---

2025 Faculty Names/Bios: Update coming!

 

Previous SDI Guest Artists

Kourtney French

Kourtney "Koko" French is a dancer, choreographer and creative director of Ink Movement. Graduating from Nashville School of the Arts she's studied under Stacie Flood- Popp , Travis Cooper, Andre Fuentes and Erica Sobol. She's been a choreographer for 10 years and has put on two of her own dance productions and has choreographed for Gospel artist Cece Winans and Kirk Franklin. Her mission is to help every generation embrace their purpose and really believe that God knew what he was doing when he gave them the gift of dance and or choreography. She stands on her favorite scripture Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your”.

Shyama Iyer

Shyama Iyer is a scholar-artist who explores the intersection between Indian classical and American musical theatre performance practices. Iyer began her journey in Bharatha Natyam (South Indian classical dance) at the age of three, under her mother, Guru Akila Iyer. She did her first solo Bharatha Natyam concert at the age of 13 under Guru Dr. Vasundara Doraswamy of Mysore, India. She has given performances in venues throughout the United States and India, most recently at the Nirantaram Festival in Bangalore, India. Iyer teaches and co-directs the Guru Vandana Arts Academy, an Indian classical dance and music school in Kentucky, and conducts the Geeva Arts Festival (A festival of the Indian classical arts) every summer. In 2019, Iyer became an Indian Raga Fellow and has been featured in Bharata Natyam videos that have garnered over 500K views on Youtube. A few of her Director-Choreographer credits include Raasa Dhirana (2021), The Ramayana (2020), Shringara: An Indian classical music theatre retelling of love (2019), The Vaigai Express (2019), and The First Breath (2018). Iyer earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance from Western Kentucky University. She will complete her Masters of Arts at the Ohio State University in May of 2022. https://www.shyamaiyer.com 

Malik Leonard

With over 15 years of experience in the dance industry, Malik Leonard is a seasoned professional dancer and instructor known for dynamic choreography and engaging teaching style. Having graced the stage of the Super Bowl alongside "The Weeknd", Malik brings a wealth of performance experience to his/her craft. As an assistant choreographer for Coco Jones during her reign as Disney's "next best thing," Malik has honed his skills in shaping the talents of emerging artists. Based in Nashville, Malik has established himself as a sought-after choreographer, having crafted captivating routines for numerous local artists. His passion for dance extends beyond the stage as he shares his expertise and knowledge with students of all ages and levels. Combining a profound understanding of movement with a dedication to mentorship, Malik Leonard continues to inspire and empower aspiring dancers to reach their full potential. Whether on stage, in the studio, or behind the scenes, Malik remains a driving force in the Nashville dance community.

Kylene Stephens

Kylene Stephens is a Part-time Instructor of Dance at Western Kentucky University, where she teaches varying levels of Jazz and Tap, as well as Dance Appreciation, Choreography, and Dance Company.  She has been an Adjunct Instructor of Dance at Western Kentucky University since the Fall of 2015, and has worked closely with both the Dance and Musical Theatre Majors and Minors while choreographing for the WKU Dance Company and Musical Mainstages.  A WKU Alumna, Kylene received her BA in Dance and BS in Biology as a Hilltopper in 2013, and has recently completed her MFA in Dance through Hollins University in Roanoke, VA.