N O V A
Tami Knapp-Smith
NOVA President
Tami Smith started her career as a child model dancer and actor. Her career as a runway model, commercial actress, print model, agent, A & R and personal stylist for many TV shows and industry professionals has spanned over 40 years. She was one of the first model dancers to work in music videos in the early years of MTV. All of this experience has allowed Ms. Smith to acquire essential skills, A-list industry relationships and an intimate knowledge of this insider's industry. Ms. Smith has become a valued leader in the support and education movement of the talent industry. Ms. Smiths has held the titles of VP of the world’s largest Modeling Agency, National Director of the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam for the WCOPA, Mayors Art Commissioner as well as today is President and CEO of Nova Companies Worldwide. Today Ms. Smith works behind the scenes as an A&R in the Music Industry along with being a respected entertainment industry consultant and artist development expert. Her clients and talent can be seen and heard on every major TV network and radio station. Her passion for helping others live their dream can be seen through her achievements & awards in over 50 countries. Ms Smith is known for having an eye for talent and a heart to help.
David Winans II
Grammy Award Winning Performer / President of David Winans Productions
David Winans II is a giant member of our team! From being an excellent vocal trainer, to giving classes and trainings to many of our clients, Mr. Winans is a highly valued member of NOVA. His resume is very extensive, and includes working with many of the biggest names in Hollywood including CeCe and BeBe Winans, Raven Symone, Sinbad, Silk, Crystal Gale, Angela Bassett, and many more. David is also a winner of many awards for music and performances.
Michael Schwandt
Creative Director / Stage Director / Conceptualization / Choreographer to the Stars
Michael Schwandt is an amazing choreographer Creative director who has worked with many stars in the industry including Lady Gaga, Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland, John Legend, So You Think You Can Dance, just to name a few. He has been asked to help create amazing performances in countless countries. His specialties are dance, and imagining full-stage performances - taking into account every piece of the show and blending it into a breathtaking show. Along with his work in the entertainment industry, he also teaches workshops in cities across the USA. Michael is a highly valued member of NOVA.
Marc M. Doc Williams
A-List Music and Film Producer
Marc "M.Doc" Williams founded Indasoul Entertainment in the cold windy city of Chicago. Indasoul started as a small production company in the basement pf his home. Now, based in Los Angeles California, Indasoul is a highly sought after production company producing hits for several major artists and record labels. Indasoul consists of several of the industry's top producers. Each producer on staff has major record label credits. These talented and creative individuals work relentlessly to establish the best sound for their artists. Their list includes major companies such as RCA Records, Universal Records, Sony Records, Interscope Records, Sony Pictures and Telepictures. Along with these relationships Indasoul has a distribution partnership with Headstart/ Universal for the release of new artists. Over the years, Williams and his company has written, produced and remixed hits for artists such as Kelly Rowland (Destiny Child), Madonna, K-Ci and JoJo, Chris Brown, Jordan Sparks, Cece Peniston, Janet Jackson, R. Kelly, Mint Condition, Twista and many more.
Erin Lamont
Choreographer / Creative Director / Talent Scout
Erin Lamont is originally from Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 8, she took her first tap class and was hooked. It is basically that age old story, know what you love to do from early on, and spend the rest of your life doing it.
Dancing her way through high school was an easy decision, training in every genre that was offered at her local dance studio. Next came college with a B.A in Dance, and a B.B.A in Marketing from Western Michigan University.
It was in college that Erin found a love for choreography and leading a class room full of dancers. At 21 while still in school, Erin single handedly produced, choreographed, directed and managed her first independent dance show production: Getting There, which sold out every show! After graduating from WMU, Erin landed a gig on Holland America Line as a dancer and was a featured pas de deux in a show after only a few months on the job.
Upon moving to L.A – Erin came in with eyes on the prize. Knowing she wanted to make an indelible mark on the dance world as a choreographer and instructor, she hit the pavement. Auditions, hustling, networking, and doing an embarrassingly amount of “for credit” jobs lent her to the big name jobs that are on her resume today.
Janelle Dote
Dance Choreographer / Talent Scout
Janelle Dote is considered one of Hollywood’s most talented triple threats. Some of her credits include, but are certainly not limited to, Memoirs of a Geisha, Everybody Hates Chris, The Young and the Restless, The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll, Nike Asia, Miss Saigon, Sunset Blvd, and Paint Your Wagon.
You can also find Janelle in countless print ads, TV commercials, music videos, and fitness videos as well as performs in theatrical, and live stage shows. Janelle performs worldwide and most recently returned from London, where she danced a solo at the Royal Albert Hall. She is currently the lead singer of an all female Japanese pop group called The Bambis. The Bambis are signed with the renowned music producer Hiro Hideyoshi and are working on their first album for release. She is a core member of LA's FUSION entertainment and is one of the most sought after dancers and choreographers worldwide.
Jodi Labossiere
Talent Scout / Modeling Coach
Jodi LaBossiere has been a professional model for more than 20 years. During that time Jodi has worked for many companies, appeared in countless magazines, posters, calendars, videos, and Dvd's including the cover of Swimwear Illustrated. Now living in L.A. Jodi continues to model, and is also working with several production companies.
Brianna Lee
Talent Scout/Education Coordinator for Nova
Ms. Lee was scouted by Ms. Smith and Mr. David Winans at the Launch Showcase in 2018. After signing with Ms. Smith, she was signed with a record Label in LA... She went on to work with award winning Producers and writers from LA to Detroit and Atlanta. You can see her in the music video “Bring da Heat” (Ju-Lyon) where she plays the artists love interest. She is scheduled to release this summer under “I Swim with Sharks Inc” and has a distribution agreement as a recording artist and writer. She was offered the opportunity to give back to other artists working with Nova and she jumped at the opportunity to help others.
Mr. Ed
Talent Scout / Artist Development Coach
Yes, they call me Mr. Ed and I LOVE TO TEACH! I enjoy and have enjoyed performing and teaching for over 25 years, but my passion is teaching, nurturing and sharing with others the wonders and benefits of music. My goal is to encourage, empower and equip singers and pianist with the tools, knowledge and experience each one needs to play or sing or play & sing, with confidence and joy, regardless of age or skill level and regardless of the stage on which you choose to perform. Initially trained classically in thebel canto style under Dr. Harvey Marshall of Carmel, CA. Mr. Ed is accomplished in various styles and genres of music including opera, gospel and contemporary Christian, country, musical theater, R&B, adult contemporary, standards and pop. His experience includes: classical and contemporary recitals; studio recording – background vocals and movie soundtrack; vocal department tutor at Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey, CA; performing on live Christian television; performing in clubs and venues such as the famous Cinegrill at The Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA.; musical director/arranger for and performer with “Good Company”; major roles in musicals such as "Paint Your Wagon, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “Showboat”; producing, co-producing and arranging music for other artists; being a talent scout and talent judge for several events on local, national and international levels. While grateful for all that experience, including two recording contract offers, it is now Ed's mission and pleasure to help other performers be the best they can be, to reach their full potential whether they want to sing – or play - for themselves, their friends and family, their church or civic organization, other local venues or pursue music as a career.
Jordin Broom-Hall
Talent Scout Canada
For nearly 20 years Jordan has been performing and training in areas of Musical Theatre, Screen Acting, Modeling, Classical Vocal, Operatic Vocal, and Pop-Folk Vocal. With an extensive background performing on stage with such groups as the Calgary Youth Singers, (a private band named) No Rest, Radio City Music Hall, countless music festivals, and such plays as Fiddler On The Roof and Downtown, his knowledge of the industry is vast. His achievements to date include World Championship of Performing Arts 2008 (L.A.); Gold in Musical Theatre and Pop Ballad / Silver in Casual Male Modeling, Country Vocal, Rock Ballad, and Dramatic Theatre / Industry Recognition Achievement Award Recipient; Winner of the 1st Annual Drumheller Idol Competition; An offer to record with Legends of Country Music in Nashville; Signed for Modeling and Acting with Global One Model and Talent Management (L.A. 2009-2010). Currently Jordan is the owner and certified glamorous planner for the top event and wedding company in Edmonton, AB (www.atmosphereweddings.com), and has worked with such esteemed companies as MODE Models - Calgary and NOVA Model and Talent International.