Dance Coach Rudy’s School of Dance

Dance Coach Rudy began his dancing journey at a young age. He started dancing in the early 80’s as a Break Dancer and Popper in the San Fernando Valley. He continued dancing in the 90’s as a Rebel house dancer and Freestyler at local Hollywood house dance clubs and underground raves. Later in the 2000’s, he took up Salsa and Swing, which lead him to Bachata, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Cumbia, and Rockabilly Jive.

In the Popping scene, Dance Coach Rudy is known as an old school popper from the 818. Raised in Pacoima and San Fernando, in the early beginnings of the 80’s Popping scene, Dance Coach Rudy participated in dance battles in the streets, schools, churches, malls, and other public places. He was in various Break Dance and Popping crews. He has taught Popping at the Hazze Hip Hop Dream Center, after school programs, & dance studios around the San Fernando Valley. He also participates in the OG Popper’s Picnic every year where Poppers around the globe meet up, socialize, and show off their Popping skills. Dance Coach Rudy’s Popping style is a mix of old school and new school styles. He continues to represent and educate people about the 818 Popping history and culture.

In the House Dance scene, Dance Coach Rudy has been part of the Hollywood and San Fernando Valley party scene since its inception. From backyard parties, underground raves, and house dance clubs in the 90’s, Dance Coach Rudy picked up on house dancing and participated in dance battles. He frequently attended the Dome at Florentine Gardens and the Arena where the likes of Dj Richard Vission & Dj Irene would play their house mixes and get everyone dancing. Dance Coach Rudy’s dance style was a mix of Rebel Style and Freestyle. He continues to represent the old school L.A. Rebel Style at house clubs and events around Los Angeles.

In the Latin Dance scene, Dance Coach Rudy has trained with legendary and world-famous champions. When it comes to Salsa dance, he has trained with Fracisco Vazquez (a creator of L.A. Style Salsa), Alex Da Silva (another creator of L.A. Style Salsa), Eddie Torres (Mambo creator), Walter Jones (the black Power Ranger and Mayan Salsa Champion), Abel Pena (World Salsa Champion), Cristian Oviedo (World Salsa Champion), Rogelio Moreno, Junior and Emily (World Salsa Champions), and Fernando Sosa (Sosa Style). He has also trained with several Salsa dance choreography teams with Rico Bravo, Alejandro Sol, and Cristian Oviedo. When it comes to Bachata, Dance Coach Rudy trained Urban Bachata with Ataca & Alemana, Alejandro Sol. and Leslie Ferreria’s Bachata Caliente, the first Bachata dance company and creator of L.A. Bachata festivals. He learned Traditional Dominican Style Bachata from another popular company called Raw Bachata, NY’s Bryan El Matatan, and Samy El Magico. When it comes to Cumbia, Dance Coach Rudy trained with Alejandro Sol, Sergio Leal, and Los Toxicos Cumbia Sonidera. He also trained Merengue and Cha Cha Cha with Alejandro Sol, Mike Ticas, and Oscar Ramirez. Dance Coach Rudy continues to dance and teach these various Latin Dance Styles.

In the Rock N Roll scene, Dance Coach Rudy trained with legendary Swing dancers and instructors. At 3rd Street Dance, he took beginner Swing classes and completed the advanced levels. At the legendary Derby, he trained with Kevin Roscoe Farnsworth who taught various styles of Swing and Ballroom. Dance Coach Rudy also picked up on Rockabilly Jive from Mrs. Wolff’s Jive school at Viva Las Vegas and Australian Jive from an Australian Jive instructor at Joe’s Bar & Grill, known for Swing and Jive socials. Rudy is an official Lucky Jiver from Los Angeles. Lucky Jivers are famous for Swing and Jive in Mexico City. He has taught Rockabilly Jive with Corina Garcia who is a Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Jive champion. Dance Coach Rudy’s style of Rock N Roll is a mix of Swing and Rockabilly Jive, similar to how the Australians dance Rock N Roll and what is known as Modern Jive. He continues to frequent the local Rockabilly scene with his unique style of Rock N Roll.

Dance Coach Rudy’s experience as a dance instructor has been a journey, He started as a substitute dance instructor for Alejandro Sol and taught Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Cha Cha Cha, and Merengue. He later broke off as an independent dance instructor. He obtained certifications in various styles of dance and even became a Zumba instructor at one point. Dance Coach Rudy has taught in many dance venues throughout the San Fernando Valley for many years. He taught at the legendary, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Madilyn Clark Studios, Fox Studio of Dance, Red Hot Ballroom Studio (where they use to teach contestants for Dancing with The Stars), & La Cueva Latin night club in Hollywood. He has taught at after school programs and places like the VFW San Fernando. He continues to teach dance and would like to share the art of dance so you can venture off into your own dancing journey and expression.