Studio Owner, HIp Hop, Breaking, Litefeet, House, Locking

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From the streets of Mexico City, Rico discovered hip-hop at age five, spinning on cardboard
and turning sidewalks into his first stage. As a young dancer, he racked up numerous battle
victories across the city’s legendary street dance scene, quickly becoming a well-known and
respected name in the community. By 15 he had co-founded the crew Black Tendency, won
Mexico’s biggest televised talent show *El Club*, and soon landed national
commercials-including Disney campaigns and a 2003 Super Bowl commercial for the New
England Patriots. He also played Ron Stoppable in the Spanish-language version of
Disney’s “Kim Possible”.
His big break came when Latin pop star Belinda chose him as one of her lead dancers. He
toured the world with her, hitting arenas and TV stages across the USA, Spain, Italy, Brazil,
Argentina, Chile, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Panama, and beyond-performing at the MTV Latin
Music Awards, Nickelodeon Argentina, Fox Sports Miami, and more.
Now the owner of Pound It Hip Hop Studio in Red Deer, Alberta, Rico is dedicated to
growing the Central Alberta hip hop community from the ground up. He regularly flies in
world-class pioneers and legends from across the globe as guest instructors, runs school
programs throughout the region, and takes his students on dance trips to cities like New
York, Toronto, and Vancouver to battle and train with the best-so the next generation
receives the best education and learn from the real roots of the culture.
When he’s not teaching, you’ll find him judging or DJing competitions and events all over
Canada-bringing fair, knowledgeable eyes to the panel and high-energy vibes to the
turntables.
Rico is honoured to give back to the scene that raised him and works hard to ensure his
students know the importance of giving back and honouring the dancers and mentors that
paved the way.

Hip Hop, Waacking, Jersey Club

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Cody began dancing at age five and has trained for over nine years, finding in dance a dynamic outlet for skill development, self-expression, and community connection. Eager to inspire, Cody looks forward to meeting new dancers and sharing the passion for movement.

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Cody’s journey with Pound It Hip Hop Studio in Red Deer, Alberta, started in 2015. Beginning with recreational classes, Cody advanced to competitive dance and joined La Familia, the studio’s accelerated crew. Over the years, Cody has mastered various styles, including:

- Hip-Hop
- Locking
- Animation
- Litefeet
- House
- Waacking
- Breaking

These experiences have shaped Cody into a dedicated educator who values mentorship, leadership, and respect.

As a full-time dance instructor and classroom assistant, Cody is committed to nurturing others’ growth while continuing to refine their own skills. Cody has taught recreational and competitive classes, led school residencies, and provided instruction in studio and classroom settings. Currently, Cody is exploring new styles like Jersey Club and Chicago Footwork, always seeking ways to expand their craft.

 

From an enthusiastic student to a lifelong learner and leader, Cody believes in staying curious, pushing creative boundaries, and inspiring others to evolve. With high energy and a focus on creativity, Cody aims to make every step of the dance journey vibrant and unforgettable.

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Hip Hop, Waacking, Girls Teams

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Leirin began dancing at age 2, cultivating a lifelong passion for dance in Okotoks, Alberta. She trained at Alberta Dance Academy before joining Dance Tech Inc. in High River during high school to compete. As a senior, she honed her skills under esteemed mentors Amanda Messner, Josh McKinnon, Sho-tyme, and Paul Otterbein, whom she still regards as influential figures.

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Leirin has competed across Alberta and British Columbia in diverse styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and musical theatre. Her dedication earned her provincial and national titles in both solo and group performances.

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Since graduating in 2019, Leirin has advanced her training in contemporary, jazz, and ballet under renowned artists Wojciech Mochniej, Marie Forcier, and Michele Moss, mastering improvisation and choreography. She also trained with Calgary’s illFX Education, specializing in urban dance styles such as vogue, waacking, house, locking, litefeet, and Afro, learning from respected dancers Ajay Musodi, Katherine Burrowes, and Edgar Gilbert-Reyes.

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Leirin’s love for dance fuels her both on and off the stage. She is thrilled to join the Pound It Hip Hop Studio team in Red Deer, Alberta, and eagerly anticipates sharing her passion and expertise with students in the studio.

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Chicago Footwork & Hip-Hop 

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Miki Ishizaka, born and raised in Japan, is a distinguished teacher, performer, and choreographer specializing in Chicago Footwork and Hip-Hop. As president of Creation Japan and co-founder of Chicago Footworkology, Miki is a key member of Creation Global’s international teaching crew, traveling globally to teach and perform in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and South Korea. Notable performances include Dubai’s Fashion Festival ‘Sole DXB’ for ASICS.

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Miki has an extensive performance portfolio, including:

TV & Stage:

Danced in Kento Mori’s commercial and Madonna solo show, Yukosumida Jackson’s dance show, SMAP’s “Joy” music video and TV show, Jody Watley’s Billboard Tokyo (2017), and Superfly Live 2023 (dance direction assistant). Served as choreography assistant for Girls’ Generation and backup dancer for Koyote’s LA Tour and Berklee College of Music’s International Show.
Music Videos:

Featured in SAY’s “OMG” and “We Are the One.”
Live Events:

Performed at LA’s “Carnival” and “8th Wonder,” avex Dance Nation (opening act), and Dubai’s “Sole DXB.”
Television: Judged “24 Hours TV” dance competition (2016) and choreographed for Japan Hip-Hop Championship.

Battle Competitions

Miki has excelled in numerous dance battles, including:

- Battle Train Tokyo 2016 (Winner, Japan)
- Do Ur Homewerk 2018 Vol.3 (Winner, LA)
- Hiphop Solo Battle “Bubblicious” 2020 (Winner, Japan)
- Calgary Hip-Hop & Street Dance Festival 2024 (House Category Winner)
- Fusion Concept Brazil 2019 (Top 16)
- GATE Crew Battle 2018 (Top 4, Japan)
- Battle Groundz (Chicago)

Workshops & Classes

Miki has taught workshops and classes worldwide, including:

- South Korea: DaGARAGE
- USA: Movement Lifestyle (LA), Chicago Footworkology (Chicago)
- UK: FOOTWORK EVENT “WORK” (London)
- Holland: Tresor Dance Center
- Brazil: Brazil Dance Camp
- Japan: Millennium Dance Complex, NOA Dance Academy, CAMURO Dance Studio
- Canada: Pound It Hip-Hop Studio, Hyperflex
- Online: STEPXSTEP Workshop, Groovement Dance Company (UK), Chicago Footworkology

Events & Judging

Miki has performed at major events like Creation Global’s Rock Steady (LA), PHANATICS (Japan), and DIAMOND (Japan), as well as World of Dance, Soul Jam, and King of Buck (Japan). As a judge and host, Miki has contributed to:

- Judging: Hood Love Litefeet Battle (Japan), Dance Creation Online Dance Competition (Japan), Footwork Frenzy (U.S.)
- Hosting: Chicago Footwork Battle “Open Circle” (since 2018), Chicago Footwork Session (since 2017)

Global Impact

Miki Ishizaka remains a global ambassador for Chicago Footwork, fostering connections among dancers through education, performance, and community-building, uniting the international dance scene with her passion and expertise.