OSA Bio

Marissa Labog Director (Mighty) [credits above] In the fall of 2000 Marissa learned of an organization called Hope in Hollywood where she first began breaking. She became staff at Hope less than a year later and founder of the group “One Step Ahead.” Marissa plans to carry the principles of the Hope Organization through the group in providing a safe environment, an outlet to express, and creating opportunities. Her goal is to create an organism that allows people to grow and share their experiences to ultimately establish a community based on values of tolerance, acceptance, respect, and love.

Ricardo Romo Associate Director ( Stuntman) began dancing Jan. 1993. Starting as a hobby it developed into a career in the making. In the summer of 95 he was introduced to the word BBoy (the correct terminology for “break dancer”) and the knowledge of the dance. For the next couple of years he practiced hard and began to “pay dues.” He developed his own individual style, daring to do what others didn’t, earning him the nickname “Stuntman.” Through the late 90’s he traveled all over the U.S. competing, performing, judging, and making guest appearances. In May of 2000 “Stunts” joined an internationally recognized crew known as “Stylelements.” Since then he has been picked to be on the USA all star team competing both in Paris and London as well as performing in Mexico, Canada, and Switzerland. Other credits include: Articles and prints in the magazines Source, Dancers Delight (Japan), Show and prove, SP, and Vibe; videos with Maxwell, Brandy & Mace, and Insane Clown Posse; movies “Urban Love Story” and 50/50. Currently he co-directs the One Step Ahead dance group and continues to develop, teach, and inspire around the globe. His goal is to show that the dance is alive and he will continue to translate it through his mind, body, and soul.

AleKsa Chmiel (Lady LeX) has been a professional performer/choreographer/instructor for over 15 years. She has trained extensively with hip-hop masters and has also been trained in jazz, tap, lyrical and some salsa. LeX was a touring company member with Rennie Harris Puremovement. and has worked with recording artists such as Snoop Dogg, Nelly Furtado, Alyson, Common, Pharrell, Will Smith, Sean Paul, Pink, Neil Young, etc. She was a member and choreographer of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers and Fox Television’s Good Day Philadelphia Hip-Hop Dance Team. She has toured Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark & Portugal, Japan and most recently Greenland. Besides teaching and choreographing, she is also co-Owner/Director of FloMotion Dance Company who performed for NBC, Bally’s Total Fitness, ILLADELPH Legends, 76’ers, and CLUB DUO, (Tokyo, Japan). LeX currently lives in Los Angeles where she’s works in the industry as well as teaches and dances with One Step Ahead.

Roberto C. Lambaren (Rawbzilla) began dancing in February 1995. He was first introduced to breaking by his best friend. Liking the pure strength of the dance, the lack of any boundaries, and the complete openness for creativity, Rob delved into it. For the next 4 years he organized practices at the local park teaching kids, adults, friends, whoever wanted to learn. Honing in on his skills and expanding his movement vocabulary, breaking seeped into the everyday aspects of his life. Being influenced by objects such as toys, mechanical devices, playground equipment, characters in cartoons, and later by other dancers such as Bob Fosse, Easy rock, Stuntman, Midus, Elsewhere, and Kujo, Rob created a very unique style of breaking earning him the name “Rawbzilla” a name given to him because of his love for old Godzilla movies and a desire to be in them. For 3 years he traveled throughout the U.S. competing and teaching. He has won several competitions such as Mighty Four in San Diego and L.A., Breaking Bread and Illest in the Game in Long Beach, and Best of the Best in San Jose. He is currently in a hip hop theater company J.U.I.C.E. and One Step Ahead. Rob’s philosophy in life that he carries through his dancing is that “originality stands alone” and that “no matter what path you choose in life you have to have fun and live it out to the fullest because there are really no boundaries in anything.”

OTHER PERFORMERS AND COLLABORATORS

Ervin Arana (Ugly People/ Rock Steady Crew) began dancing in 1994. First influenced by the movie “ Beat Street” he was intrigued by the acrobatics of it and it became something more or less to do. However as he learned more about the dance he began to know more about the culture and history of it and fell in love. Striving to capture this dance and culture he joined “Ugly People” and competed in events such as Bboy Summit, Bboy Masters Pro Am, Rock Steady Anniversary, Styles Anniversary, and Freestyle Session. Later seeing the value of the culture and the need to preserve and teach it, Ervin went on to perform in many schools from elementary to high schools to universities. He also performed in shows and events such as the Central American parade, “A Day of Dance” at the Long Beach Performing Arts Theater, Coachella, Nickelodien “All That,” and the music videos Pkid and Zulu Gremlin “I’m Sayin’ Though” and Tunnel Rats “Tunnel Vision.” Recently joining the “Rock Steady “ Crew Ervin hopes to keep passing on what he has learned over the years to the younger generation, to preserve and expose the beautiful culture and to show that this is an art and needs to be acknowledged.

Keeley Armistead (Lockn’ Key) has been dancing since the age of 10. Her passion for dance began after watching music videos from her favorite R&B and hip hop artists, especially Michael Jackson. She was first discovered by some local street dancers one day while practicing in an inner city rec. center. It has been history ever since. Five years ago she moved from her southern comfort to L.A. and has been realizing her dreams. She has worked for artists such as Janet Jackson, Run DMC, Christina Aguillera, Backstreet Boys, Jermaine Dupr, and last summer she appeared in the movie “Legally Blonde.” For the past 3 years she has had the honor of training periodically with Greg Cambellock Jr. He took an interest in Keeley and has helped her become one of the most recognized female lockers of this generation. Now she has a passion for passing on both Greg Cambellock Jr. and Don Cambellock’s legacy. Currently she is a member of The Groovaloos and One Step Ahead and is working hard at her other passion for singing. She hopes to get a record deal and be able to spread a positive message about the fusion of a female in hip hop with God.

Yury Mejia (Ohala) began dancing at the age of 15 in Boyle Heights East LA. He was first inspired by some local kids known as the Cyber Force crew. At first it was hard but he knew that he could learn it. Getting into some trouble here and there Yury soon began to focus his energy on breaking. After constant practice sessions at the park he found he had no time for the trouble he was in before. Breaking took him out of the bad situations, helped him to learn that he could accomplish things when he worked at it , and let him see that he was an individual who was able to create moves no one else could create. Now Yury is with the One Step Ahead group sharing that news with others.

Juliet Pinto (Shy Girl) grew up in Northern California where she began dancing at the age of 5. After years of training in tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and bgirlin’(female breaker), she moved to L.A. to pursue her dance career. Juliet has danced with the Performing Company at Dance Attack Performing Arts, Culture Shock San Francisco, and is currently in The Groovaloos and One Step Ahead performance groups. Other credits include: Dr. Pepper and American Express national commercial, Lisa Left Eye Lopez and Marilyn Manson music video, and MTV’s Becoming Nelly Furtado.

Emiko Sugiyama (Energetic Motion in Kinetic One) began dancing at the age of 7 in Japan. She was trained in ballet for 10 years but eventually stopped and came to the U.S. to study physical therapy at UC Davis. At this time she met Michael Cagly a hip hop teacher who introduced her into breaking. Emiko soon became a member of the “Moving Through Space” crew and danced in many events such as “BBoy Summit 2000,” “Mighty Four,” and “True to the Game.” Getting back to dance she soon expanded her dance vocabulary studying jazz and other forms of commercial hip hop. Now she lives in L.A. as a professional dancer and her credits include: Sacramento Kings (NBA and NWBA) half time show, Breakestra Music Video “Get your Soul Together,” Warp Tour in Las Vegas, and Street shows on 3rd street. Emiko aspires to share not only her skills and abilities but her individuality and personality through dance.

Richard Vazquez (Steelo) began dancing in 1992 in Puerto Rico. He was born in the Bronx but moved to Puerto Rico when he was 13 years old. There he met his mentor Poe One who taught him the basics in dance along with basics in life. Further inspired by Ken Swift, Richard focused all his energy on learning and improving keeping him off the streets and out of trouble. Dance helped establish who he is, a unique style of his own, and a means to show his personality. Now living in L.A., Richard dances professionally appearing with artists such as Faith Evans, Janet Jackson, Brittany Spears, N-Sync, and Missy Elliot; award shows like Billboard Awards, Run DMC Tribute, Paulino Rubio, and AIMA Awards; commercials for Pepsi and KSwiss; TV shows “Days of Our Lives,” “Wayne Brady Show,” and “30 seconds of Fame;” the movie “Fast and the Furious II;” and magazine ads Karl Kan, GQ Magazine, Source, XXL, and Vibe. He is also a member of the One Step Ahead group teaching his lessons of dance and its ability to save lives. Richard hopes to continue dancing and take his career further into acting and modeling and become a strong role model for young artists and young adults like himself.

Vanessa Verdoodt (Lady Neva) is 20 years old. She’s been dancing for 13 years, starting with ballet and jazz. She quit when she was 12 and started taking hip hop classes. This sparked her interest in the Hip Hop movement becoming more involved in the scene, going to underground parties and graffing. As a dancer, breaking was interesting to her. She discovered that street dance was better for her and began practicing in malls. Later Vanessa had the opportunity to perform in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxenbourg, and Holland with her crew “Full FX.” She also performed with “Cirque du Soleil.” After high school she decided to pursue her dance career in the U.S. She landed in L.A. where she met One Step and started practicing and working with them. Since she moved here she has done a Nike commercial, Breakestra video, and performed in schools and clubs. Her goal is to keep dancing, perform for various artists, and organize international events, workshops, and battles in Europe.