Mailing List Signup

Hype News

• STUDIO CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS
• BALLROOM SOCIAL DANCE PARTIES

Hype Events

• Saturday, August 21, 2010
  KPA Fusion Master Class Workshop
• Friday, November 19, 2010
  HYPE Studios presents...."Pump Up The Volume"

HYPE STUDIOS, Owner / Artistic Director

  Tricia Gomez is the owner of HYPE Studios. Her professional stage credits include LA Laker Girls, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyfest Aisa to name a few. She was the head judge on CBS's "Dance Revolution" and has choreographed award winning parades for guest talent at Disneyland & Disney World. Tricia has also choreographed for the LA Laker Girls, LA Clipper Girls &TV shows "Saved by the Bell" and Malibu CA. Her dance experience has led her to create the industry renound product "Hip Hop In a Box" that has been featured as editor's picks in just about every dance magazine possible. She was even featured on the Dr. Phil Show as their Dance Expert where she led groups through teamwork exercises with Hip Hop In a Box. When Tricia is not working at the studio, she can be found sleeping!

HYPE STUDIOS - Staff

  Arthur L. Crenshaw, A self taught Hip Hop dancer straight from Los Angeles California. "Dancing has been a part of my whole life and was inspired to do so by a variety of artists. My passion is to succeed as a well known entertainer involving dancing and other categories. I will like to take it as far as I can take it and will accept the ups and downs that will come along with it. I have a straight focus, a mind of a leader, self motivated and creative. I'm great with communicating and connecting with others. Most of all respectful and self handled."

  Brandi Taylor was born and raised in Southern Cali, and began dancing when she was a little girl. She is  very versatile in many styles of dance: Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Tap, African and Ballet.  She was cheer and songleader captain at her high school, and was given the opportunity to choreograph many dances for her team.  Now a current dance student in college, she is currently pursuing her career as a professional dancer.  She has trained at Paul Kennedy Dance Studio, El Camino College, and with other various teachers and choreographers.  She is currently a company member of KPA Fusion Repertoire . She hopes to break the norm about how dancers should look ..."We all come in many shapes and sizes, but we all love to do one thing...and that's DANCE!!!"

  Callie Threadgill started her dance career in 1998 with Centenary College's dance company Escaped Images. It was there under the direction of Ginger Flomer that Callie cultivated her great love of Tap! She combines her classical training with contemporary flair to present a hands on class where students young and old get exposed to performing, choreography and tap theory. Callie has a knack for breaking down tap so that dancers of all abilities can quickly learn and enjoy the art.  Even beginning dancers will shuffle out of their first class feeling like a true tapper. Callie uses a wide variety of music in her classes to appeal to the wide variety of dancers in her classes.  It isn’t uncommon to dance to Queen, the White Stripes, Harry Conick Jr., and Jack Johnson in the same hour. 

  Carrie Smaczny currently is the Artistic Director for Grounding Point Dance Company, a non-profit multidisciplinary dance company. Smaczny's  work in dance for the camera has taken her internationally for both multimedia performance and dance film festivals. She has traveled with Loretta Livingston as a guest and artist to Dance Camera Istanbul in Turkey in 2007, and to Singapore in 2008. She has also collaborated with Lisa Naugle & John Crawford for projects in Berlin, Germany and Porto, Portugal. She received her Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance and Technology with an emphasis in video choreography from the University of California, Irvine. Her undergraduate degrees are from Texas Christian University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Modern Dance, and Bachelor of Science in Radio/Television/Film with an emphasis in production. Carrie has studied dance at the American Dance Festival at Duke University and in New York, Santa Barbara Summer Dance Festival in California, and Bates Dance Festival in Maine where she received a partial Professional Development Grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts. She was an adjunct faculty member for University of California, Irvine, Mira Costa Community College, and Scottsdale Community College’s Jazz Dance program. Her work with High School and Middle School students includes Orange County High School of the Arts as the Dance History instructor for the Commercial Dance Department, the Dance Director of the Scottsdale Boys & Girls Club, and Dance Director for Fountain Hills Unified School District High School and Middle School. Carrie is, also, a certified STOTT Pilates Instructor currently teaching at the Spectrum Club in Redondo Beach, Studio Pilates in El Segundo, and teaches Contemporary Dance at Hype Studios in Torrance, California.

Chanelle Summers started dancing at the young age of 4 when her mom put her in Jazz, Hip Hop and Tap classes at San Pedro Ballet School and also under Wendy Raquel Robinson Director of All Gods Children Conservatory. Chanelle trained under Chip Fields and Cassie Davis for acting, proceeding to achieve SAG membership due to a number of national and regional commercials such as McDonalds, Crest, Disney and a host of others. In high school she joined Drill Team, and Pirate Dancers which was a fusion of jazz, hip hop, freestyle, and choreography. That same year she tried out and made it onto Future Shock Los Angeles, which is a youth outreach program for dancers under the age of 18 giving hands on experience and the study of styles in Hip Hop under the direction of Culture Shock Los Angeles. Due to being part of these teams, Chanelle was  constantly getting critiques. Learning from all the feedback received she eventually got comfortable enough to find her own groove.  Since then she has not stopped dancing. Throughout high school Chanelle performed in various dance concerts, competitions, and benefits shows such as "The Color Of We", "De cypher The Silence", "A Beautiful Struggle", World Of Dance, Maxt Out just to name a few. In Chanelle's Junior year she decided to start her own dance crew called Dope Kids Fresh Crew which is filled with dancers 18 and under. Her goal is to teach young dancers what she has learned throughout the years from her mentors. She wants to give them a positive outlook on the dance community and provide an outlet for them to figure out their creativity as a dancer. Chanelle is now a FSLA alumni who is majoring in Dance. She is a young, talented choreographer who's style varies from hard hitting to slow, intricate movements. She is always hungry to learn and wont stop til she accomplishes her goals.

CJ "2AUCE" Edwards, Mr. "2AUCE" pronounced Sauce aka Christopher Jordan (CJ) Edwards was born and raised in the small town of Victorville, California, to parents Joseph and Dolores Edwards on June 18th . As a little boy he took a profound love to music and movement. "I knew I wanted to be a superstar!" Idolizing such people as Michael /Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Aaliyah, he knew that the stage was for him, one way or another. The now known personality Mr. "2AUCE" a name given to him by his "play" older brother Stephen "tWitch" Boss has become the driving force behind his success. "He told me it represented a person with that little something extra about them, very saucy." In 2008 he founded ExpreSSive DoUbt Los Angeles a professional 21 and over dance company, later that year he co-founded the Fre2H new group entitled MaiN InGredient  with Brother Chris "Kidd" Nguyen. He also has an extension of ExpreSSive DoUbt in the San Francisco area that was formed January 2009. He now is the CEO of 2D.EnT (2Driven EnTertainMenT) which umbrellas all of his dance crews. "iAm Ready to do it, no looking back, face my fears, make change and do it for me. I can and I will! Believe it or not. Accept it, because it's true I AM NUMBER 1, yet will never forget I was once NUMBER 2." -the explanation behind why Sauce is spelled 2AUCE!  Credits: Omarion, ExpreSSive DoUbt, MaiN InGredient,  MTV's ABDC "HEAVY IMPACT", 2D.EnT. 

Collette Ain Williams, performer, choreographer and teacher, is a native of New Orleans, currently living in Los Angeles. Her company credits include JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble, The Lula Washington Dance Theater, Project 21, The Lula Elzy Dance Theater of New Orleans, and Latin Motions Dance Company. In 2003 she was offered a position with the second company of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. Collette’s performances include the hit show “Here and Now”, the Legacy of Luther Vandross, the blockbuster film "Ray", and "Something New". She was also a finalist on Season 3 So You Think You Can Dance. Stage play credits consist of one of her most memorable experiences, "Gregory Hines In Concert", "Guys and Dolls", and “Sweet Charity". Collette’s choreography experiences began at a young age and have continued, most recently as Assistant Choreographer of Carol of the Bells, featured in the KCET LA County Holiday Concert. Her works have also been presented at El Camino College and Dillard University for the Advanced Dance Concerts and in the New Orleans Essence Music Festival, with recording artist Barbara Short. She also served as Assistant Choreographer for the Disney film Stuck in the Suburbs and as Assistant Choreographer and dancer in the Live Music Video for LOS HOMBRES CALIENTES. While in New Orleans, Collette was awarded the opportunity to return to the conservatory that strengthened her foundation in dance, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, currently, NOCCA|Riverfront. As Lead Teacher, for the Dance Preparatory Program and as Jazz and Tap Instructor for the high school program, Collette was able to motivate students and utilize her experience to impact the lives of upcoming aspiring artist. Her educational roles in New Orleans also included, Adjunct Instructor at Dillard University of New Orleans, Artist in Residence for The New Orleans Ballet Association, instructor for the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD) and in various schools throughout Louisiana. Collette has been blessed to train with many Masters: Ann Reinking, Milton Myers, Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, to name a few. She has received honors from the NAACP and The National Arts Foundation. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Collette is currently an Associate Artistic Director, a Choreographer and member of KPA Fusion Dance Repertoire. Her passion for dance is evident in her desire to never give up on her dream… leaving “it” all on the stage.

Cortney Powell

Erika Strong

Frank, Jr., & Stev-O

Jackie Solorzano grew up listening and dancing to Latin rhythms. She finds much joy in sharing her passion for dance as well as her love of Latin music with everyone. Jackie brings a unique "fitness-party" environment to her classes. Her energy and commitment to her students is driven by one sole purpose and that is to help each and every one of them lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Jenn Tamera is a certified hatha yoga instructor, her past experiences include the styles of Vinyasa Flow, Hatha and Iyengar. Jenn incorporates a gentle, soothing flow that allows students to become more in touch with their bodies no matter what their ability level. Jenn's classes tend to be a relaxing gentle flow, with focus on alignment and strength building. Being a Certified Massage Therapist, she becomes effortlessly in tune with her students' bodies and energy in order to guide her students in a class that is suited for them. On an individual aspect, she discusses difficult areas for the individual and finds ways of strengthening, tuning and healing those areas. Jenn is also the owner of a  holistic healing arts business, Breathe Bodyworks, a massage/energy work studio. Breathe Bodyworks is located within Hype Studios, so stop in for a massage or energetic work. Her other passion lies in dance, and as a Holistic Healing Artist she hopes to combine her fine skills into movement therapy in the future. "You are invited to join Jenn as we practice, study, investigate, question, experiment, transform and blossom."
www.breathebodyworks.net

  Joey Cooper is a native of Washington State having over a decade of experience in the dance Industry. He started his training in classical disciplines such as Ballet, Jazz and Tap, while simultaneously developing his own style of Hip Hop. Influenced heavily by the work of Janet Jackson, it was through her team of choreographers would he first be introduced to stylized Hip Hop, or what is now considered main stream/commercial Hip Hop. He spent years from the age of 8 years old until 18 simply learning her choreography from watching what he recorded through broadcast television.  When he began dance instructing at the age of 18, he had already had major roles in all of his dance related endeavors serving as Co-Creator of his Junior High Step/Dance Team, Co-Creator of his High School Step/Dance Team, and finally upon graduating High School his award winning own dance company, The Heat.  Having directed shows for his own company, as a unit the company ventured out to do shows in different cities, one city in particular changed his life---Vancouver Canada. It would be there that after a chance meeting with one of Janet's choreographers, and dancers whom Joey proudly calls friends he took thier advice and became a resident of Southern California. Joey has had the pleasure of dancing and auditioning for Janet several times and to this very day is still greatly impacted by her work. Currently he is a dance company member of Team Boogiezone Breed, serving as Artistic Director, as well as Director of 2wisted Elegance L.A. Joey presently teaches the Jackson Hour of Power, a class dedicated solely musically to the impacts of the two most famous musical siblings Michael and Janet Jackson. Joey being an incredibly large fan of Janet's predominantly teaches a great deal of her catalog of choreography from 1986 and forward, from the video's you love, to the live performances you've seen. If there is a dance you're dying to learn, Rock With You, If, All For You, I Get Lonely, Together Again, So Excited...the list going on and on, you'll be in excellent hands, for not only does he know them all, but has had the pleasure of learning them from a great many of the choreographers, and dancers for Janet herself. A class you won't want to miss!  Check your class schedule for dates and times.

  John Edwards knew with advancing age, he must keep active, but wanted it to be fun, so he began taking Salsa lessons at the Spectrum Gym in Palos Verdes.  Soon after that a hip hop class was offered and John took it under the influence of his daughter, and also because the rhythm inspired him.  John found DHQ (who also teaches at Hype) and followed him wherever he taught, soaking up his style. Based on a tip from friends he made in dance class, he auditioned for an ABC show called Dance Machine, and to his own amazement not only got on the show, but won it! This propelled John into new dancing goals. He attended Boogiezone events at Hype taught by Rino Nakasone, and was blown away. He started attending her classes in addition to DHQ and is now resolved to learn the dances of James Brown, Michael Jackson, Rino, Samba, Krump and more of DHQ. John loves hip hop and enjoys sharing what he has learned with others. He also loves the relaxed and "dance family" feel of Hype, and now teaches an Over 50 Hip Hop Class here.

  Katisha “Blaze” Adams, originally from Washington D.C., has continuously performed and toured as a professional dancer, actress, and choreographer and recording artist for twelve years. As a dancer, Katisha’ s dance company credits are with Lula Washington Dance Theater Company, New Age Dance Company with founder and director Karen McDonald, Jazzantiqua Music and Dance Ensemble, Par Taylor, Oui Geometer Dance Company, Bernice Boseman. Touring collaborations have also included Philadanco Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson, and Dayton Ohio Dance Companies within the foundation entitled, International Blacks in Dance. Commercially, Mrs. Adams has choreographed and danced in award shows and worked with choreographers and directors, Danny Esralow, Otis Salid, Wade Robinson, Donald McKayle and Claude Thompson, as well as recording artists, Christina Agulleira, Omarion, Before Dark, Isyss and currently, Skyline. Equity stage shows and commercials for Disney and Universal Studios are, “The Lion King Celebration”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Christmas Spectacular” and “The Crew”. In 2006, Katisha was nominated for the Horton Award in collaboration with her husband, Quami Adams, for the trio, “Prelude” with Jazzantiqua. Her televised choreography was nationally broadcast on KCET live, “The LA County Holiday Celebration”, also in collaboration with choreographer/dancer, Collette Williams from the movie “Ray” and “So You Think You Can Dance, Season 5”. Katisha has taught as a certified Tae Bo instructor and trainer up under the direction of world-wide kickboxing champion, Billy Blanks. While teaching and choreographing at El Camino College and College of the Canyons, the continuous community outreach has been alongside her career by headlining master classes for local schools, dance companies, and church organizations. Mrs. Adams is the founder and director of her own dance company, KPA Fusion Dance Repertoire. Continuously teaching, choreographing, and performing is her passion in addition to sharing and passing this on to others in this awesome craft.

Kazumi Fujita

  Kere Blair has been performing belly dance professionally for over 4 years.  Kere began her dance  career as a gymnast and then studied ballet, tap, modern and jazz.  Kere received her bachelors of science, degree from the University of Miami, in Psychology and Dance.  Kere then spent some time in New York City studying modern and ballet at Martha Grahm and Alvin Ailey studios. When Kere moved to Los Angles she discovered the art of Belly Dance. Kere was intrigued by the beauty, skill and freedom of the art form.  Kere has traveled and performed with many of Los Angeles top Belly dance and Persian dance companies. Kere Blair has been teaching Belly Dance at HYPE studios for over three years. In addition to being a professional performer, Kere is also a Marriage and Family Therapist intern with her Masters in Clinical Psychology. Kere is currently pursuing her alternate route towards her dance therapist license.  Dance Movement Therapists must receive a Masters in Dance Therapy or a related field in addition to required classes and an internship.  Dance Therapy is recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors and is covered by some health insurance companies. Research in Dance therapy has shown that Belly dance can be a positive treatment for improving a person’s mind body connection and body image.  Belly Dance is commonly used in treating low self-esteem, eating disorders and improving overall health and fitness.  Belly Dance is also used to help bond and empower the female and human spirit. Kere teaches belly dance at 8 pm on Wednesdays at HYPE. 

Kiersten Brown

  Kristen Clement A.K.A Miss Krissi, has been teaching Children's Ballet/Tap at Hype Studios for four years. Her class has been frequently described as, "magical". Miss Krissi is most definitely a child at heart. She hopes to become a positive role model, and creates a fun, imaginative learning environment for her students. Krissi received most of her dance training in the San Fransisco Bay Area. Growing up in a competition based studio she received training in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, lyrical and hip hop. Kristen was also a proud member of the Bay Area's favorite youth dance company Future Shock Oakland. She later grew into their adult dance company Culture Shock Oakland. With her Shock Family she became a 2004 World Hip Hop Champion at Hip Hop International. Kristen received theatrical training from A.C.T's Trina Oliver, Cal State Fullerton, and acting for film instruction with Brian Reise. Her favorite acting experience was working with Michael Goorjian in  'Illusion', starring Kirk Douglas. Inspired by the magic of Disney, and Jim Henson's creations and ideals, Miss Krissi strives to educate children through the power of imagination.

Kristin Rapinchuck

Lady Walquer Vereen

Laura Vera

Lita Gratrix began training in Aerial Arts after she moved to the LA area from Seattle 4 years ago. She has trained under some internationally recognized aerial teachers, including Maximilliano Torandrell, Tania Peirce,  Sagiv Ben-Binyamin, and Michael Lipiari. She performs on Tissu (fabric), Hoop, Rope, and Chain around the South Bay and began teaching Tissu and Hoop at Hype Studios in Torrance a year and a half ago. She's honored to have the privilege of performing for you today!

Mark & Veronica Mendez

Nicole Villacorta

  Regine Costello brings a wealth of dance experience to Hype Studios.  Dancing since she was 2 years old, Regine is a teacher and avid performer of the ancient arts of Cabaret Belly Dance, Tribal Belly Dance, Flamenco, Mexican Dance, and Polynesian Dance, and she often fuses one or more of these dances into her distinctive style. For more than 20 years, she has had the pleasure and privilege to bring the joy of ethnic/world dance to adults, children and mentally disabled people in the South Bay and the greater Los Angeles Area, and she has toured as a performer across the United States in several productions.  Regine is Egyptian master-trained in Cabaret Belly Dance, and she is a graduate of the Fat Chance Belly Dance general skills certification in American Tribal Style Belly Dance (ATS) and certified as an ATS Instructor by the founder of ATS, Carolena Nericcio. For her work as a teacher and choreographer, Regine was awarded the California State Assembly Arts Excellence Award in 2001 and the Excellence in Arts Award in the Dance category of the City of Torrance.  As a performer, she has placed two times in the Veil Belly Dance category of the prestigious Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in Long Beach, and with her belly dance company, Babylon Mood, Regine garnered a trophy in the 2005 Group category. Regine loves to teach dance and to interact with students, but above all, she firmly believes that there is a dancer in each and every person regardless of age, body shape, or prior experience.  Let her help you discover and develop the dancer in you!! 

  Quami Adams, From street performances to the Off Broadway Show, "Stomp", Quami has toured nationally as well as internationally as a professional dancer, choreographer, music producer, actor, comedian, voice-over artist, vocalist and arranger.  Dance and commercial credits include Stomp(touring company), Propel Water commercial, Fox Sports commercial, NAACP Image Awards, National Geographic Network, Savion Glover, Quincy Jones, Bobby Brown, Omarion, Lil Tommy the Clown, Christina Agullaira, Columbus Short(Stomp the Yard, Stomp, ER and Disneys, That s So Raven).  Just recently in 2006, Quami and his wife Katisha Adams were Horton Award nominated, best choreography, for their works entitled, "Blue Pepper".  Catch Quami as the Jedi Master at Disneyland!

Unica Luna