Sarah Sakamoto - Instructor

Sarah Sakamoto graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance from San Jose
State University. Over the past 15 years, she has studied various forms of dance, including Modern, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballet, and Tap. She has worked closely with renowned dancers and teachers including, Limon experts, Gary Masters, Maria Basile, Robert Regala, and Hsiang Hsiu, as well as San Jose State's Heather Cooper, and acclaimed up coming artist from San Francisco, Scott Wells. Sarah graduated from the Teaching Academy magnet program at Independence High School where she logged dozens of hours in elementary school classrooms. She continues to work with children through church events and community dance projects. Sarah has developed a unique hard-hitting, kick back hip-hop style. Her style was created through her experiences with various teachers, such as, Terry Bixler, Chris Jones, Keith Pinto, Juliet Pinto, "Suga Pop," and Jerry Evans. Sarah is known for fusing her unique hip hop style with a mixture of thrash jazz and, modern to create innovative choreography works. Some of her choreographic achievements include "Dreams Awakening" in San Francisco's "Vision Series", various pieces for San Jose State University's Dance Department, as well as "Cursed" in sjDANCEco's "ChoreoProjects." Over the years she has performed at various events and festivals such as; San Francisco's "Mission In The Mix", De Anza College's "Tsunami Relief Showcase" and San Jose's "Dancing Downtown." Sarah is looking forward to sharing her love of dance and unique Hip Hop style with the students of Dance Effects.