Unity ClasH 2012
Violeta Galagarza
Violeta Galagarza, ("V" to her friends), is a New Yorker of Puerto Rican heritage who has dedicated her heart and soul to the rhythms of life. With a background in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Classical, and Modern Dance, blended with the flavor of Hip Hop, Breakdancing, African & Reggae, the multifaceted Violeta has a varied and balanced repertoire. She rounds off impressively with the traditional Latin styles of Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Rumba, and red-blooded Tango. She developed her talents in The Performing Arts School, Alvin Ailey Dance Company and The Boys Harbor School of the Arts. Currently, Violeta is the director of KR3TS (Keep Rising To The Top), as she named the group of over 60 dancers she manages. KR3TS represents her philosophy in life, in her personal as well as professional agenda.
She has delighted the community by sharing her talents and her time in fundraisers benefiting underprivileged families that count on extracurricular activities to enrich their youth. She aims to provide a safe and multi-disciplinary outlet to tap into the heart of the communities.... Their Children.
She has also pledged her humanitarian efforts as a volunteer in numerous events, as evidenced by the many awards she's been honored with. They include Congressman Charles B. Rangel's Award of Achievement Recognition, and The Governor of Puerto Rico's Award of Outstanding Support and donation to victims of Hurricane Hugo.
Website: www.KR3Ts.com
Teaches: Sunday's 2-6 @ 115th street
Tuesday's 5-9 @ 115th street
For more information and exact location of classes email kr3ts@aol.com or call (646)302-1817
Jamie Jackson
Brooklyn native Jamie Jackson has been dancing since the age of 5 and got his break as a choreographer at the age of 11 when he did some work for a block-party in his neighborhood. That first experience fueled Jamie’s passion for performing. While following his dream to be a choreographer, Jamie took a good detour singing in the Grammy Award winning LFT Church Choir under the direction of Hezekiah Walker. While in the choir, Jamie had the opportunity to work with artists such as Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Praz of the Fugees, Shirley Caesar and P. Diddy.
After finding Broadway Dance Center at age 19, Jamie returned to his first love – dance, and began teaching his own classes at the world-renowned studio at age 23. His weekly classes are consistently full and he is an in-demand part of BDC’s celebrated hip-hop faculty. Since his start in the business, he has had the pleasure of choreographing the “Let’s Dance” video and mini tour for Hezekiah Walker, a BET Janet Jackson Tribute, company pieces for Carnival Choreographers’ Ball and was asked to choreograph a group number for the Broadway Dance Center 25th Anniversary Gala and Showcase at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. He also volunteers his time and is on the Board of Directors for Hip-Hop Heals Most DEAFinitely, a not-for-profit organization that provides dance classes for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
His work and dedication was noticed by Rhapsody James who took him under her wing and helped cultivate his gift as a part of Rhapsody: The Company. He was also recognized by Shawnette Heard who asked him to choreograph in Broadway Remix, an off Broadway production she directed. He has also been featured in videos including: “All Things” (Fab 5), “Chabine” (Matt) and “99 Problems” (Jay-Z). Represented by MSA agency he has also worked on many other projects including Showtime series "Boardwalk Empire" seasons 1 & 2 and Verizon phone commercial to name a few.
With a natural gift of movement, Jamie’s style of choreography developed from his own parents’ love of music and dance and the influence of formal classroom training. His dynamic style emphasizes song interpretation and storytelling. His goal is to get any and every type of student to understand that dance is more than just steps, more than just counts, more than just “getting the choreography.” Dancing is becoming the music and lyrics and embracing the moment. Whether they are dancing for fun or on stage, Jamie aims to bring out the versatility and performance qualities in each of his dancers, helping to prepare them to dance outside of the classroom.
The dance floor is where you get to be someone else but only if you commit, and if you commit something will happen.
After finding Broadway Dance Center at age 19, Jamie returned to his first love – dance, and began teaching his own classes at the world-renowned studio at age 23. His weekly classes are consistently full and he is an in-demand part of BDC’s celebrated hip-hop faculty. Since his start in the business, he has had the pleasure of choreographing the “Let’s Dance” video and mini tour for Hezekiah Walker, a BET Janet Jackson Tribute, company pieces for Carnival Choreographers’ Ball and was asked to choreograph a group number for the Broadway Dance Center 25th Anniversary Gala and Showcase at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. He also volunteers his time and is on the Board of Directors for Hip-Hop Heals Most DEAFinitely, a not-for-profit organization that provides dance classes for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
His work and dedication was noticed by Rhapsody James who took him under her wing and helped cultivate his gift as a part of Rhapsody: The Company. He was also recognized by Shawnette Heard who asked him to choreograph in Broadway Remix, an off Broadway production she directed. He has also been featured in videos including: “All Things” (Fab 5), “Chabine” (Matt) and “99 Problems” (Jay-Z). Represented by MSA agency he has also worked on many other projects including Showtime series "Boardwalk Empire" seasons 1 & 2 and Verizon phone commercial to name a few.
With a natural gift of movement, Jamie’s style of choreography developed from his own parents’ love of music and dance and the influence of formal classroom training. His dynamic style emphasizes song interpretation and storytelling. His goal is to get any and every type of student to understand that dance is more than just steps, more than just counts, more than just “getting the choreography.” Dancing is becoming the music and lyrics and embracing the moment. Whether they are dancing for fun or on stage, Jamie aims to bring out the versatility and performance qualities in each of his dancers, helping to prepare them to dance outside of the classroom.
The dance floor is where you get to be someone else but only if you commit, and if you commit something will happen.
Kaity "Kai" Martinez
Website: http://kaitymartinez.blogspot.com/
Youtube: www.youtube.com/kaitymartinez
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaifai
Email: kaitymartinez@gmail.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/kaitymartinez
Twitter: www.twitter.com/kaifai
Email: kaitymartinez@gmail.com
Yahael "Jay-J" Torres
Info coming soon!
Carloz "Poppin Loz" Melendez
Info coming soon!