Marissa Labog, born and raised in Los Angeles, began her professional career over 10 years ago. Unable to sit still she explored multiple avenues of movement from ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, martial arts to the simple expansion of an inhale or the contraction of a heartbeat.

She began dancing with the Pasadena Civic Ballet Company and later performed guest appearances with the Inland Pacific Ballet. She graduated Scripps College with a BA in Dance and English and is a recipient of the Lucille Morrison scholarship. She is also the recipient of awards such as the Palm Desert Solo Award, a nomination for the Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Performer, and a nomination for the Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Ensemble with Collage Dance Theater and Regina Klenjoski Dance Company.

Performing across the United States, Japan, Ireland, Portugal, Holland, Belgium, and England Marissa has performed with the Fusion Dance Theater Company, John Pennington Dance Company and the L.A. Philharmonic, Marie de la Palme, and is currently a founding member of Hassan Christopher’s Company of Strangers, a member of the Rosanna Gamson Dance Company, and Heidi Duckler’s Collage Dance Theater. Taking on multiple roles she was also Associate Director and dancer for the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company and Assistant Choreographer and performer for award winning “J.O.B the Hip Hopera,”

With a little help from fate Marissa later stumbled upon breaking. Excited by its design for creativity ( the exploration of complex rhythms, explosive movements, the lack of physical boundaries)and its pursuit of individuality, she went on to found and direct the breaking performance group called “One Step Ahead” that uses hip hop as a means to provide a positive creative environment for inner city youths study. Commercially, Marissa has worked with such artists as Sean Paul, L.L. Cool J., T-Pain, Christina Aguillera, Toni Basil, N’Sync, Slum Village, Kaos, The Vines, A-Teens, and Athena Cage. She has appeared on the television shows “The Drew Carey Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Show,” “That’s So Raven,” “The Source Sound Lab;” commercials such as Nike,iPod, Hyundai, Virgin Mobile, AOL; and movies "I Know What Boys Like, " Bratz," “Time for Dancing,” and “Bring It On All or Nothing.”

Marissa recently completed her first dance film “Knock Knock” with Hassan Christopher and Monica Gillette and is in the process of working on the second film “Ring Ring.” As a choreographer Marissa is excited about her works "Inventory," "Blaflum," "Mundane" and "Habitual Paths." She looks forward to developing her career as a freelance artist bringing together her love of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, martial arts, and the human expression and hopes to continue to cross pollinate her passions to do so.