SassClass | The Team

Guest Instructor: Sexy Stilettos

Team Sass

Our Instructors

Emma Rosa

Sexy Stilettos, Empowered Expression, Fierce Feminine Hip Hop

“When you find your voice, you can speak your truth. Once you speak your truth, you become free.”

Emma Rosa, Cuban New Jersey native, is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, and activist. She is currently a backup dancer for Reggaeton artist Guaynaa and has performed with other music artists like El Alfa, Sech, Trey Songz, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and more. She was recently a dance athlete for Nike's Own The Floor campaign.

In 2022, Emma completed an International Teaching Tour, traveling to 20 different cities including Paris, Milan, Monterrey, and Manchester. Her main focus is to inspire movement expression for people of all levels and abilities through a focus on intuition, community-building, and unapologetic self-acceptance.

Sophia Marrapodi

Sexy Stilettos, Flirty Floorwork,
Twerk

"Dance isn't about being perfect, it's about being perfectly you. Dance allows us to see the music, to hear it with our eyes. Live in each movement, no matter how slow or fast. Always feel!"

Hailing from Miami, Florida, Sophia has worked with Flo Rida, Red Rat, Guop Boys, and Pitbull and was featured in Kat Deluna's video for Drop It Low.
Sophia is a backup dancer for Kiesza and for Soave, 80s freestyle singer who has performed many times at Radio City Music Hall.

Sophia teaches in New York City as well as internationally in Italy. She absolutely loves to dance - anytime she gets the chance to do it, she lights up! She considers herself a perpetual student and continues to train in all style of dance. Her love for dance and performance is as strong as her love for people, and she brings that love to every class she teaches at SassClass!

Tony Guerrero

Neo-Burlesque, Chairography

"I believe in nurturing a safe space for sensual expression and celebrating all aspects of ourselves in a healthy and festive manner. In my classes, you are not only allowed to wave your freak flag high- you are encouraged and rewarded!"

Tony blends the sexy, exciting styles of today’s commercial and nightlife world with the sense of purpose, setting, and motivation of theatre. Tony has co-choreographed for Taylor Swift, the NY Knicks City Dancers, Brooklynettes, and Team USA in Shanghai, China.

Tony toured nationally as the Latin feature in the Broadway production of Saturday Night Fever and completed three world tours of West Side Story. Recording artist performances include Pitbull, Lonely Island & Lenny Kravitz. Tony has worked under such theatre staples as Arlene Phillips, Rob Ashford and Joey McKneely, and has been directed by Baz Luhrmann, Ryan Murphy, Jodi Foster and Martin Scorcese.

Mary Moretti

Fierce Feminine Hip Hop, Popstar Style

“Dance is when you stop using logic and you set yourself free. Dance is when you get into that state of mind where nothing else matters. Dance like no one is watching because you are unique and only you can tell your story.”

Born in New Jersey and raised in Italy, Mary started to dance at the age of 12, training in Ballet and Modern. She soon fell in love with Hip Hop culture and started focusing her training on hip hop, street jazz, and heels.

At the age of 19, she moved to Bologna where she began her professional career performing and teaching, and soon after, she moved back to the USA to continue her professional dance and teaching pursuits. In NYC, she choreographs and dances with artists including Lil Uzi Vert and Sabrina Monique, and brings her passion for dance and performance to her SassClass family.

David Machicado

Sultry Street Jazz, Reggaeton,
Sexy Stilettos

“Dance is the best reflection of your emotions and the best therapy for your soul.”

David is a choreographer, instructor, artistic director and performer with over 15 years of experience. Originally from Lima, Peru, he built a successful career as a performer and director in various dance companies/crews there.

Having extensively trained in Jazz, Contemporary, Latin, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Jazz Funk, and Heels in top dance studios throughout Latin America, David finally moved to the USA in 2017 where he brought all of his artistry and started performing and teaching again. He’s most passionate about street styles of dance, and he’s thrilled to share that with the SassClass community.

Brynlie

Empowered Expression

“Be a light to the world.”

Originally from Arizona, Brynlie moved to New York City in 2017 to join Elisa Monte Dance. Brynlie has performed at venues such as the National Gallery of Art, SummerStage, The Flea Theater, and New York Fashion Week. As a member of the Steps on Broadway Conservatory, she performed the works of Janice Rosario, Billy Griffin, and Robert LaFosse, and studied with choreographers Al Blackstone, Nicholas Palmquist, Max Stone, and Patti Wilcox.

Brynlie was Assistant Choreographer for two Victoria's Secret projects, Movement Director for the 100% recyclable shoe brand Thousand Fell, and Assistant Choreographer and Swing in The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s NYT’s Critic’s Pick “Twelfth Night”

Kiersten Yusi

Sexy Stilettos

“It is only when we take chances that our lives improve."

Kiersten is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher with a passion for empowering her students and creating a safe space for them to experience growth and gain confidence through expression.

Kiersten graduated with a BFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She's trained intensively across ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, heels, and hip-hop dance styles, and has toured internationally in Germany and Switzerland. With her touring, she raised funds for a nonprofit helping children with disabilities in Southern Germany.

Revati Mahurkar

Sexy Stilettos, Bollywood

“To watch us dance is to hear our heart speak.”

Growing up in Japan, India, the Philippines, and the US, Revati’s dance style reflects her multicultural background. Starting her training with Classical Indian dance (Kathak) and Bollywood, she later went on to learn Heels, Street Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary.

Revati’s goal is to create a space where dancers of all cultures feel welcome and get to enjoy the exciting Bollywood music and grooves she grew up on. She has performed at a variety of NYC venues and made an appearance on Indian reality show Hunarbaaz Desh Ki Shaan. She is the winner of the 2020 Miss India DC pageant.

Jahaira Crystal

Reggaeton

"Sacrifices must be made to achieve your goals, but never forget that quality time with your loved ones will create a happy soul in the process."

Jahaira is the type of person who sets her mind to something and doesn't stop until it is accomplished! She gives off inspiration not only in a dance setting, but also as a whole being. She is kind, caring, energetically in tune, and hard-working. Jahaira has been blessed to perform on so many stages, worked with so many talented artists, and yet is proud to say that she still remains her goofy and humble self. She continues to break barriers without breaking boundaries. Jahaira loves deeply and is determined to do good, and elevate herself and those around her. She's humbled and honored to be a part of the SassClass community!

Lia Fialho

Sexy Stilettos

"A vida é um sonho!

Life is a dream!"

Lia Fialho is a Portuguese-American dancer, choreographer, and model. Growing up in Massachusetts, Lia began her dance training when she was 3 years old at Dance Workshop. Since then, she has trained extensively in multiple dance styles including heels, contemporary, ballet, and hip hop. Since moving to New York City, she has been fortunate to work as a dancer and a choreographer with many local artists. She's also grateful to have had the opportunity to teach in a variety of dance studios, bringing her talent and passion to communities throughout the Northeast. She is excited to continue sharing her love of dance with her SassClass family!

Valeria Balderas

Reggaeton

"Progress over perfection."

Valeria Balderas is a dancer, dance teacher, and dance entrepreneur from Monterrey, Mexico, where she started a successful dance academy and competition. Currently, she develops dance programs for teen girls in NYC high schools, making a positive impact on younger generations. With over 12 years of teaching experience, she specializes in Reggaeton, Jazz, Lyrical, and Commercial Dance. Valeria loves connecting with and supporting her students. She believes that through dance we can connect with our body, mind, and soul in beautiful ways, making us aware of our power. Valeria is excited to share her passion with the SassClass Family!

Gabby Cogan

Sexy Stilettos

"Within the rhythm of dance, we discover liberation, breaking free from societal constraints."

Gabby Cogan is a performing artist, choreographer, teacher, and videographer in NYC. She thrives in Jazz, Modern, Hip-hop, Musical Theater, Contemporary, and Heels (her favorite!). Currently, she is a professional dancer for the Long Island Nets NBA Team and regularly performs at New York City Jazz Club (Off-Broadway). Her other Off-Broadway roles include Dance Captain/Understudy for Endangered! The Musical, Ensemble Dancer in Rock N' Roll Debauchery's Burlesque Dreams, and associate choreographer for Money Talks. An influential figure in the NYC dance scene, her classes are an invitation to ignite your passion, build community and unleash your inner dancer!

Tijen Petersen

Sexy Stilettos

"Dance is a portal—through it, we connect to ourselves and to something greater. You are one of one."

Tijen Petersen is a professional dancer from Lakeville, Minnesota, with over 20 years of experience in dance training, performing, and choreographing. Her background includes classical ballet (including en pointe), contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theater, and ballroom dancing. She now lives in New York City and specializes in Heels, Salsa, and Bachata.

Tijen is an advocate for using dance as a way to explore and express confidence both on and off the dance floor. She believes that dance can heal individuals and communities, and that it connects us to our truest selves.

Our Business Team

Julia Sokol

Founder & CEO

Julia, aka our SassMama, curates and maintains the overall vision of SassClass, collaborating across all of our teams to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of everyone who joins us at SassClass!
She is Executive Producer of our video shoots, and you can also catch her occasionally teaching or subbing in all dance styles.

Julia created SassClass in 2016 as an oasis for the modern woman to foster self-love, connection, confidence, and freedom of self-expression through the medium of dance and performance. She has since grown SassClass to be inclusive of all people -- not just women -- who seek to explore their Feminine expression.

Julia graduated cum laude with honors from Brandeis University with a degree in economics and business. Prior to creating SassClass, Julia had a career in Marketing and Data Analytics, most recently as an Associate Director at a top ad agency in NYC.

One of Julia's biggest sources of joy, fulfillment, and growth throughout her life is dance. She was the main hip hop choreographer for Adagio Dance Company and OnStage Dance Company and for performing artist Pastele, and a performer with RiSE Exhibition Team and Mint Dance Company.

Julia discovered her love for producing dance concept videos in 2013 when she created a Bollywood-inspired dance video filmed throughout iconic NYC locations as a submission for Lufthansa Airlines' "Move With Us" Contest. She was awarded the grand prize and received round-trip tickets to India!

Through SassClass, she gets to blend her passions for dance and performance, making a positive impact, community-building, and entrepreneurship.

sassclass®

Follow @sassclassnyc to see which songs we're dancing to each week!

Team Sass

Our Instructors

Emma Rosa

Sexy Stilettos, Empowered Expression, Fierce Feminine Hip Hop

Sophia Marrapodi

Sexy Stilettos, Flirty Floorwork, Twerk

Tony Guerrero

Neo-Burlesque, Chairography

Mary Moretti

Fierce Feminine Hip Hop, Popstar Style

David Machicado

Sultry Street Jazz, Reggaeton, Sexy Stilettos

Brynlie

Empowered Expression

Kiersten Yusi

Sexy Stilettos

Revati Mahurkar

Sexy Stilettos, Bollywood

Jahaira Crystal

Reggaeton

Lia Fialho

Sexy Stilettos

Valeria Balderas

Reggaeton

Gabby Cogan

Sexy Stilettos

Tijen Petersen

Sexy Stilettos

Our Business Team

Julia Sokol

Founder & CEO

Sakhia

Studio Coordinator

Brittany

Studio Team

Leyra

Studio Team

Sarah

Studio Team

Lianne

Operations

Melissa

Studio Team

Nicaury

Studio Team

Kashfia

Studio Team

Jess

Operations

Lani

Studio Team

Zoe

Studio Team

Analiese

Studio Team

Sexy Stilettos, Flirty Floorwork,
Twerk

Sultry Street Jazz, Reggaeton,
Sexy Stilettos