Alena Cawthornehas been teaching R&M since 1998. Her background is in Ballet, Modern, West African dance, Japanese, Hula and Balinese dance. She performed with the Purple Moon Dance Project for five years and is currently presenting her own choreography throughout the Bay Area. After teaching dance to K-12th grade and a 2-year residency at School of the Arts, she finally found her niche teaching the Absolute Beginning Contemporary, Modern Rhythms classes and Fusion Rhythms at ODC Dance Commons. "Come dance with me, take care of your body and soul. In this class we will reach the limits and stretch the boundaires of what you know is possible."
Alexis Miller holds a BA in Dance and French from Connecticut College, where she began to study Pilates. Upon moving to San Francisco in 2005, she continued her Pilates training at ODC and the Pilates Center of San Francisco (PCSF) with Martt Lawrence. She completed a 700-hour apprenticeship through Metropolitan Pilates in Seattle in collaboration with PCSF, and is thrilled to be teaching at the beautiful and diverse ODC Dance Commons. She has been fortunate to study with Master teachers Dorothee VandeWalle (from whom she received her certification), Kathi Ross-Nash, and Jay Grimes, as well as the talented instructors at PCSF. A dancer with the San Francisco-based modern dance company RAWdance, Alexis attributes Pilates to a lasting career in dance.
Amara Tabor-Smith has been teaching R&M dance workout since the mid 1980s. She is the artistic director of the Oakland based dance company, Deep Waters Dance Theater. Dance is her passion, religion and true love! She is an Aquarian whose favorite color is blue. Be warned that she will encourage your wildest self to be unleashed during her class. Be booty positive! Holla!
Dancer, teacher, and choreographer Amy Foley began her training in Anchorage, Alaska, where she was born and raised. Amy has been a fixture in the Bay Area dance community since moving to San Francisco in 1997. She joined Robert Moses' Kin dance company in 1999 and has has the pleasure of touring, teaching and performing with the company extensively, since then. She has also performed and toured with Margaret Jenkins Dance Company and Shift Physical Theater, as well as working with many other local choreographic luminaries. In performance Amy has been called, "petite and powerful", "fierce" and "explosive" as well as being praised for her "lyric groundedness" by critics. She has shown her own work through ODC's Pilot program, ODC's Dance Jam and the Lines Ballet Summer Intensive. Amy teaches contemporary technique in both the ODC Youth and Adult Programs, works as a choreographer in the schools and is a Pilates instructor.
Proud Latina born and raised in San Francisco, Angelica Perez has been entertaining family members since the age of 5. At an early age, Angelica expressed a profound love and natural ability for dance. Her classes offer a unique flavor of Hip Hop dance that draws influences from various styles of street dance as well as world dance including Afro-Haitian and Belly Dance.
Ann Barrettbelieves that nothing is more exciting than dancing done well. As an instructor she works very hard to get dancers to that point. Jazz encompasses many different styles and she trains dancers to be versatile and competent within them. Whether taking class for fun, or training for a career, Ann’s classes are the place to be. Ann’s choreographic credits include commercial work for Adidas, Macy’s, and Coca Cola.
Augusta Moore has over 37 years invested in the dance community. She has danced a large and varied repertoire with the San Francisco Ballet, the Pennsylvania Ballet and the Chicago City Ballet, including leading roles in Balanchine's "Rubies" and "The Four Temperaments", Kylian¹s "Forgotten Land", and "Le Corsair Pas de Deux". Her teachers have included Maria Tallchief, Jacques D'Ambroise, Lupe Serrano and Benjamin Harkarvy.
Currently the director for the Ballet Program at the ODC School and Dance Commons, Ms. Moore began her teaching career after retiring from the San Francisco Ballet in 1987. She has taught, directed and choreographed for a number of organizations, including Stanford University, Naropa University, Ballet Frankfurt, the San Francisco School of the Performing Arts, San Francisco Circus School, Colorado State University, Dance Mission, Lines Ballet and The San Francisco Dance Center. Individually she has coached dancers, actors, musicians and people from all walks of life. Moore teaching is greatly informed by her training as a certified Feldenkrais® practitioner and teaches Awareness Through Movement® classes at the ODC Dance Commons.
Matt Ellinger has been performing with Barbary Coast Cloggers since 1991 and has been serving as Artistic Director since 1999. Matt has studied percussive dance forms since childhood and grew up to complete a Master's in Education.
Ian Enriquez has been performing with Barbary Coast Cloggers since 2004 after completing his studies in dance, with a focus on the influence of African dance. Prior to joining the group, he performed with dance ensembles in the Philippines, England, and Oberlin, Ohio.
A freelance musician and composer, Ben Juodvalkis accompanies at studios and school all over the bay area. He has composed for Company C Contemporary Ballet, Lines Ballet School, UC Berkeley Dance Ensemble, and the San Francisco School of the Arts Ben also plays in local band Battlehooch and lives in San Francisco.
Blanche Brown has taught and studied traditional Haitian Dance for the past 30 years. Blanche was the Artistic Director of Group Petit La Croix. For 15 years, they toured throughout the Western U.S performing the traditional dance and music of Haiti. After serving as Board President of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and as a member of the San Francisco Arts Commission, Blanche is returning to teaching because she has missed it so much.
Bliss Kohlmyer Dowman began her training in Wooster, Ohio. She danced with The Canton Ballet throughout high school, attended The Juilliard School for two years, and then graduated from Dickinson College with a BA in Dramatic Arts. In New York City, she danced and toured internationally with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, The Sean Curran Company, and Alex Beller. In San Francisco, she has danced with Janice Garrett and Dancers, Robert Moses' Kin, and The San Francisco Opera Ballet, among others. Bliss has set Moses’ “The Supplicant” and “Lucifer’s Prance” at Cal Poly University and assisted in setting “Speaking Ill of the Dead” at Jacob’s Pillow. Currently on faculty at the ODC School and a lecturer at UC Berkeley, Bliss has taught master classes at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The University of Nevada at Reno, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, Arizona State University, San Francisco State University, Cal Pol.y University, Stanford Universtiy, and The San Francisco Dance Center. She has also been an artist-in-residence for the San Francisco Arts Education Project and is a certified pilates instructor. The ODC Dance Jam has performed three of her works throughout the Bay Area. Along with Kara Davis, she established project agora in 2006, co-producing two evenings of work at Dance Mission.
Caren has taught classes for Dancemission, the SF/Oakland Swing Dance Festivals, and The SF Arts Education Project for many years. As part of the TAP Project, she taught rhythm dance classes to students at the Escola da Dansa and the Casa do Boneco in Bahia, Brazil. As a member of eight different professional dance companies, Caren has performed in the USA, Asia, and Europe. She has studied rhythm tap with Linda Sohl-Donnell, Sam Weber and Eddie Brown and has taken numerous master classes with Jimmy Slyde, Gregory Hines, Diane Walker, Savion Glover and Brenda Buffalino. Because of her extensive dance background (tap, modern, Brazilian, jazz, African, and hip-hop) Caren likes to infuse her choreography with a variety of body movement.
Chimene Pollard is a choreographer, and teacher. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego where she studied Communication Theories and Dance. She has been teaching and creating in San Francisco for 10 years. Chimene has been honored to dance for aerial artist Terry Sendgraff, Anne Bluethenthal & Dancers, and Strong Current Dance Company. Her own choreography is shown locally and has been chosen to appear at The Vision Series, Dance Mission’s Choreographers’ Showcase and both the Pilot & Migrations Series at ODC. The basis of her classes and choreography allows movers of all different levels and disciplines to explore the play, ease and dramatics of dance while building strength, confidence and a sensory vocabulary that connects this art form to their daily lives.
A native San Franciscan from the Mission District, Christiane Crawford began teaching at age fourteen. She developed her own style and technique by blending street and club moves with formal training studied since age 5. She was a member of Culture Shock, the national hip-hop dance team and youth outreach program and the director and choreographer for her own company, Rare Form. She has choreographed solo and group work for the San Francisco Hip-Hop Festival, Lincoln High, University High, S.F. Arts Education and co produced ‘Street to Stage'. Christiane teaches regularly at Rhythm & Motion/ODC Dance Commons and has performance workshops in the spring and fall open to all levels. Check out her website at: www.ccworkit.com
Julian Miller Ramil & Claudia Lissette have developed a reputation as outstanding performers and teachers that have earned them numerous engagements throughout the country. They have performed in commercials and television productions. As teachers, they are very active in the tango community, teaching the Bay Area including colleges and universities, hosting milongas and promoting tango events and activities. They also frequently travel conducting workshops in and outside the United States. Various great teachers from Buenos Aires who have their own unique way of dancing have ultimately influenced Julian and Claudia's own signature style. The versatility of their self-expression is one that can reflect the unique qualities of a true milonguero style, raw and understated, with a profound interpretation of music, to a more modern version incorporating highly innovative complex patterns with sensual and dynamic movements. As innovative and versatile dancers, performers, and teachers they continue to strive to bring the music and dance of Argentine Tango to the forefront of the arts and inspire the next generations of tango aficionados.
Danica "La Mora" Sena has performed, choreographed, and taught throughout Europe, Japan and the U.S for over a decade, receiving critical acclaim. She lived in Spain for 5 years, honing her talents with the great masters of Flamenco, Classical, and Folkloric dance. She was selected to perform with a world-class all-Spanish dance troupe from 1996-1998 in Japan. In addition to her exceptional teaching skills, La Mora is artistic director of Grupo Andanza and currently teaches at City Ballet School of San Francisco as well as ODC Dance Commons.
Daniel Berkman is a San Francisco based composer, multi-instrumentalist and electronic musician. Daniel has composed dance scores since 1998 in collaboration with such choreographers as Sara Shelton Mann, Lizz Roman, Cheryl Chadick, Kunst-Stoff, Martt Lawrence, Stacy Printz, Heidi Schweiker, Janice Garrett and many others. Daniel is also an innovator of the Kora (West African harp) and has three recordings to his credit; "Heartstrings" (1996), "Feverdreams" (1998) and "Calabashmoon" (2005). Daniel's debut electronic CD is scheduled for release in 2009 under the moniker "Colfax." For more info:http://magnatune.com/artists/berkman or Google Daniel Berkman.
Canadian born pianist, Donald White, studied piano in Montreal with Yvonne Hubert (protégé of the renowned pianist/teacher Alfred Cortot) and in Philadelphia with Harvey Wedeen (student of Adele Marcus, and Robert and Gaby Casadesus). During this time, he was a consistent prizewinner in national music competitions and performed as a regular classical artist with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In 1979 he joined the affiliate faculty of Temple University Esther Boyer College of Music and taught piano there from 1979 to 1983. Donald also became involved in the Philadelphia theater world – opera, ballet and musical theater - as a rehearsal accompanist and musical director. In 1989, he moved to San Francisco and continues to accompany and perform as a soloist within the Bay Area.
Donald White has worked with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Opera Theater, Curtis Institute, Pennsylvania Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Smuin Ballet, Elliot Feld Ballet, ODC Dance and Lines Contemporary Ballet. His collaborations in dance have included ballet luminaries Cynthia Gregory, Peter Martins, Helgi Tomasson, Violette Verdy, Benjamin Harkarvy, Jean-Pierre Bonnefous, Heather Watts, Martine Van Hamel, Robert Weiss, Michael Smuin, Lupe Serrano, David Howard, Evelyn Cisneros, Joanna Berman, Muriel Maffre, Katita Waldo, Tina LeBlanc and Christopher Stowell. In the opera world, Donald has accompanied stars Ashley Putnam, Diana Soviero, Paata Burchuladze, Michael Ballam and Randi Marazzo. He has worked with conductors Maurice Kaplow, Michael Korn, Barbara Silverstein, Thomas Fulton and with composer Gian Carlo Menotti. His experience in musical theater and cabaret included service as pianist/band leader and music arranger for Broadway legend Carol Channing.
Dudley Flores has been a Rhythm & Motion instructor since 2000 and currently serves as the Artistic Director of the program. His teaching is informed by his rich training and performance in modern dance, jazz, hip hop, ballet and musical theater. He's performed in numerous events for stage, television, film and fashion, and currently works with the The Printz Dance Project, RAWdance and Janice Garrett and Dancers. Offstage he explores the world through nature studies, photography, blogging, people watching and reality TV. He believes in creating an environment where dance is a therapeutic release from the day to day. His classes are explosive, high energy, and a place to learn movement and work deep, make mistakes - fearlessly, have fun, let go, and enjoy the process.
Elizabeth Soberanes started dancing at R&M in 1985 and began teaching Fusion Rhythms Workout in 2001. She holds a BA in Dance Ethnology and has studied Dunham Technique, Afro-Haitian, Brazilian, Cuban, Modern, Hip Hop and Jazz Dance. She has worked as an arts educator, administrator and producer for prominent organizations such as Performing Arts Workshop, World Arts West, East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, and Carnaval San Francisco. Elizabeth has performed with several local ethnic dance companies, and was crowned Queen of Carnaval SF in 2001. She has traveled to Brazil and Cuba to study dance and participate in their Carnaval celebrations. She believes that dance is a healing force for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being and hopes to inspire students to lose themselves in the joy of dance.
Pennsylvania native Emily Coles teaches private Latin and Ballroom lessons and group classes independently throughout the Bay Area (2005-2008). In addition to teaching, Emily also competes internationally in same-sex Ballroom and Latin dance. Her most recent competition achievements include A-level placement in Latin and Ballroom with Sunny Williams at the Eurogames in Antwerp, 2007; A-level placement in Latin with dance partner Genevieve Feeley at the Pink Jukebox Trophy in London, 2008; and the bronze medal in A-level in Standard with dance partner Kieren Jameson at the 5-Boro Challenge U.S. championship in New York, 2008.
I began this journey in movement as a child. Eight years of karate and kung fu taught me honor, discipline, and coordination and nurtured in me my own desire to teach. I learned that the popping aggressive style of karate, and the flow of kung fu would become the foundation for my movement style, a fusion of hip hop, martial arts, modern, jazz, African, and ballet.
"During this journey in dance, I was given the opportunity to be a founding artistic director of San Francisco Culture Shock, where I continued honing my teaching, performing, and directing skills. Over the past seven years I've had the honor of co-directing Loose Change Dance Company.
A San Francisco native, Eyla Moore has been dancing her entire life, although, her formal training began at the age of six. Since then, Eyla has studied various dance forms including West African, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Afro-Brazilian and most recently Modern and Afro-Haitian. Currently majoring in Dance at San Francisco State University , Eyla brings her passion and love of dance to her workout classes and hopes to inspire others to explore the powerful spirit of dance. People who want to experience a high energy, funky, yet easy going atmosphere, where all dance levels are encouraged and challenged, should try Eyla's class.
fLO-Ology Dance Company is composed of long-time "freestyle" house dancers from around the nation, including choreographers Justin "TeN of Quad" Alladin and Sam "Odie" Kim. As artists of different dance backgrounds, they are innovators in creating impressive urban dance choreography entertainment. fLO-Ology has performed extensively in the Bay Area, including at the Hip Hop Dance Fest.
One of the Bay Area's top Salsa dancers and most sought after instructors. He teaches and performs in numerous venues throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
Helena Birecki began practicing Pilates at the American Dance festival in 1997, and started teaching in 2000. She recently re-certified through the Pilates Method Alliance and earned Gold Certification. Helena also teaches modern dance, is a choreographer, and performs with several Bay Area dance companies.
Janeen Jones started playing piano at the age of 8, and began playing for local ballet classes in high school. She studied with Edelgard Hainke, a former professor at the University of Utah who had studied at Julliard. After moving to the Bay Area, Janeen worked as an organist for several Berkeley churches and accompanied singers at informal gatherings or as entertainment at rest homes. She resumed playing for ballet classes in 2003. Janeen has accompanied dance classes for ODC, Lines Ballet School, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Shawl-Anderson Dance Studio, Marin Ballet, as well as other Bay Area dance schools and programs.
A teacher at R&M since 1991, Roitz studied ballet at the Zena Romette school in New York City to which she credits (almost) everything she knows. In addition to Fusion Rhythms, she has alsotaught Musical Theatre Performance workshops. Janet is an actor and a singer and the mother of two great boys. She also loves to swim and is a long time student of Yoga.
An internationally active choreographer and dance educator. As a young dancer, she was a member of Dan Wagoner and Dancers from 1984-89. In 1990, she began a freelance career-choreographing, performing and teaching throughout the US and Europe- commissioned to create dances for companies and performance groups in the US and Europe, was a frequent guest artist with the internationally renowned London Contemporary Dance Theatre and a guest teacher for numerous dance companies including Rambert Dance Company, DV8 Physical Theatre and Matthew Bourne's New Adventures. Her company, Janice Garrett & Dancers has been honored as one of Dance Magazine's "Top 25 to Watch." She is a graduate of Stanford University (BS, Mathematics 1975) and Mills College (MA, Dance 1978). For more information, visit www.janicegarrettanddancers.org.
Jeffrey Alphonsus Mooney has been a Modern dance accompanist, as well as a performer and teacher, in the Bay Area for over 20 years. He was recently nominated for an "Izzy" award for musical composition with choreographer Sean Dorsey. Jeff presently teaches classes and workshops for vocals/rhythms and writing.
A native of Great Neck, New York, Jennifer received her training at the School ofAmerican Ballet and with Nancy Bielski at the David Howard School of Dance. After graduating from Professional Children's School in NYC, she joined the Miami City Ballet where she remained for five years having the opportunity to perform soloist roles. Jennifer later joined Wes Chapman's Alabama Ballet and the Washington Ballet where she performed soloist and principle roles. Jennifer performed title roles in Coppelia and Giselle and danced principle roles in works by Antony Tudor, Nacho Duato, Septime Webre, Kirk Peterson and Dwight Rhoden. She has been the ballet mistress for Massachusetts Youth Ballet and American Academy of Ballet. In addition to teaching ballet at ODC in San Francisco, Jennifer is on the faculty of MoBu dance studio. Jennifer is a graduate of New College of California and is a certified Alexander Technique practitioner with a private practice in San Francisco, Move Mindfully. Her curiosity and joy for dance continues to evolve and grow over time. She is honored to share her knowledge and joy of movement with her students.
Jessica Lutes has been teaching with Rhythm & Motion since 1994 and was part of the team that developed the Modern Rhythms program. She created work and performed throughout the 1990s with Paul Benney as a director of OnSite Dance Company receiving the SF Bay Guardian Goldie Award for dance in 1993. OnSite’s work was playful, athletic, conceptual, site-specific and most often in sneakers. She also performed with a handful of other local choreographic experimenters including Knee Jerk Dance Project, Gravytrain, and Squad. She lives in the Mission with her ever-growing family and continues to hold teaching with Rhythm & Motion in the highest regard. Her background in ballet and modern dance, as well as her love of natural athleticism, inform her teaching which emphasizes momentum, breath, and the push for an ecstatic experience. The nonjudgmental and spirited environment of Rhythm & Motion gives her the opportunity to teach dancing as a joyful, technical, cathartic, and communal practice.
Jill Parker and UltraGypsy's theatrical performances have entranced audiences all over the world. Her skilled and versatile dancers perform and teach across the country at a variety of nightclubs and dance events. Jill Parker has over a decade of experience as an instructor, and has trained many of California's top belly dancers. For more information, visit www.ultragypsy.com.
2006 Isadora Duncan Dance Award winner for outstanding achievement in the category of individual dance, and was a California Arts Council Artist-In-Residence Grant recipient for the years 1995-2000. He continues teaching extremely popular classes for children and adults, in arts centers, community centers, and public schools. In addition, Barroso has taught at several universities and colleges such as California State University Sacramento, San Jose State University, Humboldt State University, San Francisco State University, New College of San Francisco, Laney College, and Mills College.
Joti Singh teaches Bhangra all over the San Francisco Bay Area. She also teaches, studies and performs West African dance from Guinea. Joti has traveled to Guinea several times to study with Master Dancer Moustapha Bangoura and other members of Les Ballets Africains. She has performed throughout the Bay Area, including at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall and on ABC TV's program "View from the Bay." Joti has participated in the Alliance for California Traditional Arts' (ACTA) Apprenticeship program with Alseny Soumah and recently received a grant from the organization to study with Youssouf Koumbassa. Joti founded Duniya Dance Company in April 2007. Joti, with Duniya Dance Company, was an Artist in Residence at CounterPULSE during the summer of 2008 culminating in the show Dhoom Dhamaka! She holds an M.A. in South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley.
Kathleen Hermesdorf is the Artistic Director of MOTIONLAB. She has been dancing in San Francisco since 1991, working with Sara Shelton Mann/Contraband since 1993 and collaborating with Stephanie Maher in Berlin since 2000. She shared a 2006 BESSIE Award with Bebe Miller Company, was a member of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company, receiving a 1999 IZZIE Award with the ensemble, and co-directed Hermesdorf & Wells Dance Company with Scott Wells, sharing a 1994 GOLDIE Award. She holds a BFA and MFA in Dance Performance & Pedagogy.
Kelly Kemp has been performing, creating and teaching dance for the last two decades or so. Her professional interests in Dance and Education (B.S. Dance, Education / MFA Dance) enabled her to study and teach at studios, schools, universities and festivals throughout the United States and abroad from 1994 to 2002. Along the way, she had the pleasure of dancing for a slew of colleagues, faculty and guest artists including Mark Taylor, Marta Renzi, David Dorfman, and Sean Curran. Significant influences in her technical training span a number of modern and post-modern artists such as east coast’s Dance Alloy and Maureen Fleming, as well as local favorites Joe Goode and Kim Epifano. Since moving to the Bay Area in 2002, Kelly has enjoyed working with artists on independent projects and longer-term engagements including Tim O’Donnell, Epiphany Productions, Paul Laurey, Spinning Yarns Dance Collective, Flyaway Productions, Lizz Roman & Dancers, Sonya Smith, and Deborah Slater Dance Theater. In addition to managing and directing her own company, Kelly is certified in Fleming Elastics and has continued to teach both ongoing dance classes and private sessions in butoh and release techniques throughout the area since 2005, most recently at San Francisco School of the Arts, the University of San Francisco, and ODC.
Ken Scott studied with the San Francisco Ballet School as well as the Pacific Dance Academy in Los Angeles. Since then he has performed for various companies, events, and shows in the bay area ranging from modern and contemporary dance to Broadway, jazz, and hip hop. Ken has taught for Rhythm and Motion since 2003, and his approach to class is centered on the idea of not taking oneself too seriously. He believes an overly-analytical approach to dance is like an overly-creative approach to algebra... It just doesn't work.
Kendall Charrow began as a student with Rhythm & Motion in 1983, before taking the leap, as an instructor in 1988."I grew up with Rhythm & Motion". While growing up in San Francisco Kendall had the wonderful opportunity to study dance under some of the most influential, talented and respected teachers this city has to offer. "I had heard about Rhythm & Motion and decided to take a class. When the music started and warm-ups began, I knew this was something I loved. R&M was the right place for me. I love teaching these classes! I love to inspire and support my student's in truly experiencing the joy of dance, along with working hard, letting go of inhibitions, learning, and having fun. Now, I get to watch my own daughter grow up here, and express herself through the joy of music and dance."
A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Lee-Wei Chao was a member of the Milwaukee Ballet Company (1998-2005) after dancing with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, the Festival Ballet of Rhode Island, Singapore Dance Theater, Taipei City Ballet, and Henry Yu Dance Company. He has performed in works by Balanchine, Choo San Goh, Robert North, Kathryn Posin, David Parsons, Jean-Paul Commelin, and Simon Dow. Chao was awarded the Outstanding Dancer Award by the Taiwanese Department of the Arts. He also was voted Best Male Dancer in Taiwan by Taiwan Dance Magazine. Since 2001, Chao has been a regular guest choreographer and teacher for the Milwaukee Ballet School Summer program and for the Milwaukee Ballet II. He also choreographed for the Space Between program at the Milwaukee Art Museum. In 2002 and 2003, Chao was commissioned for new works by the Milwaukee Ballet Company, Beyond Invisible and Edge of Silence, which premiered in 2003 and 2004 respectively. He also designed the stage sets and costumes, which gave him the opportunity to incorporate other aspects of his creative ability. Chao has been invited to return to the National University of Taipei, Taiwan as guest teacher and Choreographer in 2005. Currently based in San Francisco, Chao is on the faculty of the School of The Arts and San Francisco Dance Center.
Liping Julia Zhu is a certified Qigong/Tai Chi instructor from China and a disciple of Taoist Master Yu Anren. She was a gold medalist in the 1996 International Martial Arts Tournament. She is the Qigong instructor at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a licensed acupuncturist, and a Zen student, currently residing at San Francisco Zen Center. More at www.qidragon.com
Lizz Roman, Artistic Director of Lizz Roman & Dancers has been dancing and choreographing in San Francisco since 1984. Her work has been presented at ODC Theater, Theater Artaud, DanzHaus, Brady Street Theater, Dancer's Group, and Yerba Buena Gardens, and won a SF Weekly Black Box Award. Ms. Roman has trained in Modern, Ballet, and Contact Improvisation. Before moving to San Francisco, she studied theater at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, and attributes much of her choreographic style to her years as a student and performer of improvisational theater. Ms. Roman has taught at UC Berkeley, Rhythm and motion Dance Center, Shawl-Anderson Dance Center; Luna, the School for the Arts, and Berkeley High School. In addition to teaching at ODC School, she teaches at SF Dance Center and is a certified Pilates trainer.
Lucy Hudson was a Company Pianist for San Francisco Ballet for 11 years. She has played for dance and theater companies in America and Europe, also performing as a solo artist, composing for electronic instruments and symphony orchestra, and teaching dance-and-music workshops. She was a founding member of the Community Women's Orchestra, where she played violin. Lucy also studies drums, and her latest project is learning James Brown funk beats.
Maria DeLeo joined the Rhythm & Motion family in 1998 and has taught Fusion Rhythms since 2003. Students give testament that her energy and smile are contagious, that her movement and instruction are easy to follow and that her classes are not to be missed! Indeed, she is dedicated to spreading the joy of dance to each and every student who walks into the studio. Outside of the dance world, Maria is committed to community service with particular focus on youth justice and empowerment. She is a foster care youth advocate with SFCASA, a volunteer at Larkin Street Youth Services, and a board member of Oakland's Opera Piccola. Other passions in Maria's life include her husband, Spain, and good home cooking!
Marina Fukushima, a native of Tokyo, Japan, came to the United States when she was fifteen years old to study dance under the direction of Bonnie Mathis in Minnesota. She received her BFA in Dance with honors from Butler University in Indiana and continued her studies at the University of Iowa where she received teaching assistantship and her MFA in Dance. She has studied ballet pedagogy with Michelle Jarvis and Basil Thompson. She was a member of ODC/San Francisco and has danced with Omaha Theater Ballet Company. She has worked with David Berkey, Anne Bluethenthal, Donald Byrd, Lucas Crandall, Alan Sener, Basil Thompson and Larry White. Her work has been presented at the American College Dance Festival in Boulder, Colorado, ODC Theater, Project Artaud Theater and 418 Dance Project, Santa Cruz, CA. She is currently a member of KUNST STOFF and Mark Foehringer Dance Project.
Marisa Castillo has been on the faculty at ODC since 2006. Her early training was in the Bay Area with many fine teachers including Karen Morell with whom she gained her knowledge of the Vaganova Russian ballet technique. She also studied in the professional division of the Ailey School in New York City. Her dancing and teaching owe much credit to Augusta Moore with whom she has gained an in-depth somatic understanding of body alignment, movement and artistry. Other teaching credits include Shawl-Anderson Dance Center, Brisbane Dance Workshop, Stanford University and, this fall, the University of San Francisco. She has studied in teachers’ workshops with Maria Vegh and David Howard. Ms. Castillo has worked with local choreographers and has danced with a number of companies including Peninsula Ballet Theatre, Columbia City Ballet and Santa Clara Ballet. Marisa enjoys teaching all ages from children to adults.
In January 2006 Martt Lawrence opened the Pilates Center of San Francisco at ODC Dance Commons. Prior to moving to ODC, she spent 4 years as the Pilates Instructor to both the professional and pre-professional dancers at The San Francisco Ballet. Originally certified in 1996, Martt has spent over a decade working with dancers, athletes, and students of varying injuries. In addition to her success with dancers, Martt's work has been greatly supported her clients with special conditions such as pregnancy, hip replacements, osteoporosis, and scoliosis.
Martt believes in a traditional approach to Pilates, a system she teaches with a rhythm, pace, and flow. The benefits of this method were emphasized by her recent mentors, master teachers Romana Kryzanowska and Dorthee Van DeWalle, under whom she was re-certified in 2006. Martt's wealth of knowledge from her experience as a modern dancer, choreographer, and former professional ballet dancer with the Houston and Cincinnati Ballet attributes to her skill as Pilates Instructor.
Bringing twenty years of training and performance experience to her teaching, Micaya is known for the passionate teaching style which has made her class popular. Micaya's movement is taught in a non-intimidating way that all people can understand.
Misao Mizuno has taught Hula Kahiko at Colleges and major dance studios in the Bay Area. She believes dance and chant are Prayer. She has performed at the Opening Ceremonies of Merrie Monarch, Indigenous People's Conference, and at WPPD at Mt. Fuji, at Tenkawa Shrine in Nara for World Peace. She and her troupe, Na Manu Lani O Anuenue (Heavenly Birds of Rainbow), have performed and supported many events that promote peace, unity and the environment.
Naby Bangourahas traveled and performed with Les Ballets Merveilles for many years. In New York he taught at the Djoniba School as well as the Abized School. He has also taught at the Jewish Community Center of Houston, Texas, and the Dance Gallery in Santa Cruz.
Namita Kapoor is an interdisciplinary artist combining dance and visual art to fulfill her artistic visions. Her credits include performing with Jazz Tap Ensemble, the 1st National tour of Bombay Dreams, The King and I,and various other national/international shows. She currently performs with Keith Terry's all body band,Crosspulseand recently danced alongside Mike Myers and Jessica Alba in Paramount Pictures,The Love Guru. Namita teaches tap, jazz and bollywood dance throughout the Bay Area. Contact:www.namitakapoor.com.
Natalie Greene is a performer, teacher and choreographer exploring both traditional and innovative combinations of dance and theater. She received her BFA from Arizona State University and studied at Jacob's Pillow. Performing a variety of physical and dramatic roles, Natalie has worked with Mary Armentrout, Kim Epifano, Emily Keeler, Kelly Kemp, Deborah Slater and Leyya Tawil. Her own choreography has appeared in Italy, Spain, New York, Arizona and locally at ODC Theater, John Sims, Dance Mission, the Garage and Shotwell Studios. She has also set choreography on youth, teens, seniors, incarcerated adults, college and university students. Natalie is Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Francisco and Co-Director of the Dance Generators with Amie Dowling. She also teaches through San Francisco State University, SFArtsED and ODC School.
Nicole received a B.A. in dance from UCLA. Her one-woman show, The Sixth Vowel, combines underground dance styles with spoken-word and theater. She has toured her solo show to various festivals around the world. Some of which include, Hip-Hop Theater Festival New York and DC, Miami Project Hip-Hop, Illadelph Legends of Hip-Hop Festival in Philadelphia, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Klaymoon has also danced in works directed by Rennie Harris, Marc Bamuthi-Joseph, Kamilah Forbes, and Meredith Monk.
Nita Little develops, choreographs, performs, and teaches improvisational dance - and has for thirty-six years. As a founding developer of Contact Improvsation, she participated in its explorations in 1972 and has been significant in its evolution. She teaches in California and tours worldwide. Mind in Motion, a dance curriculum she initiated in the 80's, engages embodied inquiry and trains dance improvisation through the mind/body continuum.
Norberto Martínez (Mexican Folkloric) is a native of Yucatán peninsula, México with over 10 years experience internationally as dance instructor, choreographer and performer. He is founder/artistic director of Folklórico Atlatonín and collaborates regularly with dance companies of all styles throughout the Bay Area.
Paco Gomes, a recognized dancer, choreographer, and teacher from Bahia, Brazil, has studied folkloric and religious dances since his childhood. He graduated with a degree in dance from the Federal University in Bahia and went on to receive a Masters in Education. He has created and performed in various folkloric and modern dance groups that have performed locally and world-wide. Until now, he worked as a Professor and choreographer at the Cultural Foundation of Dance in Bahia.
Patricia Jiron received her yoga certification at Piedmont Yoga and has been practicing since 1997. She has been a dancer for over 20 years and teaches dance for the ODC School Youth Program and at City Dance Studios. Patricia is also a body worker and practices Vipassana Meditation.
Peter Rothblatt has been teaching for Rhythm & Motion since he moved to San Francisco in 1987. Still loving it after all these years. He's been dancing, performing and teaching since 1981 and loves sharing his passion for dance and the "how to" of dance with his students. As a musician and lover of music, he loves dancing to al of the musical styles that makes Fusion Rhythms the class that it is. In his class, you'll dance deeply, laugh a bit and connect to the wisdom of the human body.
Raffaella has been a professional Brazilian dance performer since 1998. Raffaella's dance training and experience includes performing professionally with numerous Brazilian dance companies in the Bay Area and performing both locally and internationally both in Europe and Brazil. She has performed in numerous types of events including the SF Carnaval Ball and many SF Carnaval Parades. In 2004, she became co-founder of Sambamora Dance Company which offers dance classes, performances and costume design in the Bay Area. Raffaella's samba class was also awarded best of the bay in 2004. She is currently teaching samba workshops through ODC/ Rhythm and Motion and UCSF Bakar Fitness Center. She also teaches youth samba classes at Out Of Site Youth Arts Center.
Rami Margron has been teaching Fusion Rhythms since 2003. She received her training in various clubs and studios in the Bay Area, Haiti, Cuba and Indonesia. Her dance background includes swing, salsa, Afro-Haitian, belly dance, modern, circus and many others. She is a former member of Group Petit La Croix, Blanche Brown's Haitian dance company and Project Reconnect, an African Diaspora dance-theater collective. In addition to R&M, she works as an actor, director, choreographer and drama teacher.
Ramon Ramos Alayostarted dancing at age eleven in Santiago de Cuba. He holds a degree in contemporary dance and education from the Havana National School of Art. He was the principal dancer with Danza del Caribe, Narciso Medina Contemporary Dance Company, and has performed in Cuba, Europe, Canada, Belize, and the U.S. He currently dances with Robert Moses' Kin and Zaccho Dance Theater, teaches Cuban Salsa and Modern dance at a variety of Bay Area schools and studios, and directs his own dance company, Alayo Dance Company.
Raymond began playing the piano at the age of 3; however it was at the age of eighteen when he completed his music and piano performance studies at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico, and he has been giving private piano lessons to adults ever since.
Raymond currently works as an independent piano instructor, and as a ballet class accompanist at Smuin Ballets, Shawl-Anderson Dance Academy, and the San Francisco Ballet school.
In addition, he periodically performs at classical music recitals; he is currently a disciple of Dr. Robert Schwartz, renowned piano teacher from the Juiliard School of Music.
Rebecca Porteous finds joy and peace through dance. She has been teaching Rhythm & Motion since 1995. "Rhythm & Motion makes you feel so free." Rebecca is the proud mother of two sweet, energetic sons. She started dancing, as so many, with ballet as a child. She has studied, jazz, african based dances, tap, flamenco, contact and modern dance over the years. Life is never still. Partner dance has been her love for the past 12 years starting with swing and lindy, salsa and two step. She found her true love in Argentine Tango in 1997. She has since danced and studied Tango with the most fabulous dancers all over the world.
Ryan Smith started teaching at Rhythm and Motion in 2007 after becoming an addicted student of the dance workout program. His early history with dance involved sequins, MC Hammer style pants, and early 90s hip hop. After classes in jazz, modern, and the rare foray into ballet, he has settled into a career as a contemporary dancer and choreographer. Currently he performs with the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company and co-directs RAWdance, a young Bay Area company known for its athletic formalist style. In daily life, and especially in class, he encourages sweating, singing and all sorts of silliness. Photo Credit: RJ Muna
Samantha Ostergaard is a certified graduate of the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco Teacher Training Program and has been practicing yoga for sixteen years and teaching for six years. She brings 15 years of modern dance experience as well as a practice of Zen meditation to her yoga teaching.
In New York City, Sandra Chinn has been a company member of Dennis Wayne's Dance Theater, Finis Jhung's Chamber Ballet USA, and Bob Bowyer's American Ballet Comedy. She was featured in the off-Broadway dance show "Funny Feet", for which she received a Drama Desk Award Nomination as "Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical". Sandra is a graduate of the National Academy of Arts (Champaign Ill.), and she continued studies at the Joffrey Ballet School American Ballet Center and intensively with Maggie Black. Teacher training includes seminars in Vaganova technique with Karen Morell. Bay Area teaching credits include Shawl Anderson Dance Center, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Berkeley City Ballet, and Idea Project. Sandra is a Berkeley native, and has a BA in computer science.
Shereen Prince has been studying, performing, and teaching hip-hop choreography for over a decade. She teaches hip-hop classes for students of almost every age and ability level. Her experience includes teaching at numerous Bay Area studios, schools and organizations such as: World Dance Center, Dance Mission, La Casa de las Madres, YMCA, and the San Francisco Unified School District. Shereen has taught and choreographed in many diverse situations: from teaching beginning hip-hop to blind and visually impaired teens at Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa, to working with youth in the arts through the Bayview Hunters Point Beacon Center. She has performed at the Hip-Hop Dance Festival, the Art and Soul Festival and Flex as well as numerous showcases and fundraisers. Shereen gets her inspiration from the lovely smiles and energy of her students.
Sidney Weaverling has studied Salsa Rueda, and Cuban movement in Cuba, Miami, and the Bay Area. She currently teaches Cuban-style movement, Salsa, and Rueda in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. For more information about Sidney's classes email sidweaverling@yahoo.com.
Born and raised in Salvador, Bahia, Tania Santiagogrew up in the heart of African-influenced Brazil. She has taught, danced, and choreographed for the most well known companies in Brazil. Tania has also extensively studied other forms of dance such as Jazz, Ballet, West African, Afro-Cuban, and Modern dance. She spent six years working with Olodum, a highly respected and internationally acknowledged Bloco Afro in Brazil. Tania also choreographed and performed for Olodum on television, at concerts, and at music festivals. Since 1997 Tania has been teaching classes and giving workshops in California, New York, Hawaii, Florida, and Vancouver, Canada. She has been an artist in residence at various school programs in San Francisco as well as a featured teacher at the Brazil Camp in Northern California.
Tim DeGaugh has worked with ODC since 2006. A drummer/percussionist by trade, he began at the age of 10. He has studied with many respect instructors in Dallas, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area including Chuck Brown, Alan Hall and David Garibaldi. He has performed with a list of bands that include The Mermen, Hopscotch, Jet Black Crayon and the drum and dance duo DRUMS N SPACE. Since 2000 he has worked with Bay Area band Notorious, with whom he has performed with Thomas Dolby, Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Tiffany, and the Sugarhill Gang to name a few. Notorious has performed at events and fundraisers nationwide for many top corporations and was declared by Modern Bride magazine as one of the hottest bands in the country! You can visit Notorious at www.Notoriousrocks.com.
Choreographer, dancer, teacher and administrator Todd Eckert holds a BA in Dance from UC Berkeley, and has been ensconced in the modern dance community of San Francisco since 1999. He has presented his own choreography annually in San Francisco at Dance Mission Theater, ODC Theater and various local festivals. Todd joined Robert Moses' Kin as a dancer in 2001, and continues to perform annually in San Francisco as well as on tour. Todd teaches dance to adults and teens at the ODC Dance Commons, and as a Lecturer in the Dance Department at UC Berkeley. Recently, he taught as Margaret Jenkins' assistant at the Guangdong Modern Dance Festival in Guangzhou, China. As an administrator, Todd has been the development and operations manager of the Margaret Jenkins Dance Company since 2000.
Tyler Knowlin has been tap dancing since age five. Originally from Connecticut, Tyler has performed in New York City with such legends as Gregory Hines, Savion Glover, Jimmy Slide, Diane Walker, Brenda Buffalino, Jason Sammuels-Smith, and many more. Tyler has been in YM Magazine, for an issue on up and coming tap dancers. He attended the Academy of the Arts in Hartford, CT where he studied acting and dance. Tyler has been in numerous commercials, and a few independent films. He has always held dance above all else and preserve the art form of tap.
Wendy Rein has been dancing and breaking furniture since age 3. After throwing off the shackles of ballet early on, she began exploring all the dance forms she could, and currently performs as a professional dancer with several local contemporary artists. She also co-directs RAWdance, a young company with a focus on athletic movement and intricate partnering. A New York native, Wendy fell in love with Dudley's Fusion Rhythms class shortly after moving to SF in 2003 and has been riding the sweat and endorphin high ever since. She began teaching in 2008 and is so excited to be able to share a passion for movement and bring loads of energy to her classes.
