MEET OUR OUTSTANDING DANCE EDUCATORS
NIKKI CALDER – Nikki graduated Cum Laude from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising in May 1991 and has been the director and owner of Top Hat Talent Performing Arts Studio for 16 years. She’s been awarded dance scholarships from OCU, Dupree Jazz Camp and the 3rd Street Dance Academy in L.A. Nikki has been a dance educator and choreographer for 22 years for THT, school pom squads, the National Dance Alliance, high school and college summer curriculum and the Japan Song leading and Dance Association in Tokyo, Japan. She travels extensively, judging for regional and national completions, Showbiz and NDA, is the former choreographer for the OK Storm Basketball Dance Team and has won numerous choreography awards.
GINA HENRY – Over the past 16 years Gina has held many responsibilities with Top Hat Talent including Company Co-Director, Costume Designer, and Award winning Choreographer and Curriculum Consultant. A student of dance for over 20 years, she’s performed all over the country including the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Festival. Gina coached THT’s Petite Elite to back-to-back National Championships and has received coveted Choreography Awards from 1997 - 2008. Gina judges for Showbiz National Talent Competition and travels throughout the year to further her training through conventions and seminars
COURTNEY MCKEE – Courtney has been training in dance for 23 years and is a past dance captain of THT’s senior company and college squad. In addition to traveling to Los Angeles and Chicago to further her dance education, she is also a past Co-Director of our pom squads and an adjunct professor for the Oklahoma City Community College’s dance program. Courtney also led THT’s college dance team to our first National Championship in March of 1998. She shares her talent with us through teaching experience and Office Manager.
BROOKLYNE RIEHL - Brooklyne is a 2007 graduate of Westmoore High School where she was the captain of the National Championship Pom Squad. She has been the recipient of numerous regional and national dance awards and titles including: 2006 Odyssey National Dancer of the Year and Miss Showbiz 2007. Brooklyne is attending OU where she is on the Dean’s Honor Roll. She continues her dance education by traveling to L.A. in December 2007 as a featured dancer at Destination Dance
Taloa Hixson - A new staff member at Top Hat, Taloa Hixson has been a student for the past 15 years. She became a teacher because of her passion for the art of dance and to help those who share that passion. She has received countless awards as a competition dancer such as; Ms. Showbiz, 1st runner up Ms. Showbiz, choreography award for a solo she choreographed, scholarships to exclusive dance conventions/intensives, and many more.
Toni Fox – Toni has been training in dance for over 25 years. She has participated in numerous conventions across the country, competed nationally and has trained in Los Angeles and Hollywood, CA. She taught at Karen’s Kids Performing Arts Studios for over 10 years and has trained competitive dancers as well as recreational.
Kristi Campbell – Kristi is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in dance education. She has been teaching and choreographing for 9 years. Kristi has had the opportunity of working and collaborating with amazing choreographers including Jamie Jacobson, Amy Reynolds-Reed and Tina Kambour. After a two year escapade and the birth of her first son, Cruz, Kristi is so thrilled to be joining the THT staff again in 2008!
Angie Riehl – Angie is a welcome addition to our office staff in keeping our accounts running smoothly. She is in charge of all competition costume accounts and is currently the accounting manager for Pearls Lakeside, Charleston’s and Red Rock restaurants.
Jacqueline McKamie – Jacqueline studied dance at Top Hat Talent for over ten years before graduating from high school. She is currently a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma. Jacqueline has been extremely involved at OCU in many student organizations including Delta Zeta Sorority. She has been able to keep dancing through Delta Zeta by choreographing for her sorority’s recruitment skits, homecoming cheer and dance competition routines and Spring Sing Production numbers. Jacqueline is excited to rejoin the Top Hat Talent studio family.
ANY AND ALL OF OUR STAFF ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREELANCE CHOREOGRAPHY FOR SHOW CHOIRS, POM SQUADS, CHRISTMAS SHOWS, ETC.