CLI Summer Sessions

From Greenville, South Carolina, Jakevis Thomason started his dance career at Dianne’s School of Dance. He graduated from the University of Southern California’s Kaufman School of Dance in 2020 and trained with world-renowned faculty in concert and commercial dance styles. Jakevis has made a name for himself in the dance industry, performing with artists like Lil Nas X, FKA twigs, The Weeknd, and Kali Uchis. He not only performs on big stages, but he also choreographs for staged works and concept films with Beyoncé and Brandy. Jakevis is now living in LA pursuing his career as a professional dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

Career Highlights
- Lil Nas X, FKA twigs, The Weeknd, Kali Uchis, Beyoncé, Rita Ora, and Brandy
- Demi Lovato on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
- Doechii’s festival shows and “Anxiety” music video
- Co-choreographed and danced in Coachella with thủy
- Tate McRae’s VMA performance

Rachael Markarian is a professional dancer, actress, educator, and author from Massachusetts. She began her professional dance career in LA when she was 20 years old. Throughout her career, she has danced with some of the world’s top artists, including Rihanna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Panic at the Disco, and Cher! She’s also danced on The Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, MTV Music & Movie Awards, X-Factor, 2 Super Bowl Halftime Shows with both Beyonce and Katy Perry, and 3 world tours with Katy Perry, Chayanne, and Rihanna, where she also served as Dance Captain.

Not only does Rachael have a passion for dance, but she also has the great fortune of pursuing an acting career. She’s been featured in over 100 films, television series, and commercials, including: Glee, Top Gun: Maverick, Sweet Magnolias, The Walking Dead, Captain America: Brave New World, The Morning Show, Criminal Minds, Descendants, Microsoft, and Aflac!

Now, Rachael is a faculty member at NRG Dance Project, traveling across the U.S. and Canada as a master teacher and choreographer. Her passion for empowering young artists motivated her to write her book, “The Dancer’s Edge: A Guide and Workbook to Mastering Mindset, Artistry, and Opportunity on and off the Dance Floor,” giving dancers the resources they need to understand the industry and themselves.

Career Highlights
- Rihanna, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Panic at the Disco, and Cher
- The Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, MTV Music & Movie Awards, X-Factor, and Super Bowl halftime shows
- Glee, Top Gun: Maverick, Sweet Magnolias, The Walking Dead, Captain America: Brave New World, The Morning Show, Criminal Minds, Descendants, Microsoft, and Aflac

Kaia Masenior began her training at the Hackworth School of Performing Arts in Easthampton, Massachusetts. 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, Tina Landon, Chaz Buzan and many other inspiring artists. In the summer of 2025, Kaia was recognized as Young Choreographer of the Year at American Dance Awards. As she continues on this journey, she looks forward to connecting with those who value this beautiful form of expression!

Career Highlights
- Revel Dance Conventional professional faculty assistant
- Signed with MSA Agency after training with world-renowned faculty at the CLI Conservatory, assisting choreographers like Teddy Forance, Martha Nichols, Riley Watts, Dana Wilson, Blake McGrath, Rhapsody James, Tina Landon, and Chaz Buzan.
- Assistant choreographer for the 2026 Texas Tech D1A Jazz piece that won 4th place
- Winner of American Dance Awards’ Young Choreographer of the Year (2025)

Lex Ishimoto, hailing from California, was rigorously trained in various dance styles and was part of different communities such as crews, studios, conventions, circles, and freelance projects. He debuted in his first professional dance job as “Billy” in the 1st and 2nd national tours of “Billy Elliot the Musical” in 2011. Lex continued his training at the Boston Ballet School as a trainee in 2015 and was promoted to Boston Ballet II the following year. After joining Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound company for the tour of “After The Curtain” in 2017, Ishimoto was crowned America’s Favorite Dancer on Season 14 of So You Think You Can Dance and appeared as an All-Star in the following seasons.

In 2019, Ishimoto joined the MUSE Simulation Theory World Tour, set work for the Boston Ballet, and worked with William Forsythe on “The Barre Project” the following year. In his commercial work, Lex has appeared in music videos for artists such as Sia, Judith Hill, and Bebe Rexha, and has also worked for Disney+, Apple TV, and the Oscars. His recent projects include a campaign shoot for Louis Vuitton, and his European and California debuts for “Time Spell” by Tiler Peck, Michelle Dorrance, and Jillian Meyers. He has also been involved in “Friends of Forsythe” by William Forsythe and is a traveling faculty member and teacher for JUMP Dance Convention and CLI Conservatory.

Career Highlights
- Winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 14
- Sia, Judith Hill, Bebe Rexha, Disney+, Apple TV, the Oscars, and Louis Vuitton
- Debuted as “Billy” in the 1st and 2nd national tours of “Billy Elliot the Musical”
- Boston Ballet

NYC-based dancer and choreographer, Lucy Vallely began her dance training at two years old in the styles of ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary. At the age of eleven, Lucy started dancing professionally for Dancing With The Stars, The Ellen Show, Mattel, ACM Awards, Teen Choice Awards and music videos for Tate McRae, HAAi, and Julia Stone! She has a passion for sharing her voice as a creator throughout choreography and teaching at studios around the world. Today, Lucy travels to various studios and workshops including Revolt Dance Convention, CLI Studios and Conservatory, Broadway Dance Center, and Stacey Tookey’s Camp Protégé and The Bridge.

Career Highlights
- Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” music video
- Dancing With The Stars, The Ellen Show & Teen Choice Awards
- Music videos for Tate McRae, The Happy Fits, HAAi & Julia Stone

Career Highlights
- Revel Dance Convention Professional Assistant
- Signed with Bloc LA

Miami native Andrew Mulet obtained his BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University and continues to share his love for movement within the dance industry. His credits include: Chappell Roan, Shakira, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hugh Jackman, Dove Cameron, Mean Girls (2024), The MET Gala and more! His diverse background and versatile training brought him to the finals at the Young Choreographer’s Festival, as well as the YoungArts Foundation, and the Capezio A.C.E. Awards. Andrew looks forward to sharing the space with other creative minds and spreading his passion for dance.

Career Highlights
- Chappell Roan, Shakira, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hugh Jackman, - -- Dove Cameron, Mean Girls (2024) & The MET Gala
- Dick Clark’s New Year's Rockin’ Eve performances for Jess Glynne & Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- Cher’s performance on Saturday Night Live

As a Los Angeles native, Ray Basa loves to inspire positivity, self-love, and happiness through dance. He has had opportunities to teach at workshops all over the world including Spain, Japan, Mexico, and India. His choreography has reached music videos with Icona Pop and DJ SKT to live performances and music festivals. He prioritizes making artists and dancers feel comfortable in their movement and has worked with world-renowned choreographers like Toogie Barcelo, Anthony Lee (Kinjaz), Shaun Evaristo, Scotty Nguyen, and Monika Felice Smith!

Ray Basa is still dancing through life with an infectious smile on his face and gives back to the local community in his free time. He has led youth outreach programs and worked as an assistant artistic director for Culture Shock Los Angeles.

His other credits include: Finneas, Tove Lo Sunshine Kitty Tour, Disney+ Hip-Hop Nutcracker, Nickelodeon’s Victorious, Coca Cola, and Disney’s Shake It Up!

Career Highlights
- Finneas, Tove Lo Sunshine Kitty Tour & Coca-Cola
- Nickelodeon’s Victorious
- Disney’s Shake It Up & Hip-Hop Nutcracker

Career Highlights
- Revel Dance Convention Professional Assistant
- Signed with Bloc LA

Chaz Buzan is a Los Angeles–based dancer, choreographer, educator, and performance artist. Originally from Arizona, he began his professional journey at age 15 under the mentorship of Mia Michaels, assisting her on projects nationwide and developing a strong foundation in artistry and storytelling.

His performance credits include Cirque du Soleil’s Believe (choreographed by Wade Robson), Dancing with the Stars, the MTV Video Music Awards, and collaborations with Florence + the Machine, P!nk, Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, and Madonna. Chaz’s work with Madonna began at the XLV Super Bowl Halftime Show and continued through music videos, award shows, and the MDNA World Tour.

Career Highlights
- Cirque du Soleil
- Florence + The Machine VMA performance
- Britney Spears’ “Hold It Against Me” music video
- Demi Lovato on Dancing With The Stars
- Oscars 2025
- Madonna’s “The Celebration Tour” & Super Bowl halftime show

Aika Doone is a dancer, choreographer, and educator based in Los Angeles with a BFA in dance performance from Chapman University.

After earning her degree, Aika built a diverse portfolio of performance experience as both a company dancer and freelance contemporary artist. She has danced with companies such as NW Dance Project, Open Space Dance, Backhausdance, and the IAF Company, working with choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden, Tyce Diorio, Ihsan Rustem, Zak Ryan Schlegel, Luca Veggetti, and Sarah Slipper. Her recent notable projects include a featured role in the “Frog Dog Project” at the Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo, and a solo performance for “Un Ballet De Terraza” in Monterrey, Mexico.

Along with her freelance pursuits, Aika fosters a deep love for teaching. She was the lead instructor and education coordinator for the IAF Mentorship Program in Los Angeles and now travels globally to teach and mentor young artists in a variety of spaces. Her recent teaching highlights include a master class series at CLI Conservatory and a contemporary jazz intensive for World of Dance Japan.

Aika cultivates a highly supportive and motivated environment for dancers to explore and excel in their craft. She continues to use her ongoing research to inspire passion and creativity in every room and on every stage.

Career Highlights
- NW Dance Project, Open Space Dance, Backhausdance, and the IAF Company
- Featured role in the “Frog Dog Project” at the Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo
- Solo performance for “Un Ballet De Terraza” in Monterrey, Mexico

A creative soul from birth, Oliver has always loved to imagine and create. At the age of six, Oliver found dance. It quickly became the outlet he needed to express himself and bring his imagination to life. He loved to perform and compete, and he grew up dancing with his older brother and younger sister. Through the years, he won several national titles and began to develop and hone his own unique style with an emphasis on contemporary-fusion, contemporary, hip hop, and tap dance.

While still in high school, Oliver began teaching dance at his home studio. Upon graduation, Oliver was accepted into and attended the elite CLI Conservatory in Southampton, Massachusetts — under the direction of Teddy Forance. During his time at CLI, Oliver discovered his passion for choreography, where he had the opportunity to choreograph several pieces throughout his time at the Conservatory.

Oliver currently travels the country with Revel Dance Convention, where he assists, teaches, and runs rehearsals. He has worked with choreographers such as Teddy Forance, Chase Haley Bowden, Aaron Parkhurst, Ryan Vettel, and Gigi Torres. He also travels to teach and choreograph at many other studios across the country.

Oliver’s unique style has an incredible focus on musicality, intricate movement, and dynamics. He believes dance is the purest form of self-expression, and that the beauty of dance comes from the individuality and uniqueness of each dancer.

Career Highlights
- Worked with choreographers such as Teddy Forance, Chase Haley Bowden, Aaron Parkhurst, Ryan Vettel, and Gigi Torres
- Professional Assistant/RevKids Faculty for Revel Dance Convention
- Epic Dance Inc Faculty
- Signed with Fresh Talent Group