Staff


 



Stylish Talent is Rhythma’s resident expert of all things Booty. His Booty 101 class focuses on all the essential moves to make you a master of your own back yard.  His goal as an instructor is to work the booty and show his students that anyone can twerk if they put in the work. Originally form Memphis, Tennessee, Stylish moved to the ATL in 2010 to pursue dance. On his path of dance discovery, Stylish learned to twerk; and the mesmerizing movements of his fluttering fanny made him a viral sensation. He worked closely with the renowned TwerkTeam and his growing popularity made him an icon in the gay community of the South. His favorite genra of dance is hip hop, and he most admires artists the artists Ciara, Missy Elliot and Frank Ocean. Stylish Dances because “it’s my passion. It helps me relieve stress and be myself.”

 

 


 


Angela Smith teaches Tribal Fusion Bellydance at Rhythma Studios with owner/director Meredith Hope. Her focus as an instructor is to help women be more aware in their bodies, move sensually, and learn the techniques of tribal bellydance with the hand of a gentle perfectionist. Angela is from Hannibl, Missouri. She moved to Atlanta in 2010 to be closer to family and live in a bigger city. Her favorite genre of dance is tribal fusion bellydance. Artists who inspire her include Lisa Gerrad, Zoe Jakes, and Beth Gibbons. Angela dances “to stay in shape and bring something different to artistic expression.”



LaRico Potts is Rhythma’s Eccentric Hip Hop teacher. His focus as a teacher is to allow his students to expand their dance vocabulary and musicality by teaching intricate choreography. LaRico is from Birmingham, Alabama and moved to Atlanta in 2008 to further his career as a dancer and choreographer. His favorite genre of dance is Hip Hop. He is influenced by Laurie Ann Gibson, Beyonce and Janet Jackson. He dances because: “Dance allows me to be free, and go to a place unimaginable. Dance is also a huge stress reliever for me. The most important reason why I dance is to inspire!”


Lanisha “Tinky” Bush is one of Rhythma’s Eccentric Hip Hop teachers. Her focus as an instructor is to provide quality choreography to her students and better their skills in dance and rhythm. Tinky was born in Decatur and has spent the majority of her life in Atlanta. She joined Rhythma in June of 2012. Her favorite genera of dance is “a little something I like to call Contemp-hop” which is a fusion of ballet/modern technique with a splash of animated hip hop. Tinky is inspired by “everyone I have ever watched or encountered. I wouldn’t put anyone above the other because they are all equally talented.” Tinky dances “not as a hobby, or a career, or a profession or anything in that field — I dance for my life. Dance allows me to connect with different people and express myself in ways I wouldn’t have been ale to without it. I dance to keep my blood circulating. I dance to keep my sanity. I dance to entertain!”

Brad McCaskill is Rhythma’s Ballet instructor. His focus as an instructor is to teach his students “to learn to love ballet like I love ballet.” Brad is from Wiesbade, Germany and he moved to Atlanta in 2009. Brad moved to Atlanta “for freedom.” His favorite genera of dance is ballet. Brad admires dancers Rudolph Nureyev, George Skibine, and Richard Adama. Brad dances “because I’m an autistic savant and I can’t do anything else.”

 


John Johnson is one of Rhythma’s Animated Hip Hop instructors. His focus as an instructor is technique. John is from Sacramento, California and moved to Atlanta with his family at the age of 13. His favorite genre of dance is hip hop. Artists that inspire John include: Michael Jackson, Mike Patton, and Aphex Twin. John dances because “I love being able to express myself through dance.”




Liz Merna is Rhythma’s outreach coordinator. Her biggest focus in outreach is to ensure that the studio fulfills its mission statement and stays true to the reason why it was founded: to empower the community through the harmony of movement and dance. Liz is from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She moved to Atlanta in 2011 to be closer to Rhythma, The Imperial Opa, and “to be part of something amazing.” Her favorite genres of dance are dancehall and bellydance. She is influenced by Steven Tyler, Michael Jackson, and Prince. She dances because: “It is an expression that liberates the body, the mind and the soul all at one time.”




Luke Eden is Rhythma’s resident studio manager. His role at Rhythma is to oversee the day-to-day details of the studio and facilitate the smooth operation of classes, rehearsals and events. Luke was born in Florence, Oregon and raised in South Georgia. He moved to Atlanta in 2012 to join The Imperial Opa Circus as a juggler, unicyclist, and writer. He joined the Rythma Studios workstudy program to begin taking dance classes and become a more well-rounded performer. His biggest sources of inspiration are Anthony Gatto, Wes Peden, and Mitt Lenix. He dances because: “Movement is how we express and connect to the essence of the universe.”




Meredith Hope is the founder of Rhythma Studios. She teaches Bellydance, Core Training, and Rhythmic Stretch. Her focus as an instructor is technique, passion, and physical fitness. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Meredith traveled the world before arriving in Atlanta in 2010 where she opened Rhythma Dance Studios and partnered with Tim Mack as a co-founder of The Imperial Opa Circus. Her favorite genras of dance are reggae, street and underground hip hop. She is most inspired by Michael Jackson, Charlie Chaplin, and Prince. Meredith dances: “Because I’m supposed to.”




Princess Mbanuzue is Rhythma’s Art of Seduction teacher. Her focus as a teacher is to increase the confidence, sensuality, self esteem, and learning ability of the students in her class, while enhancing their dance skills and having fun in the process. She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, but fully embraces her direct Nigerian heritage. She moved to Atlanta in 2011 to pursue her dance and entertainment career while working toward an MBA. Her favorite genres of dance are Hip hop, Dancehall, and African. She is influenced by Janet Jackson, Fatima Robinson, and Beyonce. She dances because: “I dance because I love it!!! There is nothing in the world like it. It allows me to express every emotion and feeling that I am having without even saying a word. I also love the performance aspect of it. I love being on stage.”




Tatiana Sabien is Rhythma’s Danchall teacher. Her focus as a teacher is to make sure her students are having fun and understanding the principles of danchall and to enable them to dance in the flavors and grooves of their own style. She is originally from Brooklyn, New York and moved to Atlanta in 2012 to join the B.O.B tour. Her favorite genres of dance are hip hop, modern, and dancehall. She is influenced by Laurie Ann Gibson, Aaliyah, and Luam. She dances because: “I dance because, since I was three, it’s always been with me and it’s always been an outlet for me to release my emotions and be happier with life. Dance is everything”




Timothy Mack is the Founder, Ringmaster & Creative Director of The Imperial Opa Circus. He is a great asset to Rhythma and partners with Meredith Hope in all of the Opa’s shows as well as many of Rhythma’s ventures. Timothy finished a tour with Cirque du Soleil in the Fall of 2008 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Exactly a year later in the Fall of 2009 The Imperial OPA Circus completed its first performance. Since that show Tim has networked and built the show up by providing guidance and support for the more than 50 people that continually support and work with the show in varying degrees.

 




Dav’guill Pierre is Rhythma’s gymnastics teacher. His classes focus on building fundamental gymnastic skills and teaching a few fun tricks to anyone. He is from East Orange, New Jersey. He moved to Atlanta in 1997 to get out of the ghetto and find better opportunities in Atlanta. He is the 2010 state gymnastics champion in rings, and holds an untouched state record in the field. His favorite genres of dance are break dancing and hip hop. Dav dances “cause I can’t help it, I’ve gotta move when I hear music.”




Ebano is Rhythma’s Capoiera teacher. His classes focus on the fundamentals and history of Capoeira through song and movment. He is originally from Washington, DC. Ebano moved to Atlanta in 2008 for work. With seven years of training in the Groupo Capoeira Brasil organization, Ebano has become an accomplished capoerista who is dedicated to the preservation of the art form.  Honored with his blue-red cord in 2010, Ebano is also a black belt in Kung Fu and Tae Kwon Do, and has been teaching martial arts for over 10 years.  His current goals are focused on training, teaching and extending the reach of Capoeira Brasil here in Atlanta.