Thank you Rae Studios community for an incredible first half of 2024!
Summer is here and we're bringing you some heat with a brand new schedule featuring additional classes in your favorite styles and some amazing new additions on our roster. We're thrilled to continue building community with all of you and encourage growth amongst our students.
Introducing our Summer 2024 schedule starting July 1st with classes offered at two locations, Rae Studios + UN Plaza, over 50+ classes and 35+ instructors offering classes daily! We've had an amazing year so far with the success of our Spring Showcase, amazing pop-up classes and the continued growth of our classes at UN Plaza. We thank you all for continuing to take class with us and support the arts and our artists. Now here's to a new season of growth, fun and the love of dance!
A big Thank you to our past instructors who will no longer be teaching at Rae Studios. We at Rae Studios always value our instructors and honor their growth as they continue to transition in life. For veteran and new teachers starting July 1st 2024, we are excited to start another season celebrating and highlighting your craft. Let's continue to support our local teachers this year by showing up ready to create new and memorable experiences. Just a reminder, every little action goes a long way. Bring a friend to class, write a testimonial, share your experience on your social channel or just tell an instructor about your gratitude. Most importantly, enjoy yourself. Rae Studios is here to build, educate and create.
Now, let's welcome to our Summer 2024 Instructor Roster! ❤
In-Studio Class Schedule | Effective Jul. 1st - Sept. 30th
UN Plaza Class Schedule | Effective Jul. 1st - Sept. 30th
🎉 INTRODUCING OUR NEW INSTRUCTORS STARTING APRIL, 2024🎉
Tomiko Iyalla
Afro Dance [Beg/Int]
Mondays, 6:30pm
Wednesdays, 5:00pm (At UN Plaza)
Tomiko is a Nigerian-American, multiplidicinary artist with an emphasis and primary work teaching Afro Dance. Using the influence of her Nigerian culture and life experiences, Tomiko brings to life colorful narratives of her people, ancestry, and personal story. Afro Dance stems from West African street style dances; expands through continent + the african diaspora.
Vell Raskova
Heels [Int/Adv]
Mondays, 6:30pm
Vell began dancing in 2000, focusing on ballroom dancing. She dedicated 13 years of her life to this discipline. She participated in ranked competitions in Moscow as well as in international ballroom dance competitions. After ballroom dancing, Vell tried many dance styles: house, dancehall, hip-hop, vogue, and of course, she fell in love with High Heels.
Vell trained at numerous dance studios in Russia and participated in dance festivals and camps. She regularly attends classes with various choreographers in different styles. She is also obtaining a NASM personal trainer certification.
Vell is the organizer of a fitness-dance bootcamp in Russia. She is also the organizer of her own High Heels masterclasses in the Bay Area.
Vell's dance goal is to teach women and men to enjoy their bodies while dancing. For Vell, dance is life; it reveals new aspects of ourselves, allows us to embody any character, and lets us be anyone we want to be in this life. My goal is to show through dance that a person can do anything!
Where you currently teach Motion Arts Center (San Mateo) and my own classes in SF and San Mateo
Peyton Crawford
Jazz Funk [Int/Adv]
Mondays, 7:45pm
Heels [Beg/Int]
Fridays, 7:45pm
Coming from her home town Sonoma, CA, Peyton Crawford is a passionate dancer who wants to share her love for dance with the world. Peyton has always been told by her family that she was dancing before she could even walk, always following the rhythm of music and the ongoing rhythm that plays in her head. She comes from a long history in the pageant world, since the age of two months, and has been on stage ever since. She has choreographed numerous routines within the industry and directed pieces. Not only has Peyton had a pageant history background, she had been attending dance conventions and classes since the age of five. She was the dance intern at her middle school and proceeded to gain experience in dancing and choreographing on her high school's dance team.
While attending Sonoma State University, Peyton had experienced numerous showcases and pieces with different processes. She has taken choreography classes all over California and gained experience in numerous styles such as hip hop, jazz, jazz-funk, heels, improv, line-dancing, and more.
When she’s not dancing she is working with horses and designing clothes for her line, Kiki. This young lady aspires to be a professional dancer and model for artists and brands. With her journey at Rae Studios she hopes to give her fellow dancers a space where they can feel comfortable and grow as individuals. A place of honor and celebration to life. Come join her in class!
Sleiman Alahmadieh
Hip Hop [Int/Adv]
Tuesdays, 7:45pm
Fridays, 6:30pm
Sleiman(He/him) is a dancer, actor, singer, based in the Bay Area. He was born in a small town in Lebanon and moved to the states at 2 years old. He has always loved moving and felt a strong connection to music since dancing along to the Cheetah Girls and High School Musical. He has always dreamed of being a choreographer since before he new how to spell it and is so excited to bring his energy and passion to Rae Studios!
He graduated San Francisco State University this past spring with a degree in Communications and has been a working theater performer in the Bay Area for 6 years.
He believes Dance is such a beautiful art and getting to feel music with your body is such a privilege that everyone should get to experience. Because of the toxic dance environments he’s been in he’s now determined to create a space that is fun and positive for every single person in the room!
James Jared
Heels [Int/Adv]
Wednesdays, 7:45pm
James began his dance journey as an 8-year-old in Southern California, where he trained in a variety of styles including jazz, hip-hop, ballet, and contemporary. He earned a minor degree in Modern Dance and Choreography from Princeton University in 2019, where he also danced and choreographed for diSiac Dance Company. It was during this time that James also began his heels training. Since college, James has continued his dance education in Boston and San Francisco, and more recently has taught heels classes at various studios in the Bay, including City Dance, ODC, and Rae. James has been honored to perform choreography by Chris Martin, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Robert Battle, and others.
In his heels choreography, James blends the movement vocabularies of all styles he’s trained in, with a primary focus on contemporary and jazz. Like most other heels classes, his choreography is rooted in the sensuality of the feminine form. However, James also explores how this feminine aesthetic can be in dialogue with a masculine presentation and how a more masculine aesthetic can also fuel a feminine performance. In other words, he asks the question, “How can traditionally female movement qualities demonstrate maleness, and how can traditionally male qualities emphasize womanhood?” Of course, his choreography is still full of the sexy, fun, and flirty style that you can expect from any heels class.
Namaad Jackson
Hip Hop [Int/Adv]
Wednesdays, 7:45pm
Namaad Jackson is a performer, choreographer, educator, and mentor whose background, training, and passion extends over 15 years. In 2008, Jackson found KauCon Dance Kru (KDK) and served as its Chief ExecuCve Director. KDK was a professional dance company that provided guidance, educaCon, and training to inspire other energeCc dancers. Jackson started a youth division of the company in 2012 called KhaoCc Dane Kru, serving dancers ages 12-18. In 2014, he opened a KDK in Las Vegas. During the second year of the pandemic, he closed the company and moved to San Jose.
Namaad has directed many dance companies and troupes including Dcypher Dance, TeamWeGonMakeIt, Culture Shock DC (CSDC), and Culture Shock Las Vegas (CSLV) where he was able to travel, perform, and teach throughout the US, and in Canada, Paris, and Germany. He was ArCsCc Managing Director for Dixie Arts Conservatory where he managed and oversaw all studio operaCons, classes, and programs. Since moving to the Bay Area Namaad signed as a talent with RAE Talent and Model Agency and is teaching at several studios across the bay area including RAE Studio, Purdance, FulloutStudios, Dance ConnecCon of Palo Alto, and Dance Mission Theater. Namaad dances and performs with Str8Jackets Dance Crew which has been featured on NBC’s World of Dance the TV show and is also a former pro NBA Dancer for the Golden State Warriors.
Namaad sees dance as a posiCve force and a medium to tell stories, discuss issues and inspire others. He is proud of his accomplishments and is very passionate about his career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator. He encourages others to recognize their passion and always follow their hearts and dreams.
Amanda Pigman
H.I.IT. [All Levels]
Thursdays (At UN Plaza), 5:00pm
Saturdays, 10:00am
Amanda (she/her) moved to the Bay from New Orleans towards the end of 2023. She grew up dancing in Virginia until the age of 16, and reconnected with her love for dance in the last few months through RAE Studios.
Amanda’s fitness journey began with deciding to complete a 200hr yoga teacher certification after high school, and from there the rest has continued to fall into place. Throughout her time at Virginia Commonwealth University, she worked actively in the recreation center as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and program assistant. Amanda graduated from VCU with a bachelors in exercise science and psychology, which has supported her passion/career in personal training and exercise physiology. Since then she began working in corporate fitness in New Orleans, where she was able to have a similar role.
Amanda decided to come to the Bay for a new adventure and currently also works at the Inner Richmond LiveFit as a personal trainer.
Christian Moran
Shuffle [Beginner]
Saturdays (At UN Plaza), 11:00am
Xavy ( he/him ) started break dancing in early ages in ES. Studied business administration which was not fulfilling then Moved to San Francisco the Bay Area 2012 discovered shuffle dance during pandemic Joined SFBADM ( Bay Area Dance Movement ) 2021 where learned and adopted shuffle as part of his life,learning from talented shufflers across California . Actually pursuing a DJ dream,but also sharing Shuffle dance style in the Bay Area, so grateful and expecting to grow as a shuffle teacher at RAE STUDIOS . Aiming to build a strong foundation and variations of shuffle steps focusing on transition points and flow styles toward better freestyle on the dance floor. Friendly , Fun , Focus ( FFF)
Erica Wilson
Modern Dance [Int/Adv]
Saturdays, 12:15pm
Erica Wilson, a native of Oakland, California, embarked on her dance journey at the tender age of three, diving into competitive dance at seven, exploring a diverse array of genres including Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Groove, Hip Hop, and Salsa. Her formative training years were enriched by experiences with esteemed institutions such as Delta Ballet Company, Latonya Watts Dance Company, and the DVHS Dance Department.
Continuing her pursuit of excellence, Erica pursued higher education at the University of California, Berkeley. Alongside her academic endeavors, she showcased her athletic expertise as a PAC-12 Intercollegiate Track & Field Athlete. Graduating with a degree in African American Studies, Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies, Erica honed her skills in Advanced Modern and Contemporary dance techniques, delving into disciplines like Martha Graham, Laban Bartenieff, GaGa, Sources of Movement, Improvisation, and Choreography.
In 2015, Erica's dreams materialized as she joined Deep Waters Dance Theater, under the esteemed direction of Amara Tabor-Smith and Ellen Sebastian Chang. Her journey with the company spanned seven years, in the ensemble House Full of Black/Women. She was also featured in notable productions such as "Between the World and Me," "Til’ Dance Do Us Part Bacchanal D'afrique," and "Black Lives Masquerade."
A pivotal moment in her career came in 2022 when she was cast in "The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience" in San Francisco, produced by Shondaland, Netflix, and Fever. Over six months, Erica showcased her versatility, seamlessly transitioning between Ballet, Ballroom, Jazz, and Hip Hop, while making her
Today, Erica stands as a multifaceted Creative, Performing Artist, and Teacher. In 2023, she unveiled her inaugural production, "Shedding Skin," a captivating solo performance rooted in the African Diaspora, African American-Contemporary Dance, Culture, and Art. Beyond the stage, Erica's presence has graced Athletic, Health, and Lifestyle Model campaigns for prominent brands such as HVMN, Move Beyond, Sky River Casino, Apple, and RISE.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, Erica channels her passion for athletics as a Track and Field Coach, Runner, and Enthusiast, embodying a holistic approach to her life's passions.
Chloe Wardrick
High Fitness (All Levels)
Sundays, 10:00am
Chloe was born and raised in Fresno CA and currently residing in San Francisco. She started participating in HIGH Fitness 5 years ago where I was able to make meaningful connections with others surrounding health and wellness.. She is a certified HIGH Fitness instructor and is excited to share this amazing workout with every and all participants! Her hope is that Hihn Fitness can bring participants the same exhilarating energy that it does for her, and so many others internationally. She is grateful to have become an instructor a year and half ago to spread her love for this fitness format. All benefiting the most important part of our body, our hearts.
ACCESS ALL CLASSES ON OUR WEEKLY SCHEDULE | LEARN MORE HERE
In-Studio Classes at Rae Studios
Outdoor Classes at UN Plaza Fitness Court
