Joe Gray- has been dancing and teaching for 8+ years.  He is the artistic director for the professional performing company Shadow Optix. In November of 2008 they showcased in the prestigious San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Fest at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Hip hop legend Poppin’ Pete and MTV’s Breaksk8 were also performers at the SF Hip Hop Fest. 

Joe has trained, performed, and choreographed with the Jabbawockeez infamous co-founder Gary Kendall for 5 years. Shadow Optix recently performed at the official second annual memorial show for Gary Kendall (One 4 Gee) in February of 2009. Come see their upcoming performance at the North Bay Dance Festival on March 21st at Spreckles Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park. This third annual show is where the North Bay’s best companies and dancers come to showcase.

Break Dancing 101


Vol. 4: The Get Down

Vol. 3: Top Rock

Now that you have mastered two important elements of breaking-the Baby Freeze & the Six Step-we will move on to the very diverse and stylistic Top Rock. In the heat of the battle or the middle of a freestyle circle, one must never forget to Top Rock.

Vol. 2: The Six Step

The Six Step is among the most fundamental moves in breaking. It is the foundation and core of all footwork. Anyone who knows breaking knows the Six Step. Almost any move can be transitioned into and out of this essential move, an unchanged and timeless aspect of the breaking world.

Vol 1: Baby Freeze

One of the most important elements in breaking (bboyin/bgirlin) is the freeze. Other aspects of breaking are up-rocking, footwork, style, and power. The freeze is important because it produces a dynamic feature in the dance movement.