Hip Hop Intensive

Hip Hop Instructors | Dance Instructors here

Congratulations to Summer in L.A. Hip Hop Intensive Faculty the ‘Beat Freaks’ for their awesome performances on America’s Best Dance Crew, Season 3. They have all danced behind some of the industry’s hottest performers, now it’s their time to shine! Starting from top left, clockwise we have: Lindsey, aka. "Out There", B-Girl Shorty, Lady Jules, Rino, Teresa Espinosa, Maryss From Paris and Keely "Lockn'Key" Kaukimoce. Combined credits include You Got Served, Step Up and Step Up 2. 5 of the Beat Freaks are also part of The Groovaloos who are also on the Summer in L.A. faculty.

A hip-hop dance dream team, the ladies of Beat Freaks have won too many awards to count and have been featured on numerous television shows, as well as in music videos and tours with the likes of Janet Jackson, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Miley Cyrus, Gwen Stefanie and Madonna, to just name a few as well as in movies like You Got Served and Step Up 2.

"We are an all styles crew, so we teach each other" says Out There. Adds Lockn'Key, "This is a well-rounded group of women. We have B- girling, freestyle, hip-hop, popping, locking, house salsa, jazz, ballet, you name it." Plus, says Rino, "We love to laugh and to have fun."

With wide ranging credits and styles, it's not surprising to see a range of music fuelling their favorites. The Beat Freaks go for everything from Hot Chip, M.I.A., Santogold and CSS to OutKast, T.I., Aaliyah and Missy Elliott to Prince, Zapp and James Brown.

Why do the Beat Freaks think they'll take the prize on this season of America's Best Dance Crew? "I think America is ready to see a strong, powerful group of young women who are passionate about what they do," says Lockn'Key

THE GROOVALOOS
Congratulations to the Summer in L.A. Hip Hop Intensive faculty The Groovaloos who took the Gold at the Superstars of Dance. The Groovaloos were part of Team USA in a new worldwide competition that left them with the title of World’s Best Dancers.

In the photo above, top left is Poe One, the Summer in L.A. Breakin’ instructor. Poe is featured in the movie Planet b-boy as a judge now out on DVD and also runs the world crew battles at Hip Hop Internationals Hip Hop Championships, the producers of America’s Best Dance Crew. He is part of Style Elements, Rock So Fresh and Zulu Kings and a fabulous instructor.

The only female in the photo is Christina Benedetti, our House teacher. Her class is considered one of the most fun Summer in L.A. classes. Although lots of fun, it’s also challenging and a great cardio work out. The Groovaloos have other female members but she is the only one who performed on Superstars of Dance and on the Ellen show. 5 of the female Groovaloos are part of Beat Freaks and have been busy with ABDC.

The man himself Bradley “Shooz” Rapier, center, is the founder of The Groovaloos and proudly a Canadian who has made it in Hollywood.

The Groovaloos also hold a weekly jam/freestyle session “Groove Nite” where dancers can join in and do their thing and also watch and learn from the best freestylers in the world. Past Summer in L.A. dancers have had the chance to attend this event.

MARYSS FROM PARIS
Made in Greece, born and raised in Paris, Maryss fell in love with Hip Hop dancing at the age of 16, started to take class and got hired by her teacher to be part of his dance company. Because of back pain problems: Scoliosis and sciatics, Maryss was forced to stop dancing. After a year she decided to dance again disregarding the doctor's advice. She became a working dancer since then and at 19 years old she got fed up with the French scene and decided to go to Miami to dance. In Miami she developed her talents as a choreographer.

In Los Angeles she paired up with Rino. They became best friends and started to teach and choreograph together. They formed with other elite dancers the Beat Freaks, a group of 7 female dancers who are very well respected in the dance industry. After obtaining her work visa she became a busy working dancer and a member of the Groovaloos.

Credits include: Justin Timberlake, Craig David, Billy Crawford, Black Eyed Peas, Missy Elliott, Omarion, Gwen Stefani, Chris Brown, Hannah Montana and many more

BRADLEY "SHOOZ" RAPIER
‘Shooz” is a multitalented actor/dancer/choreographer/ and TV host personality and the founder and choreographer of The Groovaloos. The Groovaloos recently won Gold with Team USA in Superstars of Dance. After moving from Canada to L.A., he was soon nominated "King of Hip Hop" by the Dancer's Alliance of Los Angeles and was nominated for a prestigious American Choreography Award . His animated movements got him cast as the dance reference for Goofy in Disney's feature, "A Goofy Movie".

Other credits include: Diana Ross, Boys II Men, Queen Latifah, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Skechers, Bizmarke, feature films, TV series, music videos and live performances for MTV's smash boy band parody project, 2gether, Fatboy Slim, Brian McKnight, David Foster, Deborah Cox, Sinbad, Alanis Morisette.

His experience also includes producing for the National Set Free/IMPACT high school program, with live positive theatrical hip hop concerts. Currently Bradley and The Groovaloos are touring with "Reality Check", a federally funded high school program, promoting positive values for teens.

KEELEY “LOCKnKEY” KAUKIMOCE
‘LocknKey’, world known female locker and street dancer, has gained recognition as a singer, song writer, dancer, choreographer and one of the only original style locking teachers of our generation. She discovered street dance while watching music videos at the age of ten in her small Garland, Texas home. She grew up with a unique affection for all forms of street dance which include locking, popping, bboying, party dancing and freestyle.

She has had the honor of being trained by original locker Greg Campbellock Jr. and Flomaster of Footwork Fanatics. Keeley is currently a member of the female crew the BeatFreaks and a core member of the Groovaloos. She has worked in countless music videos with such artists as The Black Eyed Peas, Missy Elliott, Christina Aguilera, and Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins to name a few. She also appeared in “You Got Served” and “Legally Blonde”.

Keeley is now teaching original style locking techniques and her own choreographed hip hop, with a funky old school flare, all over the world. She is very passionate about keeping first generation locking alive and trying her best to educate the youth on the history and origins of various street dances.

DUECE, THE PRINCE OF KRUMP
Duece, L.A’s prince of krump was voted the #1 choreographer for his krumpography workshop during the 2007 Summer in L.A. In addition to krumpography, Duece’s Hip Hop workshops have also been a hit all across North America along with his public speaking on the history of krump.

Duece’s credits include: Be Discovered workshops across Canada, Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, Mary J Blige, countless commercials, music videos and feature films, the krump documentary Rize, Sean Paul, Paul Oakenfold, Britney Murphy and more.

LINDSEY "OUTTHERE" BLAUFARB
At age 13, Lindsey started freestyling in her living room and shortly after, took on musical theatre. At 17, following her dreams, she moved from San Antonio, Texas to LA and was accepted into The Edge's Scholarship Program. After completing the program, she was blessed to start working professionally.

Credits include: LL Cool J, Butch Walker, Pink, Missy Elliott, Omarion, Cristina Milian, Limp Bizkit, Jurassic Five, Hannah Montana, You Got Served and Love Don't Cost A Thing.

Lindsey is a member of the Beat Freaks and the Groovaloos. Recently she toured back up singing and choreographing for Avril Lavigne.

DANTE
Dante is known and respected in the LA dance community and throughout the world as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer.

As a member of Culture Shock San Diego, Dante was exposed to performing for bigger audiences and competitions. He began to audition for jobs in Los Angeles, where he met Tony Award Winning dancer/actor/singer Hinton Battle. Hinton launched Dante's professional dance career after landing him a job with Debbie Allen and Jasmine Guy.

As a professional dancer, Dante worked and toured with some of LA's most well-known choreographers, who helped him gain invaluable exposure to the dance world. Choreographer Hi-Hat gave him his first job with Missy Elliot, and choreographers Rosero & Jamal landed him a job with Rebbie Jackson. He eventually went on to perform for artists such as Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and Will Smith, and later moved on to dance on the big screen for the movie "You Got Served." Today, he continues to teach weekly hip-hop classes in LA. He has also traveled around the world to teach & choreograph in countries such as Germany, Italy, Brazil, and Japan.

CHRISTINA BENEDETTI
Christina’s House class was one of the most fun classes for the 2007 Summer in L.A. dancers. She has performed with The Groovaloos and showcased at Carnival Choreographer’s Ball.

Locking, Popping, Waving and Freestyling are also some of her other dance skills to name a few. Christina has trained in Los Angeles, New York and Paris and teaches House weekly in L.A.

Credits include: Jamiroquai, Common, Macy Gray, Def Comedy Jam featuring Dave Chappelle, Adidas and Monsters of Hip Hop.

MISS PRISSY
Miss Prissy, the Queen of Krump was a special surprise guest at Duece’s krump workshop during the 2007 Summer in L.A. Miss Prissy is Duece’s sister and appears in the krump documentary Rize.

After starring in the film, she toured the world with Madonna, Snoop Dogg and The Game. Before the film, she was already a well-respected dancer and teacher in her own neighborhood. Classically trained, Prissy started lessons at age four, learning everything from ballet to jazz to tap. She discovered hip-hop dancing at 13 and enjoyed its expressiveness, but didn't really begin to take her art seriously until after high school, when she began teaching it to kids. It was at one of these lessons that a student introduced her to krump, the new form of dance that was becoming popular in L.A., and brought her to a session. Struck by its wild energy, she soon joined in on the performances and competitions herself, her natural talent and creativity making her one of its stars.

In 2006, wanting to pursue her own musical career, Prissy declined Madonna’s offer to continue dancing in her tour and began recording material for her debut album, In My Own Lane.

JJ VILLAR
J.J. Villar has taught and performed throughout the United States and Europe in many dance styles ranging from ballet to hip hop. He is also experienced in stage, costume, and set design. He was one of the favourite 2008 Summer in LA instructors during both the Dance Intensive and the Hip Hop Intensive.

As a dancer, JJ has worked on different projects with artists such as Usher, Jay Z, Tyrese, Soluna, BB Mak, Mya, Carmen Electra, the Pussycat Dolls, Jlo, Gloria Gaynor, Triniy, Erin Starr, Ikon, EE-DE, Colby O’donis, and many more. JJ was the dance captain for Toni Braxton’s Vegas show. His choreography has appeared at the Geva Awards, Armenian Music Awards, El Portal Theater, Ford Amphitheater, MGM Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo France, Madrid, Canada and New Mexico. He has choreographed many different music videos, industrials, concerts, and live shows. In addition to working with different artists, choreographing and directing shows, JJ continues to seek and enhance new talent by teaching dance to groups and individuals all around the world. From his 2004 European teaching tour to his national convention tour with Hollywood Vibe, he continues to teach jazz and hip hop at Millennium Dance Complex, & L.A. Fitness, to students of all levels. Apart from dance and choreography, JJ is starting the cross over to acting as well as video & music editing. You can see him on the Carlsberg Beer Commercials as he plays Berg on the 2005 Carlsberg Beer Campaign.

After encountering so many passionate dancers while teaching and touring, Villar started recognizing a special type of dancer. They had an incredible drive to perform, who dreamed about moving to Hollywood in search of their shot at a professional career. However, many of them have a wrong impression of what it takes to be a professional dancer. Villar educates dancers about the difficulties of the industry by teaching them about what it takes to be a professional and the harshness of the industry before they make the move. Only a handful of the thousands who come to Hollywood to be dancers actually make it. Villar instills the belief that this is not because they lack talent, but because they give up when they experience the fierce competition of the commercial dance industry. Dancers can now have a greater sense of the reality of the business. Former students of JJ have appeared in music videos, television commercials, and live concerts after signing with both commercial and dance agents.

POE ONE
Poe One is one of the Summer in L.A. Hip Hop Intensive Breakin’ instructors and is a part of Style Elements, Rock So Fresh and Zulu Kings. He is a great instructor and a featured speaker on the history of Breakin’. He is also a graffiti artist and so much more.

He teaches Top Rock, Go Downs, Foot Work/Leg Work dynamics, Power Moves, Spins, Freezes, Finesse, Originality, Self Confidence and much more.

Poe is one of the Groovaloos who took the title of Superstars of Dance as part of Team USA. He is also featured in the movie Planet b-boy as a judge at several of the events worldwide. The movie is now out on DVD and is awesome to watch.

Poe also runs the world b-boy & b-girl crew battles annually at Hip Hop Internationals Hip Hop Championships, the producers of America’s Best Dance Crew.

KENNY WORMALD
Kenny Wormald is the 22-year old professional dancer and heartthrob of MTV’s hit show, “DanceLife” He was auditioned and picked by Jennifer Lopez for this show which she produced. Kenny is the lead actor/dancer in Center Stage: Turn It Up which debuted on the Oxygen cable in 2008 and is now out on DVD. Kenny has been amazing the crowds with his extraordinary hip hop and dance moves for many years and is a crowd pleaser to all his fans.

Kenny recently toured with Justin Timberlake and has also performed live with Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, and Nelly Furtado. Kenny has personally trained one on one with Britney Spears and you can watch Kenny show off his talent on music videos with big names such as, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, JoJo and Prince.

Kenny has danced at the White House and appeared in the films You Got Served, Center Stage: Turn It Up, and Jackass II. After performing in the Nelly Furtado video "Promiscuous", he was noticed in an audition by Nelly and danced backup with her in a performance of her hit "Maneater" on the TV show Saturday Night Live.

RINO
Rino Nakasone was born in Japan. She grew up with a passion: Michael Jackson and later Janet Jackson. To learn their dances, she watched their video clips and shows and knew by heart their choreographies. When she was 19, she left Japan for the USA to go to university but especially to dance. When she arrived in Los Angeles, she became the assistant to Dante (Summer in L.A. faculty member) at Millennium and the Edge. She entered the world of dance, obtained a work permit thanks to her studies and signing with Bloc agency.

She began teaching at Millennium and at Debbie Reynolds until one day when she decided to partner with Maryss from Paris (Summer in L.A. faculty member) to choreograph together. They found a group ‘Geminis’ and then joined the Beat Freaks shortly after to work in videos, advertising, movies and more. Today, they still teach at Debbie Reynolds and teach Master Classes worldwide.

Rino has danced with Marques Houston, Mary J Blige, Britney Spears and Missy Elliott. Rino wanted to perform in the Super Bowl dancing with Janet Jackson but at the same time she was set to leave for Britney Spears’ tour. Janet Jackson recommended she do the Britney tour because the Super Bowl was just one day. Rino took her advice and did Britney’s tour. At the end of the tour, Rino and Maryss choreographed ‘Hiccup’ for Billy Crawford.

Rino is one of Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku girl and represents Music. She has toured the world with Gwen and appears in her videos. Finally after a long time of working so hard in the industry, her dream came true as she was selected by Janet Jackson to co-choreograph her most recent album promo. Rino’s other credits include You Got Served, Raven, Soul Train and Will Smith, to just name a few.

MISHA GABRIEL
Misha is a 21 years old dancer/choreographer who has the experience and credits behind him of someone ten years his elder. Misha teaches on a regular basis at Millennium Dance Complex and Edge Performing Arts Center.

He has choreographed for Justin Timberlake’s Future Sex Love Show, Hilary Duff’s Dignity Tour and Raven Symone’s Supernatural music video. Movie credits include Jackass 2, Clerks 2 and Center Stage 2.

Misha has danced for Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Omarion, Christina Milian, Hilary Duff, Raven Symone and touring with Aaron Carter is what got him his start in the business.

Check out this article on Misha in Dance Spirit Magazine http://www.dancespirit.com/articles/906

MIHRAN
Mihran was born in Armenia and moved to California at the age of seven at which time he started dancing. Mihran has been exposed to the entertainment industry since birth as his dad was a famous dancer/choreographer in Armenia and his mom a singer.

Mihran looked up to artists Fred Astaire, James Brown and Michael Jackson. Soon he found himself performing as various artists by adding his own flavour in front of live audiences. At fourteen he joined a theatre workshop class at Marshall High that involved dancing, singing, acting and stage presence. Mihran started competing and won many street dance competitions.

After high school, Mihran was signed by a dance agency and this is when his career took off as he had more time to accomplish his dreams. He started teaching Hip Hop at Millennium Dance Complex and soon found himself working with Britney Spears, Pink, Kyle Minogue, Lil Kim and many more. He also appeared in the movie You Got Served and countless commercials.

Mihran toured on Madonna’s world tour and appears in her music videos. Mihran also danced on Ricki Martin’s world tour. Read an interview on Mihran and see lots of really cool photos of Mihran and Madonna. http://www.madonnatribe.com/idol/mihran.htm

Mihran has choreographed for the MTV Latin Awards and the Black Eyed Peas. Mihran is a recording star in Armenia and took off most of 2008 to finish his solo album. Mihran’s style of dance is very different and unique. He is known to do a bit of everything, hip hop with a mix of poppin, lockin, breakin with a feel of jazz.

His career has taken him to a different level as an artist that raps, dances, choreographs, teaches and directs his own performances.

GIGI TORRES
Gigi Torres is originally from Irvine, CA, she has been training in all areas of dance from the age of 3. She is an international and domestic instructor, sharing her knowledge and love for dance from the East Coast to the West Coast, Canada, overseas in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Gigi’s choreography credits include So You Think You Can Dance, Choreographer's Carnival Hollywood from 2005-present, The Highlands of Hollywood, Funkanometry LA, SD, and SF, Breed OCLA and Kaba Modern. She is the Director/Founder of the All-Female Dance Crew "Essence" that consists of ladies working in the entertainment industry.

Her dance credits include Pussy Cat Dolls, Jack Rabbit Flash's "Ladies in Lace," Asia Entertainment San Jose, Dance 2xs' Project Element with Marty Kudelka, Snoop Dogg Live in Vegas and Mims, to just name a few . Represented by Bloc Talent Agency, you could also see her as the Principal Dancer and Lead Girl on the Lee Hom ft Jin's Music Video "Heroes of the Earth and " Michael Jordan Commercial's - "Second Generation" and "Fist."

Gigi lives by the Essence Motto “Inspire and Be Inspired. Just Be…& Live.”

CHUCK MALDONADO
Chuck Maldonado is an inspirational performer and choreographer with an expansive resume, whose credits include the hit movie "Stomp The Yard" which he co-choreographed. Chuck has also choreographed for Toni Braxton, Kylie Minogue and Chris Brown.

Chuck Maldonado’s dancing and choreographing career includes some of the hottest artists in America, such as Left Eye (TLC), Jennifer Lopes, Blaque, Tamia, Sisqo, Usher, Mya, Taylor Dane, Pink, Anastacia, Xscape, Latocha Scott, Kaci, 2 Skinnee J’s, Light House Family, Billy Crawford, Raven Symone, Kelly Price and Roslin Sanchez from Rush Hour 2.

Chuck’s music video credits include Fergie, Omarion, P.Diddy, and Missy Elliott. He continues to inspire and entertain audiences all over the world. Commercials include Amena Cellular and Apple IPOD, to just name a few.

Some of Chuck’s other credits include Disney’s “That’s So Raven”, UPN Show “Monk and the movies “You Got Served”, “Sharks Tale”, “Collateral” with Tom Cruise and “Bewitched” with Nicole Kidman.

DAVID MOORE
Born and raised in Orlando, FL David was influenced by dance through music videos and concert tours at the age of 16. Most of his training in his early years consisted of many hours in front of the TV learning choreography from any and everything dance related. At the age of 20, David was a contestant on MTV’s Wade Robson Project and became a top 4 finalist. He hopes to spread his passion and desire to make history in the entertainment industry all over the world.

He decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue a dance and choreography career. Since then he's worked for Miley Cirus (aka Hanna Montana), Busta Rhymes, Pepsi, Europes Viva Dancestars, Adidas, Nike, and American Idol. His passion for teaching has gotten him a consistently sold out class at the world famous Millennium Dance Complex and has taken him all around the world teaching workshops and conventions year round. David has taught in Russia, Australia, Berlin, Switzerland and the Ukraine, to just name a few.

Recently he choreographed and directed the Kidzbop World Tour for Disney, a 42 city arena tour. At the moment David is a head choreographer and judge on Ukraines ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, produced by the same company as the American hit TV show. David has spent the last year or so working with what is projected to be America’s next biggest R&B sensation, Kevin Cossom aka KC. KC is signed with Jive, and has almost finished up his debut album working with hit makers Danjahands (Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Madonna) and the Runners (Trey Songz, R Kelly, Keyshia Cole). David will be the artistic director/choreographer for all of KC's upcoming projects.

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