Artistry Dance Convention 2024

Tommy Miller is an award-winning screenwriter, choreographer, and industry veteran whose latest project for BET is set to air on September 19th. With an extensive career that spans multiple facets of entertainment, Tommy has had the privilege of working with iconic artists like Mary J. Blige and OutKast, and his choreography has been featured in major productions such as The Kids Choice Awards, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Scandal, School of Rock, Awkward, All American, and Disney’s Shake It Up. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Tommy is represented by MSA, one of Los Angeles' top choreography agencies. His artistic journey began at home, growing up in the entertainment industry under the guidance of his father, Courtney Miller—renowned choreographer for legends like Michael Jackson, Usher, and Beyoncé. Tommy’s foundational training with dance legends Fatima Robinson, Hi-Hat, and Dave Scott has equipped him with the skills and vision that define his career.Beyond performance, Tommy has shared his expertise as an educator, teaching at prestigious institutions such as UCLA, the International Dance Academy (IDA), and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), inspiring the next generation of dancers and creators.

Emma was born and raised in Douglasville, GA where she grew up training competitively at Dance Academy West from the age of 3. She attended The University of Alabama where she gained her B.A. in Dance, training under notable professors and choreographers such as Lawrence Jackson, JaMorris Rivers, Aidan Nettles, and Sarah Barry. During her time at UA, she performed in Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre in the works of Rebecca Salzer, Natosha Washington, and JaMorris Rivers to name a few. She also discovered a love of choreography and leadership through her time with Dance Alabama! After graduation, Emma kicked off her professional career with Six Flags Over Georgia, performing in their annual "Dead Man's Party" at the Crystal Pistol Theatre. She has since completed five contracts with Six Flags and is currently starring in "The Transylvanian Orchestra" show during Fright Fest.In addition to her dance career, Emma has developed a love for personal fitness and has been a [solidcore] coach for six months. She is dedicated to fostering a passion for dance and performance in the next generation, inspiring them to dream big!

Makayla Wade from Panama City, FL began dancing at the age of two and has been performing ever since! Makayla danced competitively and was awarded regional and national awards.Following high school, Makayla received a dance scholarship at Troy University where she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance in 2021. After completing her freshman year, shewas awarded Troy University’s Theatre and Dance “Outstanding Freshman” Award. In the summer of 2018, she studied abroad in Pietrasanta, Italy where she trained and performed for two weeks with world-renowned faculty at The DAP Festival of Pietrasanta! In 2019, Makayla performed with Rosie Simas Dance Company in the piece “Weave” at the Alabama Dance Festival. She began to find a love for choreography and in the fall of 2019 she choreographed inTroy University’s Fall Dance Concert “The Fallen” and in 2021 “BLOOD”. Following graduation, she performed with Cedar Point Live Entertainment in “Pep Rally”, “150th Night ShowCelebration and Parade” and “The Shrieks” where she worked with Marilyn Magness, Josh Assor and Phillip Vitug. Following Cedar Point, Makayla shifted into cruise ships with VirginVoyages where she performed and danced captained many shows onboard including “Untitled Dance Party Show Thing”, “Ships in the Night” and inaugural cast of “Its a Ship Show”. She performed works created by Ani Taj, Sam Pinkleton, House of Yes, Jenny Gersten, 7Fingers and more! Between contracts, Makayla teaches master classes and choreographs across the south region. Her choreography has won many regional and national awards including “Best Choreography” in open and contemporary category. Makayla hopes to continue to inspire the next generation of dancers!

Veronica grew up in Woodstock, GA where she received her formal years of training & performing in all the classic styles of ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, pointe, modern, hip-hop, house, Latin & musical theater.She lived in Los Angeles, CA the past 5 years working in the entertainment industry - performing, teaching & choreographing for noteworthy music videos, commercials, TV shows & social media campaigns. Her work has enabled her to enliven over 500 events nationally & internationally; from festivals, music & film productions, weddings, mitzvahs, retreats, corporate events & celebrity parties.Her favorite collaborations include working alongside renowned brands, networks & artists such as Adam Sandler, Alicia Keys, Jeff Goldblum, Gipsy Kings, CeeLo Green, Anderson Paak, George Clinton, Amerie, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the teams of George Michael & Mary J. Blige, National Geographic, Disney+, Disney XD, Discovery Channel, Amazon, Kohl’s, Old Spice, Venmo, RideSpin & more. Her mission is to enhance every stage, classroom & human heart she encounters through exceptional entertainment, seasoned experience & passionate connection.Her love for passing on knowledge & connecting with students continues to deepen over the years. From the moment humans being to walk - to when they’re using walkers, she believes that even those with “2 left feet” still have within them the natural bend & right to boogie.”

Katie Patrick Clark, a graduate of Kennesaw State University as of May 2022, aspires to share her passion for dance among peers, students, and friends. She has been dancing for over seventeen years and has trained in many forms of dance. She performed thirteen years in “The Nutcracker” for the Dance Theatre of Dalton under the direction of Berrien Long. She has also performed in three dance concerts at KSU, including “Roked” choreographed by Thang Dao, and “Proximity Distorts”, choreographed by Andrea Knowlton. Her dance film and research “Double Helix” has also been published in the NCHC Journal for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. Katie has taught various styles of dance for 6 years, teaching for the Dance Theatre of Dalton and at CK DanceWorks. She is excited to dance with Sideways, it’s truly a dream come true!

Daira Wiederhold is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she began dancing at the young age of 2 ½. She is trained in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, acrobatics, contortion and hip hop. She has traveled to many cities with dance conventions such as Platinum and Titans of Dance where she was an assistant and received multiple dance title winnings and scholarships . She has trained with many well-known choreographers and teachers such as Cat Viger, Cherisse Wakeham, Carly Gallup, Jenn Parsley, Mary-Kate Campfield, and Marcus Shields. Daira has been awarded as both Miss Cobb County and Miss Paulding County’s Outstanding Talented Miss. Daira is currently teaching at Carrolton Academy of Dance with the Parker Dance Company along with Studio 4 The Arts. She is currently teaching ballet, pointe, jazz, hip hop, lyrical and stretch & technique. As much as Daira loves performing, she is passionate about teaching and pushing the next generation of dancers to build a strong technical foundation. Daira is thrilled to be continuing her dance journey by joining the SIDEWAYS Contemporary Dance Company.