Theater Jazz Instructor

Donald Jones Jr. is a New Orleans–born director, choreographer, and actor who proudly carries the spirit and cultural richness of his home city into every facet of his work. A graduate of Brother Martin High School and Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where he earned a BS in Theatre and Dance, he refined his artistry through training with the New Orleans Ballet Academy, New Orleans Ballet Theatre, The American Dance Festival, and Spectrum Dance Theater.

A dedicated educator, Donald has taught at prestigious institutions including Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Broadway Classroom NYC, Studio West Dance Center, the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and internationally as part of DanceMotion USA.

As a performer, he has appeared on Broadway in the original casts of Frozen and Aladdin, as well as Chicago, and Off-Broadway in Sweet Charity and West Side Story. His additional credits include the national tour of The Color Purple, a featured performance with Usher at the Essence Festival, and work as a dancer and featured background performer in the 2025 Academy Award winning film Sinners.

Tap Fundamentals Instructor

Bobby Bonsey is a tap dancer with over a decade of experience, recognized for his dynamic musicality and deeply rooted sense of rhythm. His artistic journey began at a young age, shaped by early access to a drum set and a passion for breakdancing—foundations that continue to inform his percussive, improvisational style.

Bobby’s practice is grounded in a love of rhythm as both sound and movement, allowing him to move fluidly between forms while maintaining a distinct voice. His repertoire spans vernacular jazz, Lindy Hop, hip hop, roller skating, and pole dance, reflecting a versatile and expansive approach to performance that challenges traditional boundaries.

Whether on stage or in collaborative spaces, Bobby brings a bold, expressive energy and a commitment to exploration through movement. And yes—Jennifer Coolidge approved..

Afro-Diasopric Social Dance Instructor

Courtney Ross is a performer, director, and educator proudly based in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she draws inspiration from the city’s culture, spirit, and traditions in her work. A graduate of The Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in New York City, she earned her degree with honors while cultivating a rich, soulful artistic voice that bridges performance, choreography, and community wellness.

Courtney’s career spans concert dance, theater, and commercial performance, with credits that reflect both range and depth. She has toured nationally and internationally with Ailey II and Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, and has performed with artists including Jon Batiste and Jemel McWilliams on the UNEASY national tour. She joined Camille A. Brown & Dancers in 2019 and continues to contribute to work that centers storytelling and the African diaspora.

Her additional credits include Associate Choreographer for the Broadway revival of 1776 (choreographed by Jeffrey Page), Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera, the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (NBC), and the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards with Beyoncé.

Inside Out - Storytelling Through Movement Instructor

Tim Edwards is a performer and educator whose work is rooted in contemporary and modern dance, with over a decade of experience on stage and in the studio. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dance from Hunter College in New York City, where he developed a strong technical and artistic foundation that continues to inform his practice.

Tim has performed extensively with acclaimed choreographer Camille A. Brown as a featured dancer in her works, contributing to projects that center storytelling, musicality, and the Black American experience. His performance credits span stage and screen, including appearances on the television series Harlem (Prime Video), NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar with John Legend, and productions at the Metropolitan Opera House including Fire Shut Up in My Bones and Porgy and Bess. Most recently, he appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award–winning production Hell’s Kitchen.

As a dedicated educator, Tim has taught at institutions such as Hunter College, Mark Morris Dance Center, and The Joffrey Ballet, and has worked nationally as a teaching artist with Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Across both performance and teaching, he is committed to empowering movers to embody both technical precision and personal story.

Multidiscplinary Artist & Fitness Instructor

Matty Draughter is a New Orleans–area fitness instructor and multidisciplinary artist whose work spans movement, poetry, film, and visual storytelling. Rooted in the cultural landscapes of Uptown and Avondale, his approach to fitness is informed by a broader artistic practice that centers embodiment, identity, and self-expression. He is the founder of Augmented Fit and CEO of Saturn Return Studios, where he continues to explore the intersection of wellness and creativity.

Originally drawn to writing at a young age, Matty developed his voice through creative storytelling, later expanding into film, photography, and performance. His work often blends disciplines—combining spoken word, visual media, and movement—to create immersive, narrative-driven experiences. After a period of personal and artistic growth, including time spent in California and Portland, he returned to his creative practice with a renewed focus on using art as a tool for reflection and transformation.

His artistic achievements include having his photography featured at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the release of his first book, In Blume. As both an artist and instructor, Matty is committed to creating spaces that encourage authenticity, exploration, and connection—inviting others to fully step into their own stories through movement and creative expression.