Introducing RDT's New Directors!
Name: Vanessa Camales
Position: Administrative Director
Bio: As a current student of Rutgers the State University of New Jersey, Vanessa Camales began her dance career at the age of 4 as a studio dancer at Miss Ruth School of Dance. After 6 years of extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, and pointe, she furthered her dancing at Across the Floor where she took classes in lyrical and discovered her love for hip hop. While holding the title of co-choreographer for her high school’s dance team, she also auditioned to be a member of Across the Floor’s Senior Dance Company where she competed in several competitions such as Showstoppers, Tremaine Dance Competition, and New York City Dance Alliance. In the summer of 2008, Vanessa auditioned to become a dancer for the Fr3sh Juniors Dance Troupe, LLC, soon earning the title of Choreography Captain. While performing and choreographing for the Fr3sh Dance Company, Vanessa performed in various highly respected competitions/shows such as Rutgers University’s Pride Dance Competition, VIBES Dance Competition, Seton Hall University’s FLASH Dance Competition, ECDC, World of Dance New York, and The Main Event. In the summer of 2009, Vanessa and some of her fellow dancers from Fr3sh Juniors formed the group Miracle Project. Together they’ve performed at shows such as the GMA Pinoy Dance Showdown, Rutgers University’s Pride Dance Competition, and WOD Boston. After beginning classes at Rutgers, Vanessa auditioned for RAPS Dance Troupe and has performed with them in various competitions such as Elements, Rutgers University’s Pride Dance Competition, World of Dance New York, Stony Brook University’s So You Think You Can Sayaw?, World of Dance Boston, OVRDRV, Reign or Shine and Defining Rhythm. She very excited to be apart of this dance community and is looking forward to the many successful seasons to come.
Fun Facts:
I'm going to school to become a physical therapist.
I adore all things associated with Hello Kitty.
My very first on-stage performance was dancing to Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid with my ballet class.
Name: Ricardo Génard Davis
Position: Artistic Director
Bio: Ricardo Génard Davis preferably known as HoodWaack is a dancer, choreographer, director, and teacher. He has a diverse dance background, having initially trained in Hip Hop at the age of 16 with Fr3sh Jrs and Bollywood Fusion with Satrangi School of Fusion in 2008. After leaving Fr3sh Jrs he continued his training with UFPx in 2010 leading him to Raps Dance Troupe (RDT) where he trained under Michael Esteban and Leslie Hubilla and founding Nerdz: The Outsiderz. Presently HoodWaack continues to direct NTO, teaches weekly classes at DANCEFORCE in Edison, NJ, and is an Artistic Director of RDT. He wishes to inspire others to find their own method of happiness, both on and off stage.
Fun Facts:
I auditioned for RDT in 2010 and didn't make it. However, I asked Esteban if I could train with RDT and I was recruited in. HARDWORK PAYS OFF!
I've only taken one official waacking class.
Name: Steve Holloway
Position: Artistic Director
Bio: Steve Holloway first entered the NJ dance scene in 2008 when he joined Raps Dance Troupe during his freshman year at Rutgers University. After four years of dancing on RDT, Steve has had the privilege to perform in various competitions and showcases in New Jersey, New York, and Boston. Steve has also been responsible for producing all of RDT’s video content under his independent production name, Down To Film Productions. Steve has worked on professional web and television productions for NJTV, MTVN Logo and has showcased his RDT concept videos on WorldofDance.com and Blogging Americas Best Dance Crew. His work has been featured in film festivals across the country, including Campus Movie Fest Hollywood and the Cannes Short Film Corner in France. Steve hopes to offer his experiences as a director behind the camera to bring a fresh eye to RDT’s new artistic direction.
Fun Facts:
He wanted to be a paleontologist as a kid.
He used to "werk it" as a child model.
He believes body rolls are bliss.
Name: Jewel Sales
Position: Artistic Director
Bio: As a young high school girl, Jewel Sales was surrounded and exposed by friends who were interested in urban choreography and Bboying and she couldn't help but want to jump in the hype. From a small school talent show, Jewel was drawn to the very little experience she had and went searching for more opportunities to dance. She auditioned for SiC (SERCisCompany) and started there. She took classes at AIM Dance Studio with Adrian Causing. She joined Genuine Dance Company, Society, and finally RDT with Michael Esteban and Leslie Hubilla in January 2011. What started out as a battle, she struggled her way through as a trainee, to a member, to finally an artistic director. Jewel never gives up on herself and dance for she feels this burning passion for it. Jewel found herself training in classes and is now apart of Jake Pesquira's, from Rhythm City, program called D.A.N.C.E. She is still in search of what her true style is but she loves to move with fluent contemporary-like movement and abstract concepts. She practices popping ascetics for her freestyles and continues to voyage her journey as an artist. Jewel wants to pursue dance in the industry and travel the world. She believes dance is 80% attitude and 20% physical dancing. A strong heart and mind will get you further with great results and success.
Fun Facts:
She is a graphic design major at Mason Gross, Rutgers University.
She is a waitress, host, busser, and to-go specialist at Olive Garden.
She dyes her hair every 3 months.
Name: Alice Wu
Position: Administrative Director & RDT Coordinator
Bio: Alice Wu has had a passion for the arts since the age of 3. Her first passion was singing, but later on her admiration for dance began when she started Chinese cultural dance at the age of 8. After a decade, she left the cultural scene, yearning for something new and different. Alice participated in her high school breaking crew called A.C.E. Looking for a transition into what she was looking for in dancing, she co-founded ILL Theory alongside her friends, where she provided a feminine touch with her choreography. In Fall 2008, at the start of her freshman year of college, she began her hip hop career with RAPS Dance Troupe aka RDT, where she acquired new skills and learned countless styles and continues to dance for them today. She was then asked to be a part of VEN15 in Fall 2010 and is very honored and grateful to be able to learn from such amazing female dancers. With her diverse dance background, Alice has learned much about discipline, poise, grace, technique and most importantly expression through movement. As she continues to grow and improve, she feels privileged to receive opportunities to be a part of projects offered by her dance peers as well as being able to teach from time to time. She is always looking to better herself as a dancer and believes if she continues to dance in this East Coast community, it will help her to do just that. Alice is very thankful for all the love and support she has received throughout this journey and hopes to be a role model and an inspiration to those who watch her dance.
Fun Facts:
Before dance became my passion, my mom wanted to take me to Taiwan to pursue a singing career, but I wanted to stay here with my friends.
I am a major movie buff. Especially HORROR movies, but I never get scared watching them.
I LOVE to clean. I think it's extremely therapeutic.
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