MANHATTAN MOTION          Dance & Fitness Studios

*Home  *Adult Class Schedule  *Kids Class Schedule *Watch Videos  *Class Descriptions  *Rates  *Want a FREE class?  *Studio Rental   *What to Wear  *Our Staff  *Events  *Photos  *More Photos  *What People Say  *Our Gallery  *About Us  *Contact Us   *Links

• Douglas Shankman (Rhythm Tap) Trained in Ballet Modern, Jazz & Tap in NY at The American Dance Machine, Paul Taylor Foundation, Broadway Dance Center & Dance Ellington. He has choreographed for cabaret, film, video & TV, & previously taught dance at New York University, Usdan Center for The Arts, Broadway Dance Center & New York Ballet Institute.

  ---

• Kokko (Hip Hop) Has been teaching Hip Hop in NYC for several years at noted dance studios such as Broadway Dance Center, Stepping Out Studios, Dance Manhattan, and for ten yeas at Manhattan Motion. She has appeared in music videos including R'Kelly and SuperCat, and has performed in the USA & abroad with R & B recording artist Joe.                                              

• Charlene "Chi-Chi" Smith (Kids' & Adult Hip Hop) is said to have been born with an appreciation for all genres of music and dance. Originally from the Bronx, NY, Charlene grew up in an area where people expressed themselves in one of two possible ways: violence or on the dance floor. She has had the honor of working with great choreographers such as Adesola Osakalumi, Bam-Bam, Tweetie, and more. She is grateful to have danced alongside established artists like LL Cool J, and Diddy, as well as with some newer artists. Chi-Chi shares her passion equally among teaching and performing, never taking either gift for granted. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gx_G0vGgaH0

• Joharra (Belly Dancing) Jessica Gallo (Ballet) 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

  ---

• John Sefakis (Tap) wrote his masters' thesis in directing on Bob Fosse. ( "Bob Fosse and his Visual Design for the Theater": Becoming a director in Self-Defense"). John has directed & choreographed many Fosse shows for regional and dinner theater, including "Damn Yankees", "Sweet Charity", "Pippin" & "Chicago". He also taught Tap & Jazz at Phil Black Dance Studio for fifteen years, and Jazz at Broadway Dance Center. John is also fortunate to to be able to make use of his dance & theater training at Thirteen/WNET, where he acquires local arts/dance programs.

  ---

• Jocelyn Mendez (Salsa) before joining Manhattan Motion faculty, Jocelyn  performed extensively in the USA & in Europe with various professional groups including the New York based "Piel Canela Dance Company".  She has also been teaching "Salsa-on-2" to students from basic through advanced levels in groups & privately for four years in New York City. Currently, Jocelyn also attends City College, where she is pursuing a degree in Theater.

• Shanti Wargo ( Adult & Teen 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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92qOlxe4TPA

  ---

   

• Delilah ( Belly Dancing ) Delilah has been performing & teaching  Middle Eastern Dance as well as Flamenco in the USA & all over the world for years. She has previously taught students of various levels at Serena Studios, the oldest Belly Dance studio in NYC as well as STEPS on Broadway, Makor Cultural Center, New York Sports Clubs & Fazil's Dance Studios. 

   

  ---

• Hilde Gore (CardioEasy Dance) A graduate of the New York High school of Performing Arts, Hilde has studied with Mette Spaniardi at Purchase College & Liane Plane at Broadway Dance Studios, among others. She has taught CardioEasy Dance  at Equinox Health Club in NYC & Club One Health Club in San Francisco. Cardio Easydance is based on the original, unique dance exercise program, Free Dance, designed by fitness guru Molly Fox, under whom Hilde studied for eight years.

  ---

• Anna Griffin (Ballroom, Tap, 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.  

  ---

• Andre Lee (Hip Hop) Has trained in Jazz, Ballet. Hip Hop, Tap & African Dance, though he specializes in teaching/choreographing Hip Hop & more commercial dance styles. Andre has performed with recording artists Shakira & Thalia, and has choreographed for artists Charlie Coleman, Shorty Blaze and for Club Avalon in NYC.

   

  ---

  Ryan K. Davis (Hip Hop)  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. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-WB6QHdlWI

  ---

• Danielle Zuccheri (Ballet, Tap)  began her early dance training in New Jersey. She further continued at a more intense and professional level at the Dance Conservatory of Purchase College where she received a BFA  with concentration in Ballet, Modern and composition. Shortly thereafter she was accepted into the Amy Marshall Dance Company where she continues to perform and grow as a dancer today. Ms. Zucchieri taught Tap previously at Manhattan Motion.

• Noel Bajandas (Hip Hop) feels blessed to be able to express his energy through movement." Theres nothing more liberating than just letting your body surrender to the music." Being Puerto Rican, he was raised with loud music at home... everything from Salsa and Merengue to R&B, Hip Hop and Pop. Noel has had the privilege of working with choreographers Mia Michaels, Fatima Robinson, Stretch and Nu Stylz, and for artists Daddy Yankee, Common, Anna Vissi, Thalia and joining the amazing and crazy world of Cirque Du Soleil’s "Delirium". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mgJxJTSryk
•  

• Kristen Jones (Tap) Originally from Tennessee, Kristen has been dancing and teaching in New York since 2005. She has formal training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Tumbling & a B.A. in Dance from Virginia Intermont College. She has also studied at the Joffrey School, RiverNorthChicago, Broadway Dance Center, Steps, The Edge, and the Governor's School of the Arts.
• Kristen has danced for the Contemporary Dance Theatre of Virginia, IanSpencerBellDance, performed in numerous NBA half-time shows. & choreographed for Fusion Dance Factory.