The Winter Team
Nick Baga, a Gold School Alum is an American actor, dancer, artist and all around performer. Growing up in Boston watching Gene Kelly films, Nick always knew that he wanted to be in entertainment. It was his love and passion for movies and dance that brought him to Los Angeles and it’s this incredible passion, his pure talent, his east coast charm and infectious energy that has made him quite the name for himself. Nick’s talent and incomparable work ethic has garnered him credits in all realms of the entertainment industry including nationwide commercials, hit TV shows, blockbuster movies, top awards show’s and some of music’s highest rated tours.
Nick’s TV credits include Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Grease LIVE, Dancing with The Stars, American Idol, The Voice, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Glee, Leno, Ellen, Oprah, Conan, SNL and The Late Late Show with James Corden’s three Emmy winning episodes to name a few. Nick has also crossed over into acting starring in shows such as American Crime Story, The Mindy Project and Nickelodeon’s Gameshakers.
A major part of Nick’s career has been touring and working alongside top artists ranging from Justin Bieber to Stevie Wonder, Arianna Grande, Katy Perry, Ricky Martin, Fifth Harmony, Train, Kelly Clarkson, Muse, Jessica Simpson, Aloe Blacc, Boyz To Men and Jennifer Lopez. Some of Nick’s most memorable moments of his career have been working on major motion pictures such as LA LA Land, Babylon with Margot Robbie, Spirited with Ryan Reynolds, Ghostbusters, Hairspray and The Muppets Movie. Whether it's rapping for Taco Bell, dancing for Amazon Prime and Southwest, working out as a Hamster for Kia, opening the Golden Globes alongside Jimmy Fallon, Gliding across the silver screen in an Academy Award winning film or helping to revive “Grease” LIVE on your television you cannot say Nick Baga hasn't done it all.
Nick’s passion for acting and performing has only grown larger since his move to Los Angeles and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Nick’s positive outlook, energy and personality he brings into every job and performance has landed him several fans across the country and within the industry, many of whom have looked to Nick for inspiration of their own. Nick often travels to teach and speak with aspiring performers to spread his talent, love, positivity and words of wisdom. When Nick is not in the spotlight, you can find him somewhere outside whether it be in the mountains or surfing the waves. Nick loves adventure and is incredibly active, some of his hobbies include surfing, climbing, cycling and painting. Nick is very proud of how far he has come and plans to continue to perform, grow and spread his light as far and for as long as he can.
Credits Include:
Television
Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, iHeart Radio Music Awards, Golden Globes, Grammy’s, Emmy's, NBC The Voice, ABC Dancing with The Stars, American Idol, Much Music Awards, American Music Awards, X Factor, Cougar Town, Latin Billboard Awards, Hart of Dixie, The Muppets, NBC Superstore, Oprah, David Letterman, So You Think You Can Dance, Glee, Queen Latifah Show, Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, SNL, Baby Daddy, Ellen Degeneres Show, Conan, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, People’s Choice Awards, Duets, Teen Choice Awards, Late Late Show w/ James Corden, The View, 2 Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Kids Choice Awards, Sunrise, TV Land Awards, Greek, Castle, Disney’s Austin and Allie, General Hospital, Drop Dead Diva, The Secret Life of An American Teenager, Netflix's Disjointed, Code Black, Creative Arts Emmy's, Little Big Shots, VEEP, All That, Jane The Virgin, Britain’s Got Talent, Peoples Choice Awards, All Rise, Lucifer, Hummingbird
Film:
Babylon, Spirited, LA LA Land, Hairspray, The Muppets, Ghostbusters, Jack & Jill, Valley Girl
Acting:
American Crime Story, Shark, The Mindy Project, GameShakers, Legion, Strangers in a Strange Land
Commercials:
Old Navy, Lexus, Target, Samsung, K Swiss, Amazon Prime, Lincoln, Taco Bell (Rapper), Kia (HamStar), Southwest, Ford
TOUR/LIVE
Magic Mike LIVE Promo, Grease LIVE, Justin Bieber (Promo, Spot dates, My World Tour, TV appearances & Award shows) Glee LIVE Tour, Ricky Martin, 2006 Winter Olympics, JoJo, Paulina Rubio (Central, South and North American Tours) 2004 Presidential Inauguration
*Notable Artists:
Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Fallon, Jessica Simpson, Aloe Blacc, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, JoJo, Muse, Jack Black, Al Pacino, DJ Havana Brown, Ariana Grande, Aaron Carter, Jennifer Nettles, Vannessa Hudgens, Little Mix, Demi Lovato, Andy Grammer, Queen Latifah, Nicole Scherzinger, Zac Efron, Boyz ll Men, Derek Hough, Leon Else, Michelle Pfieffer, Darren Criss, John Travolta, Julianne Hough, Fifth Harmony, Train, Frenship, Stevie Wonder, Rita Ora, Kacey Musgraves
Naimah Fernandes began her journey in dance early in life, discovering her passion through a variety of experiences. Starting her dance education at eight years old in Boston, She explored various studios, each contributing to her growth as a dancer, until she found a home at the Gold School at 12 years old. There, she joined Project Moves Dance Company, which played a crucial role in nurturing her love for dance.
After graduating from the Gold School in 2024, Naimah continued her dance education at CLI Conservatory, a pre-professional program where she trained under industry professionals. This experience not only enhanced her skills but also helped her build valuable connections within the dance community.
The knowledge and training Naimah received from both the Gold School and CLI Conservatory have provided a strong foundation for her future in the dance industry. Her journey has been about more than just personal growth and performance, it has also been about sharing her passion with others; which she loves to do through teaching.
Coming Soon
Emily Crouch grew up in St. Louis and started her professional career in Los Angeles in 2014. A big believer in movement as an open and deeply personal path, Emily has tried to dip her toes in every facet of dance. She has worked with many artists such as JLO, Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Meghan Trainer and Dua Lipa as well as been on a world tour with Muse and US tour with DWTS.
She has also made her mark in Television/Film being a part of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Babylon, 1923, Winning Time, Masked Singer and Physical to name a few. She has been fortunate enough to be a lead in three Old Navy commercials, and a UFC promotion. While working in the commercial world, Emily has also made it a priority to be amongst artists that are truly making a mark in movement such as Entity Contemporary Dance, SoulEscape, On The Fringe at the Hollywood Roosevelt, and works presented by Daniel Ezralow and Debbie Allen.
Recently, Emily was the associate choreographer for Savor After Hours in Chicago, and continues to assist some of the greatest in the industry. Emily has done her 200 hour training in the Tantric Hatha Yoga lineage as well as 300 hours in "embodied presence." It brings her so much joy teaching and educating the next generation through it all.
Originally from Massachusetts, Tiffany began her dance training at The Gold School Dance Art as a member of Project Moves Dance Company. She holds a BFA in Dance from Alvin Ailey/ Fordham University. While studying at Ailey, Tiffany performed in the re-staging of Martha Graham’s Steps in the Street, José Limón’s A Choreographic Offering, and Paul Taylor’s Runes, as well as in contemporary works by Brice Mousset, Ethan Colangelo, and Mark Caserta. Tiffany is currently a member of Graham 2, Martha Graham’s second company. She has had the opportunity to perform roles in Graham’s Cave of the Heart, Maple Leaf Rag, Appalachian Spring, El Penitente, and Night Journey, amongst others. She recently performed in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside Graham 2 and Rachel Platten. She also had the opportunity to perform in the Christian Dior Carousel of Dreams event hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue with fellow members of the Martha Graham School, Graham 2, and Martha Graham Dance Company. Tiffany has also performed with Abarukas Dance, a New York-based contemporary company led by Yoshito Sakuraba.
Larry Sousa is a nationally acclaimed Director and Choreographer of musicals at professional theatres from coast to coast, and he has enjoyed an extensive career as an actor, singer, and dancer in film, television, and numerous musicals on Broadway.
Larry’s work has appeared at The New York Fringe Festival, Goodspeed Musicals, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, The Joyce Theatre, North Coast Rep, Toronto’s Creativiva, Wyoming Theatre Festival, and Utah Musical Theatre. In Los Angeles: The Garry Marshall Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, The Canon, Matrix Theatre, and Musical Theatre West, to name a few.
Larry is a fixture of the Boston professional theatre community, with productions at Speakeasy Stage, Lyric Stage, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Wheelock Family Theatre, Umbrella Stage, Gloucester Stage, Reagle Music Theatre, Boston Children’s Theatre, and more.
Larry is serving his 8th year as Resident Director and Choreographer of Harvard University’s legendary HASTY PUDDING SHOW. He is a longtime professor of musical theatre at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and a frequent guest artist at numerous college theatre programs including Emerson, the University of Southern California, and Boston University. He recently concluded a year-long residency as the prestigious J. Donald Monan Guest Professor in Theatre Arts at Boston College.
Larry is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, the L.A. Ovation Award, multiple IRNE Awards, and his productions are frequently honored with Elliot Norton Award nominations and wins. He holds a BFA in theatre from Ithaca College, and pursued a unique interdisciplinary MFA in theatre at the University of California at Irvine.
Larry is a proud alumnus of The Gold School, and has regularly returned home to work with our students for decades. Learn more about him at www.larrysousa.com
Sandi Duncan is a dance educator, choreographer, mentor and personal development coach with a career spanning over 40 years in the New England area. She owned, directed and taught at Dance Productions in Woburn, Massachusetts for 9 years, before becoming a senior faculty member at the Melissa Hoffman Dance Center in Hudson, New Hampshire. Throughout her career, Sandi has had the opportunity to teach, choreograph, and adjudicate for numerous dance organizations across the United States and Canada. Her choreography credits include notable projects such as The Revolve Tour for Grammy-nominated recording artist Britt Nicole, Subtle Intuition Dance Ensemble, The Brightleaf Music Workshop at Duke University, and The Next Stage Music Workshop of Durham, North Carolina. Sandi has taught on the dance convention and summer intensive circuit. She has been a faculty member at Dance Masters of America, Generation IV, Inception, Rhee Gold’s Dance Life and SOUL conferences, as well as many respected studios in the US. In addition to her contributions to the dance community, Sandi’s passion for writing has grown during her time as a monthly columnist for Dance Studio Life Magazine. This passion has led her to embark on an exciting, creative project, the children’s book series, “Little Gladys Tutu” and “Mimi D”.
Sandi has always been dedicated to personal development coaching, mentoring, and encouraging dancers, teachers, studio owners, and dance parents. Drawing from her vast experiences, stories, and tools, she is committed to sharing her knowledge and insights with others as they navigate their own personal dance journeys.
Kaia Masenior grew up dancing at the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, Massachusetts under the guidance of Alison Forance, Lisa Heath, and Lisa Anthony. At HSPA, she was provided with exposure to a broad range of styles and invited to explore choreography. Upon graduation, Kaia entered into the CLI Conservatory, where she further strengthened her skills as a versatile dancer and choreographer. Over the last few years, Kaia has had the opportunity to assist choreographers such as Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Riley Watts, Dana Wilson, Blake McGrath, Rhapsody James, Chaz Buzan and many other inspiring artists. This summer Kaia was recognized as Young Choreographer of the Year at American Dance Awards for 2025. Most recently, she had the privilege of teaching contemporary fusion at the CLI Summer Intensive. As she continues on this journey, she looks forward to connecting with those who value this beautiful form of expression! Kaia Masenior grew up dancing at the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, Massachusetts under the guidance of Alison Forance, Lisa Heath, and Lisa Anthony. At HSPA, she was provided with exposure to a broad range of styles and invited to explore choreography. Upon graduation, Kaia entered into the CLI Conservatory, where she further strengthened her skills as a versatile dancer and choreographer. Over the last few years, Kaia has had the opportunity to assist choreographers such as Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Riley Watts, Dana Wilson, Blake McGrath, Rhapsody James, Chaz Buzan and many other inspiring artists. This summer Kaia was recognized as Young Choreographer of the Year at American Dance Awards for 2025. Most recently, she had the privilege of teaching contemporary fusion at the CLI Summer Intensive. As she continues on this journey, she looks forward to connecting with those who value this beautiful form of expression!
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.