Christina Rak-Samson | Eric Samson | Juan Flores | Courtney George | Jake Korolev | Kha-Lin Prescod | Alex Susanto
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Christina Rak-Samson - Managing Director/Director of Transcending Motion
Christina has been dancing for over 25 years performing and continuing her dance education in NY and NJ at Princeton Ballet (dance minor, Rider University), Rutgers University, Broadway Dance Center, Steps and New Dance Group. She has trained and studied Acting and Theatre as well as the various styles of dance including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Lyrical Jazz, Modern and Street Jazz/ Funk. She loves to bring various fusions of styles to her classes and choreography She has been teaching dance as well as choreographing throughout the Tri-State area for the past 15 years and is currently working with various recording artists including JAX, Veronica Kole of Team Snooki and Zach Matari. She has also created a new Contemporary Performance group with fellow FUNKtion instructor, called Transcending Motion. Christina has also appeared on several television commercials, print ads, and preformed in and choreographed numerous plays and productions. You may recently have seen her performing on the Today Show with fellow students alongside Chris Brown, TLC’s hit show Four Weddings or on The Dr. Oz Show. In her professional life, Christina has a degree in Psychology, and is committed to the overall health and well being of each individual, and strives to bring a positive approach to her teaching methods and style. In addition, she had the distinct honor of becoming Mrs.New Jersey America 2006-2007 where she competed for the title of Mrs. America that was nationally televised on WE. She traveled the state of NJ empowering young girls and women to have confidence and self-esteem while promoting her platform: Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention where she was able to use her knowledge as a Prevention Specialist, which she uses working for the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Middlesex County (NCADD). Christina is also a co-founder of an Arts empowering Non-Profit, The Heart of the Arts Project, Inc. where the love and passion for the arts and empowerment go hand in hand.
Eric Samson - Artistic Director/ Director of The Beat Club
Eric Samson started dancing under the mentorship of Tom McKie and then went on to take classes in NY. He sought out classes to train in popping, locking, house, Bboying, waacking, voguing, hip hop (90s social/party dances), and commercial urban choreography. He studied with teachers that taught styles from the Hip Hop culture as well as from teachers that taught various styles that were relevant in the industry. He took classes at BDC, Peridance, Steps, and New Dance Group. To gain an understanding of some styles that weren’t easily available at the time, Tom introduced him to some of the diverse communities (like Demerara’s which housed Brian Green’s house conference at the time) back in the late 90s and early 2000s. Understanding that the dance styles in the Hip Hop culture were different than the dance style that was largely (but not entirely) used in the industry, he looked to study classes that taught street jazz. He worked in Rhapsody James’ group and performed with her and Kevin Maher in 2001. In 2002 Eric moved to LA and trained at Millennium Studios and The Edge. While in California he sought out original locking pioneer Skeeter Rabbit to train in his classes. While in Studio City, Eric met Devon Marlink and was invited to his crew Way of Rhythm (WOR) which would eventually become SickStep (of America’s Got Talent fame which would eventually move on to split off and become Quest Crew and Poreotix). Since then Eric found a passion for educating the next generation and focuses now on giving back what he has learned from his professional career and has been teaching for the past 10 years in NY, NJ as well as in California. Eric has recently been awarded choreographer of the year for The Pulse on Tour 2013 season and will have the distinct honor of choreographing for the opening number at the 2014 Pulse Summer Gala Event!
Eric is also the director and choreographer of The Beat Club Crew which have been exposed to the pure styles of Hip Hop as well as the many industry styles today. Beat Club is a family of dancers who use many forms of dance and their creativity to express themselves in a positive way. Beat Club gets its name from rising above adversity, negativity, and “beating” the odds
TEACHERS
Juan Flores – Vogue
Juan Flores was first exposed to the art of vogue through the New York City gay club scene. One of the first battles he witnessed was between Javier Ninja and Brandon Xtravaganza. Eventually, he met Jutory Ninja in the club scene who then introduced him to several members of the House of Ninja, including the legendary Willie Ninja. Several members of the house of Ninja included him in their circle and shared their styles and techniques. He was also fortunate enough to learn runway from the legendary Benny Ninja. Not wanting to be limited to one style of vogue, Juan began to befriend members of other houses such as Xtravaganza and Mizrahi who shared their styles with him as well. Soon after, he built enough confidence to battle iconic voguers at the legendary Krash nightclub in the Chelsea section of New York City. His versatility and vast knowledge of vogue led him to adopt the name J.C. Illuminatii. Throughout the years, he has shared his knowledge with others who were eventually able to join the house of Tsunami, Xtravaganza, and Westwood. Today, he runs workshops and classes on the art of vogue.
Courtney Goerge – Contemporary, Industry Heels, Jazz, Yoga, Co-Director of Transcending Motion
Courtney Goerge has been trained in styles such as contemporary, jazz. lyrical, ballet, street jazz and hip hop. Upon graduating high school she continued her studies at The Ailey School in the Independent Study Program and then become an Intern at Broadway Dance Center. From there Courtney found her passion and focus to be contemporary and street jazz. She recently was chosen to be a mentee under teacher/choreographer Dana Foglia. Through thisCourtney has had the opportunities to perform all over NYC including shows such as Rhapsody James’ Sirens After Dark and The Peridance Faculty Showcase to name a few. She also was a dancer in Dana’s recent choreography reel. She also was a dancer in the music video “This Girl” by Laza Morgan which can be heard on the Step Up 3D soundtrack. She continues to study in NYC at Broadway Dance Center and The Peridance Studios.
Jake Korolev - Urban
Jake Korolev joined the professional dance crew, Beat Club, at age 14. Since then he has trained in all pure and commercial styles of the Hip-Hop culture, such as Popping, Locking, Urban Choreography, New Jack Swing, House, and Breaking. Jake signed to Clear Talent Group at age 16. Jake has performed for Pharrell Williams on Saturday Night Live, and with an artist for a Cartoon Network Tour. Other credits include appearing in several music videos. He choreographed and danced in Beat Club's full length production "Introspection". He has gone on tour all across the United States and even Canada. His charity dancing includes appearances for the NFL and Dancers Responding to Aids.
Kha-Lin Prescod – Urban
Kha-lin Prescod started dancing just a few years ago. Since then he has trained in many different styles of Hip- Hop which includes; breaking, locking,popping and new jack, as well as the club styles such as house and vogue. Kha-lin has also trained in traditional styles like contemporary and ballet. Within the time he’s been dancing he has performed at many venues such as Highline Ballroom, Terminal 5 and the Prudential Center. Kha-lin has also worked with up and coming artists like , JAX and Alexa Ayaz. As well as having a solo career he is very grateful to be working with and having the support of Beat Club Crew. He and Beat Club Crew have begun to make a name for themselves throughout the professional dance scene. Although Kha-lin’s career is on a professional track he believes it is also necessary to give back to the community through charties. He aspires to one day tour the world and inspire others to dance and express themselves!
Alex Susanto – KPOP
Alex began dancing at the age of 17 under the guidance of his mentor, Eric Samson, and has been
trained in various foundational styles of Hip-Hop, including b-boying, popping, locking, vogue, and house; as well as industry styles and freestyle. He has also earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication from Rutgers University, along with a minor in Psychology.
A core member of Beat Club Crew, Alex has performed with various artists such as Nikki Minaj, Chris Brown, and Vita Chambers. Most recently, you could catch him dancing in the latest season of Fox Television's hit T.V. series: Glee. In addition to these accomplishments, he and his crew continue to give back to the community through various charity shows for lupus, cancer, and cultural functions. When it comes to teaching his craft, Alex works not only to teach dance moves, but to create a fun and safe environment for his students to enjoy; fostering teamwork, confidence, and positivity.