancers Inc & Ontour.
JBIZZ’s choreography is well known, and national award winning. His choreography can be seen across the country, as he is known, as a high demand choreographer. His pieces range from emotional and impactful, to dynamic and bold. J.Bizz's greatly also prides himself on the accomplishments of his students. They can be seen performing on Broadway, and doing commercial/television work.
JBIZZ is delighted to be part of the Gold School and is looking forward to exposing hip hop as an art form and not just a dance style.
DEBI
COCCO
FACULTY
Debi Cocco began her training in the basement of Sherry Gold’s home in the 1960’s. She is an active member of both professional teacher organizations, dance teachers club of Boston and dance masters of America. She is a former studio owner that teaches at many studios throughout New England. She has been on faculty at many conventions and workshops including dance teacher live conference. She not only has judged competitions but her students continually achieved many overall and high score awards. She has taught at many dance intensives throughout mass and New Hampshire. She continues her education by attending seminars, classes, and conventions in New York, Vegas, and California. Debi is excited to share her knowledge and passion for dance with her students!
LARRY
SOUSA
FACULTY
Larry Sousa has directed, choreographed, and designed musicals at professional theatres from coast to coast. In Boston, Larry’s work has appeared on the stages of Reagle Music Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Co., Boston Children’s Theatre, and many more. Larry is the recipient of the prestigious Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, The L.A. Ovation Award, and he is a 2-time winner of the American Dance Awards Choreographer of the Year prize.
Larry has performed in numerous Broadway companies, TV sitcoms, films and commercials. He teaches at The Boston Conservatory, Bridgewater State University, and is an alumnus and longtime faculty member here at The Gold School. Larry is the choreographer of the upcoming Broadway musical Merry Go Round starring Florence Henderson.