Meet Our Dance Faculty

• 

  Ricardo Martinez

  Owner / Hip Hop / B-Boy

  Owner

• 

  Leirin Edwards

  Contemporary / Jazz / Ballet / Hip Hop

  Leirin’s Dance Journey:

  Leirin has been dancing since she was just 2 years old and has been passionate about all things dance ever since. She grew up in Okotoks, Alberta, training at Alberta Dance Academy before moving to High River as a high school student to compete with Dance Tech Inc.

  As a senior, she trained under exceptional artists and choreographers, including:

  • Amanda Messner
  • Josh McKinnon
  • Sho-tyme
  • Paul Otterbein

  She still considers them great mentors to this day.

  Leirin has competed across Alberta and British Columbia throughout her life in various dance styles, including:

  • Tap
  • Jazz
  • Ballet
  • Hip Hop
  • Lyrical
  • Contemporary
  • Pointe
  • Musical Theatre

  She has won both provincial and national titles in solo and group performances.

  Professional Training & Experience:

  Since graduating in 2019, Leirin has pursued further dance education, training in contemporary, jazz, and ballet under renowned artists such as:

  • Wojciech Mochniej
  • Marie Forcier
  • Michele Moss

  She has mastered skills in improvisation and the choreographic process.

  Additionally, she has trained with the Calgary-based hip hop company illFX Education, specializing in various urban dance styles, including:

  • Vogue
  • Waacking
  • House
  • Locking
  • Litefeet
  • Afro

  She has learned from respected dancers such as Ajay Musodi, Katherine Burrowes, and Edgar Gilbert-Reyes.

  Leirin’s love for dance, both on and off stage, remains a driving force in her journey. She is eager and excited to share her passion with the Pound It team and looks forward to being in the studio with everyone soon.

• 

  Cody Pascual

  Choreographer & Instructor

  Hip Hop | Jersey Club | Waacking | Open-Style

  About Me

  Hi everyone, I’m Cody! I’ve been dancing since I was five years old and have trained for over nine years. Dance has always been a powerful force in my life, allowing me to develop skills, express myself, and be part of an inclusive community. I can’t wait to meet new faces—let’s share, learn, and dance together!

  I started my journey with Pound It in 2015, progressing from recreational classes to competitive dance, and later joining La Familia, their accelerated crew. Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in a variety of dance styles, including:

  This experience has shaped me into the educator I am today, embracing mentorship, leadership, and respect in all that I do. As a full-time dance instructor and classroom assistant, I’m passionate about helping others grow while continuing to evolve in my own craft.

  I’m currently exploring new styles like Jersey Club and Chicago Footwork and always seeking opportunities that push me to grow even further.

  From eager student to ever-learning leader, I believe in staying curious, pushing boundaries, and inspiring others to keep evolving. Let’s keep the energy high, the creativity flowing, and make every step of the journey exciting!

  • Hip-Hop
  • Locking
  • Animation
  • Litefeet
  • House
  • Waacking
  • Breaking

  Teaching Experience

  • Recreational & Competitive Training
  • School Residencies
  • Studio & Classroom Instruction
• 

  Miki Ishizaka

  Chicago Footwork / Hip Hop

  MIKI ISHIZAKA
  Born and raised in Japan
  President of Creation Japan
  Co-Founder of Chicago Footworkology
  

  Miki Ishizaka is a teacher, performer, and choreographer specializing in Chicago Footwork and Hip-Hop. She is an established member of Creation Global’s international teaching crew and has traveled worldwide, teaching and performing in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and South Korea. She has also performed at prestigious events, such as Dubai’s Fashion Festival, ‘Sole DXB’ for ASICS.

  Achievements & Appearances

  TV & Stage Performances

  • KENTO MORI CM dancer
  • KENTO MORI SOLO SHOW - MADONNA dancer
  • YUKOSUMIDA JACKSON dance show
  • Girls' Generation - Choreograph Assistant
  • SMAP “JOY” - MV & TV Show Dancer
  • LA Events: “Carnival” & “8th Wonder”
  • SAY “OMG” & “WE ARE THE ONE” - MV Dancer
  • Koyote LA TOUR - Backup Dancer
  • TV SHOW “24 Hours TV” - Dance Competition Judge (2016)
  • Japan HIPHOP CHAMPIONSHIP - Choreographer
  • Jody Watley Billboard Tokyo (2017) - Backup Dancer
  • Dubai “SOLE DXB” - ASICS TIGER Dancer
  • avex Dance Nation - Opening Act
  • Superfly LIVE 2023 - Dance Direction Assistant
  • International Show LIVE - Backup Dancer (Berklee College of Music, U.S.)

  Battle Competitions

  • Battle Train Tokyo 2016 - Winner (Japan)
  • Battle Groundz (Chicago)
  • Do Ur Homewerk 2018 Vol.3 - Winner (LA)
  • GATE Crew Battle 2018 - Top 4 (Japan)
  • Fusion Concept BRAZIL 2019 - Top 16
  • Hiphop Solo Battle “Bubblicious” 2020 - Winner (Japan)
  • Calgary Hip-Hop & Street Dance Festival 2024 - House Category Winner

  Workshops & Classes

  • South Korea - DaGARAGE
  • Los Angeles (U.S.) - Movement Lifestyle
  • London (U.K.) - FOOTWORK EVENT “WORK”
  • Holland - Tresor Dance Center
  • Chicago - Chicago Footworkology
  • Brazil - Brazil Dance Camp
  • Japan - Millennium Dance Complex, NOA Dance Academy, CAMURO Dance Studio, and more
  • Canada - Pound It Hip-Hop Studio, Hyperflex
  • Online - STEPXSTEP Workshop, Groovement Dance Company (U.K.), Chicago Footworkology (Chicago)

  Events

  • Creation Global: Rock Steady (LA), PHANATICS (Japan), DIAMOND (Japan)
  • Battle Train Tokyo (Japan)
  • Tokyo Beats, Tokyo Foot Night, Red Zone, Black Cloud (Japan)
  • World of Dance, Soul Jam, King of Buck (Japan)

  Judging & Hosting

  • Judge - Hood Love Litefeet Battle (Japan)
  • Judge - Dance Creation Online Dance Competition (Japan)
  • Judge - Footwork Frenzy (U.S.)
  • Host - Chicago Footwork Battle “Open Circle” (since 2018)
  • Host - Chicago Footwork Session (since 2017)

  Miki Ishizaka continues to be a global ambassador for Chicago Footwork, uniting dancers worldwide through education and performance.

• 

  Kenn Ramirez

  Choreographer / Urban / Hip Hop

  I started dancing since high school, attended dance workshops of different styles until I’ve found my own style which is Hip Hop and Urban Style. Started to compete in schools until I was introduced to outside competitions local and international, and up to now I never stop learning though I stopped competing, but I still want to share my talent to new generations.

  Achievements & Appearances

  Dance Achievements:

  • ACTS Dance Competition (Philippines) - 2014 Champion
  • World Supremacy Battlegrounds (Melbourne, Australia) - 2014 2nd Place Monster Division
  • Uncharted 2.0 Dance Competition (Philippines) - 2015 Champion
  • Throne Out Hip Hop Competition (Philippines) - 2015 Champion
  • World Supremacy Battlegrounds (Sydney, Australia) - 2016 Silver Medalist
  • Hip Hop International Adult Division (Philippines) - 2016 3rd Place
  • World Supremacy Battlegrounds Open Division (Philippines) - 2017 Bronze Medalist
  • World Supremacy Battlegrounds Monster Division (Philippines) - 2017 6th Place
  • Vibe II (Philippines) - 2017 Finalist
  • Shuddup N’ Dance (Malaysia) - 2018 1st Runner Up
  • World Supremacy Battlegrounds (Sydney, Australia) - 2019 Finalist

  Choreography & Professional Experience:

  • Former dancer and member of Heartthrobs group - Center for Pop Philippines
  • Former head choreographer of Star Voice Philippines
  • Former head choreographer of Inexistence Crew
  • Former head choreographer of Beat Obsession
  • Former GMA 7 & ABS-CBN Dance Artist (Opening Production Choreographer)
• 

  Masha Bezdietko

  Hip Hop / Dancehall / House

  I have been dancing since I was 4 years old. My mom introduced me to the dance community, and a few years later, I was cast in the street dance team New Flame. I was part of this team for 6 years (2017-2024). In 2021, we entered the Top 10 teams in Ukraine and won first place in the audience vote.

  With New Flame, I explored various dance styles, from dancehall, hip-hop, and breakdance to contemporary and ballet. Additionally, I performed many solo acts on stage, earning multiple awards.

  I started teaching at 13 as a dance mentor and masterclass instructor at CD Studio in Sumy, Ukraine. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I had to move to another city, but my passion for dance never faded. I continued training under a new coach, focusing on freestyle and house dance. In 2023, I moved to Canada, where I continue developing my skills and sharing my knowledge with students.

  Achievements & Appearances

  Solo & Group Competitions

  • Planet of Stars (Sumy, Ukraine - Pop Choreography) - Silver, 2015
  • Artes Dance Competition (Sumy, Ukraine - Solo) - Finalist, 2016
  • XVIII Black Panther (Kharkiv, Ukraine - Performance "Coven") - Finalist, 2017
  • Ukrainian Grand Prix (Kyiv, Ukraine - "Time Turned Backwards") - Silver, 2017
  • Black & White Dance Competition (Kyiv, Ukraine - New Flame Crew) - Gold, 2019
  • New Generation Dance Competition (Chernihiv, Ukraine - New Flame Crew) - Gold, 2019
  • Life in Dance (Kyiv, Ukraine - New Flame Crew) - Silver, 2019
  • The Challenge (Kyiv, Ukraine - Solo Hip-Hop) - Gold, 2020
  • Dance Monsters (Kyiv, Ukraine - New Flame Crew) - Finalist, 2021
  • Show Your Choreo Competition (Sumy, Ukraine - Solo) - Gold, 2022

  Awards

  • Best Street Dance Team in Ukraine - New Flame Crew, 2021
• 

  Hope Shayla

  Hip Hop

  Hope grew up on a farm in Clive, Alberta, where she developed a love for movement and expression. Dance became her passion at a young age, sparking a lifelong dedication to connecting with others through music.

  With over 15 years of experience, Hope is classically trained in more than eight dance disciplines but found her true calling in hip-hop and acrobatics. She has competed with elite competitive teams and performed as a backup dancer, bringing power and versatility to every stage.

  Committed to fostering an inclusive and inspiring environment, Hope believes in the transformative power of movement. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll find her studying at RDP, in the gym, or creating art in nature.

• 

  Naomi Gaertner

  B-Girl / Hip Hop

  Naomi has mastered breakdancing and loves mentoring the next generation of B-boys and B-girls.