THE MOVES
Ballet
The base of all forms of dance, Ballet technique consists of stylized and controlled movements and positions, which develops ultimate strength and flexibility. Ballet is beneficial at any age, and is a safe form of exercise and building strength. We strongly encourage all of our students enrolled in more than one form of dance to study ballet, as the technique is found in every dance class.
Tap
Tap dancing combines dance traditions from Europe and Africa. It is a dance of strong rhythms and relies almost totally on footwork. The feet become musical instruments marking out complex rhythms with the heel and the toe. In This class the student will develop a strong sense of music, timing and discipline.
Lyrical/ Contemporary
Lyrical is an adaptation of ballet, modern and jazz expressing feeling with a focus on bodylines, balance, and sustained extensions. Higher-level class will include more contemporary skills and floor work. Students of lyrical are strongly encouraged to study ballet and Jazz simultaneously for the best possible lyrical dance experience.
Jazz
Jazz is a combination of a variety of styles of dance: ballet, African dance, Musical Theater, Modern, and social dances. Jazz dance has a firm technique and strength base, allowing for individualized movement. Jazz is a great form of dance for any age, developing strength and flexibility. Students of jazz are strongly encouraged to study ballet simultaneously for the best possible jazz dance experience.
Tumbling
Acrobatic movements are combined with dance steps as students learn the fundamentals of movement and timing with tumbling. This class focuses on floor gymnastic tricks, flexibility and upper-body strength. The classes will include forward rolls, cartwheels, and advances to aerials and back tucks. These skills transfer easily to such activities as cheerleading and gymnastics
Hip Hop
Hip-Hop is a fast-paced and exciting class that introduces students to intricate popular movements to hip-hop beats and lyrics. The class may include breaking, popping, and locking. Hip-Hop is a great aerobic workout that develops strength and flexibility. Hip-Hop is constantly changing, and new styles are regularly incorporated into classes.
THE CREW
Surge LA’s Dance Director, Eshe Gibbs is a professional dancer/choreographer who began her
training at West Coast School of the Arts. She has performed live on So You Think You Can Dance,
Cymphonique Miller, Bow Wow, World of Dance LA, University City Walk, and can be seen in the
movie Santa Clause 3. She is currently signed with top dance agencies and is recently known
throughout the U.S, for choreographing National Title Award winning routines. Eshe was technically
trained at West Coast School of the Arts in Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Lyrical, and stays
busy by taking class, teaching, auditioning and sharing her love for dance with others.
Aisha Gibbs is a professional performer/choreographer within the industry and various dance
competition studios. She began her training at West Coast School Of The Arts with jazz, ballet, lyrical
and tap at the age of 13. Within that one year she grew to love the art of dance and performing,
which is now her career. During her years of training Aisha was able to work with many influential
choreographers like Brian Friedman, Tony Czar, Marissa Osato, Will Johnston, Beau Fournier, Andre
Fuentes, Tricia Miranda, Nick Demoura, and many more. She was signed by Clear Talent Agency of
Los Angeles and has worked with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Ne-Yo, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani,
Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, along with others. She has also been an Assistant
Choreographer/Performer for East Los High, B.E.T Experience, Billboard Awards, VMA’s, B.E.T Awards,
Coachella and many more. Although Aisha's passion is performing, she also has the same type of love
for teaching. Her home studios are Impact Dance Center and Surge LA, where she teaches different
genres to her students, filling their minds, bodies and souls with beautiful art to display on the dance
floor.
Julian Turner started dancing and competing at the young age of nine years old in Bakersfield
California, where he also began teaching when he turned 15. Three years later at the young age of 17,
he went on to move to Los Angeles, California to start his professional career as a teacher and
performer. He has appeared on TV shows such as 100 Things To Do In High School, EJ Johnson’s
Sweet Sixteen, Dance Moms, MTV show next, Olivia Rodrigo's live performance. and many more.
Julian choreographed numbers that have aired on the tv show as well throughout China, and Korea,
also has toured on the boys of summer tour, pop nation tour, Audi tour choreograph for a Latina
bilingual girl group BellaDose. He prides himself on being a hardworking teacher, with a diverse
background in tumbling, gymnastics hip hop, technique, and cheerleading.
Yo! My name is AJ Pati and I have been dancing for about a decade now. I have danced with and
directed Future Shock Los Angeles, and learned about hip-hop culture and dance foundations. I was a
part of and coached the Bishop Alemany High School dance team and experienced the competition
dance scene and what it is like to be on a team. I also was teaching and choreographing for Royalty
Dance Academy where I learned to teach my style of choreography and collaborate with other
teachers to set our own competition routines. I now teach here at Surge Los Angeles, where I can
continue to learn and create choreography at an advanced level to teach our passionate students. I
was a kinesiology major with a dance option at Cal State University, Northridge, and have graduated
with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. I wrote an ethnography on my creative process for
choreographing. I enjoy performing, creating my own choreography, and teaching to those who want
to learn my style!
Chelsea Cooper is a commercial dancer and teacher located in Los Angeles, California. During high
school she also danced competitively in various styles. Post-graduation in 2020, she enrolled at
Mather Dance Company, where she completed the Bridge into the Industry training program in 2022
gaining knowledge and experience as a performer, both on stage and for the camera. She currently
trains in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Chelsea is expected to complete
her undergraduate degree in 2024 at Loyola Marymount University where she has earned
scholarships to further her dance education in both a physical and academic context. Along with
being a student at LMU, she has been teaching in the SoCal area since 2019. She has also
choreographed many pieces for both recital performance and competition for these local studios.
Nathan Madden received his BFA from the Juilliard School, attended HSPVA, Houston, and Atlanta
Ballet academies. He has taught and performed around the world and with each experience becomes
more of a well rounded creative force. He graced the stage of countless theaters during two seasons
with Ballet Jazz Montreal, touring with Twyla Tharp’s “Come Fly Away”, and guesting with Lar
Lubovitch Dance. Nathan started his Broadway journey with CHICAGO, went on to be an original cast
member of Christopher Wheeldon’s “An American In Paris”, were he covered two leading roles, and
was thrilled to be a part of bringing back “Hello Dolly” to the great white way alongside the fabulous
Bette Midler. As a choreographer he was awarded the “Héctor Zaraspe Prize” for exemplary
movement, was a finalist for the Capezio “ACE Awards”, and has had his work place in “The National
Society of Arts and Letters” competition. “I’m so grateful to be continuing to grow from “Glory to
Glory”
Mimi Wilson is a passionate dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She began dancing competitively at
Impact Dance Center, where she trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, contemporary and
modern. During those years, she also continued her training at the Orange County School of the Arts
as part of the Commercial Dance Conservatory. After graduating high school, Mimi continued dancing
competitively on the Orange Coast College dance team and began her teaching journey at The
Movement Dance Center teaching tap, hip-hop, and jazz. Mimi is currently a member of the UCLA
Dance Team and is so excited to be teaching the wonderful talent at Surge LA.
Sarina Lowe grew up in California and began her dance career at the age of 3 and started teaching at
the age of 17. She has trained in many different styles and ever since then she has found her passion
in teaching. She was a part of a competitive performance team and had the opportunity to
choreograph for a high placing performance team as well. Sarina has trained with Texas Ballet
Theater and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in their professional division, as well as going to several other
summer intensives, such as American Ballet Theatre and Ballet Austin. Most recently she was the
director of a dance studio where she grew her teaching skills with dancers of all ages. Sarina is excited
to make an impact on the younger generation of dancers.
Kenya Clay is professional dance choreographer whose infectious energy has shaped a career
working with some of the most well-known artists and brands in the industry. Throughout her career,
Kenya has been most passionate taking on the role of mentor, and has helped world renown talent
fulfill and focus their abilities. Founder of No Boys Allowed (NBA), an all-female dance crew, Kenya
mentors the group of forty-two young ladies ranging in age from ten to nineteen. Kenya is on a
mission to build respectable people who are dedicated to the growth and empowerment of all.
Kenya has worked professionally with leading artists and brands such as Kanye West, Mariah Carey,
Toyota, Skechers, Pepsi, Pharrell and NERD and most recently served as Casting
Director/Choreographer for Disney’s Club Mickey Mouse pilot pitch.
Jasmine Marie Flores (“Jayzeejazz/ Jazz”), a California native living and working as a professional
dancer in the Los Angeles flow. After a 4 year program she received a BA In Performing Arts at
Pasadena City College, CA. 2018 saw Jasmine make her live television debut at the American Latin
Music Awards "The ALMAS; with Reggaeton star, Jay Alvarez, and The Pasadena Rose Parade. She
then went on to cap off the year and perform with such artist as Kool & The Gang, Yo-yo, Darkeil,
Shahkar, Pedro Fernandez, Pancho Barrarza, the list can go on. More recently has performed at The
Microsoft Theatre, Crypto LA, The Globe Theatre, Universal Dance Awards, The Forum, Los Angeles
Salsa Festival, World Salsa Festival, and many more.
Jazz performs and trains regularly with celebrity dancers, in various styles, and has appeared and
worked on several music videos, as the choreographer and dancer. Some of her top favorite styles of
dance consist of Latin ballroom, salsa, jazz, Afro Cuban, contemporary, hip hop. She has mastered her
love in dance and continues to grow with the help of some Amazing mentors. Jasmine has worked
under Andy “Lyrik” Cruz, Jhesus Aponte, Stephanie Steven, Raul Santiago. Currently working in
several dance academies with young kids and adults, prepping them for competitions and showcases.
Bringing a unique style yet classic dance knowledge to our community, making it an exciting journey.
The style and knowledge Jasmine brings comes from a strong root and culture, she believes in
teaching and encouraging all dancers to push themselves to their best ability. As she would say “
Never Stop Dreaming”.
Hi I’m Brooke Madden. I have been dancing since the age of 3 and competing since the age of 9. At
13 I started assisting with my skills growing each year. I have danced as a backup dancer on the "Path
to Forever" tour, danced on a tv series, and in an upcoming music video. I will further my career in
dance throughout college.
Hello my name is Camaron Steen. I’m 18 years old and I’ve been dancing professionally since I was 9.
During those 9 years I’ve been able to be a backup dancer for Justin Beiber, Becky G, J.Cole and ASAP
Rocky. I started choreographing for my hip-hop dance team at high school since freshman year and in
my junior year I started to choreograph my competition solos. I’m looking to learn, grow and expand
in that profession.
THE SPACE
THE TEAMS
THE MISSION
Surge LA is committed to providing inspired instruction, professional guidance, and a positive environment to challenge each individual to realize their full potential in the art of dance. We will deliver excellence in dance training through proper technique and a strong artistic integrity, taught in a nurturing atmosphere. Our staff and instructors will respect, gently guide, and promote a family type atmosphere at Surge LA.
THE INVESTMENT
When your child takes dance, they learn more than just discipline, strength, and rhythm. They learn how to listen, to work as part of a team, and how to push their own boundaries. These traits will grow with them and transfer over into other aspects of their lives. Dance provides more than just an opportunity to gain life long skills and strengths but also provides an avenue to gain confidence, courage, and life long friendships.