| The Professional Staff of Instructors
PAOLO ALCEDO..........STEVEN BUTLER.......................JOEY L. DOWDY................RAY BASA..........DESI JEVON............KAMALA ALMANZAR.............JASON DEROEST..............CONTRA-MESTRE JIM .....LAUREE BRADLEY.....TIM FAHEY........JESSICA LYNN.........DINE' WALTON......"DJ" JOHNSON...........SHANNON SMITH........ "BRIM"................G. MADISON...........JONIA MCCLENNEY.......MARLON PELAYO.........MARISA SCHOR........ CANDICE CROSS..........AUKAI CAIN..............RICHARD PASCALE ........and SANDY PORTARO(individual biographies below)
JOEY L. DOWDY - is a multi-talented International Choreographer, Instructor, Performer, Director, Producer and Founder of "Joey's World Dance Groove" Dance instructional DVD. He is also author of "Sweat to Success and the Spirit of I". Joey is a graduate of Point Park Conservatory and a alumnus of Disney's Epcot Center World Dancers where he performed in many ABC Television specials. He has also danced and trained with the Joffrey II Ballet, The American Dance Ensemble, Tennessee Ballet, Kathryn Dunham;s African Dance Ensemble and Spaca-Brasil.His numerous choreography credits include a variety of work in Television, Film, Stage, Music Videos, and recent commercials for Coca Cola (Japan), AT&T, and Clairol. Keep your eyes glued to the silver screen as Joey makes his acting debut in the London based feature film, "I D.A.R.E. YOU" in 2006. For more about Joey go to www.worlddancegroove.com. Joey's "home" is the Athletic Garage and has been for the past seven years. Take his sizzling Afro Latin class and his stylized Jazz class.
RICHARD PASCALE- has been coaching gymnastics in the Pasadena area for over twenty years. He was one of the youngest high school athletes to win a A.A.U. Championship Title, and was ranked number one in C.I.F. for three years. In addition, some of his significant accomplishments include 14 A.A.U. Championship National Titles. Currently, he teaches Adult Body Sculpt and Circuit training. Through his own business, Elite Fitness, Richard has trained some of the top fitness champions in the nation including Kelly Ryan, Monica Brant, Laurie Vaniman, and Cynthia Hill. If you want to contact Richard for personal training call 626-564-0977.
BRIM'S real name Keith Junior- is the President and CEO of Core Video 101. Brim is a dancer, national/international choreographer, video director, produces music, artistic director, video editor just to name a few of many hats he wears. Brim has over 17 years of experience in various positions throughout both business and the entertainment industry. Brim got his jump in the entertainment industry when he choreographed dance moves for top selling multi-platinum acts such as: Backstreet Boys (Jive Records), Aaron Carter (Jive Records), and Blaque (Jive Records) just a few from his large list. He quickly became Orlando’s hottest sought after choreographer. With the decision to work in all mediums of entertainment, he soon gained the position of Creative Director for Big 3 Records and lead in the development and creation of a star studded show in Monte Carlo, France for the Prince of Monaco. He later went on and developed show concerts that themed at both the Rio and MGM Grand hotels in Las Vegas. Keith still appears in commercials, television and film projects including a featured talent in the hit dance movie ‚”You Got Served (Sony/Columbia Pictures).” Currently, Brim is in development for a new television show and a national/international dance convention.
JESSICA LYNN With her versatility and flavor, Jessica Lynn is one of the most sought after Dancers in Los Angeles. She has danced for the artists Blu Cantrell, NellyFurtado, toured overseas with the reggeaton artist Adassa ,and most recently Fantasia Barrino. Over her career she has appeared in film, television, music videos and on stage with credits ranging from Alias and the hit sketch show MadTV, to the feature films Grind, Wes Craven’s Zombie Prom, and the 2004 NBA All-Star Game. Jessica’s choreography credits include the FOX pilot Hype That Track , a promo tour for Jon.B , a Century 21 commercial , and numerous videos and stage performances for a handful of up-and-coming artists. Jessica Lynn is also an established teacher and has taught master classes throughout the U.S. and Italy.
STEVEN BUTLER is a versatile choreographer/director with a keen eye for detail and an easygoing personality that draws people in. He received his dance training from Oklahoma City University as well as Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, CA where he was awarded a full scholarship. Since then he has worked on numerous projects. Some of his television and film credits include: Transformers 2 the Revenge of the Fallen, The Teen Choice Awards, The Latin Grammy’s, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Weeds, The Vibe Awards, Regis and Kelly, and Good Morning America. Steven has also had the pleasure of working with such recording artists as: Ludacris, Nick Carter, Aaron Carter, Olivia, and Macy Gray.
"AUKAI" CAIN - Aukai has performed in off Broadway musicals such a "Bare" & "Reefer Madness" as well as several Carnival pieces at the Key Club in Los Angeles and most recently "The American Idol" & Clay Aikens video "Invisible". His recent performances include top hotels in Vegas, FOX's Good Morning show, ABC's Good Morning show, and UPN's CLUB TEEN SCENE to premiere March 2004. He has won numerous awards, most notably the Back Stage West Garland Award & the Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Ensemble Performance. He has trained with some of the top choreographers in LA , and The Athletic Garage is proud to have him join our staff. He is an off the hook dancer and choreographer. Don't miss this class!
JASON DEROEST comes from Pleasant Grove, Utah. He recieved his training at The Dance Club, one of the country's most respected teaching studios. Jason has been seen in 2 Broadway Tours, Victor Victoria and Footloose and most recently he performed in the El Capitan's stage show The Incredibles. Jason will be teaching Technique Intensive class on Tuesdays and sweat with him every Tuesday and Thursday for his Cardio Funk class.
PAULO ALCEDO. Born and raised in the central Philippines. He trained under Douglas Nierras of the Powerdance Company which won the 10th Saitama Worldwide Modern Dance Competition in Saitama, Japan. He moved to Los Angeles in 2002 and finished the EDGE scholarship (2002-2003). Alcedo has danced in numerous dance companies all over Los Angeles such as Hysterica Dance Company, ( Kitty McNamme/Ryan Heffington), Commonality Dance Company (Adam Parson), Collage Dance Theatre (Heidi Duckler), Strange Company (Hassan Christopher), and toured with the Rosanna Gamson Worldwide modern dance co. He was a part of the 2004 Hollywood Bowl season for the musical entitled "Mass" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Paulo is very active in the Filipino Community for concerts and teaching dance both in his community and with ACPN. Paulo is very thrilled to be part of the Athletic Garage Dance & Fitness studio.
DESI JEVON 'S long list of credits speak for themselves: Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance print campaign, toured with Gloria Estefan, Toni Braxton's Revealed Show, Alicia Keys, guest instructor on Dr. Phil w/Paula Abdul, Spike TV's Scream Awards, Kids Choice Awards w/The Rock, SNL w/Katie Holmes, West Side Story, A Chorus Line, choreographer for Spice Girl's reunion Tour, Bravo's Step it up and Dance, just to mention a few. Because of Desi's wide range of dance and acting background, he has been labeled as an innovator of the new style of salsa. He has developed a salsa fusion combining Salsa, Hip Hop, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and Afro-cuban. His salsa company, Angeleno Funk, is changing the world of salsa and bringing it into the new decade. During his classes, he will take you through salsa shines (footwork without a partner), turn patterns, he'll show guys how to lead and girls how to follow. He will have you at the club tearing up the dance floor in no time. Bringing a partner is NOT necessary.
RAY BASA was born and raised in Los Angeles. It wasn't until the age of 20 where he decided to pursue dance as a career. He trained in many styles of hip hop and jazz at Debbie Reynolds, Millenium Dance Complex, and the Edge Performing Arts Center. He also trained under the Versastyle Dance Company in "house" dance and has traveled to the East Coast to study "House" Dance. Ray dances with several dance companies in Los Angeles including Versastyloe, Expressive Doubt, and The Freedom Junkies Project. Some of his credits include Monsters of Hip Hop w/Funkanometry LA, Asia Entertainment, Coca Cola commercial, and John Tesh Music Gospel Dance PBS Special.
PROFESSOR JIM founded the Capoeira Angola centers in Los Angeles/Pasadena and Milwaukee. He began studies in Capoeira Angola under the tutelage of Mestre Angola, the founder of the Associacao de Caperira Corpo e Movimento (1980). He has participated in graduations, congresses, conferences, and presentations throughout Brazil, Tokyo, and in the United States. His objective is to make Capoeira Angola accessible to all peoples. He is dedicated to the preservation, instruction, and research of Capoeira Angola. For additional information, log on to www.capoeirala.com .
DINE' WALTON - Dine' began her dance career in high school as a member of the Huron Dance Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She quickly took on the role of Hip Hop choreographer since the style was not represented in this company at the
time. After a long hiatus dance was finally brought back into her life in 2001.Since this time she has danced and choreographed for several projects including the D.A.R.E AMERICA L.A SCHOOL TOUR, and lifestyle/entertainment
show TONEO TALK. She can currently be seen performing all around as a member of GROOVAHOLIX ALL-FEMALE DANCE COMPANY and teaching at L.A area dance studios, ATHLETIC GARAGE, EAGLE ROCK DANCE CENTER and THE KOREAN DANCE ACADEMY.
G MADISON IV - While working in film, television and theater, G. Madison has worked with The La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego and Asian American Reparatory Theaters, dance companies including Groovaholix, Ujima, UrbanFX, Golden Touch, Cal State LA’s Team Flight, Sexy Salsa Divas, X- Factor, Generation F, Positive Energy Salsa Company, Contagious Flow, and Groove Theory. With his newly acquired bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV & Film: Broadcast Journalism from Cal State LA, G currently travels with The Living Garden, having performed at numerous events around the world. While performing he is steadily training and choreographing for various dance troupes, established and upcoming recording artists and students of the arts throughout Southern California. He is one of Cal State Los Angels’ newest faculty members, teaching SALSA and Hip Hop for the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance. While he teaches in numerous dance studios on the west coast, including The Academy of Performing Arts, A Time To Dance, Black & Brown Studio, Temecula Dance Co., and Jay-Vee Dance Center. As an actor and dancer/choreographer, G has been featured on numerous television shows, music videos, staged productions and dance showcases including BRAVO, The 2005 Grammy Awards, Seeing Stars, The Tyra Banks Show, Pussycat Dolls Presents:, The DROP, The Choreographers’ Carnival, and The Dance Off. With training and an extended amount of performance experience in HIP-HOP, SALSA, and JAZZ-FUNK, G. continues to build his repertoire with the talents he was blessed with and is excited to work with others that are just as motivated and ambitious. As one of ATHLETIC GARAGE’S newest instructors for Hip Hop and the upcoming Salsa-Fusion classes, G plans to immerse you in a new style every week; training that will prepare you for professional dance work in today’s ever-changing industry.
“Ill see you on the dance floor”
TIM FAHEY - Tim Fahey was raised in South Carolina and has been dancing HIP HOP/ POPPING for 14 years. He has gratefully worked with artists ranging from r&b artist "Bobby Valentino" all the way to the rock group "The Deftones".Also appearing on Soul Train as a regular line dancer, Mtv and many many more projects Tim Fahey is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Recently Tim has worked with Hiroka from "We Are Heroes" on several occasions, he has created a "learn the wiggle walk tutorial" on youtube at 22,000 hits and climbing and has co-choreographed and entire stage concert for famous monumental Persian artist's such as "Idin" and "Laila'. Currently Tim is the head of a highly accredited group of professional Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern & all around reputable dancer's known as AXXENT.While currently creating choreography for many artist's and other highly anticipated projects Tim's passion and focus is to finish builiding his name as an instructor and to share his love of Hip Hop dance with as many students as possible.
JONIA MCCLENNEY -
Born in Pernambuco, Brazil, Jonia began Brazilian folk dances when she was just five years old. By age 10, she studied Jazz and then Hip-Hop. With a scholarship to study ballet, she graduated at the 6th Level from London¢s Royal Academy of Dance Program in Sao Paulo. Jonia has always had a passion and fascination for dance and went on to graduate from the University of Sao Paulo with a Bachelor¢s in Physical Education. Competing and placing in numerous dance festivals in Sao Paulo, and finally in one of the largest dance festivals in the world, the Joinville Dance Festival, Santa Catarina, just south of Brazil. She also danced professionally in Hip Hop with Reebok-sponsored Cia de Performance Dance Company and performed for such corporate notables as Coca-Cola, Dupont, Amway and Procter and Gamble. Her love of Hip Hop brought her to Los Angeles where she danced with Madonna Grimes Dance Theatre Company and Culture Shock Los Angeles. Out of her native Brazil, she rediscovered the beauty of her own culture as she developed deeper dance appreciation and skills. She has been teaching at Athletic Garage since its opening in 1999. After eight years performing Samba/Brazilian rhythms and hiphop all over the U.S., and internationally in Lebanon and China, Jonia decided to bring her cheerful passion and extensive experience as a dancer to her own dance company, and in 2007 she founded Raiz Brazil Dance Company which is highly supported by Athletic Garage.
SHANNON SMITH: Shannon has received training throughout California from San Jose to Los Angeles. Her training includes modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, improvisation, lyrical, contemporary, and African dance. She has choreographed pieces for many dance teams, benefits, and performances. She recently graduated from San Jose State University where she continued to study dance while obtaining a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development. She has been awarded a one year dance scholarship at the Athletic Garage in Pasadena. Also, she has danced for television networks including the late WB and has been a part of many musical theater productions. Shannon would like to continue being a part of the dance world through teaching class, performance, and choreography.
CANDICE CROSS: received a Bachelor of Arts in Dance from the University of California, Irvine. She has performed professionally throughout Los Angeles and Orange County as well as abroad. Currently, she studies Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Ballroom, and Yoga. Ms Cross received her Pilates certification from Studio du Corps, the Pilates Center of Orange County. She teaches her students the importance of mind to body connectivity through centering, balance, and control. She works to continually grow as an artist through performance, instruction, and collaboration.
MARLON PELAYO: born and raised in southern California, a Hollywood High School Sheik and Edge Scholarship Graduate, loves dancing. He lives by the statement, ”learn something new everyday” and has done just that through travel in search of more knowledge on dance. Performing in countries like South Korea, Afghanistan, and Greece. Visiting major cities like Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, Budapest, New York, Delphi and Copenhagen to research dance trends, philosophical purposes in dance and even religious/spiritual connections to movement. Marlon Pelayo has danced with incredible talent like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Neil Patrick Harris, Adonis Remos, Queen Latifah, Anna Vissi and Imelda Papin. Currently working in Las Vegas with the Diva herself, Cher, in the Colosseum at the fabulous Ceasars Palace. Thanking everyone that has helped him get to where he stands today. Marlon loves beautiful theatres and has been privileged to “take the stage” in places like the Nokia Theatre, the Dorothy Chandler, the Ford Amphitheatre, the precious Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Staples Center, the Alex Theatre and the El Portal. Taking class frequently and always having integrity with investigation is a big motivating factor for Marlon. Learn. Live. Travel.
MARISA SCHOR: Marisa has been involved in all forms of exercise since a very early age. A former Spinning instructor in 2002 she discovered Latin dance and her training in Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Samba, and Bachata began. After being introduced to Zumba in a seminar, she knew she wanted to teach it, the perfect combination of Latin dance, fitness in a party-like atmosphere. Marisa is a certified Group Exercise Instructor by the American Fitness and Aerobics Association (AFAA).
SANDY PORTARO; is a retired RN. She is founder, owner, and director of the Athletic Garage. Her focus is on wellness and has a dream that all of us can be fit no matter what size or shape. Through her many injuries from a life of athletics and dance, she has developed a program which will build strength, endurance, and flexibility without stressing joints and back.
KAMALA ALMANZAR has been belly dancing professionally for over 20 years. She has a strong background in ballet and jazz and her style reflects these disciplines. Her credits include TV and film, theater productions, and restaurants and nightclubs around the world. Kamala is a founding member of one of LA's top middle eastern dance companies, "The Flowers of the Desert". She choreographs and coaches belly dance competitiors who have won first place titles consecutively from 1999 to 2004. Kamala teaches Egyptian and Cabaret style belly dance, as well as other dances from various Middle Eastern countries.
LAUREE BRADLEY - is a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. Lauree brings with her not only her knowledge in Yoga, but she also has a diverse background in healthcare. Lauree also has a Masters of Science in Foods and Nutrition with an emphasis in Exercise Physicology. She is currently employed full time as Director of Product Information at Trader Joe's.
SASHA KOZIAK originally from Ft. Worth, Tx, Sasha relocated to Los Angeles on a professional dance scholarship at The Edge performing arts center in the early 90's. She went to work with choreographers such as Dorian Sanchez and Bubba Carr, Anita Mann, Shawnda Sawyer, and Adam Shankman, to name a few. She is a conservatory graduate of The Second City L.A., a certified Pilates instructor and mother of two. She owns and operates Powerhouse Authentic Pilates and Pole dancing studio located upstairs in the loft at The Athletic Garage! She has recently worked with the Elephant Lab Theater on choreography and movement for their current production, choreographed a country music video and a Coca Cola short film. Sasha currently choreographs and performs monthly with "The Muse Project", a cabaret review, and directs a dance group that performs with the band Pillbilly Knights" around the L.A. area.
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