Edwin O. Roa is a professional dancer who has devoted his career to the study of partner dance. He currently resides in Charlottesville, VA, where he works as an independent dance instructor. Edwin is a native of Bogota, Colombia who moved to the US in 1995.  He has trained in multiple dance disciplines including Ballet and Modern. His interest in music, cultures and the perspectives of partner dance have encouraged him to experiment and eventually develop a method of teaching social partner dance that he now calls Zabor. Edwin is deeply interested in the connectivity and the improvisational aspect of partner dance, and therefore has invested a great part of his career in the study of a variety of styles.

Edwin has danced with the Latin Ballet of Virginia, co-founded the Charlottesville Salsa Club and the Richmond Social Dance Club.  He has traveled to Cuba with the University of Richmond music department to study the music and dance culture there, and to Argentina in three separate years to do an independent study of the Argentinian music and culture also.  He has participated in multiple competetitions and created his own choreographies for couples and groups of all levels of experience.  Edwin is currently a faculty member at JMU in addition to offering his own Zabor classes in the central Virginia area. 

Lydia is a world-class dancer, choreographer, and coach.Lydia graduated with honors from St. Petersburg’s Humanitarian University with a degree in Dance Performance, Teaching and Choreography as well as having studied children’s physiology and psychology. Her focus areas are Ballroom, Latin, Ballet Character, and Jazz Dance.

Lydia has spent the last 20 years training dancers across the world. She established the very first children’s program in Minneapolis, MN and worked as the Artistic Director for the children’s dance schools Altair in St. Petersburg, Russia, and InterDance in the United States.

Lydia’s competitive dance record and expertise place her in the top echelons of ballroom dance. Her students have won international recognitions at shows and competitions throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States.

Lydia was trained by and has worked with many world famous coaches and choreographers. She is a member of the Russian Dance Union (RDU) and the National Dance Council of America (NDCA).

Rose-Ann and her husband Mike have been dancing for 15 years and are the current USA Dance Senior II and III American Smooth and Senior III International Ballroom Amateur national champions.  They are in total, the 16-time USA Dance American Smooth Amateur national champions in the Senior I, II, and III age categories, and two-time Senior III Amateur International ballroom champions.  Mike and Rose-Ann have been privileged to donate their time for numerous dance showcase performances for local USA Dance chapters and various other charitable organizations.  They were honored to represent the United States as members of the USA Dance World Team at the WDSF Senior III Standard World Championships in 2016 in Rimini, Italy; 2018 in Olomouc, Czech Republic; and 2019 in Bilbao, Spain.

Eleanor Robertson opened Rigby's Jig Dance Studio in 2003. She started dancing at the age of 3 at Martinique School of Dance here in Richmond. Eleanor graduated from The George Washington University with a Bachelor's in Theatre & Dance. She enjoys spending time with her husband Tim and their amazing children Bella & Burkley who both love cutting a rug at Rigby’s Jig! Her favorite dances are West Coast Swing, Hustle, Cha Cha & Tango.

Phil Sisk, former co-owner of The Dance Space, a facility offering independent instructors a venue for teaching ballroom and partner dancing, is president of the Richmond Chapter of USA Dance, a national nonprofit organization that promotes social and competitive ballroom dancing.

Mathieu Godbout and Natalya Belenkaya have a combined 40 years of dance experience. Mathieu is originally from Montreal, Canada and began taking dance classes at the age of 13. Natalya is originally from Russia and has been a part of the Richmond Salsa Dance community since 2004. Natalya and Mathieu tech beginners salsa, bachata, and cha-cha.

Alexis Perkins is the Founder and Creative Director of Chair One Fitness. She has always had a passion for fitness, television production, dancing, and public speaking. ​

As a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Norfolk State University she went on to work at CBS affiliate WTKR News Channel 3 and became co-producer and lead instructor for the 30min television program Fuzion Fitness and Body By Alexis.​​

Alexis made a huge impact in the fitness world teaching Zumba Fitness internationally and coordinating the LOVE Fest; which became the largest dance fitness event in Hampton Roads Virginia attracting people from all over the United States.​

All these paths in conjunction with her close relationship with her grandmother and teaching seniors for years led her to the creation of the nationally accredited program Chair One Fitness. Chair One Fitness not only offers fitness instructors longevity in this field but is also a blessing to all who take the class, overcome physical limitations, and stay active.​

It is clear that Alexis is a woman who wears many hats. Her love of fitness and desire to help enrich others shines through in every endeavor.

Nadezda, or Nadya, was born in Russia. She has been a Zumba instructor since 2012. Her dance background led her to fitness industry. Beside being a massage therapist, she teaches Barre, Zumba, Aqua Fitness, and kids dance classes. You can find her in different locations such as Jewish Community Center, Willow Oak Club, Country Club of Virginia, and Westwood club. 

Nadya loves to walk or jog early in the morning. Can’t live without paper weekly planner. She loves to travel by planes, trains, cars…as long as it takes her to new adventures!

WHO WE ARE  Richmond Urban Dance is a dance company focusing exclusively on street-style dance and open to all ages and skill sets.   OUR MISSION To bring street style into the studio and showcase the raw talent and passion found in our community. To reflect our core values and create a positive and safe space for our dancers to grow their talents and become contributing members of our community.   OUR VALUES: DIVERSITY Our classes reflect age, gender, racial and religious diversity and we wouldn’t want it any other way. We are building a community at RUD and we want to get to know you and your story. AUTHENTICITY People can surprise you. A white mom who can spin on her head. A b-boy who used to take ballet. At RUD we are unashamed of our dichotomy and we encourage our dancers to live authentically. RESPECT We respect one another. We love and respect the history of hip-hop. Our music selections and choreography also reflect respect to both men and women. We respect each individual’s personal struggles and strive to be a light of positivity amidst difficulty.  GIVING BACK Giving back is at our core. We offer scholarships to dancers in need. We also participate in ongoing outreach efforts to serve our community. STREET STYLE IS ART Many institutions don’t consider street style as an art form. But we have seen far too many artists with raw talent come through our doors to buy that. At RUD we embrace hip hop is an art form.

Love Zumba, United by Zumba.

Itipon, better known as P’nut, was born in Thailand. He is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Karate. P’nut has been teaching Zumba Fitness since 2014. Beside this wonderful dancing style, he loves to teach Tai-Chi, Aqua Fitness, and Yoga. You can find his name on the schedules of different Fitness Clubs and centers such as Jewish Community Center, Willow Oak Club, Gold’s Gyms, Woodlake Aquatic Center. 

During his spare time he loves to cook, watch movies, and sleep. He is absolutely amazing at planning trips and vacations!

Melissa Terese Young is a Breathwork Facilitator and holistic wellness practitioner and founder of Breathwork Worldwide and Church of Breath.  

Melissa holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She is trained in "Ceremonial Breathwork Facilitation" through The Breath Center.  Received a Level II Reiki Attunement, Craniosacral II certification and holds a certification in "Light Energy Healing" through Barbara Wilder & The Transformational Light Center in Los Angeles California.  Melissa is also an Ordained Minister and a graduate of the "Shamanic Medicine Wheel" journey taught by John English and holds a 2018 certification by Dan Brule’s Breath Mastery O2 Collective.

Her healing arts practice is based in Richmond, VA.