Experience a dynamic celebration of 20 years of Hip Hop and street dance culture with Los Angeles’ own Versa-Style Street Dance Company and their latest full-length work: Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance.
Shining a spotlight on West Coast Hip Hop and the street dance styles that originated in the L.A. area, Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance honors artists who are still with us today, such as Rennie Harris, Damita Jo Freeman, and Ana “Lollipop” Sanchez, as well as those who have passed on, including Stephen “Twitch” Boss and Marjory Smarth. This production is more than a performance; it is a living archive. Blending high-octane choreography with powerful images and video, Versa-Style shines a spotlight on the West Coast roots and L.A.-born dance styles that changed the world. It is a dynamic exploration of Hip Hop, house, popping, and locking that connects audiences to the very heartbeat of global street dance.
Versa-Style’s latest full-length work celebrates the company’s 20th anniversary as a Hip Hop and street dance ensemble, paying homage to its artistic journey as it weaves through influential figures, cultural movements, and community growth.
Founded in 2005 by Los Angeles natives and co-artistic directors Jackie "Miss Funk" Lopez and Leigh "Breeze-Lee" Foaad, Versa-Style Street Dance Company was created to promote, empower and celebrate the artistry of Hip Hop and street dance culture. Named “Los Angeles’ Best Dance Troupe for Hip Hop Empowerment” by LA Weekly, Versa-Style is recognized for its electrifying performances and inspiring engagement activities for schools and local communities. Consisting of committed, highly skilled street dance artists and educators representative of the diversity and beautiful complexity of Los Angeles, Versa-Style Street Dance Company harnesses the exhilarating energy of street dance onto the concert stage for an unforgettable evening of dance.
In 2005, Jackie Lopez, aka Miss Funk, was in the final year of pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at UCLA in World Arts and Cultures, with a Dance emphasis. She was creating her first repertory work, “The Perfect Song” and was recommended to work with a dancer named Leigh Foaad, aka Breeze-lee. Through this project, the two instantly bonded as collaborators, and decided to create a company together, calling it “Versa-Style,” to reflect versatility within street dance, and to honor the roots, origins, beauty, and power of Hip Hop dance.
In May of 2005, Lopez and Foaad co-created their first work together, debuting their brand new company, Versa-Style, at the world famous Los Angeles dance industry showcase, “Choreographer’s Carnival.” In the following years, they continued to showcase at prestigious Hip Hop dance festivals such as The J.U.i.C.E. Hip Hop Dance Festival (2009, 2010, 2012 & 2014), San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Festival (2009-2023), and internationally renowned Hip Hop dance theater artist Rennie Harris’ Illadelph Legends Festival (2010). Also in 2010, the company performed its first full-length theater work, “Feel Our Rhythm,” at the intimate Rosenthal Theater at Inner-City Arts in Los Angeles, achieving rave reviews from audiences, inducing an encore run later in the fall. In 2011, the company produced its second full-length work, “Positive Dose,” also premiering at the Rosenthal Theater.
2013 was a year of exponential growth for the company, debuting a new work, “Furious Beauty,” this time in the John Anson Ford Amphitheater’s Summer Series Partnership Program, selling out the theater and again garnering rave reviews. This year also saw Versa-Style grow internationally, performing in Chennai, India, as part of the city’s first ever Hip Hop dance festival, as well as a seven-city tour of Israel, as part of the US Embassy Envoy program. In 2016, Versa-Style returned to the Ford Amphitheatre to debut “Box of Hope,” which toured through 2019. In 2021, Versa-Style returned to the Ford to premier “Freemind Freestyle,” which was supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project production grant, and toured until 2025. In 2026, Versa-Style will debut its latest full-length work, titled “Tribute: Guardians of Street Dance” at the Long Beach Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. Since 2013, Versa-Style has enjoyed a robust touring schedule, performing across the country at theaters such as White Bird, Jacob’s Pillow, The Joyce, and many more.
Jackie Lopez aka Miss Funk is a first generation Latina Los Angeles native. She was the first in her family to graduate high school, continue her education at LA Valley College, transfer to a UC and graduate, all due to the impact of the arts and dance in her life. Jackie graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA in 2004 from the Department of World Arts and Cultures, with a concentration in Dance. For the last 25 years, Jackie has been working as a professional dancer, choreographer, teaching artist and cultural educator who has worked with students and artists of all ages nationally and internationally.
Jackie is not only Versa-Style’s Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director, she is simultaneously a Lecturer at UCLA’s Dept. of World Arts and Cultures/Dance teaching Hip Hop, developing the curriculum there for over 10 years. Jackie found her love for Hip Hop and street dance in the late 1990’s and she has continued to serve the Hip Hop dance community ever since. Jackie is inspired to keep Versa-Style’s mission alive by using her upbringing in LAUSD, her background in arts education and passion for youth and the arts.
Leigh “Breeze-Lee” Foaad:
Leigh Foaad aka Breeze-Lee was exposed to dance early, which has largely contributed to his knowledge and experience among a large variety of different dance styles ranging from classical ballet to street dance vernacular social dances. Most notably, Leigh found his passion and skill set for a street dance style called “Popping” in 2002. Since then, Leigh has won many national and international competitions gaining him global recognition within the dance community as a dancer, teacher and artist.
In addition, Leigh has been working with Rennie Harris Puremovement since 2007 and experienced being a Cultural Ambassador for the United States, touring the Middle East, in 2012. He is currently a Lecturer at UCLA’s Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance teaching Hip Hop dance. Most recently, he was selected as a Hip Hop diplomat for the NEXT LEVEL program, which is an initiative of the U.S. Dept. of State, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Meridian International Center that uses Hip Hop music, dance and art to foster cross-cultural creative exchange in diverse communities. Leigh was fortunate to travel for 2 weeks to build and exchange with the Hip Hop community of the Dominican Republic. As a leader and member of Versa-Style Dance Company he is determined to express and share the knowledge and importance of Hip Hop culture, while providing high intensity movement and passion for all artists around him.
Harry “Fullout” Weston:
Harry Weston aka Fullout grew up in Santa Cruz, California, surrounded by West African dance and drumming, his first artistic inspirations. He fell in love with Hip Hop dance culture at the age of 15, changing his life forever. At the age of 18, he moved to Los Angeles to study dance at UCLA where he met Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad, who eventually asked him to join Versa-Style in 2009. During his time in college he directed the after school Hip Hop dance team at Lincoln High School in East LA, which is now alumni-led and still thriving. He served as Head Counselor for the UCLA Dance/Theater Summer Intensive, which he now directs and has shifted to become the UCLA Hip Hop/Street Dance Summer Institute. Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in World Arts and Cultures and a concentration in Dance, as well as a minor in Civic Engagement, he has traveled the world teaching, performing and battling, most recently serving as a Hip Hop diplomat for the NEXT LEVEL program in Ghana, but has always stayed connected to his love for Los Angeles. He remains humbled and grateful for the experiences and opportunities Hip Hop and street dance culture have provided him, and pays respect and homage to all the dancers and culture creators from the communities of color who created the dance and music he loves so much.
Ernesto “Precise” Galarza:
Ernesto Galarza aka Precise was born & raised in the city of Pacoima, California. Ernesto first met Jackie Lopez through an after school program in the sixth grade at his middle school, Lakeview Charter Academy. Later Jackie helped him apply to receive scholarships from the Flourish Foundation to take Hip Hop/street dance courses at the Jonette Swider Dance Center, where Jackie then introduced him to Leigh Foaad. Ernesto was one of the original members of Versa-Style Next Generation starting in 2009, but is now a Principal Dancer and Artistic Director of Digital Content/Marketing for Versa-Style Dance Company, as well as one of the Co-Directors for Versa-Style Next Generation. He graduated from UCLA in 2015 with a major in World Arts and Cultures/Dance and a minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education. With over 17 years of experience in Hip Hop/street dance as a performer, educator, and internationally recognized competitor, Ernesto remains a student of his craft and continues to learn and train every day with the goal to pass on his knowledge and inspire the future generations.
Brandon “BeastBoi” Juezan-Williams:
Brandon Allen Juezan-Williams aka BeastBoi first showed interest in Hip Hop dance when he was in middle school. He initially took a liking to the street dance style Krump, and was eventually exposed to other dance styles once he reached high school. He later met Jackie Lopez at a local dance competition, who invited him and gave him a scholarship to attend the UCLA Dance/Theater Summer Intensive in the summer of 2009. By 2010, he was a member of Versa-Style Next Generation and went on to become a professional dancer with Versa-Style Dance Company in 2014. He is currently the Artistic Director of Touring & Events for Versa-Style Dance Company, managing bookings for the company, planning special events, budgeting and assisting with various administrative tasks. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 2017 with a B.A. in Entertainment Business, and his goal is to help/mentor the dance community and families on financial literacy and how to establish strong business acumen
Anthony “Berry Groove” Berry:
Anthony Berry aka Berry Groove was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, California. During his junior year of high school he was introduced to Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. He began training with Jackie and Leigh in various street style dances, and his commitment led him to be one of the original members of Versa-Style Next Generation starting in 2009. Since then, Anthony has become a movement artist for Versa-Style Dance Company in 2011, along with also being Versa-Style’s Merchandise Manager and one of the Co-Directors for Versa-Style Next Generation. He has performed, taught and battled all over the world, primarily in the dance styles of Hip Hop, waacking and house, and he puts his heart and soul into every performance, class and battle he participates in.
Cynthia “Divina” Hernandez:
Cynthia Hernandez aka Divina is a first generation Mexican-American born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Growing up in a Latinx household she was exposed to many different genres of Latinx music and dances such as Cumbia, Salsa and Merengue. Having a strong connection to her heritage and roots, she found love for Hip Hop dance and culture almost instantly. She met Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad in 2006, where she first learned the history and knowledge of Hip Hop and began to train in various street dance styles. Cynthia was a founding member of Versa-Style Next Generation in 2009. In 2014, she joined Versa-Style Dance Company as a movement artist. Cynthia has had the opportunity to travel and perform all over the country, visiting places such as Alaska where she did a 3-week, 5-city tour with Versa-Style and other places like El Salvador and Amsterdam where she performed and battled. In 2017 she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health from California State University, Northridge. Cynthia aspires to continue learning and being a practitioner of Hip Hop and street dance culture.
Brianna “Passion” Grey:
Brianna Grey aka Passion has always loved the arts, from dancing, to singing, to film/photography. She grew up with many dance inspirations, including her older brother, and in 2011 she met her very first mentors Harry Weston, Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad. They introduced her to authentic Hip Hop, house, and many other different styles within street dance culture. In 2013 she joined Versa-Style Next Generation, quickly ascending to Versa-Style, and has been performing and competing all over the world ever since. She is currently a business owner in Downtown Los Angeles, providing space for artists to create videos in her creative sets. She loves the idea of exploring movement and never knew how far dance would take her. She is thankful for her mentors guiding her down the right path all these years and is excited to see what the future holds for her.
Ceanne “CyKlone” Agustin:
Ceanne Klein Agustin aka CyKlone was born in the Philippines. She always loved to dance since she was a little girl, until she moved to the United States in 2012. In the US she attended Lincoln High School in East Los Angeles where she was introduced to Hip Hop dance. She fell in love with the culture and continues to learn more about it. Her coaches Joey Velasquez and Patricia Casterona introduced her to Versa Style Dance Company, and after attending Friday Night Dance Classes, she soon decided to audition for Versa-Style Next Generation in 2015. After that, she was given an opportunity to participate in the UCLA Dance/Performing Arts Summer Intensive in 2016 via scholarship, and in 2019, she was moved up to Apprentice for Versa-Style Dance Company. She continues to perform and grow as an artist. She has now earned her Associate’s degree at Pasadena City College, and has also taken an interest in fashion. She’s now pursuing modeling and styling and hopes to dive deeper into the fashion industry as a creator.
