Kickin Conventions

Here are just a few of the great choreographers we have had the opportunity to meet and learn from ... some we met away and others came right to our studio!

	JESSE LEE SANTOS Santos is the CEO of JLS Entertainment. Since the beginning of Jesselee’s dance career in 1999, he has become one of the top requested dancers in LA as well as an accomplished choreographer. Most recently he has performed throughout the world with pop icon Britney Spears. He has also toured with the top pop artists such as Mandy Moore, Pink, and Jessica Simpson. Jesselee has performed on the Grammy Music Awards with Britney Spears (2000), Madonna (2001), and Alicia Keys (2002), as well as the Soul Train Awards with Blaque and Usher. Among his many music videos, he most notable ones include Wild Wild West, Crazy, Most Girls, Irresistible, A Lil Bit, Slave 4 U and Overprotected. He has also been seen performing on MTV’s Janet Jackson Icon Show, Pop Stairs with Eden’s Crush, HBO Live from Vegal with Britney, and the new Pepsi/Britney commercial. Jesselee has now branched out to the big screen and has been seen in Austin Powers III, The Hot Chick, Malibu’s Most Wanted with Jamie Kennedy and Honey with Jessica Alba. In recent weeks Jesse has been completing rehearsals for Madonna’s new video as well as back to school commercials for Target.
	CHRISTIAN VINCENT Vincent, a native of Windsor, Ontario, Canada holds a B.F.A from Bulter University where he graduated with highest honours, cum laude. As a multi-talented performer, Christian first experienced success in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer and choreographer, working with such artists as Shakira, Ricky Martin, Chayanne, Mandy Moore, Macy Gray, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Ashanti, Prince, Goria Estefan and Madonna (where he was the dance captain for her Drowned World Tour). Christian has also appeared in various films including She's All That, Starsky and Hutch, and Ms. Congeniality 2. Even more extensive are his television appearances on Buffy, Disney's Annie, Arrested Development, Baywatch, The George Lopez Show, and Cold Case. Additionally, he has appeared in multiple commercials and print ads for Chevy, Muscle and Fitness "Hers" and Verizon. His talent's as a choreographer can be seen in an upcoming Target Spot. Christian's theatrical career has seen successes such as Broadway' Radiant Baby, directed by George C. Wolf and as a lead vocalist in the stage show Generations.
	LIZ RAMOS A native Texan, Liz Ramos began her training in ballet, tap, and jazz at the age of 6. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York City on a full scholarship to The Joffrey Ballet Academy. While living in N.Y, Liz had the opportunity to study from some of the masters of tap- Diane ALady Di Walker, Barbara Duffy, Charles Goddertz, and Van Athe Man Porter to name a few. She was soon cast in the Broadway musical European tour of Black and Blue (choreographed by Henry Le Tang). Since relocating to Los Angeles, Ms Ramos has appeared in numerous music videos, t.v, and films. She has had the delightful pleasure of working with such artist as Will Smith, Enrique Iglesias, P. Diddy, Faith Hill, Jessica Simpson, Toni Braxton, and Jlo to name a few. Film credits include ARent, Austin Powers 3-Goldmember, Dirty Dancing 2-Havana Nights, Mr.& Mrs. Smith, and soon to be released El Cantante with Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. T.V credits include American Music Awards, Oprah, Suddenly Susan, Latin Music Awards, CSI: Miami, and numerous other shows. Tours: Earth Wind and Fire(2000-2003)Gloria Estefan LIVE AND RE-WRAPPED(2004). February 2005, Liz was cast in the Broadway bound musical The Mambo Kings and recently wrapped the workshop of In The Heights in N.Y. Later this year she will return to N.Y. to work on the Broadway revival of The Wiz.
	MELISSA MILES Miles was born and raised in East Lansing, MI. She began training in gymnastics and dance at a very young age. After high school she attended the Jammnation dance convention and was awarded a scholarship to Broadway Dance Center in NYC. She studied in New York for a year before making the move to L.A. Since her move to L.A., she has established herself as being one of the most sought after dancers and up and coming choreographers in the Industry. She has performed with many artists including TATU, Lil’ Bubba, Ricky G. of the boy band No Authority, Jesse Morales, Kara, and Gloria Gaynor. She has also been in the opening act for BBMack, and Soluna. Other credits include Adidas, Pin Up Girls USA, 30 Seconds to Fame, Miss USA Pageant, USO European Tour, Gypsy Awards honoring Chita Rivera and Rob Marshal/;, and the Mtv Movie Awards . Melissa travels throughout the United States teaching master classes and working with top ten university dance teams including choreographing MSU’s national competition routine. Melissa is currently teaching an advanced jazz class at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. Her class consists of a variety of styles including lyrical, thrash, and funk.
	TRYCIA CARLBERG Trycia Carlin, a Southern California native, has been singing and dancing since the age of 4. She began her professional career in Japan at the age of 18, performing in the hit Las Vegas Show Splash. Since then, she’s traveled the world performing for such various artists and productions as Musiq Soulchild, Nike and Radio Shack. She has also performed at many Hollywood movie premiers including A Knight’s Tale, Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle and Oceans 12. You may have seen Trycia on Mad T.V., The Tonight Show, or dancing back up for the hot country band Big and Rich. Trycia has also had the opportunity to travel with a USO tour, entertaining our troops in Bosnia and Kosovo. She travels as a percussionist with the high energy troop Rhythm Extreme, and is a certified makeup artist with her own line of cosmetics. www.dustmakeup.com
	JONATHAN GEORGE George is a Vocal Coach to the Stars! Coaching some of the hottest new talent in the Music/Film/TV, Jonathan not only coaches artists, but develops them and helps jump start their careers. This is not just for "singers" but anyone who is planning to be an entertainer. All entertainers should be triple threats in order to be a working performer. This is for the beginner as well as the intermediate and advanced. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Vocal Music Education, Jonathan has become one of the top Vocal Coaches for young artists in L.A. His success as a teacher not only comes from his dedication of empowering kids through the arts, but also from his professional career as an entertainer. He has combined his soulful R&B vocal with his Gospel background to perform in over 60 stage shows, musicals, and television appearances that have taken him all over the world performing for millions. Since moving to L.A. in 2001 to focus on his singing and songwriting careers, he shot a music video to his first single “Ooh Mama Mia”, was the Grand Champion Winner on Ed McMahon’s new “Star Search” show called “Next Big Star”, performed for FOX’s “Thirty Second’s to Fame” and “Mad TV”, shot a JayZ music video, as well as a SAYNKO commercial with Nicholas Cage.
	MIA MICHAELS From stage to screen, Mia has turned dance into inspired and unique works of passion and beauty. She has rendered her unique style and vision of the craft, which is sought after by other innovators, from celebrities and recording artists to dance companies and educational institutions.Mia’s choreography for Celine Dion’s A New Day under the direction of Franco Dragone at Caesars’ Palace in Las Vegas has received stunning reviews. The New York Times raved, “The greatest pleasure…was the go-for-broke physicality of the choreography”. The show features a cast of 50 dancers and is two hours of pure dance artistry. Currently her work can be seen on Cirque du Soleil’s first touring show, Delirium, which premiered March 2006. She has also created works for numerous recording artists including Madonna, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and Prince.. Her work in film and television includes “Cool Women” for AMC/DreamWorks Television and award winning commercials for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, Coldwell Banker, Ziploc, the WNBA, Star TV and VISA. Included in her diverse concert and stage work is the critically acclaimed New York based dance company, RAW for which she is the founder, artistic director and choreographer. She has been commissioned to create work for Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Jazz Dance Chicago, and Oslo Dance Ensemble. She’s been off-Broadway with “If These Shoes Could Talk,” and “Fort Chaffee.” Mia has also held faculty positions at prestigious institutions of dance around the world including Alvin Ailey and the International Dance Festival of Italy. Mia is constantly striving for new inspirations for her work. Her students and peers around the world have noted her as a memorable influence. She has a way of touching people’s lives with passion, emotional expression and style of dance.
	ALISON FAULK With a professional career spanning film, TV and stage, Alison’s most recent achievement was assisting choreography on Pink’s I’m Not Dead tour and Madonna’s Confessions world tour for Jamie King. She can also been seen in the feature films You Got Served and Along Came Polly, while other film credits include Austin Powers I & II, Charlies Angels and American Idol spin off, From Justin to Kelly. On stage, Alison has performed with Janet Jackson on her All For You World Tour, as well as Britney Spears, Pink, Eve, Anastasia, Paulina Rubio, Toni Braxton, to name but a few.
	BRADLEY RAPIER from the Groovaloos Based out of Los Angeles and founded by Bradley “Shooz” Rapier in 1999, the award winning Groovaloos represent the most visible dancers in the entertainment industry. Individually, their resumes note artists from Diana Ross and Madonna, to Usher, Will Smith, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Janet & Michael Jackson, Missy Elliott , The Black Eyed Peas and Run DMC . TV/film credits include You Got Served, Charlie’s Angels, Austin Powers, My Wife & Kids, The Grammys and American Music Awards, with commercials for The Gap, iPod, and McDonald’s . The Groovaloos have studied dance foundations within the hip hop culture dating back from he early 70’s. The group’s goal is to use this knowledge and their personal experiences and abilities to excite and inspire others, sharing the dynamic styles and positive spirit of street dance that brought them together as a family. As a group, The Groovaloos have twice performed on The Wayne Brady Show , been featured on TV’s One Cubed and in Dance Spirit Magazine and were the special guest performers for the final episode of FOX’s hit TV show So You Think You Can Dance . They have danced for Nokia, Nike, Adidas, Skechers , at The MVPA Awards , and starred in their own theatrical stage show entitled, GROOVALOO, for 12 weeks to sold out audiences and rave reviews in Los Angeles. GROOVALOO is presently being developed for Broadway, national and international touring. The Groovaloos are connecting the globe with the power, beauty and strength of hip hop, showing the world that there is a real purpose, heart and name for this dance style.
	MIKE JONES: PRESIDENT & CEO, POWERHOUSE DANCE Winning the title of National Male Dance Champion in 1999, in Toronto with Hoctor’s Dance Caravan from New York, and crowned “MR. ENTERTAINMENT” at 5678 Showtime National Convention in Niagara Falls, Mike has won the heart of dancers across the nation. Mike has performed in CBC movies, was prime dancer with Bugs Greene Family tour, danced on national television, performed with John Allen Cameron and Natalie McMaster to name but a few. Mike is the owner and founder of PowerHouse Dance Productions, an entertainment company based out of eastern Canada. PowerHouse has made its mark on the Canadian dance scene with workshops and competitions focused on cultivating the skills of young performers. PowerHouse Dance works in conjunction with JLS Entertainment, a Hollywood based Entertainment Company. Not only is Mike a registered and skilled massage therapist, but he is also an experienced dance instructor with the Bonnie Kilburn Dance School in Canada, instructing students ages 3-70.
	MIKE HIRSCHBACH Mike Hirschbach (www.circusmike.com) performed as a character clown with the Cirque du Soleil show, “Dralion”, across North America from 2001-2003. Since 2003 he has been a Master Trainer with the Cirque du Monde, the Cirque’s social outreach program, and has taught intensive workshops in Orlando, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Montreal, Toronto, New York, South Africa and Burkina Faso. Currently he is the Director of Circus Circle (www.circuscircle.ca), teaching circus skills to youth at risk in Nova Scotia, in programs that range from Youth Detention facilities to First Nations reserves to weekly venues for street youth. Before that Mike toured his solo theatrical-circus shows for many years across Canada, the continental U.S., Europe, Singapore, the Yukon and Alaska, and at the '88 Calgary Olympic Games. Locally he founded the Circus clubs in Halifax (still going 20 years later!) and in Wolfville (7 years), and taught at Neptune Theatre for over 12 years, at Halifax Dance, and Acadia University.
	CHRIS BARLAN Chris Barlan is a native of the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He Started his intensive training in the city of Naperville near downtown Chicago at Dance West Ballet Academy. He started with the art of Hip Hop and soon began his training in Jazz / Street Jazz, Ballet, and Modern. At the age of 17, Chris became a part of the number one Hip-Hop Troupe in the Midwest also known as Xtreme Dance Force (XDF). He studied under the direction of Samuel Renzetti, founder of XDF. Shortly after, due to his extraordinary skills, he became choreographer/dancer for XDF and assisted Sam Renzetti in conducting classes and with artistic direction of the company. "Without his help with choreography and teaching I do not know where XDF will be to this day", said Sam Renzetti. After three years of contributing as one of the head choreographers/dancers for Xtreme Dance Force, Chris made his big move out to Los Angeles, California where he has excelled in his craft in dance performance. He trained at the top studios such as Millinnium Dance Complex, Debbie Reynolds, and Edge Performing Arts Center and then was appointed as head dance captain for JLS Entertainment, under the guidance of Jesselee Santos, President/Director. It took no time for the intense training and dedication to land Chris such peak jobs as the Nickelodeon Show for Global Village Records recording artist "Adrienne", "Stars to the Stage" for Warner Bros. and CSB, and then the featured principal rolls for the debut music videos "You Make Me Hurt" and "Please Love Me As Much As You Can" for the Chinese Pop Star "Rollin" (Wang Rong). Shortly after, Chris was promoted to the premiere faculty for th JLS International event "L.A. Dance Session" in Lyon, France. Through these many accomplishments, Chris Barlan has now been promoted to a new roll in the JLS Entertainment Family as the Co-Director for the JLS Global soon to launch in the near future in Beijing, China.
	GINA STARBUCK Gina Starbuck, a native of Fresno, California, is one of the hottest performers on the scene. Currently, you can catch her in the LA company of the broadway hit Wicked, as the Witch’s Mother. She has received endless amounts of rewards and recognition for her work as a dancer/choreographer, as well as being a respected and accomplished singer and actress. At the age of 17, Gina traveled and performed with the contemporary dance company MKF Altered Modalities, winners of the 2000 Jazz World Congress. At 18, she was assistant Choreographer for the Miss California Pageant. She attended college at Chapman University, where she was rewarded Freshman of the Year in Dance, and was selected to perform at the Kennedy Center. Since Gina came onto the scene in Los Angeles, she has worked with artist such as Prince, Lindsay Lohan, Gavin Degraw, Gene Simmons, Josh Kelly, and many more. Her skills as a teacher and choreographer have taken her around the world, and her work has won awards at numerous competitions and conventions, including NYCDA and CO Dance. She has appeared i n television shows, films, and commercials such as Bring It On: All or Nothing, Y & R, Passions, AXE, and Visa- for which she worked with Emmy Award winning choreographer, Mia Michaels. She has assisted many top choreographers, including Brian Friedman, Bobby Newberry, Andre Fuentes, and Blake McGrath. You can catch her strutting her stuff on Blake’s instructional DVD Dance Driven. Gina is currently working on her first album, which is an eclectic blend of rock, soul, and funky dance beats. Wherever Gina goes, she brings positivity, creativity, and drive. She uses her success as an outlet to help others, contributing to many charities. In 2007 she created and founded Art4Life, which is now an annual event involving numerous artists in support of the American Cancer Society and in honor of her father. She will continue to grow and achieve her goals, and will always give back!
	ROBBIE BOTTOMS Robbie Bottoms, President, of Los Angeles, Dance4Film Project. Born and raised in Fairbanks Alaska. Graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville KY. He trained and performed with the Louisville Ballet Company, and several modren dance companies. He then moved to Chicago where he received excellant training at Giordanno Jazz Dance Chicago. Robbie toured and performed with many Broadway shows such as the 2nd National Tour of SWing! and the Japanese’s Tour, Camelot, Mame and the Sound of Music. Robbie Still performs for numerous industrial events. His television credits include, Dancing with the Stars, Scrubs, Days of Our lifes.
	JESSICA SAYDE Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Height: 5' 1" Weight: 120 Performance Millennium Dance Competition Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. Dance Quest Competition Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. B.A.T.D. Festival of Dance Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. Mike Cowie Productions Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. St. Pats High Fashion Show 99'-03' Dancer Choreographer Molson Canada Beer Launch Party Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. White Lotus Night Club (L.A.) Dancer Extreme Dream Team Television Breakfast Television Dancer Free Zone Dance Co. Spill Your Guts Dancer/Singer Choreographer "Devil Eyes" Featured Blackout 77 (music video) Training Halifax Dance 00'-02' Halifax, Nova Scotia Just Dancin School of Dance 02'-04' (Jazz. ballet, hip-hop) Halifax, Nova Scotia Maritime Conservatory of Perfoming Arts 03' (Private ballet class) Halifax, Nova Scotia Member of FreeZone Dance Co. 02'-04' Halifax, Nova Scotia Millennium Dance Complex Los Angeles, California Fame Dance Center 03' Orlando, Florida Barry Youngblood Workshop 02'-04' Dance Quest Competition The Boys Workshop 04' Dance Quest Competition Awards Dance Quest Competition/Scholarship Barry Youngblood Hip hop choreography solo B.A.T.D. Festival of Dance Highest Mark Hip Hop Group Dance Quest Competition Voice 3 Years of private voice lessons Metro Music School Special Skills Sports (gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, soccor) cooking, advanced computer skills, swimming, acting, yoga, fluent in Arabic
	DOMINIC SANDOVAL Sacramento/Roseville is where I was born and raised, the dance floor is where I spend most of my days ...chillen with the step boyz and my Bboy crew, bboyin and dancing outside of the school...Till we run into others that were up to no good, so we had to give them "business" in the neighborhood...I won a bunch of competitions and all got scared...my name is D-trix from Flexible flav and no one can Compare!!..............................................STEPBOYZ ENTERTAINMENT.............. FLEXIBLEFLAV........... .................QUEST..........I'm 5'8......tan..and a loser......."dont bother me...im dancing"..... Music ANYTHING...AS LONG AS I CAN DANCE TO IT...
	KATEE SHEAN one of the Top 20 finalists on season four of "So You Think You Can Dance" (Fox, 2005- ) – is a contemporary dancer from San Jose, CA. Shean is a graduate of Pioneer High School and currently attends Chapman University in Orange, CA. She is pursuing a double major in leadership and dance and is active in many volunteer organizations. Shean trained at the Teen Dance Company of the Bay Area and Atlas School of Dance.
	VINCENT NOISEUX Since the age of the 13, Vincent Noiseux has dreamed of dancing for Janet Jackson and still regards her "Rhythm Nation" video to be his favourite. It was also at that age when he was introduced to contemporary and hip-hop dance, styles he now considers to be his strongest. Vincent would most like to emulate the career of fellow Canadian dancer Kelly Konno of Triple Threat Dance, who has toured abroad with Janet Jackson. Vincent admires Konno for "sharing her passion and her knowledge with young dancers. I've had the chance to meet her and she is such a nice person." Vincent is surprised by the number of excellent dancers he has encountered during his So You Think You Can Dance Canada experience. He says he has been "blown away by the amount of talent." This young dancer is extremely proud of his own focus and discipline. Vincent feels that Canadian dancers must work harder than their American counterparts because the industry is "a lot smaller." Still, this Montreal-area native is most proud of Canada because "it's such a beautiful place filled with different people from different cultures." Vincent is overjoyed to be a member of the Top 20 for So You Think You Can Dance Canada. When asked of his reaction to the news he says, "I think I froze on the spot...I was hoping so much that I would get it and that I had done enough to impress the judges that I couldn't believe what they were telling me. I'm still in shock but it is so exciting and thrilling!"
	Hokuto "Hok" Konishi Hokuto "Hok" Konishi bio: Born in japan, raised in England, Hok began his dance career from a HipHop background. Noticed for his "Original" Dance style which the foundation belongs in B-boying, Popping, Locking, HipHop, Hok was featured on FOX's smash hit tv show "So You Think You Can Dance" as one of the top 12 finalists. Using his artistic ability, he positions as Quest's head director/choreographer. Hok travels both domestically and internationally teaching, performing, and choreographing. One of the biggest experiences he had from the show, the hummingbird and the flower choreographed by Wade Robson was loved and inspired many people throughout the whole nation.
	Lenny Dela Pena International Dancer, B-Boy and Choreographer Lenny Dela Pena "LENNY LEN" (San Francisco/ Toronto) a member of the Global Hip Hop Network (Los Angeles), dancer under the mentorship of LUTHER BROWN with DoDat Entertainment (Toronto) and founder of the FLAVOR SHOP (Toronto) an entertainer, teacher and soul movement enthusiast who's objective is to spread and elevate the knowledge of like-minded artist's growth through dance, music and most of all feel. Credits include NE-YO, RIHANNA, T-PAIN, JEREMIH, ESTHERO, AUGUST, K-OS and most recently choreographing the 2010 OLYMPIC CLOSING CEREMONIES hip hop finale in where the DEBUT of authentic HIP HOP culture took its place in OLYMPIC history …with over 20 years of experience in the music and dance industry Lenny has made his regard for quality education and higher learning his true north. His ability to communicate and lead continues to help develop talents worldwide such as PHILIPPINE ALLSTARS (WORLD HIP HOP CHAMPIONS 2006-2008) and finalist of SO YOU THINK YOU U CAN DANCE CANADA television series. Lenny has developed rising singer/songwriting artists NASRI and AUGUST renowned for writing #1 records for the likes of Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. Creatively and soulfully, Lenny has established himself to be an undeniable energy force amongst the best and the elite talent of today....
	Jayme Rae Dailey Jayme Rae Dailey, Montreal native, says she loves nothing more than dancing with her twin sister because she says "we understand each other's ideas and have a connection when we dance. I love performing with her." Citing both contemporary and hip-hop as her main dance styles, Jayme Rae is also trained in house, classical ballet, jazz and jazz funk. This versatile dancer could not pin down just one source of encouragement in her life because she believes "every single teacher, friend, and dance teammate I have ever had has been an inspiration to me. I learn and grow every day because of them." She credits her family with unrelenting support of her dance pursuits since the tender age of three. Jayme Rae feels that Canadian dancers are so uniquely talented because she says they "understand the art of dancing." A proud Montrealer, she loves the cosmopolitan city's "balance between the peaceful suburbs and the fun night life - you get the best of both worlds!" she boasts. Eager to take to the stage and show her moves to the entire country, Jayme Rae claims that her experience with SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA has not changed who she is a as a person but, "it has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities the future has in store for me. It's an exiting feeling."
	Tara Jean Popowich Born and raised in Lethbridge Alberta, Tara-Jean began her training at Joy's Dance Factory, a ballet based studio where Tara-Jean said formed her into a strong technical dancer. At age 15 she traveled to Toronto Ontario to work with Annie woods. During her time in Toronto she appeared on "Much Music's" MTV . One year later she then moved to Calgary Alberta to train at Airborne Dance. Cyndi Scott taught her "It’s not the technique that makes a dancer its there passion". Recently Tara-Jean moved to Vancouver B.C to be apart of the Source Dance Company with Joanne Pesusich. Joanne has been the biggest inspiration in her life quotes Tara. Affiliated with the Source Dance company, in March 2007 Tara-Jean opened her own dance company called "Velocity". Velocity consists of 5 dancers and sponsored by XS-Sport, Nutrilite, and creative media. With Tara-Jeans huge dreams and aspirations, people say this driven dancer has a great dance career ahead of her.
	Joe Tremaine Bio to come!
	Marty Bio to come!
	Mariano Abarca Mariano Abarca is an extraordinary instructor, enthralling performer, and an accomplished choreographer. Mariano's passion for dance was cultivated at an early age - he was raised in a home enveloped by music, thus, his body inevitably became his instrument. Initially, Mariano was exposed to, and continued to excel in, the Latin styles of dance: salsa, meringue, and the Columbian folk dance, Cumbia. His apparent natural ability, and intense appreciation of dance, ultimately, inspired him to study alternative styles of dance - hip hop, b-boying, popping and locking. As a teacher and choreographer, Mariano has been working in Toronto in excess of ten years. His incredible musicality, his diverse skill base (hip-hop, b-boying, popping, locking), his remarkable experiences as a performer, his knowledge of the history and growth of hip-hop in Canada, and his willingness to share all that he knows with his students, make him a rarity in the world of hip-hop. His dancing abilities, combined with his passion for teaching and choreographing, render him one of the best instructors in North America. Mariano is one of Toronto's premier b-boys, and, unquestionably, an audience favourite. He is famous for his incredible footwork, and innovative style of intertwining popping, b-boying, and hip-hop. As an established Toronto b-boy, Mariano led his crew, "Bag of Trix" to international acclaim at "The Battle of the Year 1999" in Leipzig, Germany. Mariano's crews have, furthermore, earned championship titles in UK, Korea, and here in Canada. Mariano's extraordinary style has allowed him to dance in several music videos, commercials, and television programs. Thus, he has worked with artists such as Vivica Fox, Tom Green, Mya, K-OS, Wyclef, Arrested Development, Grand Master Flash, De La Soul, Rob Base and DJ Easy Rock - to name a few. Remarkably, he was provided the exceptional honour of performing for the Prince of Wales. Currently, Mariano is working with ABS crew to develop his ideas and style into a full-length stage production. Mariano Abarca is a role model, an innovator, and a true urban artist.

Our dancers have also taken classes from Wilson Wong (hip hop instructor from Randolf School in Toronto), Ballet Bob McCullem (from Toronto) Marco Santana (from LA) as well as participated in the New York City Tap Festival – the largest tap festival in the USA. .... Way to go dancers!

Here are some of the competitions we attend (click the competition link for more info)
DanceQuest (Saint John, NB)	CanDance (Halifax)	Tremaine (New York)
DanceAbition Competition (Halifax and Cape Breton, NS)	5678 (Wolfville)
Powerhouse Dance Convention and Competition (Fredericton, NB)	Champions (Halifax)
Hip Hop Dance Off (Halifax)	BATD (Milford)