the team
devi
((day - vee))
theDrop's founder + artistic director,
Devi Hadsell is a hip hop dance, yoga, and group fitness instructor
with a background in theatre.
She infuses her classes with a sense of play
and moments of comedic relief.
Devi empowers her students to release the idea of
"getting it right" in order to unapologetically be themselves
and move their bodies. Aside from all that,
she is passionate about guacamole, beat drops, and yerba mate.
Meet Ryan Bettencourt, theDrop's co-founder + curriculum lead.
With a background in modeling, acting, and jazz trombone,
Ryan’s intention is to inspire his students to uncover their inner power and,
in all things, to spread love.
Ryan brings to his classes alignment expertise,
music-integration mastery, and a passion for
creating options that serve all fitness levels.
Ryan is a certified yoga teacher + personal trainer who loves waffles with peanut butter, building playlists, and Lord of the Rings.
ryan
TG
Taylor-Grace Freiberg ((known by friends + family as “TG”))
has been dancing since the spirit moved her as a toddler.
She danced competitively throughout high school,
has trained with several professional dance companies in San Diego,
and has been teaching for more than 10 years.
Dance has always has been TG’s sacred place.
TG’s goal is to create a glisten-fest through a challenging +
FUN environment for all of her students.
When she is not on the dance floor, she is working with children
in the hospital as a Child-Life Specialist. Anyone who knows Taylor-Grace
knows she has a deep love for Beyoncé, adventure,
mint chocolate chip ice cream, and chick flicks.
Ariel Krizack has been movin' and groovin' her whole life.
She has taught dance and movement classes
in a wide variety of settings, including public and
private schools, preschools, studios, county jails,
and women’s shelters.
Ariel believes that movement is life,
and movement is medicine.
Dance can help us uncover aspects of ourselves
that are typically hidden behind the veil of everyday life.
Ariel strives to continually share the joy, passion,
and freedom that are accessible through movement.
Ariel
Gabi Drusinsky teaches a fusion of hip hop bounce + jazz funk.
She holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology,
with a minor in music + psychology, from UC Davis.
Gabi began dancing in middle school,
continued through high school competing nationally,
and danced + choreographed at a collegiate level
during her time at UC Davis.
She's been playing piano for over 25 years
and played the alto sax in her college jazz band.
Outside of music and dance, Gabi is an avid puzzler
and a nationally licensed EMT.
Gabi
((guh-bee))
Luke Hamilton is a New York-based dance, spin, and
fitness instructor whose background in musical theatre
has taken him across the world ... performing in
Broadway shows, entertaining active military + veterans
with the USO Showtroupe, and now busting a move
straight into your living room.
Currently, Luke teaches dance virtually with
Broadway Bound Kids and brings the same energy,
enthusiasm, and dad jokes to his group fitness class.
Luke’s teaching style is centered in aligning, strengthening,
and sweating his way into the immediate present.
Luke’s goal is to help you discover the core motivation and mindset that pushes you to get one more rep in the studio, so you can get one more rep out of life.
luke
tati
Tatiana Fakoukaki ((aka Tati)) has been involved with
competitive hip hop dance teams for the last
4 years, which has offered her the opportunity to meet dope dancers
from France, Africa, Latin America, and, of course, the United States.
She believes in the power of movement that comes
with focus and complete self-awareness.
She believes that everyone has the potential
to feel like the dancer they are most proud of if they believe
in the unique movement their body creates.
Georgina Fakoukaki started her dance journey at a young age, experimenting with a wide range of different dance styles.
Her dance background varies from latin and contemporary to competitive hip hop, waacking and popping.
She has previously taught dance classes at
community centers and public high schools.
What inspires her the most when it comes to dance
is the ability to transmit positive energy, and the power
of self-expression that comes with that.
She believes that dance is a vehicle to unleash your inner potential through movement, music, and rhythm.
She loves and values connecting with people
on a personal level, getting to know where they are from,
and what they bring to the table. Some of her favorite things in the world are coffee ice cream, the beach, and camping.