INSTRUCTOR BIOS & CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

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aisha reddick (she/her) and odessa mae uno (she/her) are Southern California–based movement artists and educators whose practices center embodied experience, connection, and community. aisha, a BFA graduate of California State University, Long Beach, currently teaches with DISCO RIOT and serves as the Director of Dance at Helix Charter High School. odessa received her BFA in Dance from California Institute of the Arts and works as an independent artist and educator throughout San Diego. Together with Miguel Galvan, aisha and odessa co-direct Movement Minded, a dance-centered platform for workshops and events that foster shared practice, dialogue, and collective care through movement.

IG: @movement.minded @odessauno @ahsia

PC: Catherine Fisher

CONTEMPORARY - intermediate/advanced

We're interested in pushing physicality, exploring a wide range of movement influences, and creating opportunities for individualized artistic choices. Please be prepared to sweat and play!

*Recommendation - Please bring knee pads or wear long pants.

Dyno  is a founding member of the San Diego-based Breaking crew CYPHERST8. With nearly 25 years of Breaking experience, he has traveled and competed in many competitions — earning first-place titles in Breaking/Footwork Championships such as Furious Styles Anniversary in 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona, Massive Monkees Day in Seattle 2019, and most recently Floorgangz Footwork 2v2 World Finals in Seoul, South Korea 2025. 

Dyno has been teaching professionally for over 18 years. He is a full-time Breaking educator working with various organizations including UCSD Theatre & Dance, Culture Shock Training Academy, Finest City Breaking, transcenDANCE, etc. 

BREAKING - Basics and Introduction to the Art

This class will be framed as an introduction to Breaking as a dance form with an emphasis on the music structure, and cypher. We will cover basic movement vocabulary that is unique to Breaking in context with the breakdown of the music/record. Breaking is an element of Hip Hop Culture, which has its origins in the South Bronx, NYC early 1970’s.

*Recommendation - Students are recommended to wear sneakers, clothes that allow for free movement, pants that cover the knees. Sports like materials such as a track jacket and a beanie are also highly encouraged if you have access to those items. 

IG: @dynorock.8 @CYPHERST8

FB: CYPHERST8

Forest Lee (they/them) is a queer dance artist and political organizer, residing on Kumeyaay land. They began their dance education at the age of 3, and danced competitively up to the age of 18, when they signed with Bloc LA Talent Agency. Forest has been fortunate enough to work with music artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii. Alongside their commercial dance career, Forest strives to use movement art and dance as tools for collective healing, liberation, and investigation of topics such as identity, connection, and the human experience as a whole. They worked with Joyce Lien Kushner for Asian American Dance Festival in 2025, Erik James for Disco Riot in 2025, and most recently have worked with Christopher K Morgan and his company dancers in 2025 for his piece "Native Intelligence/Innate Intelligence." Forest is deeply passionate about teaching and sharing their love of dance as well. They are deeply informed by their work as an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, and are dedicated to fighting for a world in which all people have the right to live dignified, happy, and healthy lives. Forest views art, especially dance, as an integral component for achieving the world we all deserve. 

IG: @_forestlee

PC: devan aischa

CONTEMPORARY FUSION - intermediate/advanced

Class will begin with a full body warmup focused on mobility, strength, and centeredness. We will then move into guided improvisation exercises across the floor, where we’ll explore a variety of concepts. Then, we will move into learning choreography. The piece will be anchored in storytelling and imaginative world building through dynamic and expressive movement. Dancers will be challenged to utilize shape, musicality, and texture.

JAZZ - intermediate/advanced

Class will begin with a full body warmup focused on strength, flexibility and power. We will then move into across the floors that focus on groundedness in jazz foundation and technique. Then, we will learn choreography that centers performance, precision, and swift energetic movements to express a story. Dancers will be challenged to utilize syncopation, dynamics, and technique.

Joyce Lien Kushner (she/her) is a Taiwanese American contemporary dance artist, teacher, and maker. She has trained dancers of all ages, nourishing a philosophy that all bodies dance. She has performed and collaborated with artists throughout California including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. In 2015, she founded TILTshift Dance in San Francisco. Now back in her hometown of San Diego, she continues to teach, make work, and hold space for other dance artists to create and work. In 2024, she was awarded an 18-month artist residency by NTC Foundation in ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station to help further these endeavors. In 2025, she developed and co-produced AADF, San Diego’s first Asian American Dance Festival centering AAPI dance artists and stories. She currently teaches on faculty at Lynch Dance Institute and Malashock Dance. She has served on DISCO RIOT’s board since 2021.

IG: @cocozenmama

PC: Milana Aeronova

GRAHAM-BASED MODERN

Both the beginning and intermediate classes are rooted in Graham technique. We focus primarily on technique exercises, developing strength and deeper understanding of Graham's unique movement language. We begin with floor exercises -  bounces, breathings, spirals in 3s & 6s, seated contractions, deep stretches, turns around the back, pleadings, etc. Transitioning to standing, we move to center work - plies, brushes, changes around the ankle, adagio, etc. As time allows, we'll end with exercises and phrases across the floor - triplets, prances, jumps, etc. 

*Recommendation - If you have difficulty sitting on the floor with your back straight up and legs extended out in front, we recommend that you bring a yoga mat or towel/blanket. These items may be folded and placed under the seat for floor exercise modifications.

CONTEMPORARY FLOORWORK

Both the beg/int and int/adv classes will focus on floorwork technique. We will get comfortable with pushing, pulling, rolling, sliding on the floor. We will safely build strength and ease in transitioning to and from the different vertical levels. We will discover new pathways of sequencing through the body, finding new ways to initiate movement, and develop seamless transitions within phrasework.

For those newer to contemporary floorwork, this will be an opportunity to better understand the technique and mechanics of floorwork movements that are so common in contemporary classes and choreography. For more experienced dancers, we'll develop ease of movement and more seamless transitions that you can incorporate into your floorwork practice. Finding flow in our floorwork without always relying on sheer momentum, we’ll learn how momentum can be used as an artistic choice rather than the main source of movement initiation.

*Recommendation - Socks and pants (or leg coverings) are highly recommended, as well as  clothing that covers the shoulders. Knee pads are optional.

Leland SImpliciano (he/HIM/siya) is an educator, doctoral student, neighborly servant leader—and when time permits—a fan of movemeant, particularly in the form of dance. His first love of dance emerged within the hip hop scene, beginning with breaking and later flowing through choreography, locking, and house, among others. In 2016, he was introduced to New Style Hustle, a social dance that has since become his most consistent muse. Through this form, Leland has found space to connect, vibe, and heal alongside people of all ages and genders. Learning during his time in Los Angeles, he is now part of the New Style Hustle–San Diego Admin Team, helping share this dance with others interested in the practice. Join him and Fini Ørlamünde for the New Style Hustle workshop.

IG: @newstylehustlesd @simplyleland @finiorla

NEW STYLE HUSTLE - open level

This New Style Hustle class explores partner connection, musicality, and freestyle expression in a fun, inclusive space. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can move and pivot in. No partner or prior experience is necessary. Come through!

New Style Hustle blends partner connection with individual expression and musical interpretation. Influenced by classic Hustle and contemporary social dance spaces, it invites creativity and freedom. The dance thrives on rhythm, responsiveness, and shared joy. Danced to a wide range of music—from house and funk to pop and hip-hop—it encourages adaptability and personal style within partnership. At its core, New Style Hustle is a social dance rooted in community, inclusivity, and connection on the floor.

Dr. Matthew Tay is an adjunct professor at Pacific College of Health Sciences San Diego, a Taiji instructor at UCSD, and a contemporary Chinese dance instructor. He has 20 years of Taichi and Wushu experience and is a former USA Wushu Team member. He holds a BA in Dance from UCSD and a Doctorates of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College.

IG: @taichimatt @qingpingtaiji

Website: https://linktr.ee/qingpingtaiji

PC: Art Counts

TAICHI - open level

Taichi is a Chinese martial art known for its slow and graceful movements. Many senior citizens at the local park can be seen practicing this meditative fluid exercise. Anyone can practice Taichi and reap its benefits. Taichi practice can help support balance, stability, cardiovascular health, psycho-emotional health, and any systems that help maintain quality of life. It is known for its ability to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. 

*Recommendation - Students should wear comfortable shoes and  clothes that they can move in for class.