Our Team
Shake It Up Dance Studio has two main points to its overall philosophy: quality teaching and treating people as we would like to be treated. Truly believing in this philosophy, and implementing it, has allowed for Shake It Up to be blessed with a wonderful group of instructors and students. Shake It Up was created from the ground up by Kerry Emerson and Kyle Cummings in March of 2007. With two months of hand-built renovation by Kerry, Kyle, and their entire group of family and friends, Shake It Up opened it's doors to quality teaching in May of 2007. Ever since that time, the Shake It Up family of students has grown every day, allowing Shake It Up to build it's group of professional instructors steadily. Not only does Shake It Up believe in treating its students with the utmost respect and care, it also believes in treating it's instructors with care, respect, and professionalism. With this in mind, we feel that we continue to build a very strong team of caring professionals for our students. Whether you're a brand new student who's never danced before, or you have years of experience, it is our goal that all of our students feel as though they are openly welcomed by our entire team to the Shake It Up family.

Kerry Cummings
When Kerry was 14 years old, her mom enrolled her in a summer Lindy Hop Swing class. From that moment on, Kerry knew that she wanted a life of dancing. With entrepreneurial parents, Kerry always had a passion for starting a business, and when she began dancing, she realized the opportunity to open a unique dance studio. Kerry continued dancing throughout high school, performing and competing as an amateur. After high school, Kerry began to focus on her dream of becoming an entrepreneur, and decided to attend La Sierra University to achieve her degree in business. Throughout her college experience, Kerry geared all of her business projects towards starting a dance studio. Shortly after graduating with honors from the school of business & management, Kerry and Kyle opened Shake It Up Dance Studio. Kerry loves fulfilling her dream by working her absolute hardest to bring every Shake It Up student high quality dance instruction in a fun and friendly environment.

Kyle Cummings
When Kyle met Kerry at age 15, she had always told him that she would love to start a ballroom dance studio. On their journey to receive bachelor degrees from La Sierra University school of business, Kyle helped Kerry quarter after quarter developing a business plan that would help her achieve her dream. Kyle turned a childhood hobby of water ski racing into a world class experience through college, earning him numerous world championship medals. With this sport as Kyle's focus throughout college, Kyle was introduced to learning dance after graduating in 2006. Through Kerry and the entire Shake It Up team, Kyle continues to learn dancing each day. Whether it's marketing, construction, or day-to-day business operations, Kyle takes to heart his job of making sure that each student at Shake It Up has a wonderful experience.

Bailey Carrillo
Bailey began working for Kerry's Coffee House when it originally opened inside Shake It Up in April 2009, and was immediately fascinated by the ballroom dancing every night. She was a cheerleader for seven years and had always wanted to try ballroom dancing since the first time she saw Dancing with the Stars when she was fourteen years old. Bailey soon began to take lessons and tried to absorb as much information as she could. She began to develop more and more of a passion for dance which drew the attention of Ballroom dancing judge Kris Lloyd, another Shake It Up instructor; Kris and Bailey began training together for hours and hours and Kris has helped Bailey reach the professional level. Through days and months of training, Bailey segued from barista to ballroom dance professional! Bailey loves dancing and she loves being able to help others achieve their ballroom dancing goals!

Natalie Johnson
After twelve-years of playing volleyball, Natalie has now decided to dedicate her time and energy to her other love, dance. Natalie started dancing as a young child and was introduced to ballroom dance during her college years. She danced with the Sacramento State Ballroom Dance Company for one year while she completed her degree in Child Development with a minor in Dance. Along with her ballroom experience, Natalie has experience performing in modern, African Caribbean, and improvisation dance styles; as well as competing with the Sacramento State Ballroom Dance Company. She has experience teaching yoga, modern dance and country line dancing, which she has been dancing socially for over six years. While Natalie loves every artistic aspect of dance, she'll be excited to tell you that choreography is her favorite! Natalie has been with Shake It Up since January 2008 where she continues to bless the lives of our students with amazing performances, choreography, talent, and energy.

Germaine Lewis
Since the time he could walk Germaine has been dancing! In high school, his love for dance lead him to become an IKE Dancer for the Eisenhower Dance Team. Taking over as team captain after lifelong friend and now fellow co-worker, Jonathan, graduated; Germaine lead his team to their second championship in two years! While attending Cal State Long Beach, Germaine studied many forms of dance styles, where he developed his passion for ballroom dance. Germaine is both a warm and friendly instructor and also a fierce competitor. Shake It Up is happy to have Germaine as a part of its team, where he can do what he does best -- contribute his talent and knowledge of dance with people who are passionate and excited about learning.

Kris Lloyd-Johnson
At age 2, Kris' mom saw the potential that her daughter had for dancing and decided to enroll her into classes. Growing up, Kris was heavily involved in tap, jazz, ballet, & country. In 2001 Kris began training to be an instructor in ballroom dancing. She has been teaching ever since, and is a certified dance instructor through the World of Professional Dance Teachers Association. To add to Kris' prestigious resume, she is also a ballroom judge for the National Dance Council of America, a national competing smooth finalist, a top female teacher throughout the western part of the United States, and also represents world renowned LeNique designer dancewear. When you meet Kris, you'll immediately discover that the professionalism and personality that she brings to Shake It Up is deeply valued.

Jonathan Seals
If anyone knows Jonathan Seals they know one thing about him, he absolutely loves to dance. Jonathan started dancing in high school with the IKE Dance Team, where he became proficient in such styles of dance as Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, and Ballet. Under his lead the team went on to become national champions. After high school he found himself searching for new and interesting dance styles. His journey led him to the world of ballroom dance. After one box step he was hooked. Ballroom dance became his living, and his life. He, accompanied by his lovely partner Raquel, has been a national competing finalist in both smooth and rhythm Rising Star Open divisions, along with being the 2008 Open World Hustle Champion. His passion for dancing is dwarfed only by his love for teaching. As an instructor he dedicates himself to helping open the eyes and hearts of all his students to the world of ballroom dancing.

Juan Uribe
Juan began his love for dance in the summer of 1999. He started his dancing as a salsa student and quickly realized that he had a love for dancing. Juan's passion for dance rapidly grew and he began to train as a teacher. He has taught at several different ballroom dance schools in Los Angeles, San Bernardino county, Orange county, and even at the University of Tuebingen, Germany. He is very experienced in teaching beginning and advanced dancers, and also trains other professionals. Juan has performed and competed in both American Smooth and American Latin dances, and also does performances in tap and modern dance. Juan has been working at Shake It Up since January of 2008 and enjoys working with such a close-knit staff, in a great environment, and with such wonderful students. He looks forward to enjoying many years with the Shake It Up family and sharing his professional experience with everyone.

Raquel Urquizu
As a child, Raquel was always surrounded by music and dancing. Like many people, she was always too shy to dance, let alone in front of other people! At the age of 12, she was inspired by the motion picture "Salsa." She gained the courage to start learning salsa and fell in love with dancing! She soon after joined her high school salsa dance team and eventually became captain, performing all over the Inland Empire. In 2006, Raquel began training in and teaching ballroom dancing. She has been a national competing finalist in both smooth and rhythm Rising Star Open divisions, along with being the 2008 Open World Hustle Champion. Raquel joined the Shake It Up family in 2010, and we are very happy that she is able to use her talents, abilities, and passion for dance to help others better their dancing skills and to boost personal confidence.