AJ Padayhag Before starting college, AJ lived in the small South Jersey town of Galloway, just 20 minutes outside of Atlantic City. AJ didn't begin seriously exploring dance until right before he started attending Fordham University in the Fall of 2010. He was a member of Def Jam for Cutie, which performed for the Fall 2010 Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue Cultural Show and a few other events for both Fordham and other schools. Since sophomore year, AJ has been a dedicated member of Fordham's Dance Team, Flava, of which he is currently the Creative Director. This year, AJ became a member of MINT Dance company and also a director and instructor for RiSE Dance Company. He has traveled to the west coast to train at Millennium, Debbie Reynolds, and Movement Lifestyle in North Hollywood, and frequents Broadway Dance Center here in New York. His style tries to capitalize on musicality and the smooth connection of moves to emphasize flow.
Bo BelzaA proud Jersey native who has been dancing for almost 8 years. After being exposed to choreography in high school, Bo joined Fr3sh Dance Company in 2006 and would later be asked to co-direct their junior team, Fr3sh Jrs. During this time, Bo had the privilege of performing and competing at several prominent dance events such as Carnival, ECDC, and Sockhop. Additionally, Bo began to expand his dance by providing creative support and choreography for other teams, RDT, Balls to the Wall, and his own project Ladies with Guns.
Currently a new graduate from Kean University and co-director for UFP and UFPx, one of Jersey’s premier dance companies. Under his co-directorship he has helped lead them to 1st place finishes at (Elements Competition in Boston, Defining Rhythm, Pride Dance Competition, Reign or Shine, FLASH, ) and placings at (Prelude EC). He also, continues to help grow the community by teaching at Arts In Motion dance studio, Rise Dance Company, and by providing choreography for workshops such as, Community Artistry.
Bo hopes that his students learn something more than just movement and steps in class. That they learn to understand their bodies more and gain a sense of confidence. He hopes to push them to their limits while learning in a fun and welcoming environment.
Dan DaoOriginally from Houston, Texas, it wasn't until Dan's freshman year at New York University that he began dancing with IFA Dance Team, where he now serves as Junior Captain. While pursuing his degree in Journalism, Dan also performed with NYU's Synchronic Dance Team and Outburst Dance Company at competitions such as Pride 5, Defining Rhythm 3 and World of Dance: New York 2013. Since July, Dan has danced for MINT Dance Company as well as a director for RiSE Dance Company. As a teacher, Dan aims to provide basic choreography as a platform that beginning dancers can use to express their individual style.
Darryl Scott ValdezDarryl's journey into Hip Hop started with ballroom dance training from Will Barrientos (co-founder of Rhythmology). Those lessons eventually lead him to try hip-hop. He has performed with crews such as Dynamiq Factions under the direction of Jake Pesquira from ABDC's Rhythm City. In 2010, Daryl co-founded Outburst Dance Company with his friend Herwyn Silva. He has also directed a collegiate dance crew at Mount Saint Vincent called Filiment Dance Troupe for the past two years and currently dances for Filiment and Nine Inch Males. Darryl has performed at Pride, Defining Rhythm, Flex N Brooklyn, Prelude EC, and WOD. A excellent instructor who always knows how to make people feel good. His positive energy helps students feel the music, the emotions, the beats, and the connection. Darryl's style consists of raw textures with sharp to smooth movement
Julie FurrerOriginally from Saint Louis Missouri, Julie graduated with her BFA in Dance Theatre from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood, CA. A technically trained jazz and tap dancer, Julie studied with River North Dance Company Chicago, the STL Tap Festival, and on apprenticeship with the dance conservatory at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. She quickly was introduced to the world of hip hop and couldn’t get enough. While residing in LA, Julie worked & trained with industry’s finest Rob Rich, Donyelle Jones, and Miguel Antonio, as well as at Millennium Dance Complex and EDGE. She has had the opportunity to perform on Disney's ABC A Christmas Fantasy Parade & for the season premiere of FOX, Mobbed, hosted by Howie Mandel and choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo. Now living in NYC, Julie is an active AEA member and teaches/choreographs around the country. Most recently, Julie received the Excellence in Dance Award from the jazz/musical theatre program at The School at Jacob’s Pillow under the direction of Broadway choreographer, Chet Walker. She is thrilled to be joining the RISE faculty and sharing her contemporary urban twist with everyone.
Kohta "KOKO" MuramotoA award winning choreographer from Japan where he taught and danced professionally. Kohta received his dance training under Nana Ota and is one of our most versatile instructors. With a strong foundation in whacking, New Jack Swing, Locking, Popping, House and Jazz Funk. He recently came to New York to further his career and his dance training and continues to pursue his passion for dance in the big apple where he has already performed off-broadway. His dance style is sexy and powerful and his teaching style is full of energy.
Monique "Mo" MosesMonique is known affectionately by her comrades as "Mo". She began her dance career as a teenager studying tap, jazz and ballet and quickly realized her real passion for hip hop and funk styles. Monique has trained extensively with world renown choreographers Jae Blaze of the Black Eyed Peas and Luther Brown of SYTYCD. She can be seen dancing in commercials for the Kia Motors, Pepsi and music videos for Kevin Lyttle and Robbie Williams. Monique has made appearances on stage for the Choreographer’s Ball, Dance Immersion and Monsters of Hip Hop. As former artistic director of RiSE Dance Company, she lead the team to place as the top New York team in the Upper Division of World of Dance NY 2013.
Joshua RuizJoshua Ruiz was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He started dancing at 13 years old participating in hip-hop battles. It wasn't until Josh was in high school that he fell in love with all genres of dance. Since the age of 15, Josh has been training in hip hop, ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, dance hall, and South African.
Joshua has danced for Epik Dance Co and Xclusive Dance Co. An instructor/choreographer for 6 years who has performed back up for Omarion, and has danced professionally for Disney World. He is a former choreographer for RiSE Dance Company.
Robespierre DornagonFormer director and choreographer for University of Scranton's Urban Beats Crew before coming to teach and choreograph at RiSE. Robespierre's choreography has been featured on Rhythm Addicts TV and showcased on some of biggest stages on the East Coast including Defining Rhythm, Prelude NY, PRIDE, and World of Dance.
Robes is a master at Freestyling, isolation's, and R&B Choreography. A former Choreographer for RiSE Dance Company and consulting choreographer for Nine Inch Males.
Kaily BuemiAn evolving choreographer and from Cleveland, Ohio, Kaily began dancing at the young age of 3, studying tap, jazz, and ballet at Donna Coleman School of Dance. She continued to dance as a teenager as the lead on the school dance team. Kaily went on to choreograph and perform in the pre- and half-time show at Ralph Wilson Stadium-- home of the Buffalo Bills.
After moving to NYC, Kaily continued to pursue her passion for dance with the RiSE competition team where she quickly rose through the ranks to become assistant choreographer. She continues to develop her dance skills by taking classes/workshops with world-renowned choreographers such as Laura Edwards and Ellen Kim.
Benjamin DesiderioBen began as our student and is a wonderful example of what one can achieve through hard work, dedication and discipline. He became a star pupil in our classes and caught the attention of our instructors who invited him to perform and eventually teach. Ben is uniquely versatile and the kind of dancer that choreographers love because of his ability to adapt and take in any another persons choreography. He is a excellent choreographer himself who loves nineties music and loves to teach. His choreography style is upbeat with a modern sense of retro.
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