INSTRUCTORS
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MICHELLE - Director/Ballroom and Burlesque Instructor
Born with a passion to entertain, Michelle began dancing at just 3 years old and has been developing her skills ever since. With a background rich in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Tap, Modern, and Pointe, it wasn't until she was introduced to the world of Ballroom dancing that she found her true calling. After graduating from Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Fla. Michelle moved to Orlando where her introduction to Ballroom was made.
While receiving her training, Michelle continued to perform and teach all over Central and South Florida. Her desire to further her career in entertainment has lead to her recent relocation to the Los Angeles area. Michelle's fresh outlook on a classic style of dance causes her lessons to appeal to everyone.
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DIANA - Lyrical/Contemporary Jazz Instructor
Diana Vaden has been dancing for over 15 years – ever since she could hear some rhythm. Growing up in the competition world of dance, she has trained at various studios in Reno, Nevada and various national dance conventions. She has also trained in apprentice and intensive programs at Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York and the Edge Performing Arts Center, here in Los Angeles. She has traveled as an Apprentice and is now in the Hall of Fame program for Co. Dance. She has assisted and taken classes from choreographers such as Tyce Diorio, Chebar Williams, Gregg Russell, Mia Michaels, Dave Scott, and Nappytabs.
She is currently a student at the University of Southern California, delving further into her passion for the arts while studying Theatre and Creative Writing. She has received the Outstanding Choreography Award for her work with the USC Repertory Dance Company and has choreographed for the L.A. Contemporary Dance Company, as a guest artist. She has also been involved with BoomKat Dance Theatre and is now a member of MashUp Contemporary Dance Company. She loves to explore the breadth and depth of expression through movement, and she hopes to share why she believes dance is one of the most beautiful ways to communicate “what the soul has to say.”
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KATYA - Belly Dance Instructor
Katya Malaya. Belly dancer, choreographer, costume designer and teacher. She came to LA from Israel in 2009 to explore the Middle Eastern culture in the West. She masters the styles of Classical Raqs Sharqi , Baladi, Malaya, Saidi, etc.
Katya began her journey in the world of belly dance 5 years ago in Israel. She studied under many teachers, yet her true spiritual mentor is Miri Alon. Miri taught Katya not only the techniques and combinations of the dance, but transmitted the feeling, sense and the history of the art of belly dancing.
Katya finished Miri Alon’s Oriental Dance Instructor School and Aerobics education course in the Academy of Sport in Haifa. During her 5 years belly dancing career Katya achieved a lot. She founded her own belly dance studio in her home town. Katya produced and choreographed two theatre dance shows that consisted of more than 30 dancers. Katya frequently organized parties and festivals for the belly dance community all over Israel. Katya and her ensemble were invited numerous times to perform in various cultural events held by the municipality of Haifa. During the annual spiritual festival “Muza”, Katya held belly dance workshops for the participators. Katya also won the “Golden Menorah” talent competition and was later invited to perform in a Gala show in Berlin.
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CRYSTAL - Hip Hop Instructor
Born and raised in California, Crystal Gomillion began her dance training at a very young age. Drawing her inspiration from the musical stylings of various Hip Hop and R&B artists like Marques Houston, Missy Elliot, and Aaliyah, Crystal’s love for dance has led her to wanting to share her gift and passion with others. As a Hip Hop dancer and instructor today, her original style shines and the unique flavor she adds to her dancing is something that any dance fan can appreciate.
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NICOLE - StilettoFIT Instructor
Nicole Rush has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Nicole has appeared with major artist and danced for numerous live events, commercials, TV shows and films. Nicole has a B.A. in World Arts and Culture from UCLA, with a concentration in Dance. She is a former Los Angeles Laker Girl and UCLA Dance Team member. Nicole Rush served as the dance team director for the NBA Summer Pro League Girls for the 2005 and 2006 season, while also acting as the entertainment and dance director for the ABA SO CAL LEGENDS.
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RYAN - Hip Hop Instructor
Ryan Johnson began his journey with dance at the age of either when he was introduced to a style of movement called Eurythmy - Originated by Marie von Sivers and Rudolph Steiner as a part of Steiner's Waldorf education. During Ryan's teenage years he then expanded his vocabulary to include black belt in Karate, training in gymnastics and breakdancing, and proficiency in Caribbean Dancehall, Salsa, Merengue, West African Dance and Hip Hop.
Today Ryan works in proud conjuction with Jacob "Krazy Kujo" Lyon's multiple-time Lester Horton Award winning dance company, Lux Aeterna. Some of his commercial credits include video shoots for Fox's hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance, commercial work in Mumbai, India, performances at the Ford Ampitheater, shows for Wonderworld Entertainment, Southern California Edison, and Street Beat drum and dance shows under the representation of Columbia Artists Management.
At West Addams Studios Ryan focuses on teaching the art of Hip Hop Dance from a more technical and holistic standpoint appropriate for all ages, making it challenging enough for the Hip Hop professional, and yet fun enough for the complete beginner. Styles include popping, locking, breaking, and Funk-Jazz styles gleaned from years of instruction from Shane Sparks, Trent Dickens, Kennis Marquis, Nappytabs, and many other of Hollywood's hottest choreographers.
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NERISSA - Modern/Ballet Instructor
Nerissa Nicole Castilleja is an Interdisciplinary Studies; Dance Studies Emphasis in Art integration and performance graduating from Humboldt State University. Since then Nerissa has performed with the Dandelion Dance Company from San Francisco, performed at the American College Dance Festival Association in March of 2009 and had her current choreography Currents, was adjudicated.
She experienced plenty of rich cultural dances as well as master classes with some of today’s big dance companies such as, Dough Varone and Dancers, Giordano Jazz Dance Company, and Atamira Maori Contemporary Dance Theatre from New Zealand. Nerissa is highly dedicated to the study and teachings of dance, advocating all forms and expressions of movement.
Nerissa believes that dance is an art that everyone and anyone can partake in. |
TINA MARIE - Contemporary Jazz/Go Go/Stretch and Flexibility Instructor
Tina Marie has been dancing for 9 years with training in Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary,
Hip-Hop, and back Contortion. She has studied partnering in Salsa, acrobatic style Yoga, and
Aerial Tissu (silks.) She started dancing at the age of 11 while living with her family on the island
of Oahu, Hawaii. At 15 years old she relocated back to Los Angeles where she recieved strict
training in highschool on a 2x National Champion dance team. Performances have included
Halloween at the Playboy Mansion, music videos for Sony Music Mexico,theatre productions,
stage shows for clubs, private parties and also live events such as Electric Daisy Carnival where
she performed contortion on stage with the well known band Shiny Toy Guns. Tina is also
attending Moorpark College to recieve her degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management
in order to further her performance versatility into the world of marine life with animals such as
Dolphins etc.
Her passion continues to grow every day for the world of Fine and Performing Arts
and she hopes to inspire people with the stories she is able to tell, through her body and
performances, to people all over Southern California and beyond.
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ALEX - Yoga Instructor
Certifications:
Yoga Alliance--through Earth's Power Yoga in Hollywood, CA (earthspoweryoga.com)
Trained with Steven "Earth" Metz, certified Yoga Alliance Program, one of LA's top yoga teachers for 20 years
Qigong--Bak Fu Pai certified (only about 20 people have this certification) through White Tiger Kung Fu and Qigong, Westwood, CA
Trained under Master Tom Rizzo, the next Grandmaster of Bak Fu Pai, descended down from Shaolin Temple (Fukien, destroyed in 1644 AD) current Grandmaster is Doo Wai, the sixth generation down from Doo Tin Yin of the Shaolin Temple (he has no children--why he chose Tom as his "Baishee" or "chosen to be next grandmaster)
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