Featured Artists
Nolan Williams, Jr., Co-Creator, Conductor & MC
Nolan Williams, Jr. is best described as a creative force. An award-winning producer, artistic director, composer/lyricist, and cultural curator, the multi-hyphenate Williams has dedicated his professional career to the curation of works that illuminate issues of civil rights, social justice, and cultural curiosities. Through his company, NEWorks Productions, Williams has produced a body of work that includes choral/orchestral works premiered by major American orchestras; music for television; songwriting credits on two Grammy-nominated projects; arts and educational festivals produced in partnership with The Kennedy Center and Philadelphia’s Mann Center; cultural programming developed with the Smithsonian, U.S. State Department, and the Embassies of India, France and South Africa; video/documentary projects; artist collaborations with Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Leslie Odom, Jr., Natalie Cole, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, Raul Esparza, Denyce Graves, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and, a slate of theatrical productions, including GRACE, his critically-acclaimed new musical which premiered in 2022 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Williams is also the Kennedy Center’s inaugural Social Practice Resident and a recipient of the Kennedy Center’s National Performing Arts Committee’s 2019 Arts Advocacy Award.
Carrie Crawford, Jazz Choreographer
Carrie Crawford started dancing at the age of 4. What started out as an effort to correct her extremely turned in legs without using braces ended up not only working, but becoming her lifelong passion. She grew up dancing in Greenville, SC and upon graduation moved immediately to Los Angeles where she was accepted into the Apprentice Program at The Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys. She trained very closely with some of the best in the industry: Joe Malone, Jackie Sleight, Jerry Evans, Terri Yates, Doug Caldwell, Michelle Elkin, and Mark Goodman just to name a few. Training so closely with choreographers of such different styles has given Carrie a great deal of versatility in her own choreography now. Known for her impeccable musicality, her style is a refreshing blend of very classic jazz and lyrical, but with a fresh, modern twist. Carrie always tries to stay current and exciting without ever abandoning her true love and respect for her roots. Carrie has been performing, teaching and choreographing professionally across the country for over 20 years. Now based in Orlando, FL and the mom of 2 incredible, young children, she continues to do so, while simultaneously running Crawford Jazz Project, a professional jazz dance company in the area.
Performance credits include: Lady Antebellum, Disney Channel, Beyonce, Ally McBeal, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, and numerous live concerts, awards shows and musicals.
Cartier Williams, Tap Dancer
Cartier Williams is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and performer who hails from Washington, D.C. He has danced and shared the stage with tap pioneers and masters Peg Leg Bates, The Nicholas Brothers and Gregory Hines.
Mr. Williams has performed for two U.S. Presidents and toured the U.S. and Japan in the Tony Award-winning Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk, co-starring with Savion Glover. Other performances include: The AFI Awards: A Tribute to Tom Hanks. (L.A.'s Kodak Theatre), Usher's birthday bash in New York City, The Opening of the Cannes Film Festival for Moulin Rouge., Super-DJ Chew FU at The Palms Hotel/Resort in Las Vegas, Spike Lee's Film Bamboozled., as well as performances for the FCC, The CIA, The State Department and Department of Justice.
Mr. Williams is the co-founder and co-artistic director of The European Tap Dance Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers low income children an opportunity to experience the arts through tap dance. He is also the co-owner of Foundations Milan-based school, Tap Temple, which officially started classes in 2014. Additionally, Mr. Williams is currently developing multiple musical productions and instructional videos.
Michelle Mailhot, Jazz Vocalist
Hailing originally from the Boston area, Michelle Mailhot has been singing jazz for over 25 years. She’s had the pleasure of sharing the stage with luminaries such as Mel Tormé, Max Roach, Sheila Jordan, Liza Minelli, Bobby McFerrin and Billy Taylor. She’s recorded several albums, been a session singer for radio, TV and film: most recently on several seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Michelle has been a guest artist with the Orlando Philharmonic, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra and is constantly in demand as a vocalist with many ensembles throughout Florida and beyond.
As an educator Michelle is a professor at both Rollins and Valencia Colleges, and is an active adjudicator and clinician around the country.
Casey Gulledge, Jazz Vocalist
Casey Gulledge is an entertainer with over 5 years of professional experience in the industry. Having worked at renowned theme parks in Orlando, including Walt Disney's Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney's Epcot, and SeaWorld, Casey has become a familiar face in the local entertainment scene. In fact, during his time in high school, Casey had the incredible opportunity to be part of the grand opening of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.Now, Casey finds himself in a surreal full circle moment this time as a featured singer at the very same venue that kickstarted his performing arts career. Casey would like to extend his gratitude to God, his wife Madisen and his parents Curtis and Shirica Gulledge for all their love and support.
Kathy Guryan, Jazz Dancer
Kathy Guryan began dancing at the young age of two in her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina! She began taking dance seriously around the age of 13 while diving deep into her training in Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater and Contemporary and her love of dance only grew from there. She graduated at the age of 17 from The Fine Arts Center in Greenville and immediately started to take steps towards becoming a professional dancer. In 2015, she began touring with DanceMakers Inc, where she got the opportunity to tour the country, assist incredible dance educators, and get her first real taste of the dance industry. At the end of the tour, she followed her dreams up to New York City, where she continued training as a part of the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester.
Adonus Mabry, Jazz Dancer
Adonus Mabry (Choreographer/Performer) Credits: Nosferatu and Lenox Ave (Renaissance Theatre Company); Ain't Misbehavin' (Athens Theatre); Goodbye, Liam (Casey Tregeagle - Fringe Festival); Dragons and Fairies & Down the Rabbit Hole (Creative City Project); and Spamalot, Hairspray, Ragtime , & Aida (Encore! Performing Arts). He's passionaite about the Orlando arts community and continues to grow alongside it. Adonus is also a principal dancer for Crawford Jazz Project (CJP), an Orlando-based professional jazz company directed by Carrie Crawford.
The 6th & Jazz Orchestra
Tamara Danielsson, alto sax 2
David Mackenzie, alto sax 1
Daniel Jordan, tenor sax 1
Rex Wertz, baritone / tenor sax 2
Scott Dickinson, trumpet 1
Brian Scanlon, trumpet 2
Paul Chung You, trumpet 3
Frank Wosar, trombone 1
Derrick Harris, trombone 2
Corey Paul, trombone 3
Per Danielsson, piano
Charlie Silva, bass
Gerald Law, set percussion
