MANHATTAN MOTION DANCE STUDIO At Bridge For Dance: 2726 Broadway & 104th St

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• Gabrielle Taylor (Studio Director & Jazz teacher) has been directing & running Manhattan Motion for over 15 years. She trained in Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz & Fitness & has an MFA in Dance from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Prior to opening her own studio, Gabrielle performed professionally & taught dance/fitness at Pace University, Barnard College & several studios throughout NYC, Virginia & Puerto Rico. She strives to make every class combination she teaches into a mini performance, emphasizing students' development of technique, style, self-expression & above all, the LOVE of dance." 

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiRxFYx6XM8

• Chris SantaMaria (Zumba Fitness) Chris is a graduate of AMDA NY and currently teaches at a number of gyms and studios in Northern New Jersey as well as Manhattan Motion in NYC. He came across Zumba Fitness when a friend dragged him to a class, and has been unstoppable ever since! His class is FUN... known for its high energy and unique style.  When describing his class, Chris will tell you: "If you leave sweating and smiling... then I know I have done my job!"

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• Ryan K. Davis (Hip Hop & Street Jazz)  is a Jersey native with a strong infatuation for dance. Growing up he has always known that becoming a dancer would be his number one pursuit from the passion he feels through the expression of dance, especially hip-hop. Currently Ryan is a dance major at Rutgers  University - Mason Gross School of the Arts training in modern and ballet, and teaches both adults & kids at several dance studios in NY & NJ. Ryan also continues his training in hip-hop and is honored to have worked with choreographers Kelly Peters, Bam-Bam, DS, and more.

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• Joharra Jessica Gallo (Ballet, Contemporary & Belly Dancing) brings both versatility & knowledge to her teaching at Manhattan Motion! She majored in dance at the University of Colorado where she studied Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz, African Dance, Anatomy & Kinesiology. Moving to NYC she  continued her studies by adding Classical Spanish Dance, Belly Dancing, Yoga & Pilates to her training. Jessica has performed with "Lori Bellilove & Co.", the resident performing company of The Isadora Duncan Foundation, and three years ago added both Belly Dancing classes & performances to her repertoire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5UAPke6PjA

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• Shanti Wargo ( Hip Hop ) Shanti has taught Hip Hop in Los Angeles for the past six years and has worked with top choreographers such as Debbie Allen, Wade Robson, Tim Stevenson and Swoop. Her dancing and choreography have been featured in various WNBA and NBA halftime performances, as well as music videos, television appearances, and live performances throughout the USA and abroad. 

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• Chanan - aka Jak-Hamah (Hip Hop) has been dancing all his life. Finding a fascination with the Hip Hop culture he was raised in, he began to learn 'Step' in college & later became the head captain & president of the step team. He also co-founded a dance crew called Hott Sawse & decided on dance as a professional career. Jak has choreographed for several artists & has taught in other countries including Finland, Sweden & Italy. Even though he still considers himself a student of dance... he began teaching to give back to the community what Hip Hop & Urban Dance culture gave to him.

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• Anna Griffin (Ballroom, Tap, Ballet, Wedding Choreography) Anna is classically trained in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz, studying with the likes of Ed Staver, Kat Wildish, Frank Hatchett, and Robert Reed. She is also a Ten Dance Ballroom Competitor, Performer and Choreographer, having trained with Linda Staver, Bob Powers, Julia Gorchakova, Jim and Jenell Maranto, Toni Redpath, Michael Meade, and many more. Anna has taught people of all ages, from children to seniors, across the United States.  

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• Andre Lee (Hip Hop & Michael Jackson Moves) Has trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap & African Dance, though he currently specializes in teaching/ choreographing more commercial dance styles such as Hip Hop. Andre has performed & toured all over the world with recording artists Shakira & Thalia, and has choreographed for many artists including Charlie Coleman, Shorty Blaze & for Club Avalon in NYC. Andre has been teaching kids & adults at Manhattan Motion for over three years.

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• Joamer Gonzalez (Jazz, Hip Hop)  is a dancer/choreographer from Puerto Rico . His performing credits include: “Fame”, “JesusChris t Supers t ar”, “Quién ma t ó a Héctor Lavoe?” and “ Chicago ”, where he also collaborated as assistant choreographer.  He's been teaching and training in Jazz, Hip  Hop and Ballet for over 15 years in Puerto Rico and New York in different studios and schools. Joamer had choreographed for Latin urban artist Makano, on MTV3's Entertaintment as a Second Language and Grammy Award winners Elvis Crespo, Gisselle and Ana Isabelle's US & Puerto Rico tours.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNciGU5Q20

• Jenny Boissiere (Zumba Fitness) graduated from Washington University in St Louis with a BA in dance in May 2007. Since moving to New York City, she has had the pleasure of dancing for INSPIRIT Dance Company, Kelly Donovan & Dancers, EDP Dance Project, Alaine Handa & Dancers, Heather Inglis & currently with JD/ Dansfolk. Jenny has taught Jazz, Hip Hop/Jazz Funk, Lyrical, & Modern dance to students of all ages throughout the South & Midwest. Jenny is both a Zumba & Core Pilates NYC certified Instructor.

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• Nancy Andrews (Tap, Modern/Contemporary) is a native North Carolinian & graduated from Shenandoah University with a BFA in dance performance.  She studied extensively under Alan Arnett, Ting-Yu Chen, Kim Gibilisco, Erica Helm & Maurice Fraga, & performed nationally & internationally in Canada, Taiwan, Spain, NYC & Virginia with the Shenandoah Dance Touring Ensemble & Ekilibre Dance. Ms. Andrews has had the pleasure of dancing for Ekilibre Dance, Kim Gibilisco Dances, Inspirit, Kelley Donavon & Dancers & Lillie & Gillie Performance Projects since moving to NYC in 2008.  She works as a yoga instructor, & has taught jazz, modern, hip hop, tap, ballet, clogging & contemporary dance in studios all over the east coast.

• Sarah Britt (Zumba Fitness) graduated from the Rotterdam Dance Academy with a BA in Dance Education and has taught musical theater, contemporary, jazz and tap in The Netherlands and Egypt. After moving to New York City, Sarah caught the 'Zumba-bug' and is passing it on to you!  Sarah's  Zumba class is high-energy (be ready to sweat and have lots of fun!) and she loves watching her students cut loose, get a great workout and leave class sweaty and happy!

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• Charlene “Chi-Chi” Smith (Hip Hop) continues to climb new heights! Since 2005, she has performed the works of noted choreographers Fatima Robinson, Laurie-Ann Gibson, Nu Stylz, Bam-Bam Nexx Level & others. She was featured dancer for NBC’s NFL Kickoff performance with P.Diddy & for LL Cool J’s “Todd Smith” tour. In addition, Chi Chi modeled on BET’s Rip The Runway 2006 for Michael Jordan’s female clothing line, & was seen in national commercials for Mohegan Sun, Ipod, Stride Gum & MTV’s dance instructional show: Dances From The Hood. Chi Chi teaches at 92nd St.Y, Manhattan Motion Studio, United Nations International School & at La Danse (NJ). She encourages all to “dance like no one is watching!”