Teachers

Hama

Hama, a native of Japan, moved to New York in 1964, where he studied with famed jazz dance instructor, Luigi. Hama's credits include lead dancer at Radio City Music Hall, as well as various Broadway productions. In 1991, Hama opened his dance studio, and has dedicated himself to teaching. He has taught at many universities, and was nominated for the Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award at USC.

Many of Hama's students have gone on to become well known dance teachers.

Risa Tadokoro Arisue

Risa started dance Jazz and Ballet at the age of 11 in Japan. Risa came to America in 2001 and joined Ken Dance Company in 2003. She participated in the Jazz Dance LA show from 2002-2008 and performed in the Lester Horton Dance Awards Show in 2006.

In addition, Risa performed in Frankie's Gypsy Roses Show in 2006. Currently Risa works at Hama's Dance Center where she has acted as general manager since 2005.

Risa teaches Jazz class at Hama's Dance Center and is currently instructing dance classes for figure skaters at Toyota Sports Center.

Besides group classes, Risa also teaches private students. She can be contacted via email.

Kana Miyamoto

Kana began her dance training at the early age of three. She studied at the Mayumi Minokami Ballet Academy and performed in productions of Swan Lake, Coppelia, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Giselle. In addition, she worked in the movie Memoirs of a Geisha as a traditional Japanese dancer.

Kana has been described by the LA Times as "elegantly tethered to an earthbound sorrow." She also received first place dancing with Kenji at the 2006 Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival.

Shiva Bagheri

Shiva got her first professional gig as a chorus dancer at the LA Music Center in an opera called, "Orpheus in the Underworld," at the age of 15. At the same time she appeared on Star Search with a group called "The Vibes."
Shiva has taught at numerous dance schools and trained over 10,000 students. Currently she teaches ballet, jazz, hip-hop, Tumbling, and Fitness Strength classes.

Denise Scheerer

Denise has performed with The Jazz Tap Ensemble at the Jazz Bakery, Ford Amphitheater and Morgan-Wixom Theater. She has studied and performed with tap legends Eddie Brown and Sam Weber. Denise also danced in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel in "Hallelujah Hollywood" for for years. She founded and performed with That's Jazz, a Seattle based Jazz Dance Company. Denise choreographed for The Seattle Opera, The Empty Space Theater, The Pioneer Square Theatre and the Seattle Civic Light Opera.

Denise has taught workshops and master classes all over the Pacific Northwest and California and currently teaches in Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, The Colburn Performing Arts School, Hama's Dance Center and the Tap Academy.

Jamie Rogers

Jaime worked as a young dancer, rising to level of First Dancer with the Juilliard Dance Theater and notable Opera companies. He created a memorable performance in the movie "West Side Story."

A recipient of numerous awards and nominations, including Emmy Awards, Cleo Awards, Georgies, Tony Awards, and the Dance Alive Achievement Award. Jamie has been a force in the media of television, where he created for 40 different series, 1,500 episodes, and over 30 specials.

Julia Bourlina

At the age of 9, Julia was selected by master teachers to enter the Vaganova Academy of Classical Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. She studied under Kirov ballet master Ninella Kurgapkina. After 8 years of training, Julia graduated at the top of her class from the Vaganova Ballet Academy . She has danced throughout the world in the Kirov Ballet and Opera. From 1984 to 1996 she performed in Russia and on tour around the world. She has worked in stage productions by international directors Julie Taymor, Oleg Ignatief, David Freeman and Natalia Volkova.

In addition, Julia is fully certified as a Pilates instructor by The Pilates Studio in New York.

Michael Owens

Michael Owens has been teaching jazz dance for over 30 years. In 1982, he joined the faculty at Douglas Wassell's School of Theater Dance where he soon developed a large following among dancers from the Broadway stage. In 1985 he began 10 years teaching at the David Howard Ballet School, followed by faculty positions at the Ailey School, Broadway Dance Center, Princeton Ballet SChool and Steps.

In addition to his faculty positions, he has taught guest jazz classes at the International Summer Academy of Dance in Cologne, Broadway Dance School in Japan, NYC High School for the Performing Arts, Dance Masters of America, and returns annually to teach master classes at Steps in NYC.

Oscar Ramirez

Oscar is an internationally recognized Latin dance teacher and performer. He has performed for major Latin dance events including Latin music nights at the Hollywood Bowl and the International Salsa Congress. Oscar has taught special workshops in the U.S. and abroad and has performed and choreographed for TV and film. Some credits include choreography for feature film with Mario Lopez, private instruction for stars such as Tommy Chong and Toni Basil, and dancer in Dance With Me with Vanessa Williams.

In addition to his numerous performance experiences, he has choreographed group dances for quincineras, middle school shows, wedding dances, and performances for special events.

Frankie Anne

At age 10, Frankie began her stage career in theater and at 17 began teaching Jazz, Theater Dance and Hip Hop at NY’s Broadway Dance Center . Now in LA working in film and TV, Frankie’s passion is kept alive teaching Theater Dance / Fosse Styles classes as well as workshops nation wide and abroad.

Frankie is credited as actress with various film and TV roles. National Tours include West Side Story (Anita) and Smokey Joe’s Café. Concert performances as vocalist with Barbara Streisand and others have lead her to be known as a “triple threat performer”. Her choreography credits span commercials, music videos, industrials etc. including: Lady Foot Locker, Warner Bros. Cats & Dogs, Scooby Doo, See Spot Run, AMFAR, American Express, and Toyota.

Nathan Prevost

Nathan began his dance career at the San Francisco Ballet, followed by a 3-year stint in a show called “Dance Between the lines” choreographed and directed by legendary choreographer Anne Marie Garvin. After winning the grand prize on the original “Star Search” Nathan was one of the most sought-after talents in the nation. He went on to become Paula Abdul’s favorite partner, accompanying her on her acclaimed “Under my spell” world tour and appearing in several of her music videos and the Emmy award winning opening number of the 1990 “American Music Awards”. He has choreographed, directed, produced or appeared in over 30 national commercials, more than 100 industrial shows, dozens of television productions, Music videos for the artists: Jason Mraz, Sugar Ray, Smashmouth, Harry Connick Jr. and many more.

Perry Brown

Perry began his ballet career with a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet in NYC. As a soloist, he was a principal dancer in the 2,500th Anniversary of Bavaria, Germany, which aired throughout Europe on TV. In 1984 Brown represented the U.S. at The International Ballet Festival in Cuba, receiving an honorary diploma from Alicia Alonso. Brown enjoyed the honor of learning and working with some of ballet’s greatest to include performing and learning the White Swan Pas from the brilliant Natalia Markova and participating in the Eugene O’Neill Choreographer’s Conference.

After dancing as a pro for 17 years, he got his BFA and MFA in Ballet from TCU. He is an artist-in residence for the State of Texas and has taught and performed throughout the US, Europe and Asia. Locally, Brown premiered his Joplin Ballet at the Alex Theatre for LA County High School of the Arts.

Tamra Sullivan

Tamra Sullivan was born and raised in Southern California and began studying dance and gymnastics at the early age of 4. She has had the pleasure of learning from such wonderful teachers over the years. She attended California State University, Fullerton to study Dance and Musical Theatre. Tamra enjoys teaching to all ages but especially enjoys working with singers, non dancers, and actors to express through the body. Tamra is also a singer, actress, athletics coach, and animal Reiki practitioner.