The Teaching Staff
Making Continuing Education a Lifestyle
FLI-City Studios is proud to have staff that value education and a strong work ethic teaching in the classrooms. They are looking to meet the student where they are and help them build their skills from there. Here is a look at the instructors for our 2024/2025 season.
Alisyn "Wonderland" Hurd
Instructor and Director
Alisyn has been dancing and performing since the age of 4 in dance and competitive figure skating. She earned her Bachelors of Performing Arts in Dance from Oakland University and Her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA in partnership with the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt, Germany. She has been an active member of the Michigan Hip-Hop scene since 2006, participating in workshops, performances, and battles as a competitor, judge, and organizer. Formerly a member of Lunchbox Jams Crew, currently a member of Vertical Ambition crew and Vertical Ambition Dance Company which she co-founded with Jared Hurd in 2008. She is currently a professor of dance at Alma College.
Guadalupe Gayton
Instructor
Guadalupe Gaytan (she/her) received her B.A in dance from Oakland University in 2025. During her time at Oakland she participated in the Oakland Dance Theater and Repertory Dance Company. The Oakland Dance Theater allowed her to work under her professors as well as collaborate with other students for dance performances. The Repertory Dance Company in particular has granted her the opportunity to perform in events such as ACDA and Oakland Dance Festival. While a student, Guadalupe had the privilege of working with Vertical Ambition, a modern dance company based in Flint, MI, from 2021-2022. Having performed with Vertical Ambition, Guadalupe had the opportunity to perform modern, jazz, and hip hop choreography.
In addition to performance, Gudalupe is committed to teaching upcoming generations of dancers. She has taught at Mt. Zion Performing Arts from 2021-2022, focusing on teaching dance technique, as well as encouraging creativity and personal growth.
When not on stage or in the studio, Guadalupe enjoys hosting living room dance parties with her son and daughter. She believes in the importance of dance and is excited to inspire others through movement.
Jared "J-aura" Hurd
Instructor and Co-Director
Jared has been breaking since 2001 and has spent that time as a choreographer, competitor, crew leader, battle judge, and event promoter. Formed the Zion Crew in 2001, joined Lunchbox Jams in 2005, and finally co-founded Vertical Ambition Dance Company and Crew in 2008 where he remains an active member to this day. Always bored sticking to one discipline, Jared has focused on Tumbling, Parkour and Freerunning, Trampoline, traditional Hip-Hop forms and Funk Styles, as well as, Contemporary, Modern, and Ballet.
His career in dance strongly adheres to the "each one teach one" tenet of Hip-Hop culture. Jared has been actively teaching for over 20 years in community groups, at studios, with master classes, open sessions and workshops. He is a graduate of the 2019 International Teachers Training course from the B-Boy Dojo and is looking forward to continuing his education in dance and pedagogy.