THIS WEEK: JULY 28 TO JULY 31 IS MECCAMEE WEEK

MEET ELLIS BARBA

Ellis Barba is a young, driven dancer and choreographer focused on
improving and expanding his own style. He started out by joining Future
Shock Las Vegas whome he danced with for seven years and later on
co-founded the group, Meccamee. Ellis is currently the artistic director
and is the "creative brains" behind the upcoming team. His choreography
has been featured in all Meccamee performances, such as Boogie Wars 07.
He also teaches for Studio 702's Groove Class, Smash Studio's hip hop
class, and is in charge of Meccamee's junior group, Rascals. Ellis is an
aspiring dancer who is eager to share his knowledge and passion for
dance, as well as learn from others.

ELLIS' VIDEOS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPtpQPGBZHc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a3eol8XpCY
(First, 2nd to Last, and Last song choreographed by Ellis)

MEET JAY DE JESUS

Jay De Jesus is a young choreographer, aspiring to establish his own style of the craft. He started out by joining the Las Vegas based team, Meccamee, and has expanded his knowledge since then. He is the team's captain, enhancing tentativness and ensuring retention is on point. Being one of the lead choreographers for the team, his pieces have been featured in shows and competitions such as Battlefest Vegas, Boogie Wars, Set It Off, and Culture Shock's Takin' It To The Streets. He is
the Special Events Coord for *Groove Community Dance and has taught classes at Studio 702 numerous times. Lately, he has been co-training and mentoring Meccamee's new junior team, the Rascals. Jay is a highly disciplined, motivated dancer who wishes to share his knowledge and experience with other dancers in hopes to elevate their love for dance as well. Jay has been in the US Army since 2004 and will commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 2008. He attends the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as a senior and will get his degree in Management Information Systems in August of 2008.

JAY'S VIDEOS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uMDH9ufi9s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t7KPzAVkDI

MEET LEXI BAUTISTA

Lexi Bautista grew up in West Covina dancing with Dellos Dance Studio. For 10 years there, she trained in all styles of dance with teachers Allison Gladney, Donna Shepard, and Fred Odgard. She also assists Al Bee at Hollywood Vibe Dance Conventions around the West Coast. In 2005, she Joined Team Millennia Jrs with a love for Hip Hop. With TMJ, she performed in shows such as Prelude 2, CPAC, Elev8, Friendship Games 2005, and SI2. In 2006, she moved to Las Vegas joining Meccamee. With Meccamee, she has performed at Boogie Wars taking 4th, and Battlefest Live Las Vegas taking 1st. She was also teamed up on an all female group called Hi-Fi Las Vegas which is a part of EKETC. Now at 17 years old, She choreographs for Meccamee and teaches at local dance studios out in Vegas.

LEXI'S VIDEOS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niOWRdbyrj8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78-p6OtRRRQ

THIS WEEK: JULY 21 TO JULY 24 CG WEEK

MEET ANGELA LIN

Angela Lin started dancing hip hop with Common Ground dance team in
2005, and has ventured on to dancing with Mavyn Entertainment for the
past year. Angela has choreographed for Common Ground, UCI's MCIA,
Samahang Modern, Evolution, Mavyn, etc. and has taught several
workshops and classes. Shout out to my dirty dozen!

ANGELA'S VIDEOS:

909 Class - I Wanna Be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBCit7iLc_Q

Moving Mountains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWE2GHycmSU

MEET MATT GUITERREZ

Hey everyone, “want to see a magic trick…watch the pencil,” great movie wasn’t it? Anyways, my name is Matt G. and I’ll be your choreographer for Tuesday night! I’ve been dancing since I was 12. The very first thing that inspired me to start dancing was seeing Usher’s “You Make Me Wanna” video. He was the first person that I idolized that got me into this art. Determined to learn, I started out at Heritage Community Park in Irvine, practicing glides and liquid popping there. I eventually transitioned to learning how to break from the b-boys there. From my middle school years to the end of high school, breakin’ has taught me a lot about hip hop’s real roots, the art of free dance, the need for originality and musicality, the discipline to endure anything, and the competitive spirit that develops confidence.

In 2004, my friend Abe had told me about auditions for “Kaba Modern,” a team that I had never heard of at the time; this was way before ABDC folks! Long story short, I had become inspired once again to learn. While watching the auditions, I was approached by Dan Pham, an original member of Common Ground, with a flyer for their team’s audition. I decided to give it a shot and as the cliché goes, “the rest was history.”

Four years later, after becoming an original member of CG’s first season, I aspire to inspire and enjoy teaching others my passion. Being a part of CG has changed my life, they really are my second family. This team has taught me so much about dance and friendship. Moreover, in March of 2007 I was fortunate enough to be appointed to help lead our newly established junior team, Underground, alongside with my wonderful “coco,” Karen Mondok, “UGH SON!” Thereafter in June of 2007, I auditioned for DDO talent agency and was fortunate to become one of their clients.

After a month of blessings, I auditioned for Mavyn Entertainment and was fortunate enough once again to train under the company. From the very first time I saw this team at Maxt Out 2005, making the team had always been a dream of mine. As a company member, I’ve had the privilege to teach at various workshops and at Mavyn’s most well know workshop: In the Spotlight. I want to take this time to congratulate Clara and Mario on their wedding this Friday!!

Lastly, I’d like to thank God for giving me this talent, my family and close friends for all their support, Elm and Boogiezone of course! The b-boys at Heritage, Common Ground for teaching me everything I know, my kids in Underground for allowing me to be artistic as well as the people who chose me, DDO for sending me to various auditions and teaching me about the industry, Mavyn for making a dream come true and teaching me about “pictures and sitting in the pocket.” All the people who have ever taken the time and money to take my class, to all the future people who decide to, the people who actually read all of this! Last but not least, a person I’ve known for 5 years who has supported and endured so much with me, the person who kept pushing me to dance when I wanted to give up, my #1 fan, my best friend and whom I dedicate this piece to, Renn. Can’t wait to meet and teach all of you!

MATT'S VIDEOS:

My Youtube Portfolio:
http://youtube.com/user/MattGr00ve

Aaliyah - 4 page letter:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8m-Yz-WchtA

Sterling Simms - Nasty Girl - Collaboration with Q-boi:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6KWPtBROReU

MEET Q BOI

David “Q boi” Quach started dancing in 2002 with a subdivision of UC Irvine’s VSA. He was first inspired to dance through videos of various collegiate teams and artists such as Justin Timerberlake. In 2004, David and a few friends branched out from VSA and created what is known today as the competing team, Common Ground. He has trained with Team Millennia in 2004-2005 and has contributed choreography to numerous teams and workshops including TM’s Summer Intensive, TM Jr’s, UC Irvine’s VSA, MCIA, Chaotic 3, Common Ground, Underground, and local community churches. His style is smooth and groovy while focusing on aspects of isolation. David is currently dancing with and Co-Directing Common Ground. He is excited to teach his first Boogiezone class and is grateful for the opportunity to share his passion.

Q'S VIDEOS:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6KWPtBROReU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=U23JPImKDww&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FqdadJyX2ZBdI&feature=related

July 14-July 17 -Formality- Phillip, Darryl, Erik

THIS WEEK JULY 14 - JULY 17 - FORMALITY WEEK


MEET PHILLIP GENIZA

Phillip Geniza was born and raised in San Diego, CA. Since a very young age, he enjoyed performing for talent shows and basically anyone that wanted to watch. During high school he continued his love for performing at a local high school competition called airbands. Along with the end of high school, came the end of airbands. With his desire to perform still burning, he sought out a new platform and found it. He was invited to FORMALity's private auditions by his good friend Dennis Phermsin. In the fall of 2003 he found a new home under the direction of Erik Saradpon. Since then Phillip continued to train at Culture Shock Dance Center under teachers like Samath Orm, Sherman Shoate, and the wonder duo Sammie Cross and Julie Dismukes. In 2005 he was named Artistic Director of FORMALity's all-male junior team, FLIPSIDE. Along with directing FLIPSIDE, Phillip also teaches regularly at Studio 429 and Mystic Stepper. He directs two more junior groups(RIOT7403 and pg-13) and is also the current Artistic Director for EKETC's co-ed group, Mass Appeal.

When auditioning for FORMALity I did not at all expect what was to come. Dance has truly become something I PASSIONATELY eat, sleep, and breath. Everyday that God blesses me with, is another day to continue to improve my craft. I enjoy sharing my gifts and everything that I have learned with other people. I will always be a student and will always continue to push myself for my students, for they are my true inspiration.

PHILLIP'S VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkfUNOgK1pI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNU1G5FWDN

MEET DARRYL BELARMINO

Darryl Belarmino started dancing in 2002 in the Culture shock family, under the youth group Future Shock. After the end of his first season, Darryl became a member of FORMALity, which has been his family ever since. In 2004 he was appointed Assistant Director. FORMALity is the only team to win the four major competitions of southern California: Vibe, Fusion, Ultimate Brawl, and BustaGroove. FORMALity has placed First nationally and Third internationally at the International Hip Hop Championships. His industry credits include: 3LW, Ashley Simpson, Ellen Degeneres Show, KUSI 9, FOX 6, and Paul Mitchell. Along with FORMALity, Darryl also directs a junior team Tru Definition, and shares his love for Hip Hop through youth outreach. “Dance to inspire” is what he lives by and it is his FAITH that drives him.

DARRYL'S VIDEOS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn3GuSsLA_I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdebaQZrzEY

MEET ERIK SARADPON

San Diego native, Erik Saradpon, is a nationally-distinguished choreographer, and world-renowned teacher. As a graduate of San Diego State University, Erik has dedicated his talents in empowering the lives of the youth by engaging them in positive lifestyles and healthy alternatives through music and dance.

Erik is most known for his artistic contributions in directing the
National Hip-Hop Champions, FORMALity, an all-male youth outreach dance company. Since the establishment of FORMALity in 1996, Erik has had the privilege to perform for thousands and open for such artists as Ashanti, 3LW, Mario, and Ashlee Simpson. A staple in Culture Shock's Choreographer'sShowcase, FORMALity has also graced the small screen through mediums such as The San Diego Union-Tribune, Filipinas Magazine, San Diego Insider, and The Ellen Degeneres Show. Their industrial experience includes work for Pepsi, Sea World, Panda Express, and Paul Mitchell. FORMALity has won championships at Vibe, Ultimate Brawl, Fusion, Bust A Groove, Battlefest, Prelude and the US & World Hip-Hop Championships.

Erik has enriched the dance community by founding his own company, EK Entertainment & Talent Company (EKETC), the parent company to Hi-Fi, FLIPSIDE, Mass Appeal and Epic 3. His annual talent showcase, FULL OUT has gained notable familiarity, and serves as a platform for his dancers to experiment, express, and entertain. EKETC now hosts franchises in San Diego, Las Vegas, and Temecula.

As a principal dancer for Jive recording artist, Tonex, Erik was
featured on the concert special, Out The Box. Erik is also on staff at Studio A in Montreal, Canada, where he directs AFTERMATH. He has taught master classes for Culture Shock, Boogiezone, Mavyn, and Studio A and is now coaching hip-hop at San Marcos High School. He is currently on faculty with Rising Star Dance Company and Temecula Dance Company, where his groups have won choreography awards and overall standings at the regional and national level at such competitions as Showstopper and Showbiz.

ERIKS'S VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CCI7vuzGOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTxmsM82bVU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1uzwMKPwiA