FACULTY

Mark

President | Owner

Mark Ward is the Co-founder and Owner of 3rd Street Beat Entertainment. With A Business Management background and over 12 years of experience in the dance industry he has developed from a street dancer to choreographer to producer/director.

Charitable Associations: Board Member of the Youth Giving Back Foundation founded in 2014

Luke

Be the best artist you can be....express & inspire.

Luke is the co-founder and executive director of 3rd Street Beat Studios: Edmonton’s first all Hip Hop dance studio. He is an extremely talented choreographer, instructor, and stage performer whose style and presence make him one of the most unique artists around. Luke’s classes are the perfect blend of fun, fast learning, innovative choreography, with a bit of humour attached to it.

Luke is also a creative, dynamic and spontaneous director who pushes his performers to the next level. Combining a keen knowledge of dance and theatre, as well as a passion for teaching, he has influenced the lives of all those around him. Luke’s work is characterized by its numerous collaborative projects including the Hip Hop For Hope Benefit Series, the Artists Emerge dance competition & The Shadow Twins Performance Company. Luke is dedicated to advancing the presence of hip hop in our culture, directing initiatives to bring hip hop into the community and performance opportunities that introduce todays youth to the arts. Luke co-wrote, directed, produced and co-choreographed the Hip Hop Saved my Life China production that toured Mainland China from July – August 2010.

Richard

Senior Instructor

Richard Andries has become one of the key driving forces within the Hip Hop dance scene in Edmonton and across Alberta. With his high energy classes and his passion for the art, he continues to share his vision of the positivity of hip hop culture in everyday life. His personal style is heavily influenced by the foundation of hip hop dancing; popping, locking, breaking, house and newer forms such as Krump, and Street. Richard continues to sharpen his skills training with North America’s finest and lives with the motto that you are always a student of the dance.

Richard also recently returned from a tour across Europe with Urban Metropolis, and 4 Korners the Toronto Raptor’s official DJ’s. Richard has also accompanied Canadian stars Kayle and Gary Beals as a background dancer. With his dynamic style and energetic choreography Richard maintains the true techniques of hip hop including Popping, Locking, Breaking, Tutting and more. This year Richard traveled to Detroit with the Xtreme Dance Convention Faculty. There he assisted Bradley Rapier of the “Groovaloos”, and was along side of some of Americas finest choreographers including Liz Ramos, Brian Friedman and many more. Richard is currently teaching throughout Alberta and preparing for a dance tour across China with Spice Productions. He continues to train, perform and teach with North America’s finest.

Harman

Senior Instructor

Harman Baweja is a Dancer/Choreographer with a very unique style of movement. His choreography can best be described as sharp and controlled movements with heavy emphasis on ‘Animation’ technique combined with innovative movement. Harman’s classes are focused on in-depth training on technique mixed with a positive and fun atmosphere to learn in!

Harman continues to improve and sharpen his talents through further training and hard work. His goal is to inspire and be inspired in every class he teaches and takes!

Daniel

Senior Instructor

Through his own personal travels in the hip-hop industry Daniel Andries has become one of the driving forces behind the Hip-Hop scene in Alberta. Daniel is a member of the Hip-Hop Crew White Chocolate, which is one of Edmonton’s longest running professional hip hop crews!

White Chocolate have opened and performed for artists such as; Chris Brown, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Ashanti, Ginuwine, Sean Paul, Kreesha Turner, The Game, Nelly Furtado, Obie Trice, 112, Boyz II Men, Fabolous, K-Ci & JoJo, Chingy, Sean Desmond, Massari, Gary Beals, Rochester, and Snoop Dogg! White Chocolate was featured as the only Hip-Hop group set to perform at Alberta’s Centenniel event where the Queen of England was in attendance. Daniel also starred in the hit music video “Bounce With Me” by Kreesha Turner which was directed by world renowned director Little X. Daniel was part of the opening ceremonies for the 2009 Grey Cup in Calgary. Daniel performed across mainland China with the production called Hip Hop Saved My Life. This was the first all Hip-Hop Production to travel to China from Canada. Daniel also performed as a dancer in the movie Lullaby For Pi which will be in theatres February 2011. Daniel has been formally and self trained in many styles of Hip-Hop. Training with such choreographers as The Electric Boogaloos, Sho-Tyme, Brad Rapier, and many more. Daniel has become very involved in the education and training of dancers across Alberta. He has taught across Alberta and travels across Western Canada teaching classes. Daniel has earned countless awards and is major driving point behind the growing hip-hop scene in Edmonton and across Canada! With his dynamic style and energetic choreography, Daniel maintains the true techniques of hip hop including Popping, Waving, Breaking, Tutting and more. He continues to train, perform and teach across Canada!

Ryan

Senior Instructor

Growing up doing competitive dancing, Ryan he has touched on other genres of dance such as jazz and tap and has competed across Alberta and even Las Vegas. Throughout the years Ryan has trained with dance choreographers such as Nick Wilson, Jun Quemado, Lady Jules, and even Suga Pop of the Electric Boogaloos, just to name a few. Ryan is a very fun and outgoing character who is easy to get along with and get to know. He strives to improve his skills everyday and is excited to inform and guide people to use Hip Hop dance as a positive outlet in society.

Erica

Senior Instructor

Erica “E-Rok” Torok is one of 3rd Street Beat’s senior instructors, as she has been working with the company for close to 8 years. Her quirky and fun-loving teaching style is reflected in her elaborate themes, and original style of choreography. Erica’s style is a fusion of funk, old-school party dances, animation, waacking and her own creative approach to dancing!

In the past Erica has had the opportunity to learn from hip hop originators such as Boogaloo Sam, Poppin Pete, Suga Pop, and many many more. She has also competed and performed through out North America winning several scholarships and recognition awards. Erica has performed at many local charity and corporate events; performances include the St. Albert’s Children Festival, K-Days, Corporate Hip Hop Challenge, and has choreographed for the Edmonton Eskimo Cheer team. In 2011, Erica toured the coast of China and performed in the first all hip hop production “Hip Hop Saved my Life” with 3SB Productions. In 2013 Erica competed with 3SB Crew in Montreal, and placed 2nd in Canada in the Adult Crew division. Later on that year the crew placed 11th in the world at Las Vegas’s at “Hip Hop International”.

Erica is currently completing her Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education at the University of Alberta, and has a Record Art diploma from Grant MacEwan. She believes that her experience in her studies is reflected in her dancing. Erica’s goal in and out of the studio is to inspire fun, motivation, and positivity to all!

Edgar

What doesn't challenge you wont make you grow

The Canadian dancer, choreographer, producer and artist, Edgar Reyes, has channelled his visionary and creative energy into Alberta’s urban dance community. His love for the art and his unparalleled strive for excellence has led him to carve a new path in the world of performing and teaching. Edgar is one of Calgary’s leading choreographers that emerged in the wake of the influences of traveling around the world, training in Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Swing, Latin and funk styles by the Boogaloos. Edgar has transformed his style of movement into a diverse and unique way of expression. Training in California and New York, Edgar absorbed the acute attention and detail of both coasts unique styles of hip hop. With a little collaboration and refining of his own visual and conceptual vocabulary of his movement, Edgar’s urban twist on movement emerged through his focus on the points of intersection between the sharp and intricate styles of California and the raw flavours of New York.

Edgar’s skills and knowledge resulted in a long term opportunity to work alongside choreographer Luther brown. While doing so, Edgar became fluent in the video styles of hip hop and was able to showcase his talents by working with artists such as Keisha Chante, Eva Avila and Blake McGrath. Being born and raised in Calgary, Edgar spent many years training as a Jazz performer with the only full time North American professional Jazz Company called Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. This expansion of his adaptability in movement allowed him to achieve his successful appearance on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA Season 3. Edgar’s time in the spot light as one of the top five male dancers led him to travel internationally and work with such choreographers as, Sabrina Matthews, and Mia Michael’s.

Being one of the founders of illFX Entertainment, Edgar is busy producing high end entertainment for corporate Calgary. Working with some of the highest budgets and top grossing companies such as Cenovous, Shell and Audi, illFX has managed and continues to raise the bar on corporate entertainment. With their major success, illFX entertainment is now the number one sought out dance crew in Calgary and surrounding areas.

Edgar continues to train and explore his creativity in dance, production, and artistic direction and is currently the assistant choreographer of a show overseas in China that will soon take the stage all over the world.

Scott

3SB is thrilled to welcome Scott to the 3SB team for the 2014-15 season!

Born and raised in Vancouver, Scott is a world renowned dance choreographer whose years of hip-hop dance training has made him one of the top upcoming choreographers in the scene. Introduced to the battle scene at an early age, it was here where he learned his hard work ethic and aggressiveness that influences his dancing today. Known not only for his choreography and versatile style, Scott is also the founder and director of world-renowned hip-hop group Brotherhood, who placed 1st in the world at the World of Hip Hop Championships. Now residing in Vancouver, Scott continues to teach workshops around the world, most recently becoming a faculty member at the prestigious Urban Dance Camp in Germany. Coming from humble beginnings, Scott is extremely thankful for the opportunity to share his passion with those around the world and is excited to see what God has in store for him.

Tegan Rosato

With over 20 years dance training (Continuing still today) , 17 years of teaching experience, I bring energy and enthusiasm to my classes with an emphasis on proper technical training, alignment and fun.  I began my training at the Sherwood Park School of Dance at the age of 3. Having studied Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip

With over 20 years dance training (Continuing still today) , 17 years of teaching experience, I bring energy and enthusiasm to my classes with an emphasis on proper technical training, alignment and fun.  I began my training at the Sherwood Park School of Dance at the age of 3. Having studied Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Latin, Tap, and Musical Theatre, I have won many top awards as a performer and choreographer. Eight years ago, I founded and ran a dance program (Let’s Dance Academy) that had successful chapters in five different communities all over Edmonton and surrounding area, offering dance lessons to all including under privileged families; as I believe all children should be able to experience the magic of dance regardless of their ability, disability, background or age. I put all my heart and soul into this program not only teaching and choreographing all classes and routines but did everything from advertising, registrations, show planning and even sewing everyone’s costumes! I have choreographed numerous theatre productions including “Seussical Jr” in 2011 for Festival Place Theatre.

This past year I completed my kids yoga teacher certification through Sattva School of Yoga, Moksha yoga 500 hour intensive teacher training, and CanGym NCCP level 1.

“ Dance lives deep in my soul and will forever be a part of my heart . I consider dance to be the most wondrous art form.”

Kayla

Technical & Senior Instructor

Kayla started her technical dance training at the age of three, encompassing ballet, tap, jazz, musical, theatre, contemporary etc. At the age of 11, she took her first hip hop class from Edmonton’s own Curtis Ledger, and from that point on she was hooked. In her graduating year of high school, she joined the 3rd Street Beat family where she trained in many classes, trying to increase her vocabulary in as many styles as she could. Such styles include: Popping, Locking, Animation, Krump, Wacking, House, and New- Age Choreography. As a dancer, Kayla has been successful in various aspects of performing. She has received training scholarships to LA and New York from choreographers such as Shaun Evaristo, Gigi Torres, and Candace Brown. She was invited to participate in Gigi Torres first EYE experience program in Toronto, Ontario, in October 2012. She has choreographed and back-up danced for Edmonton artists such as Kayla has been lucky enough to be apart of many crews/megacrews in Edmonton in the last 5 years including Toxic Elegance, NXG Crew, NXG Company, and BBM. Kayla has now settled down as a member of the 3rd Street Beat professional crew and has been blessed with some amazing experiences since joining in 2012. They won the Pro-Crew category at Represent Dance Competition in 2012 and 2013. Also in 2013, the crew had headlining shows at both the St.Albert International Children’s Festival and K-Days. Last Year, the crew competed at the Canadian National Hip Hop Championships in Montreal, where they placed 2nd securing their spot as members of Team Canada at Hip Hop Internationals 2013 in Las Vegas. Motivated to go back this season, 3rd Street Beat Crew returned to Montreal and came home champions from the 2014 Canadian Hip Hop Championship, securing their spot for the second year in a row on Team Canada at Hip Hop Internationals 2014! Graduating from a student to an instructor, Kayla started teaching at 3sb in the 2012-2013 season. Having taught at multiple studios since 2008, she has won numerous choreography awards at competitions throughout Alberta. Recently, Kayla broke out in the Edmonton Production Industry and was Head Choreographer for the film “A Raven’s Song”, which won Storyhives funding award and will be broadcasted on Telus Optik TV. Kayla is inspired by choreographers such as Parris Goebel, Jillian Meyers, Gigi Torres, Candace Brown, Laura Edwards , Kyle Hanagami, and Edmonton’s own Carlo Atienza. Her goal as a teacher is to share her knowledge, to build confidence within her students, to inspire them to achieve their goals, and most importantly to have fun! Kayla cannot wait to share her love of dance with the 3sb community in the upcoming dance season.

Riley Skworoda

Riley Skworoda is an accomplished international performer, dynamic and innovative dance educator and highly respected, original choreographer with many awards to her credit. She is based in Alberta, Canada, having attained a Bachelor of Arts recreation sports and tourism degree from the University of Alberta, with a focus in dance and drama. Dancing and teaching

Riley Skworoda is an accomplished international performer, dynamic and innovative dance educator and highly respected, original choreographer with many awards to her credit. She is based in Alberta, Canada, having attained a Bachelor of Arts recreation sports and tourism degree from the University of Alberta, with a focus in dance and drama. Dancing and teaching from a young age, she also endured the rigours of completing AG tap exams as well as becoming a fully certified and qualified ADAPT dance educator. Although a well respected, successful teacher and choreographer in many disciplines, including; contemporary, lyrical, and jazz, but her true passion and focus is Tap.

With a voracious appetite for travel and for training with today’s biggest names in the tap dance community, Riley travelled to NY City in 2013 to attend the Big Apple Tap festival, soloing to great accolades in the BATF Showcase. During the summer of 2013 Riley travelled to the Rhythm Summit by Tapmotif in Lefkada, Greece, to train intensively with Heather Cornell, Max Pollak and Thanos Daskalopoulos, which sparked a passion for working with live musicians. 

Riley set her sights on the international tap dance scene, applying to and accepted into the Escola Luthier advanced professional tap training program under the direction of Guillem Alonso in Barcelona, Spain, where she spent 9 months living, training and performing.  Although a North American art form, Riley discovered a dedicated European tap dance community.  During her time in Spain she was also most honored to receive training from and be mentored by the internationally renowned tap innovator, Roxane Butterfly, at Roxane’s Jimmy Slyde institute in Barcelona.  As a fully fledged member of the Barcelona Tap family, Riley was thrilled to be a part of the year round gazebo Sunday tap jams in the stunning Ciutadella Park, a weekly event which delights locals and tourists alike. 

While living in Europe, Riley preformed as part of an ensemble throughout Spain at many events, as well as appearing as guest performers at the Montpellier Tap Festival in France.  She attended the 12 day Stockholm Tap festival in Sweden, Europe’s biggest tap festival, where she completed a performance residency with Jason Samuel Smith as well as a teacher’s choice residency with Joseph Wiggan. Most recently Riley attended Nicholas Young’s Institute for The Rhythmic Arts in Chicago, Illinois, where she studied in not only tap dance but also rudimentary drumming, hand percussion, and body percussion. 

As her adventure continues, Riley is eager to stop along the way to share her passion and to inspire and be inspired by budding tap talent as they too become members of the global tap family. 

Why You Should Be Tap Dancing:

• Improve your musicality. Understanding rhythm and groove is extremely imporant to all styles of dance. 
• Become a well rounded dancer.
• Gain coordination.
• Work on memorization and picking up new steps quickly. 
• Take on an exciting challenge 

Alyssa

Youth Program Instructor

Alyssa Wiebe may be one of the youngest teachers in Edmonton’s Hip Hop Scene, but she is by no means new. Alyssa has been dancing for over 15 years and has been recognized by industry professionals for both her own dancing and the choreography she creates for her students. Alyssa graduated from a performing arts school and has been asked to return as a guest teacher on numerous occasions. Alyssa has performed across Alberta, Toronto, Spain and was a member of “Hip Hop Saved My Life”, which was one of the first all Hip Hop Productions to ever tour China. Dancing is her passion and she has found her calling in passing on that passion to her students.

Thato

Senior Instructor

I’ve been dancing all my life. I have been formally and self trained in many styles of Hip-Hop, from Popping to Krump. But my love, passion, and specialty is House! As one of the original members of White Chocolate, one of Edmonton’s longest running professional Hip-Hop crews, I have had the honor of being part of one of the driving forces behind the Hip-Hop scene in Alberta. I have earned several awards and have been part of a major driving point behind the growing hip-hop scene in Edmonton and across Canada, but I continue to look forward to growing and helping those around me do the same!

Amanda

3SB is thrilled to welcome Amanda to the team for the 2014-15 season!

Since creating def SOL Productions- a Saskatoon based dance company in the summer of 2004, Amanda has remained a pivotal force in the growth and recognition of Saskatchewan’s urban dance scene. She is also the founder of the def SOL Crew, SK’s top professional hip hop crew known for their unique and high energy performances. With over 15 years of knowledge and experience in the dance industry, and a ‘fun yet professional’ teaching-style, Amanda is constantly requested by schools, studios and organizations across western Canada for both instruction and choreography. In 2013 she completed a successful 4 – month Residency at two schools in Northern SK funded by Saskatchewan Arts Board.

This past year, Amanda expanded her career to Edmonton, AB and quickly began training with Third Street Beat’s Funkanometry team. She is also a new member of the 3SB Crew who recently won the title of Canadian Hip Hop Champions in Montreal. They will go on to represent Canada at World’s in Vegas this August 2014! Amanda is excited to join the 3SB Faculty this fall and looks forward to sharing her passion for Hip Hop dance and culture with new students!

Sean

Bboy Instructor

Sean Arceta, at age 25, has been bboying for almost 10 years. He is a power mover which means he does moves which involve his body being aerodynamic in different positions while maintaining constant momentum as the body is in constant motion. Sean is associated with another group called “Rhythm Speaks” where some of Edmonton’s best B-Boys & B-Girls perform as a group. He’s passionate about bboying because his dream is to show the beauty of power moves by doing moves which are physically hard and demanding on the body, yet beautiful when viewed with music.

Mike

3SB is thrilled to welcome Mike to the team for the 2014-15 season!

Gabrielle

School Bookings

Originally from Montreal and new to Edmonton and the 3sb team, Gabrielle is no stranger to the entertainment and performing art industry. An accomplished performer, recording artist and artiste-peintre, Gabrielle is looking forward to coordinating the school entertainment bookings department and leading a specialized team of artists in the art and graffiti design for the 3sb Creative Youth Centre.