Dec. 8-11: April Rodriguez, Deyo Forteza, and Gigi Torres

DEC 08-11: APRIL RODRIGUEZ, DEYO FORTEZA, AND GIGI TORRES

MEET APRIL RODRIGUEZ

April Joy Rodriguez began dancing Hula at age 7 in the city of Carson, California. It wasn't until the age of 18 though, that April took her first Hip Hop class. Her early training began with SuperDave Royster and Jayson Wright. With their mentorship, she began to develop a deep love for soul, groove, and dance. April has danced for Kaba Modern, Super Galactic Beat Manipulators, and Kaba Modern Legacy. She has danced for numerous Choreographer's Ball "Carnival's and projects for Gigi Torres, Jed Florano, Jay-Chris Moore, Jun Quemado, and Lando Wilkins. She teaches at Hype Studios in Torrance and has taught workshops in different cities such as San Francisco, Las Vegas, Tempe, and Oslo, Norway. Her latest live show was with Snoop Dogg live in Vegas. April Joy has so many role models and lives off of the positive vibes of others. She hopes that, in her work and in her life, she will eventually become even a little bit of an inspiration to others and a contribution to the dance community.

APRIL'S VIDEOS:
April Joy and Jolly May- Lollipop


Groove Community Class 2/2 - April Rodriguez


April and Clarizcel- Skippin (For Kaba Modern Legacy)



MEET DEYO FORTEZA

Deyo developed an interest in dancing at a very young age, mainly influenced by Michael Jackson. But it wasn't till 7th grade when his older cousin wanted him to learn the N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye" routine that he started getting interested in choreography. In high school he and seven other friends started a hip hop team at Troy High for their Filipino club, PSST. He later joined Team Millennia Juniors, which opened him up into the dance community. Before attending UCI he started taking Boogiezone community classes to train, and in January of his first year he auditioned for Kaba Modern. Through Shawn,a fellow KM member, he joined Surreal for one performance at Boogiezone's own Global Showcase. In October of 2007 he was blessed by being picked up for representation by DDO Dance Agency. Last Summer he and his friend Scott created the SDC (Scott & Deyo Crew),in which many teams and dancers from around the community came together for an all-star cast video, influenced by the ACDC and MnM Cru Battle. Deyo is currently a returner on Kaba Modern and is glad he found his family and place within this team, which has undoubtedly become his best decision ever. He wants everyone to know that he is very humbled for receiving the opportunity to teach at BZ since he owes a lot of his growth and experience to these very own classes, "Woopty wooooop!"

DEYO'S VIDEOS:

Deyo's Cupid Routine for a Kreative Movement class



MEET GIGI TORRES

Gigi Torres is originally from Irvine, CA, she has been training in all areas of dance from the age of 3. She is an international and domestic instructor, sharing her knowledge and love for dance from the East Coast to the West Coast and overseas in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Gigi's choreography credits are So You Think You Can Dance Scandinavia, Choreographer's Carnival Hollywood from 2005-present, The Highlands of Hollywood, Funkanometry LA, SD, and SF, Breed OCLA, Kaba Modern, Kat Jimenez, etc. She is the Director/Founder of the All-Female Dance Crew "Essence" that consists of ladies working in the entertainment industry and an Instructor/Choreographer for Dance 2XS. Her dance credits include Jack Rabbit Flash's "Ladies in Lace," Asia Entertainment San Jose, Dance 2xs' Project Element with Marty Kudelka, Snoop Dogg Live in Vegas, Mims, etc. Represented by Bloc Talent Agency, you could also see her as the Principal Dancer and Lead Girl on the Lee Hom ft Jin's Music Video "Heroes of the Earth and " Michael Jordan Commercial's - "Second Generation" and "Fist." Gigi lives by the Essence Motto "Inspire and Be Inspired. Just Be…& Live." <3

GIGI'S VIDEOS:

GIGI ESSENCE CO CLASS AT STYLZ


COLLABO BY GIGI TORRES AND LYLE BENIGA


MONICA'S STILL STANDING- GIGI TORRES