OUR TEACHERS
Chicago Teaching Artists
Mike D Chicago
Michael Davis better known as Mike D Chicago, raised on the southside of Chicago, is a man of many talents. Mike is a singer, dancer, rap artist, instructor, mentor, music producer, and choreographer. Mike is a member of Creation Global, an international Chicago Footwork crew. Mike is known as the "Gatekeeper" for the crew, as he often provided a safe space for Creation to practice for many of the beginning years of the crew's strong presence in Chicago- and he carries that same energy of providing spaces and opportunities for the crew to this day. Mike has choreographed and danced for the Chicago Bulls, Chance The Rapper, Lollapalooza, and many other industry performances. Mike is a community leader, and worked in the Chicago Park Districts for years, providing programming including dance to the youth of Chicago. Mike is also the co-founder of Bangout Workout, a company created to promote healthy living through ongoing fitness classes using Chicago-based dances and music. Mike enjoys able to use all of his gifts to hel[ and encourage others along the way with positive energy. His single “Claim It” is a testimony to what he’s attempting to do and where he’s headed with it.
Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas
Christopher “Mad Dog” Thomas is an extremely motivated dancer, activist, and youth mentor. Born and raised in Chicago Altgeld Gardens project homes he was inspired to dance at age 5 by artists like Michael Jackson and New Edition. Throughout his youth career, Chris danced with local groups K-Phi 9, House Arrest II, and Second II None. Chris later joined King Charles’ footwork battle clique, Creation in 2005. In 2007 “Mad Dog” became a member of the FootworKINGz for their appearance on Ellen’s Really Big Show in Las Vegas. “Mad Dog” has become one of the organization's most sought after Arts & Restorative Justice Facilitators. Currently Mad Dog has received several awards for his arts and activism work in community and with Chicago youth. 2020 Chicago Dancemaker Award, 2022 American For The Arts Johnson Award, Greenline Theatre 2022 artist award, 2023 IMAN Roster Artist Award, Links Hall 2023 residency, and Chicago Cultural Center Dance residency. Creating opportunities for the footwork community and using footwork as a tool of social liberation through artistic expression is very important to Mad Dog.
Wesley Stewart
Wesley Stewart is a dancer from Markham IL who specializes in Chicago Footwork and Hip-Hop. He has been apart of the Footwork Family “Creation” Since 2004! His goal as a teacher is to help his students build confidence through dance and guide them in their communities as a mentor. Wesley has performed for the Chicago Bulls, Chicago sky, Red Bull, Nike, Nike Paris, BMW, and Chance the Rapper, to just name a few!
Maurice “Reece” Dentis
Maurice “Reece” Dentis started dancing when he was 7 years old. It’s always been a sport that he indirectly practiced. Dance became a career for him at 15 years old. He knew at that age he wanted to make a future for it. His hobbies outside of dance are going on long walks, coloring, painting and skating. He is a mellow yet vibrant dancer, who loves meeting new people doing what he loves to do. He’s easily motivated by team spirit and positive vibes. Some organizations that he is a part of are Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity Inc, House Arrest 2 Championship Dance team, Redds Angels Ent, and he is a Choreographer at Newly - known as 8 Count studios. He is also a recording artist.
Dorian “D9-3” Huff
Kicking off his career as a DJ at Southern Illinois University in 2012, D9-3 had become the most requested and entertaining DJ that SIUC had to offer. Since graduating with his Bachelor's Degree, he has expanded to 5 tours across the U.S. alongside Kap G as his official DJ, and has been blessed to touch the same stages with Chris Brown, Pharrell, Fabolous, O.T. Genesis, Lil Uzi Vert, Young Dolph, Frankie J, Becky G, and more. His energy and ability to control his audience with music selection and dance skills is what sets him apart from your average DJ. Becoming a member of the Chicago Footwork group Creation Global has elevated him as a performer. As a producer, the release of his debut album "Damn Near" has put him in a different spotlight amongst other DJs. When D9-3 is spinning at any club, party, or event, you are bound to have an experience unlike any other!
Shanqeill “Quella” Gregory
Shanqeill “Quella” Gregory was born and raised on the north side of Chicago. The start of her dance career took place at a local Boys and Girls Club in the “Uptown” neighborhood just at the age of 4. She was then introduced to different styles of dance such as Hip-Hop, Jazz, Theatrical Dance, and Chicago Footwork. Hitting the stage at a young age, she was able to book her first industry job as a dancer for Missy Elliott and Ciara for the 2005 B.E.T awards. Since then she’s trained in dance for over 10 years and has performed with mainstream artists such as Kanye West, Keke Palmer, and Dababy. Now joined with the Creative Netwerk she’s able to fulfill her passion and drive by giving back to the same community that shaped her entire childhood. With the goal to instill the ways of success for the youth through the art and journey of Dance.
Morgan Martin
Morgan Martin has taken on the role of so many things. She is a NASM Certified Group Instructor, Founder of Live and Believe Wellness, LLC, Executive Director of We Live And Believe, Owner of The LAB Transformation Center on the Southside of Chicago, Dancer, Motivational Speaker, and much more. But it is through her work in the field of fitness, dance, mindfulness, self-care, nutrition and motivational speaking that she was given the title “Transformation Specialist.” She graduated from the University of Illinois where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and was a member of the University of Illinois Varsity Cheerleading team. It was there that she began an interest in health and fitness. Through her online transformation programs, Journal Release workshops, and fitness classes, she has helped countless adults and teens transform their bodies, elevate their mindset and fall in love with themselves while empowering them to create a self-care routine. “It is my mission to help people transform mentally, physically and spiritually while helping them live a life they love and to believe that anything they see for themselves is possible. That is what “Live And Believe” is about.”-Morgan Martin
Mari Redd
Mari Redd is a creative director, performing artist, teacher, and a proud native of Chicago’s West Side. At the early age of nine, she choreographed and danced for professional national sports teams such as the Chicago Sky, Chicago Rush, and the Chicago Bulls. When she was 16, she choreographed for the Chicago Music Awards, Nike, and traveled to Ghana, Africa to teach. She also choreographed the opening acts for the Universoul Circus and the Heavy D Tribute at the Arie Crown Theatre. During her college career, Mari Redd was fortunate to receive the title of Best Poet by the NAACP, was a Top 50 finalist in So You Think You Can Dance Season 11, choreographed a #BlackLivesMatter Tribute, and performed viral tributes to Micheal Jackson, Ciara, and Teyana Taylor. She has been featured with DLOW, Taylor Swift, John Blu, Sharaya J, Chris Brown, Pronto Spazz, WuTang, World of Dance, and Empire just to name a few. While Mari Redd is not busy entertaining the world, she spends her time studying to get her Doctorate in Business Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She is an alumna of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with her Masters of Technology Management and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications. One of her dreams is to be able to use both her education and talent to build a successful performing arts school with a counseling center with both traditional, and arts therapists, to help her community learn how to cope and use their trauma constructively, while also being able to use their talents to create financial stability.
Through her experience as a movement pertormance coach/choreographer. Paige has taught and performed for over 20 Ste years, evolving into a passionate Dance expert. Her mission has always been to provide and develop a safe space for women to feel empowered. Through 365 workshops, performances, and community engagement she shares her passion for Dance, as a pioneer, to inspire others. Paige believes that dance is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or body type. SLE365 was designed to be a fun and empowering experience that will help you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin. Treat yourself with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Paige Yarbrough
New York City Teaching Artists
Chrybaby Cozie is one of the founding fathers of the Hip Hop freestyle genre called Lite Feet. Being raised in Harlem in the late 80’s was a source of great influence for Chrybaby, as it was his foundation for dance, music and the source of inspiration to uplift the youth and communities around him today. Chrybaby has been teaching Lite Feet and Hip Hop for more than 10 years and is currently teaching at the Peridance Center in NYC. Chrybaby has been cultivating and keeping the Lite Feet culture alive for ten years with the NYC youth. And through the culture, he has created a Hip Hop dance organization called ‘The Breakfast Club’ E.A.T (Earning All Together) in 2005. ‘The Breakfast Club’ is a platform for youth, to build upon their passion, talent and be given an opportunity to promote themselves in a positive light. After the creation of ‘The Breakfast Club’ Chrybaby created ‘The Lite Feet Nation’; a community connected by individuals who were there from the conception of the dance genre, to the youth who keep it alive today. Chrybaby’s extensive knowledge of Hip Hop and Lite Feet has led him to working with artists such as Chris Brown “Kiss Kiss”, Ron Browz “Pop Champagne” ft. Jim Jones and Jules Santana, and ASAP Ferg “Dope Walk.” His dedication and love for the culture has changed his life and inspired many others around him.
Dorian Aleccia
Lily Breeze
Chrybaby Cozie
Aatifa Drayton
Born and raised in the Bronx Aatifa discovered her love for dance at the age of 5, as a part of her family’s cultural arts and dance center. It was there where she began her extensive training in dance. At age 7, she would expand her exposure and experiences in dance by joining “A Touch of Folklore Dance Company” where she continued training and over the course of 10 years, she began growing and excelling as an artist, performer, choreographer, and teacher. Aatifa has performed and study with many reputable dance institutions and dance companies such as, “A Touch of Folklore Dance Company” where she learned Music History, Musical Theater and Cultural Arts as she studied the techniques of West African Dance and African American Dance Diaspora. She was also a featured dancer with “Forces of Nature Dance Theater”, for 5 years. “Bokandeye African American Dance Theater” where she trained, studied, and performed in the style and technique of “The LaRocque Bey School of Dance Theater” Inc for 25 years; and is currently a member of “Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation’s Dance Company”, since 2019. Aatifa continues to generously shares her love, joy and knowledge of a dance, as an Instructor, Mentor Choreographer, Leader and a Facilitator in many outreach programs, youth centers, and dance studios throughout the country and abroad.
Kid Smoove
Kid Smoove was born and raised in Harlem. He started doing litefeet at 7 years old but really started to take it seriously when he was 13 years old. Since then he has performed on stages and along side artists such as The Apollo, Stage 48, Radio City Music Hall with Alicia Keys, King Combs, Papoose Video, Lil Wayne, and Ron Browz. He also won the TKO Belt and the Iron Foot Belt in litefeet tournaments. Litefeet means the world to Kid Smoove, and he particularly loves sharing his knowledge and passion for litefeet with others.
Aaron Nishikawa
Jai’Quin Coleman
Dance for Jai’Quin is something that evolved from her experience being born in Brooklyn, and raised in the hip streets of Harlem. With local community parades, events, as well as amazing professional dance companies like Something Untouchable Dance Company (SUDC), Jai’Quin got the opportunity to explore her artistry, competing in national and international competitions like In10sity, Regional Revolution, winning scholarships at conventions, and also receiving dancer of the year within SUDC. Now as her craft grows with consistency, content, and intention, she is able to turn dance into a universal language. While also being a dance teacher/ choreographer, Jai’Quin continues to explore and expand the world of dance throughout her individual artistry, and sisterhoods/ families such as Ladies of Hip - Hop Collective (founded by Michele Byrd) and “ Masterz at Work Dance Family” ( founded by Courtney Topanga Washington) where she’s been able to travel to Bilbao, Spain, perform at The, Guggenheim Museum, and the Lincoln center. In essence Jai’Quin’s artistry allows her to develop life long connections that’ll help her in her career passions as she becomes the next dance hood healer, and leader for communities, especially the youth.
Jada Chanell
Jada Chanell is a professional dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist from the Bronx, NY and been dancing since a young age. Jada was a member of Shakenation, a NYC based team founded by Ron Browz that performed at hundreds of shows and parties across the city. This crew experience inspired Jada to create her own dance team called Team 2Crafty. Jada Chanell and her Team 2Crafty was invited to compete in California multiple times through a Caffeine TV dance competition hosted by Tommy The Clown to represent NYC. Jada Chaneell teaches at various studios and community centers across the city building the community through dance. Jada has performed at venues such as the Essence Festival, Yankee Stadium, Barclays Center, and at the local Juneteenth events. Jada has performed and modeled with Nike, and also battled as a dancer in the Redbull Dance Your Style competition. Jada teaches for Creative Netwerk in New York City, and inspires each of her students to be confident and powerful dancers!
Los Angeles Teaching Artists
Dorian Aleccia has been dancing since the age of 4. She started her training at home, in Chicago, at various studios including the Chicago Dance Academy and Joel Hall Dance Center. Her styles expanded from Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre, Urban Jazz/Jazz Funk, and Hip Hop. After graduating from Ohio State University, Dorian moved to Los Angeles to join the Teach for America corps, while pursuing her master’s degree. Training in Los Angeles involved in-depth work in styles that have always resonated with Dorian–such as Chicago Footwork, Stepping/Strolling, Samba, Salsa, Vogue, New Orleans Bounce, and Waacking. Dorian’s credits include: Dancing with The Stars, World of Dance, East Los High, Dawn Richard, Joey Montana, Luney Tunes, Twista, The Rej3ctz, Nicki Minaj, Offset, Aloe Blacc, and Disney Junior Live. More recently Dorian has been combining her skill sets, working as an MC/Host. As a black woman in the entertainment industry Dorian has tried to find the balance of art and activism. She has an infinite love for her culture, and she aims to use her skills as an educator and artist to continue to share the magic of it!
Kashana Sharif
Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard is a Traditional West African and Afro Caribbean percussionist and dancer, also specializing in American Club/Street Dance forms. He has performed and taught these art forms all around the world. A native of Washington, D.C., He has been performing professionally since he was twelve, working with Coyaba Dance Theater, Urban Artistry, and others. He has been a cast member of the Off-Broadway production STOMP, since 2016, received the lead role in 2019 and lead the final cast of the NYC closing show in January 2023. Desmond currently works with the Alvin Ailey School, National Dance Institute, Marymount College, NYU, and the Misty Copeland Foundation, as a lead musician for their programs. He is a percussionist with Bambara Drum and Dance Ensemble, one of the leading Traditional West African Dance Companies on the East Coast. He also is the Co-Founder and Musical Director of AmaKweku Cultural Arts, an arts organization focusing on the preservation and continuation of Traditional West African dance and music, in the context of community art programs for youth and adults to facilitate deeper cultural identity and artistry. Desmond graduated from The New School and holds a B.A. in Contemporary Music.
Born and raised in Springfield, MA, Kashana began dancing at the age of 10. She began her training at Community Dance Enrichment Program and Shooting Star Dance Center. Years later she taught at multiple dance schools in the New England area. Kashana now resides in Los Angeles, CA and works as a professional dancer/choreographer. She is currently in two dance companies, Stroll Groove and LA Samba Dancers. She has studied and trained in jazz, ballet, Broadway jazz, samba, hip hop, and stepping. Some of her credits include The Masked Dancer, Mary J. Blige, Jidenna, Daddy Yankee, BET Awards NBC World of Dance, So You Think You Dance and the Masked Dancer.
Lilian Josefina Ortega better known as LilyBreeze is a multidisciplinary Artist, world renowned B-girl, Educator & Holistic Hip Hop Practitioner. Born and raised in LA’s San Fernando Valley to Mexican immigrant parents. Her humble home became her first stage and canvas. Her love for dance bloomed at an early age when her father introduced her to Mambo. In 2005 she discovered Hip Hop, Krump, Popping, Locking, and House. At the age of 13 she toured around the world, dancing professionally for 10 years with Versa Style Dance Company. In 2013 she started her journey in the world of Breaking. She loves the freedom this dance has given her to combine her other genres while still honoring the foundation of the craft. Within her 10years of Breaking experience, she has made a name for herself, competing around the world. She has been teaching for 11 years within the Los Angeles County and beyond. As a practitioner Lilian values the importance of preserving this culture and paying it forward, as it was done for her. Dance & Hip Hop Culture as a whole has been a source of therapy for Lilian, a healing journey that keeps her in tune with herself and the opportunity to connect ancestrally. She aspires to lead by example, “a jack of all trades, and a master of self” is her motto.
Aaron ‘Keiji’ Nishikawa is a dance artist and dance teacher based in Los Angeles, CA. He has been dancing his whole life, but didn’t receive formal training until the age of 14. His journey began on the Pasadena high school dance team and continued on UCSB’s Untitled Dance Company (formerly known as Urban Dance Company), where he eventually served as the artistic director for 2 years. During his time in Santa Barbara, he also began teaching at local studios, nonprofits, and the UCSB recreation center. After taking a short break from teaching, he has recently returned and taught at studios such as Hip Hop Mindset and Snowglobe Perspective. He hopes to continue to share some of what he has learned up until this point in his life and assist others in their own growth as both dancers and people.
Allie Laliberte
Allie is a canadian dancer now living in Los Angeles. She began her dance career at the age of 18 after having trained in various styles throughout her teen years. She quickly fell in love with street styles & commercial hiphop and began teaching dancers of all ages while building her career in the industry. Allie has since gone on to dance for artists like Drake, Rihanna, JBalvin, Ricky Martin, Missy Elliott on stages like the Grammys, AMAs, Britt Awards and many more across Canada, Europe and America. Allie’s love for dance, specifically hiphop continues to grow as well as her passion for teaching young dancers.
Shantel Ureña
Shantel Ureña is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and teacher from Tampa, Florida now residing in Los Angeles, Ca. She has a focus in concert, commercial and the underground freestyle scene. She began her movement journey at the age of 2 in her grandparents home. Surrounded by Palo and Merengue music, she could always be found Improvising any and everywhere. Within the essence of her freestyle she experiments in blending styles. Which include; Ballet, Modern and Contemporary with Street + Club dance styles such as Hip Hop, Popping, House, Waving and Salsa. Reflecting back what she likes to call her “Sancocho.” She has performed and collaborated with; The Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre Company and toured both nationally and internationally with Contra-Tiempo’s ‘JoyUS JustUS’. She has also featured her independent piece, ‘Sancocho’ at Blaktinx and worked with artists such as, Google Pixel, Dua Lipa, Christina Aguilera and Ozuna. Shantel is a passionate visionary and storyteller. Her most recent short film, ‘Generational Wealth’ is a story on reclaiming the narrative of wealth. Interconnecting familial lineage healing and more through dance and magical realism.
Santa Barbara Teaching Artists
Paris Davison
Paris is a well known choreographer, instructor, creative director, and dancer in the 805. Paris has been in a number of professional dance/training opportunities with Samantha Caudle, Melissa Barlow, Eric Bellinger, Candice Craig, Hiphop Mindset, D Main and more. She has competed on Latin TV and Hiphop International making it to the semi finals. Paris is the founder and creator of The P$ Experience and P$ Academy. She offers classes for all ages in Hiphop and Jazz funk, and also specializes in Adult Heels classes.
Serina Sanchez
Serina Sanchez is a local dancer representing the 805. She has been dancing for over 2 decades- from taking classes locally, competing in dance competitions and battles, creating dance visuals, and working alongsideartists in the industry. She has been teaching the youth within Ventura County for about 5 years. Her focus on dance is within freestyle elements and the style of Popping. She has been training in the foundational elements of street dance for many years and intends to help the youth express and gain appreciation for the different styles and hopes to inspire them to continue learning these styles along with their current dance training.
Dalia Santana
Dalia Santana was born and raised in beautiful Santa Barbara and started dancing with Alma De Mexico (A folklórico group). She did floklorico for 9 years and then joined her high schools dance program freshman year at Santa Barbara High School where she learned hiphop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary. She was also part of her high school’s dance team for her last 2 years of high school. Now she takes hip hop classes all around town and in LA, and teaches pop up hiphop classes in Santa Barbara as well.
Miguel is a familiar choreographer, instructor, and dancer in Santa Barbara County. Miguel has had training in various forms of dance which include ballet, jazz, modern,lyrical, pom with his strength being HipHop. Miguel has participated in multiple dance opportunities and productions all around the 805 community. He takes pride in offering classes for all ages in Hiphop and Jazz funk. He has taught for multiple studios within the community to ensure he feeds into the new generation of dancers.
Miguel Hernandez
Aliyah Habib
Aliyah was born and raised in the Bay Area, and began dancing at just 2 years old. She grew up dancing at her local dance studio, training in many styles such as hip-hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap. She began competing at age 9, and has continued her dance journey into college. She currently attends UC Santa Barbara and is a member of Untitled Dance Company, a hip-hop team on campus that trains every week and performs for the local community. She has been a part of many dance events in the greater 805 area, and she also teaches at local dance studios regularly. Aliyah is passionate about creating a safe space and welcoming community through dance!