C3 COACHES
FOUNDER & COACH JULIE
Julie grew up in the competitive world of hip hop dance and cheerleading in Miami, Florida. She began cheering at age 5 and discovered her love for hip hop at 9 through Hip Hop Kidz, performing at Super Bowl XXXIV, NFL halftime shows, and large-scale events across South Florida. From ages 12–17, she was a point flyer for the nationally recognized Top Gun All-Stars.
At the University of Florida, Julie competed on UF’s cheer team and captained her sorority’s cheer and dance teams. After graduating with honors in accounting, she worked as a CPA in Miami—while continuing to train and perform with Top Gun’s Open Hip Hop team, which placed 3rd at the 2012 Dance Worlds in Orlando.
Instructor Julie Labate performing with her Top Gun All-Star Hip Hop dance team which won 3rd place in Dance Worlds 2012. Julie is in the front row, center position.
In 2013, she moved to NYC and began instructing for the VXN Workout, an adult hip hop fitness format focused on women’s wellness. For six years, she led weekly classes, served as a Master Trainer and NYC Manager, certified instructors across the Northeast, and appeared twice on NBC’s Today Show.
Instructor Julie Labate performing in 2013 with Top Gun All-Stars Hip Hop Dance team. Julie is in the front row on the right side.
“At every stage of life, I’ve always found a way to stay connected to dance and cheer. It’s been one of the most consistent influences in my life. When I was young, it kept me focused, provided structure and something important to be part of, it helped me feel valued and confident, and it became a community where I felt I belonged. As an adult, I understand the real significance it held and still holds for me. That’s what I hope to create at C3—a place where young athletes can grow, find purpose, and feel part of something real. These are pivotal years of kids’ lives. You never know when a place like C3 is exactly what they need.” - Coach Julie
Julie now lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband and two daughters.
COACH DANIELLE
Danielle's passion for dance started at a young age. She began training in ballet, tap, and jazz when she was just 3 years old and has been dancing ever since. Throughout the years, dance has not only given her great friends but also a sense of belonging and a genuine love for movement.
Danielle studied international business and marketing at Elmira College, where she was part of the school's Danceline team. During her time there, she became an officer and helped choreograph hip hop routines for 2 years. These routines were performed during basketball team halftime shows and other community events.
After graduating, Danielle went on an adventurous backpacking trip through 17 countries in Europe and Southeast Asia. Following her journey, she found a digital marketing internship in Bali, Indonesia, which turned into a 3-year stay. Upon returning to Saratoga, Danielle discovered Julie's VXN workout classes, which quickly became the highlight of her week. The classes not only offered great music and intense workouts but also fostered a growing dance community. Danielle was inspired by Julie's approach to encourage dancers to focus on the moment and commit fully to the mental and physical aspects of dance.
During the inaugural season, Danielle served as an assistant coach for all C3 Youth Dance teams. Now, she is excited to join the C3 family as a head coach for the '23/24 season. With her experience and love for dance, Danielle is ready to lead and inspire her dancers to reach their hip hop dance goals.
COACH JOSH
Josh Meliski, aka Bboy HangThyme, started dancing professionally in Saratoga Springs, NY at the age of 11. Despite formal training in modern dance and ballet, Josh was always more interested in spinning on his head than pointing his toes. He spent hours each day perfecting backflip 720’s on his sisters trampoline, or learning to spin on his head in the basement. Before graduating high school in 2009, his crew had become notorious for winning talent shows.
While in college, Josh continued to teach, train and perform breakin’ in Colorado Springs. There, he learned the importance of community within art and dance. While he believes that healthy competition is an important element of art, so is “each one teach one” - the idea that we can always learn something from those around us.
Before Covid, Josh was actively using dance as a way to share his philosophy with students in Baltimore, MD. He believes children shouldn’t be encouraged to sit in front of a screen for hours per day. Instead, they should be given opportunities to express and challenge themselves.
Currently, Josh Meliski is happy to be back home in Saratoga teaching dance to the aspiring artists of tomorrow.
COACH LISA
Lisa currently resides in Queensbury with her husband Drew and their two children, Ryan and Ava. Along with teaching dance, she teaches a 4th/5th grade special education classroom at Queensbury School. She feels fortunate to work with children with special needs and says that her students bring a smile to her face each and every day. She is also involved with the Tri-County United Way. Doing service work is something that is very important to Lisa and she tries to do as much as her schedule will allow.
Lisa grew up in Queensbury and trained at ARDT with artistic director Pamara Perry, whom she credits for encouraging her to follow her passion and to always give 100%. When Lisa graduated high school, she moved to NYC to pursue her education at NYU and train in dance. While there she studied at Alvin Ailey and Broadway Dance Center. She had the privilege of working with the great ballet masters Dorit Koppel and Natalya Stavro. She also trained under the direction of Jermaine Browne, Luam, Keflezgy, Chio Yamada, Rhapsody James, AmountBoyz, and many other great hip hop talents.
While in NYC, she discovered her interest in choreographing and was able to do so for various dance groups at NYU, including the Student Korean Association. Lisa also had the privilege to work with Shawnette Heard, Janet Jackson’s video director, and had the opportunity to open for Ludacris and Simple Plan back in 2005 at Parkfest.
Since being back in her hometown, she has choreographed for Saratoga Spa Catholic and Queensbury’s high school musical productions, as well as Broadway Upstate. She is also a club advisor for dance club at the Queensbury Intermediate School.
COACH JESSA
Jessa’s love for dance began at the age of 5 at Starlet Dance Works, where she studied under Christina Papa, the studio’s founder. Over the years, Jessa trained in a wide variety of styles including ballet, pointe, jazz, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, acrobatics, and contemporary.
Her passion for teaching blossomed early—she began assistant teaching as a sophomore in high school and transitioned into leading her own classes after graduation. Jessa competed for 10 years, earning overall and platinum awards at numerous regional and national competitions. To further her training, she attended countless workshops, auditions, and guest artist classes. Highlights of her performance experience include roles in two productions of The Nutcracker, with The Russian Ballet Company and at The Saratoga Dance Museum. She also auditioned for Dance Momsat just 10 years old.
Most recently, Jessa taught at Andrea’s Dance Academy in Vermont before relocating to South Glens Falls, NY. With a continued passion for sharing her love of dance, Jessa is excited to bring her experience, energy, and creativity to a new studio community—helping the next generation of dancers grow both technically and artistically. She is honored for this amazing opportunity and looks forward to being a part of such a dedicated and inspiring dance community.
COACH BEKAH
Bekah grew up in Albany, NY, where her love for the performing arts began at the age of 5 with ballet training (Berkshire Ballet). Soon after, she expanded into jazz and tap which became her focus, while also performing in various professional musical theater productions throughout the Capital Region. She went on to study Musical Theater and Dance at Wagner College in Staten Island, earning her BA in 2000.
After college, Bekah taught dance in Brooklyn public schools before transitioning into a career in the music industry, working primarily with Hip Hop artists - a space she has thrived in for the past 20 years. She currently serves as Vice President of A&R Label Relations at Sony Music.
In 2020, Bekah returned to upstate NY and now lives in Saratoga Springs with her husband and two children—one of whom is a proud C3 team member. She’s thrilled to be a part of C3 and to be involved in the dancing community again.