House of Movement Faculty

Top Row (left to right): Skulgan (Pear) Phiphobmongkol, Monique Moses, Paul Jochico, Kaily Buemi, Jewel (Mush) Sales

Bottom Row (left to right): Joshua Ruiz, Robespierre Dornagon, Kristian Nacional

Paul Jochico

Born and raised in NY, Paul began dancing in high school with hip hop showcases and ballroom performances at cotillion celebrations. Inspired by the city's hip hop culture, Paul continued to explore avenues of dance as a commercial and competitive hip hop dancer. Along with Monique Moses, Paul served as a founding Co-Artistic Director of RiSE Dance Company. In their debut competition season, the team finished as the top New York team in the overall Upper Division at WODNY 2013.

While pursuing his passion for dance, Paul also focused on his education. Paul has an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University with a specialty in talent and organizational development. As House of Movement's CEO, Paul combines his passion for dance with talent development best practices to provide a home for New York's dance community. 

Paul Jochico

Born and raised in NY, Paul began dancing in high school with hip hop showcases and ballroom performances at cotillion celebrations. Inspired by the city's hip hop culture, Paul continued to explore avenues of dance as a commercial and competitive hip hop dancer. Along with Monique Moses, Paul served as a founding Co-Artistic Director of RiSE Dance Company. In their debut competition season, the team finished as the top New York team in the overall Upper Division at WODNY 2013.

While pursuing his passion for dance, Paul also focused on his education. Paul has an M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University with a specialty in talent and organizational development. As House of Movement's CEO, Paul combines his passion for dance with talent development best practices to provide a home for New York's dance community. 

Skulgan (Pear) Phiphobmongkol

Pear was born in the U.S., but raised in Bangkok, Thailand. She started dancing at a very young age with ballet and jazz. Then as she grew up, she had learned other different styles such as hip hop, contemporary, belly dance, salsa, and a lot more, from both classes and videos. Pear has joined many competitions both locally and internationally, and won prizes both on a team and as solo dancer. Some of her achievements are the 3rd place for Neo-classical Solo Novice in 2005, and for Neo-classical Solo Open in 2007 (both at CSTD Dance Competition in Perth, Australia), and the 2nd place at Seacon Street Challenge, the biggest street dance competition in Thailand in 2009.

Pear took a big step in her dance career in 2008 working as a backup dancer for Thailand's Top Artists in their concerts, tours, and music videos, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting. Both before and after her graduation, she has been a choreographer for event shows, a dance instructor, and a concert backup singer, and she has played some roles in Thai musicals too. Pear recently came to New York in 2012, and she is also a choreographer for Mint Dance Company.

Skulgan (Pear) Phiphobmongkol

Pear was born in the U.S., but raised in Bangkok, Thailand. She started dancing at a very young age with ballet and jazz. Then as she grew up, she had learned other different styles such as hip hop, contemporary, belly dance, salsa, and a lot more, from both classes and videos. Pear has joined many competitions both locally and internationally, and won prizes both on a team and as solo dancer. Some of her achievements are the 3rd place for Neo-classical Solo Novice in 2005, and for Neo-classical Solo Open in 2007 (both at CSTD Dance Competition in Perth, Australia), and the 2nd place at Seacon Street Challenge, the biggest street dance competition in Thailand in 2009.

Pear took a big step in her dance career in 2008 working as a backup dancer for Thailand's Top Artists in their concerts, tours, and music videos, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting. Both before and after her graduation, she has been a choreographer for event shows, a dance instructor, and a concert backup singer, and she has played some roles in Thai musicals too. Pear recently came to New York in 2012, and she is also a choreographer for Mint Dance Company.

Jewel (Mush) Sales

Raised in Old Bridge, New Jersey,  Jewel,  also known as Mush, found her passion in dance in high school at the age of 15 when she did her first Asian Pacific showcase. Later on, she started to train more seriously with RDT at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. It took a few tries but she did not give up. Jewel was also studying Visual Arts in Mason Gross where she found a love for both art and dance. She then became artistic director of RDT. Jewel joined a 90-day rigorous program called D.A.N.C.E. where Jewel's growth evolved as she was mentored by Jake Pesquira.  She also performed in San Francisco for Sockhop Dance Competition hosted by Funkanometry SF. She was a part of East Coast Dance Project led by  Michael Estaban, Leslie Hubilla, and Adrian Causing from FR3SH on America's Best Dance Crew Season 4. Later on, Alonzo Williams discovered her and invited her to train with Rhythm City who also featured on ABDC 4 and BET. She performed and traveled through major cities in China with RC and Domo from The Voice.

Currently, Jewel is exploring what it is like to be in front of the camera for her own production "Unapologetic" which is a video series she directed and choreographed to unravel her wild concepts on film. Jewel is filled with passion and adventure. She loves touching her students with inspiration, empowerment, and exploration. She will open up a world of art and entertainment to her students sharing her experiences and humbled mindset. Her style of dance is a fusion of street jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Jewel continues to grow as a dancer, artist, risk taker, and human to touch, move and inspire others.

Jewel (Mush) Sales

Raised in Old Bridge, New Jersey,  Jewel,  also known as Mush, found her passion in dance in high school at the age of 15 when she did her first Asian Pacific showcase. Later on, she started to train more seriously with RDT at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. It took a few tries but she did not give up. Jewel was also studying Visual Arts in Mason Gross where she found a love for both art and dance. She then became artistic director of RDT. Jewel joined a 90-day rigorous program called D.A.N.C.E. where Jewel's growth evolved as she was mentored by Jake Pesquira.  She also performed in San Francisco for Sockhop Dance Competition hosted by Funkanometry SF. She was a part of East Coast Dance Project led by  Michael Estaban, Leslie Hubilla, and Adrian Causing from FR3SH on America's Best Dance Crew Season 4. Later on, Alonzo Williams discovered her and invited her to train with Rhythm City who also featured on ABDC 4 and BET. She performed and traveled through major cities in China with RC and Domo from The Voice.

Currently, Jewel is exploring what it is like to be in front of the camera for her own production "Unapologetic" which is a video series she directed and choreographed to unravel her wild concepts on film. Jewel is filled with passion and adventure. She loves touching her students with inspiration, empowerment, and exploration. She will open up a world of art and entertainment to her students sharing her experiences and humbled mindset. Her style of dance is a fusion of street jazz, contemporary, and hip hop. Jewel continues to grow as a dancer, artist, risk taker, and human to touch, move and inspire others.

Robespierre Dornagon

A born and raised Queens, New York native, Robespierre began his journey with dance in his college years. He was reluctant to audition having no prior dance experience until some of the members on the college team pushed him to try it. From there, he trained with the Urban Beats Crew of the University of Scranton and eventually directed and lead the team in his Senior Year as President. It was his four years with this team, where he began to build his passion for dance, specifically focusing on hip hop dance.

After graduating and relocating back to New York, Rob learned about a newly formed team in New York called RISE Dance Company. Joining, training and competing with RISE in their first season was the driving force Rob took into taking dance more seriously. Rob is honored to have choreographed for the RISE WODNY2013 set where they placed in the TOP 5 of the Upper Division. He is currently Co-Artistic Director for Mint Dance Company heading into their first competition season! Rob is also CFO of House of Movement and hopes that this company will be an outlet for all dancers in the community where they can dance, learn and grow. 

Joshua Ruiz

Joshua was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He started dance as a hobby when he was 12 years old, teaching himself street styles of hip hop such as krumping, getting buck, and the hyphy movement. At the age of 15, Josh fell under the direction of Rachel Wight and Rebecca Lehman learning all styles of dance including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and ballroom. Continuing his education after high school, he decided to take on other styles such as West and South African.

Josh has been working as a professional dancer and instructor since the age of 17. His first big performance was dancing back up for Omarion back in early 2008. He has gone on to choreograph for many teams and many shows since then. Joshua danced professionally for Disney World in 2010. He now resides in New York City working as the Co-Artistic Director for Mint Dance Company and as an independent dancer and instructor.

Joshua Ruiz

Joshua was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He started dance as a hobby when he was 12 years old, teaching himself street styles of hip hop such as krumping, getting buck, and the hyphy movement. At the age of 15, Josh fell under the direction of Rachel Wight and Rebecca Lehman learning all styles of dance including ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary, and ballroom. Continuing his education after high school, he decided to take on other styles such as West and South African.

Josh has been working as a professional dancer and instructor since the age of 17. His first big performance was dancing back up for Omarion back in early 2008. He has gone on to choreograph for many teams and many shows since then. Joshua danced professionally for Disney World in 2010. He now resides in New York City working as the Co-Artistic Director for Mint Dance Company and as an independent dancer and instructor.

Monique Moses 

Canadian born and Caribbean bred, Monique began her dance career studying tap and jazz, but transitioned to focus on hip hop and funk styles. She has been on corporate dance teams for Kia Motors and Pepsi, and has danced in videos for Kevin Lyttle, Robbie Williams and Jest Originals. She has created choreography and performed at Toronto's Choreographer's Ball and Monsters of Hip Hop, as well as East Coast dance competitions Pride, Prelude and Defining Rhythm. As former Co-Artistic Director of RISE Dance Company, she lead the team as the top New York team in the Upper Division of World of Dance NY 2013.

In addition to dance, Monique is an actress and comedienne, performing improv and sketch comedy weekly on stages all over New York City.  

Kristian Nacional

Kristian is currently a junior at Adelphi University. He was first inspired to dance after watching the movie - "You Got Served" at the age of 12. It wasn't until after his first performance in junior year high school when he felt that he wanted to make dance a part of his life. He has competed and showcased with various dance crews and dance companies. He currently dances with EPIC Motion Dance Company while continuing to learn and refine his craft. 

"Dance is a big part of my life because it helped me improve my self-confidence and self-esteem. I felt like this was something I could be really good at if I put my time into it. I wouldn't be the same person I am today if it wasn't for dance, and I am grateful to those who have helped me continue to improve along the way."

Kristian Nacional

Kristian is currently a junior at Adelphi University. He was first inspired to dance after watching the movie - "You Got Served" at the age of 12. It wasn't until after his first performance in junior year high school when he felt that he wanted to make dance a part of his life. He has competed and showcased with various dance crews and dance companies. He currently dances with EPIC Motion Dance Company while continuing to learn and refine his craft. 

"Dance is a big part of my life because it helped me improve my self-confidence and self-esteem. I felt like this was something I could be really good at if I put my time into it. I wouldn't be the same person I am today if it wasn't for dance, and I am grateful to those who have helped me continue to improve along the way."

House of Movement Faculty

Left to Right: Monique Moses, Skulgan (Pear) Phiphobmongkol, Joshua Ruiz, Robespierre Dornagon, Kaily Buemi, Paul Jochico,  Jewel (Mush) Sales, Kristian Nacional