Tap Dance with Jaami W.

Jaami W.V., originally from Washington State, has been dancing for over 25 years, beginning with jazz and ballet. She began studying hip hop at the age of 14, and soon organized a school dance team at her high school. After she graduated, she joined AmeriCorps National Service and founded an after school hip hop dance program for teens, to help address the rising teen crime rate. She then moved to San Diego specifically to dance in the San Diego State University dance program. Wanting to dance more, she began teaching hip hop at local gyms and dance studios throughout San Diego. In 2002, she founded Kruciaal Element Hip Hop Dance Company where she directs, choreographs, and organizes numerous performances in San Diego and Los Angeles County including events like Monster Bash and Mardi Gras, sponsored by the Gaslamp Association. Kruciaal Element Dance Company is now parent company to the following businesses: Kruciaal Element Amateur and Foundation Teams, Groove Basics, Visual Stimulus Events, Dancers Who Donate, Jade Dance Competition, Bite Dance Company, KiK Cabaret Company, KE Casting, StyleMatix Crew, Nucleus Youth Hip Hop, The Dancehouse, and Catalyst Dance Ensemble. She has danced with Fusion Force Dance Company, Urban FX Dance Company, and Funkanometry San Diego. She has been represented by Dorothy Day Otis Dance Agency and Bloc Agency. Mrs. W. has a Bachelor degree in both Fine Arts and Dance from San Diego State University, and her Masters of Arts in Dance from California State University Long Beach. She is also certified in Level I Pilates Mat Training and will undergo Level II next. She has performed with vocal artists Anisha Nicole, La Rain, Jason Brown, Tawny Heath, Juice, whose hit song was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture Stomp the Yard, and Abrina, who has a new song with recording artist Mims. Mrs. W's TV credits include Fox 5 News, Channel 6 News, KUSI News, NBC News, San Diego “Rock N' Roll Marathon,” “Salute to Teachers,” “San Diego Living,” and “LA Special.” Mrs. W. was also a featured dancer at “Kel and Friends Afterschool Summer Jam,” “Pandamonium Dance” for DreamWorks’ movie Kung Fu Panda, and has judged events such as the Poway High School Air Band Competition, FilAmFest, Armageddon Dance Battle, and Art Official Dance Competition. Mrs. W. has been teaching for over 18 years; some of her teaching includes: Coronado School of the Arts, Cathedral Catholic High School, San Diego Tech Center, Mesa Community College, and Southwestern Community College, Los Willows Resort, The Neutral Zone and Scriber Lake High School in Washington State through AmeriCorps National Service, Culture Shock Dance Center, University of San Diego, San Diego Dance Center, Boogiezone at Focus Dance Center, Malashock Dance School, Pasadena Dance Festival, Jean Isaac’s San Diego Dance Center, Lakeside Farms Elementary, Being Fit Fitness Centers, 4 Women Only Fitness Center, K.Y.D.S Inc., Frog’s Club One, Mind Body & Soul Dance Studio, Pure Fitness, Montessori Shir Hashirim Preschool, A Time to Dance Dance Studio, Pacific Arts Dance Studio, Heartlight Aerobics, LA Fitness Center, 24 Hour Fitness Center, Escondido Recreation Department, UTC Ice Town, Lil’ Arts, Cheek 2 Cheek, Champion Ballroom, Ballet Center West, Rubio’s Dance Studio, Royal Dance Academy, Step by Step Dance Studio, Academy of Performing Arts, Dance Consultant for Actresses, Private Lessons, Weddings, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, including Quinceñeras (Modern, Hip Hop, Jazz and Salsa), Versant Venture, Aztec Recreation Center at San Diego State University, San Pasqual Academy, All Star Gymnastics, and Camp Get Away. Her current classes at Southwestern College include Jazz and Hip Hop Dance every Tuesday and Thursday. She also runs her own dance studio in downtown San Diego, The Dancehouse. Her choreography includes works for Kruciaal Element, San Diego Civic Dance Association, Candy Inc., X-Force Dance Company, Coronado School of the Arts, Los Willows Resort, Fall and Spring concerts for Mesa and Southwestern Community College, A Fundamental Change Musical, Generation F, and for vocal artists such as Abrina, who opened up for Bow Wow, Paul Wall, and Lil’ Rob, La Rain, Jacqueline Grace, Tawny Heath, who opened for Sean Kingston and Baby Bash, and Jason Brown, who performed with Stevie Wonder and John Legend. Aside from dancing, Mrs. W. has over 10 years experience in social services where she has worked with youths from 2-18, adults with both physical and developmental disabilities, and seniors. Mrs. W. is incredibly grateful for her wonderfully unique family and friends who have always loved and supported her; they have taught her optimism and laughter. Her belief and faith in God has allowed her to stay focused on her purpose in life: “inspire.” She hopes to spread her love for God, life, and dance to as many people as she can!