Acrobatic Arts
Mandy Yip
Dance Educator, Founder Acrobatic Arts Inc
As the founder and CEO of Acrobatic Arts Inc, Mandy manages the staff and delivery of all training programs, and the Acrobatic Arts syllabus in over 4500 dance studios in USA, Canada, UK, Australia and over 25 other countries. She heads the Acrobatic Arts examination program, and trains and certifies adjudicators to administer exams in studios around the world. Over 350,000 dancers participate in Acrobatic Arts classes on a weekly basis! Â
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Mandy created the Acrobatic Arts training and certification program, and the Acrobatic Arts curriculum, seeking advice and recommendations from industry experts in physiotherapy, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, biomechanics, pilates, inversion, anatomy of movement, ballet, contortion, circus arts, and more to create the most comprehensive, researched program possible. Mandy also created the Acrobatic Arts App, My Acro App, the Acro Adjudicator App, and the AcroDance Preschool App.
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A lifelong learner, Mandy has attended and achieved certification in countless courses, including contortion, hand balancing, inclusive learning, tap, jazz, gymnastics, and safe coaching, to name a few. Mandy currently sits on the advisory board for YPAD, and assists with the mission of keeping kids safe in dance through this organization. Mandy has taught thousands of dance teachers, and provided expert classes at Dance Teacher Summit (NYC), Dance Teacher Web Live (Las Vegas), Dance Teacher Summit (LA), Toronto Dance Teacher Expo, Calgary Dance Teacher Expo, Move It Dance Convention (London), Can You Dance Super Convention (Liverpool), Victorian Dance Festival (Melbourne), and CLI Studios (LA). Highly sought for clinics and workshops across North America, Europe and Australia, Mandy is known for bringing passion, technique and in-depth practical knowledge to engaging classes.
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Derek Piquette Bio:
Derek Piquette
Dancer, Instructor, Choreographer, Director
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Dancer, Director, Choreographer and Teacher Derek Piquette began dancing at the young age of 10 in his hometown of Chicopee, MA. From there his dance career accelerated quickly. By the age of 16, he received full scholarships for several ballet intensives and won several National Titles. Derek then moved to Miami to follow his dreams of becoming a professional dancer, training over 50 hours a week and taught at Stars Dance Company. As a performer, he was a principal dancer in the Bridge To Artists productions of Carmen and The Maid. He has also performed in the Paul Mitchell Fashion Show, Revlon Hair Show and MOVE the World Charity Event. One of the most exciting experiences in his young career took place in 2015, when he competed on Season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance, finishing among the top 4 stage dancers and performing for over 37 million viewers. He followed up his appearance on the show with the So You Think You Can Dance Live Tour, performing in 70 cities across North America. In early 2017, Derek launched his newest project, Intrepid Dance Company, which had its first performance entitled “HER” that he directed and choreographed. Currently Derek is the lead role in Cirque Du Soleil’s KOOZA as the “Trickster” traveling under Big Top in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Singapore and China. One of Derek’s most recent endeavours included competing as a finalist in 2019 on NBC’s World Of Dance Season 3.
 As a teacher and choreographer, Derek has worked for various dance organizations including On the Floor, Hit the Floor, CLI Studios, Mather Dance Company Online, Acrobatic Arts, Step Up 2 Dance, Twilight Dance Convention and Top Ten Dance Challenge where he has judged, taught, and assisted top choreographers in the industry. His career has taken him to destinations throughout the United States, Canada, London, Central America, Australia, China and Singapore where he has taught at over 200 competitive and professional dance studios. Since 2014, Derek choreographed more than 350 award winning pieces, including pieces for stars on Dance Moms, Disney Channel’s Backstage and So You Think You Can Dance. Derek currently teaches and assists for On the Floor: The Ultimate Dance Experience, working with young dancers all over North America. He has also choreographed pieces and been a principal dancer in On the Floor’s Gala for SickKids Hospital in Toronto for 4 years and has helped raise over $250,000 for the ChildLife Program.Â
With his inspirational drive and love of dance, Derek has achieved many professional and artistic goals and helped other dancers do the same.  Derek is especially focused on working with young dancers around the world, hoping to instil in them his enthusiasm for dance and inspire them to become the best they can be. A natural teacher, Derek has an exceptional way of connecting with his students, whether it be in class, through choreography or through performing. He makes a lasting impression, leaving his students touched, encouraged, and educated.