SERGE ALY, a.k.a.“Surge”, (Hip Hop) has been exposed to Hip Hop and dance since the early 1980s. His knowledge encompasses various forms, such as “Locking”, “Popping”, “Old School, “New School” and “House” (Clubbin’). He has had the privilege of learning from, and being mentored and endorsed by many of Hip Hop’s creators and pioneers.

ITALY BIANCA (Hip Hop, Jazz) is a multimedia/sacred artist raised in South Carolina but currently living in Brooklyn, New York. She received a B.A. in Dance Education and Dance Performance and Choreography from Coker University. She has also trained at the Joffrey Ballet School in their Jazz and Contemporary dance program.

She has collaborated with various dancers, community leaders, groups, organizations and programs in NYC. She was also nominated for a Bessie award for Outstanding Performer in 2017 and appeared in Crystal Waters’ “I am House” video in 2018. Presented Work at Gibney Dance in 2019 (Ame-ricana), a work inspired by fragments of her southern roots. She has study and apprentice Herbalism at Sacred Vibes Apothecary with Empress Karen M. Rose.

Italy has chosen to use her artistic energy to shine light on what it means to give your creativity, passion and raw emotion the freedom to explore and expand. Through her brand and platform, transformational experiences can be found by journaling movement, healing through creative release and being open to self-expression.

 

jacobsen KADEE JACOBSEN (Hip Hop) has been teaching dance for 18 years. She began her training in Massachusetts then relocated to NYC to study at the Broadway Dance Center, where she was awarded the Richard Ellner Scholarship.  She soon began working with Frank Hatchett, Michelle Barber, Pam Chancey, and others.  Kadee has performed in dance productions and industrials including the Solid Gold Dance Party Tour, Dramatics NYC, Elan Awards and The Best of Broadway Dance Center. Kadee felt early on in her career that her true passion was teaching. She has worked for Dance Olympus, International Dance Challenge and The Pulse, Marist College and Bronx Community College and has been an instructor at Coupé Theatre Studio since the fall of 2001. Kadee also teaches master classes at colleges and dance schools throughout the U.S.

 

MARTHA LAVERY (Hip Hop) graduated from Hofstra’s Honors College in 2014 with a BA in Dance and Minors in Film Studies/Production and Psychology. At Hofstra, she performed and choreographed for MoVoM, Danceworks, and Imani Dance Ensemble, and spent a month dancing and performing in Italy at Toscana Dance Hub. Post-graduation, she has performed for 50+ choreographers and dance companies (modern, contemporary, performance art, hip-hop, etc.) and has been commissioned to create over 30 original pieces (aside from weekly class choreography/workshops/master classes) for various showcases, competitions, and video projects in the greater NYC area. Notable performances include SummerStage in Central Park (splitting the bill with Abraham in Motion), winning the Audience Favorite choreography vote at Uptown Rising at Bridge For Dance, and students performing her choreography at Carnegie Hall. Last October, she spent several weeks in China as part of the US dance team for the CBA’s China Hoops basketball tournament. She currently teaches dance in public school/charter school/studio/open class settings to kindergarten students through adults in Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Heels, & her “genrefluid” style, and continues to produce her own choreography for both stage and film. She is also a (305) Fitness certified instructor.

 

MELISSA RAMOS (Hip Hop)  Born and raised in New York City, Melissa began her dance training at the age of 15 at Ballet Hispanico where she trained extensively in ballet, jazz and modern dance on scholarship for over two years. In 2008, she joined the NYC-based Young Dance Makers Company, where she was given the opportunity to choreograph and perform at different venues and landmarks around the city.

Wanting to further her training, she went on to study at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. While exploring different styles of dance she developed a great passion for hip hop and commercial street styles and began working with teacher/choreographer Matt Lopez.

In 2012, Melissa became a company member of the Pointillism Jazz Consort in Ohio where she performed ballet, jazz and hip hop in a modern version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In 2015, Melissa joined NBA’s finest dance team, the “Brooklynettes.” Melissa modeled for the team’s calendar shoot in Barbados and represented the team for the “Watch Me Work Tour” in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile, during which she had the privilege to teach dance clinics and speak to teenagers along with other panelists to inspire them and share her knowledge of dance.