Rae Studios Presents: FOUNDATIONS
- raestudiossf
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
You Asked, We Listened
FOUNDATIONS: Starting January 2nd
We are launching a new curriculum of classes here at Rae Studios to help our students build and train comprehensive and well-rounded dance fundamentals. This new series titled FOUNDATIONS will launch in January 2026 and is intended for dancers of all skill levels to supplement their choreography-based training here at Rae Studios. Check out the course descriptions below!
What Is FOUNDATIONS?
FOUNDATIONS is a curated curriculum of classes focused on building well-rounded dance fundamentals that support all styles of movement. These classes offer a supportive, technique-first approach to training that will strengthen your body, refine your skills, and boost your confidence in class.
Perfect for all experience levels
Builds confidence and technical strength
Teaches skills that elevate your classes and performances
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
FOUNDATIONS: Jumps & Turns | Mondays & Wednesdays at 4:30PM
This class will help you learn the core techniques behind clean, controlled jumps and turns used across multiple dance styles. Students will be taught proper alignment, spotting, balance, and takeoff/landing mechanics to build strength and consistency in their turns. Drills and across-the-floor exercises will break down common turns and leaps, helping dancers refine precision and develop their vocabulary.
FOUNDATION for: Contemporary, Jazz Funk, Pop Jam
Suggested Wardrobe: Leggings or fitted shorts with a leotard, tank top, or t-shirt. Jazz shoes, ballet slippers, or bare feet–no tennis shoes. Tie back long hair in a bun or ponytail.
FOUNDATIONS: Grooves | Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4:30PM
This hip-hop based course focuses on rhythm, body awareness, and musicality to help dancers move with confidence and texture. Students will explore foundational hip-hop grooves, basic footwork, and essential bounce and rock patterns. This class will emphasize musicality, timing, and developing natural flow in the body to strengthen coordination and elevate your overall dance quality.
FOUNDATION for: Hip Hop, Jazz Funk, K-Pop, Pop Jam
Suggested Wardrobe: Loose fitting pants or shorts, comfortable t-shirts or tank tops with a sports bra. Sneakers.
Foundations: Ballet | Saturdays & Sundays at 9:45AM
Foundations: Ballet introduces dancers to the classical techniques that support strength, balance, and control in all styles. Students will learn foundational positions, barre exercises, center work, and across-the-floor combinations. Emphasis is placed on alignment, turnout, extension, and musicality will help dancers develop clean lines and strong foundational habits for all genres.
FOUNDATION for: Contemporary, Heels, Jazz Funk, Pop Jam
Suggested Wardrobe: Leggings or fitted shorts with a leotard, tank top, or t-shirt. Ballet slippers or bare feet, no tennis shoes or pointe shoes. Tie back long hair in a bun or ponytail.
Foundations: Heels | Fridays at 4:30PM
This beginner-friendly heels course teaches the essential techniques behind dancing safely and powerfully in heels. Students will practice posture, walk technique, weight transfer, and core control while building their performance quality and body awareness. The class will break down fundamental steps, lines, and transitions, building the skills needed to move fluidly and expressively in heels-based work.
FOUNDATION for: Heels, Jazz Funk, K-Pop
Suggested Wardrobe: Leggings, fitted shorts, or comfortable skirts with a leotard, tank top, or
t-shirt. Dance heels / heels with strong ankle support recommended but not required. Fashion heels are not permitted.
Interested in our FOUNDATIONS classes but uncertain where to start?
Students are welcome to schedule a call with management regarding classes/memberships during our office during office hours, Monday through Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM. We're happy to help you get started on your dance journey with us here at Rae!
New Students are eligible for our 7-Day Unlimited Pass allowing them access to all 60+ of our in-studio and outdoor group classes!
MEET YOUR FOUNDATIONS INSTRUCTORS
FOUNDATIONS: BALLET
Sundays at 9:45AM
Alek Hernandez has been dancing since the age of 12 and brings over a decade of experience to their teaching. With a foundation in ballet and modern, Alek also trained and competed in hip hop, jazz, and contemporary. They continued their studies at the University of South Florida, where they earned a degree with a concentration in modern dance.
Alek holds a high praise for codified techniques while also enjoying the exploration of fluid, expressive movement rooted in strong technical foundations. They believe that all people are movers, and their teaching philosophy centers on making dance both enjoyable and accessible for everyone who steps into the studio.
FOUNDATIONS: GROOVES
Thursdays at 4:30PM
Poe Charukesnant is a professional dance instructor, choreographer, and performer with over 13 years of experience in teaching Hip Hop–based choreography rooted in Pop and R&B musicality. His classes emphasize performance quality, musicality, and authentic movements while creating an inclusive, high-energy environment where dancers feel supported to grow and express themselves.
Having taught multiple studios around the Bay Area, and as a temporary professor at UC Berkeley, Poe approaches dance as both an art form and a powerful tool for connection, confidence, and community building. He is passionate about nurturing young, aspiring dancers, helping students . . .
FOUNDATIONS: JUMPS & TURNS
Mondays at 4:30PM
FOUNDATIONS: BALLET
Saturdays at 9:45AM
Emmanuel Hernandez is a choreographer, dancer, and creative artist from Los Angeles, CA. currently residing in San Francisco. He started dancing at the age of 11 when he joined his middle school’s dance team and found his passion for choreography just one year later at the age of 12. Emmanuel has trained in various styles such as ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, jazz funk, and hip hop. He grew up choreographing throughout high school and college at recitals, showcases, festivals, and dance productions. Emmanuel most recently danced with the Kenneth Walker Dance Project in Los Angeles and holds an associate’s degree in dance from Long Beach City College. Emmanuel enjoys blending movements that are free in nature along with technical ability to nurture both the body/mind connection and performance expression.
FOUNDATIONS: GROOVES
Tuesdays at 4:30PM
FOUNDATIONS: JUMPS & TURNS
Wednesdays at 4:30PM
Kait Skye is a Chicago-area native performer, educator, and choreographer. Dance has always been a part of her life; she began dancing before kindergarten and her passion for dance only grew larger over the years. She continued broadening her training across all genres through college including hip hop, ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, pointe, partnering, and more. She has a long list of training and teaching experiences including Hip Hop ConnXion HQ of which she was a company member for 11 years as well as teaching and directing at Synergy Dance Academy/M3 Dance (formerly Chicago Ballet Conservatory) prior to moving to San Francisco. Kait’s biggest passion within dance is teaching - she loves passing on her knowledge to other artists and helping them become the best versions of themselves, both personally and professionally.
FOUNDATIONS: HEELS
Fridays at 4:30PM
Coming from her home town Sonoma, CA, Peyton Crawford is a passionate driven dancer
who wants to share her love for dance and performing with the world. Peyton has
experience of dance through dance conventions, intensives, classes and more. This young athlete has been dancing in classes since the age of five. She comes from a long history in the pageant world, since the age of two months, and has been on stage ever since. She has choreographed numerous routines within the industry and directed pieces in numerous ways, including Rae Studios. Not only has Peyton had a pageant history background, she was the dance intern at her middle school and proceeded to gain experience in dancing and choreographing on her high school's dance team. For a short amount of time, Peyton
attended SSU gaining experience in the modern dance world and adding to her horizon of
dance styles which consist of: Jazz funk, heels, hip hop, afro, contemporary, modern,
commercial and more.
VIEW OUR FULL INSTRUCTOR ROSTER: HERE | More info: raestudios-sf.com
CHECK OUT OUR FULL 2026 SCHEDULE BELOW!
VIEW OUR FULL INSTRUCTOR ROSTER: HERE | More info: raestudios-sf.com
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