6th & Jazz

Nolan Williams, Jr. is best described as a creative force. An award-winning producer, artistic director, composer/lyricist and cultural curator, the multi-hyphenate 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 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.

Brazilian tap dancer and choreographer Leonardo Sandoval is renowned for blending America’s great tap tradition with Brazil’s rich rhythmic and musical heritage. He is the co-Artistic Director of Music From The Sole, a tap dance and live music company he founded with composer Gregory Richardson, and he has been a core member of Dorrance Dance since 2014. He has appeared at venues around the world, including Lincoln Center, the Joyce Theater, Guggenheim Museum, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Kennedy Center, Sadler's Wells, the Bolshoï and Hong Kong Arts Festival, and in 2012 was featured on Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's "Q'Viva - The Chosen". A true dancer-musician, Leonardo was one of Dance Magazine’s “25 To Watch” for 2021, as well as the recipient of a 2022 Vilcek Foundation Prize for Creative Promise and a 2022 NYSCA/ NYFA Artist Fellow in Choreography.  

Carrie Crawford started dancing at the age of 4. What began as an effort to correct her extremely turned-in legs ended up not only working, but becoming a lifelong passion. She grew up dancing in Greenville, South Carolina and upon graduation moved to Los Angeles where she was accepted into the Apprentice Program at The Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys. She trained with some of the best in the industry: Joe Malone, Jackie Sleight, Jerry Evans, Terri Yates, Doug Caldwell and many more, and has been performing, teaching and choreographing professionally for over 20 years. Now based in Orlando, the mom of two currently runs Crawford Jazz Project, a professional jazz dance company in the area. Performance credits include: Lady Antebellum, Disney Channel, Beyonce, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, and numerous live concerts, awards shows and musicals. 

Casey Gulledge is an entertainer with over 5 years of 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 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 the love and support. 

Hailing originally from the Boston area, Michelle 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, and 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. 

Adonus Mabry is so excited to be participating in 6th & Jazz! Performance credits include Nosferatu and Lenox Ave (Renaissance Theatre Company); Ain't Misbehavin' (Athens Theatre); Goodbye, Liam (Casey Tregeagle - Fringe Festival); Dragons & Fairies and Down the Rabbit Hole (Creative City Project); and Spamalot, Hairspray, Ragtime and Aida (Encore! Performing Arts). He's passionate 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.  

Kathy Guryan began dancing at the age of two in her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. She graduated at 17 from The Fine Arts Center in Greenville and in 2015, began touring with DanceMakers Inc, where she had the opportunity to tour the country, assist incredible dance educators and get her first real taste of the industry. She then followed her dreams to New York City, where she continued training as a part of the Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester. Moving to Orlando in 2017, she was able to pursue a lifelong dream of working for the Walt Disney Company in shows across property like Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular and Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. She is currently an Equity Principal Dancer at Disney’s Festival of the Lion King and Dance Captain of Crawford Jazz Project.