C2D Leadership Team

Meet the Leadership Team at Chance 2 Dance, dedicated to promoting inclusive arts opportunities and supporting individuals of all abilities through special needs dance programs.

About The Leadership Team

At Chance 2 Dance, our Directors; Leadership Team is committed to creating an inclusive, empowering environment where individuals of all abilities can thrive through the transformative power of dance. Led by passionate visionaries, our team works tirelessly to provide equal arts opportunities, promote accessibility, and ensure that every participant feels valued, respected, and supported. Meet the dedicated leaders who are driving our mission forward and shaping the future of our inclusive dance community.

Meet the Executive Leadership Team

Nicole Warren
Founder/Executive Director

Nicole Warren is an artist, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and advocate. Nicole founded Chance 2 Dance, Inc. in 2016 after being a personal care assistant to Kirk R. who has severe Cerebral Palsy. Her vision and hope for C2D is to help ‘fill the gaps’ in arts, inclusion, health, and wellness. In addition to her university education and college dance degrees, Nicole has certifications in: Nonprofit Management, Executive Leadership, & Volunteer Management from Rollins College, the Edyth Bush Institute as well as certifications in Inclusion & Special Needs, CPR/AED, and ASL, to name a few. Nicole has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including being named one of Orlando’s 40 Under 40 and receiving the DEI Award from the Orlando Business Journal. Most recently, she was honored by the NBA’s Orlando Magic as their 2023 -24 ‘Diversity Gamechanger,’ amongst other recognitions. Nicole is also owner to Odyssey Dance Company, a youth training dance company. In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her dogs: Phoebe and Cricket and gardening/ pruning flowers. Nicole spends her summers backpacking the Appalachian Trail (completing over 1,340 miles and 8 states out of 2,190 completed [to date] with her dog, Phoebe!). She also enjoys reading, traveling, and eating.

Jackie Castore
Director of Expansion & NY Programs

Jacquelyn Castore is a dedicated educator and professional dancer with a passion for making dance accessible to all. With a degree in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) received at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, Jacquelyn combines her expertise in special education with her love for the performing arts. She began her career as captain of the Florida Atlantic dance team, moving on to dancing professionally for the NBA team Orlando Magic, where she refined her skills and gained valuable experience in the dance industry. Jacquelyn has also worked with professional choreographers assisting and teaching at dance conventions such as Entyce and Tremaine Dance. Furthering her career with professional choreographers, Jacquelyn has been featured in music videos and commercials, working alongside several artists in the music and entertainment industry.

Jacquelyn joined Chance 2 Dance in February 2020 beginning as a lead instructor and eventually rising to the position of Director of Programs in Orlando, Florida. Most recently, she contributed to the expansion of bringing Chance 2 Dance community programming to New York City, bringing her vision of inclusion and accessibility to a broader audience. With her unique blend of education and the arts, Jacquelyn continues to impact the lives of countless individuals, fostering a community where everyone has the opportunity to dance.

Lauren Hoefer
Artistic Director

Lauren Hoefer is a passionate and accomplished dance professional. She has been dancing since the age of 3 and started assisting in classes at just 10 years old. From ages 8 to 18, she participated in community theater, further enriching her performing arts experience. For 4 incredible years at the University of Florida, she embarked on a journey that led to performing and showcasing her choreography across various states. After receiving her BFA in Dance, she joined Universal Orlando as a performer in shows and parades to create lasting memories for 6 years. Since 2016, she’s been sharing her love of dance and performing as a dedicated teacher at Chance 2 Dance. In that time, she has received her certification in ‘Inclusion & Special Needs,’ CPR/AED, and had the privilege of leading the Performance Team since 2018. Her commitment to excellence has been recognized with ‘Teacher of the Year’ twice, and her choreography has earned multiple accolades at competitions over the years.

Amy Lowell
Studio Manager/ Administration

After studying at the University of Central Florida, Amy Lowell spent over 20 years as an operational manager, specializing in consumer insight and CRM management, where she gained multiple certifications in related fields. She has been a part of many non-profit organizations as a member of the board of directors, as an officer, and as a volunteer, including work with Theater Winter Haven and Davenport School of the Arts. She has served on several advisory boards for Polk County Schools, winning several awards including volunteer of the year for her work in elementary schools with special needs students. As a mother of 2 children with ASD, she has a deep understanding of the importance of programs for those with disabilities, and enjoys using her talents to help provide those opportunities for the community.

Brittany Ortner
Director of Education & Analytics

Brittany began her training in Oviedo, Fl. She was a member of the 2010-2011 Florida State University dance team: Golden Girls. Ever a believer in the pursuit of higher education, she then earned an Associate in Arts degree in Dance Performance at Valencia College. She was a five-year company member of Orlando’s Yow Dance Company under the direction of Eric Yow and currently guests with the company. In the spring of 2017 Brittany attended and completed her certification for Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester in NYC. Through connections made in the program, Brittany was recruited by the Dance Division of CESD Talent Agency in NYC to become an agent. As a Talent Agent at CESD Brittany cultivated the Commercial Dance division as well as representing talent for Theatre, Print, TV/Film and Choreography in all mediums. Brittany is certified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and Inclusion and Special Needs and is currently a master teacher and choreographer. She also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Organizational Leadership and is in the process of getting her Master of Fine Arts in Choreography at Jacksonville University.

Victor Wisehart
Director of Outreach & FL Programs

Victor James Wisehart is a multi-talented American artist with extensive experience in theater and dance. He has worked with notable directors such as Bartlett Sher, Mary Zimmerman, and Susan Stroman. Some of his favorite projects include the world premiere of “The Jungle Book” and originating the role of Mr. Z in “An American in Paris” on Broadway.

His career also includes work in London, tours with productions like “West Side Story” and “South Pacific,” and voice work on various cast recordings. He has also made significant contributions as a director and choreographer, known for his unique style that combines musicality, athleticism, and an old-school flair. Victor holds a BFA in Dance Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee and an MA in Contemporary Drama from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art/ King’s College London.

Victor has taught masterclasses at several prestigious institutions and is committed to supporting and expanding the arts community in Florida, where he now resides.

Mission

To provide children, youth, and adults with special needs and varying disabilities equal arts opportunities through a Chance 2 Dance.

Vision

Our vision is an inclusive world where everyone has access to movement arts experiences and resources they need to reach their full potential.

Objective

To provide genuine, traditional, inclusive, and accommodating dance opportunities and experiences to underserved communities in a safe and sensory-friendly space, through a team of specialized and professional dance instructors.