Hiroko Gier:
Hiroko began her studies of ballet at the age of three under the Homura Tomoi Ballet School & Company in Japan. It was there that she gained her passion for dance. She continued her studies in New York under the watchful eyes of Maria Jones, Colleen Blair, and many other instructors in NYC. Hiroko graduated Cum Laude from University of Hartford and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in performance. While attending the University, she has trained and performed for many instructors such as Susan Brooker, Peggy Lyman, Raymond Lukens, Amy Marshall, Adam Miller, Hilda Morales, Alla Nikitina, Ralph Perkins, Kirk Peterson and Katie Stevinson-Nollet. After acquiring her BFA, she began her career as a dance instructor to help students explore and expand their love and knowledge of dance.
Fun Facts: She has performed with Danny Tidwell from SYTYCD. Upon moving to Albany, she performed with the Albany River Rats AHL Ice Mice Dance Team and was casted for television commercials, independent short movie and movie trailer. She currently lives in East Greenbush, NY with her husband and her two kids.
Amanda Smith:
Amanda is an upstate New York local who started dancing at the age of seven and has a wide spread background in all genres of dance with an exceptional interest in Hip Hop and Modern. After years of intensive master classes at Broadway Dance Center in NYC, Pulse tours and years of being a competitive dancer, Amanda evolved into a recognized competitive instructor and choreographer. She works at both regional and national levels. Amanda has received numerable prestigious awards and high scores for her routines, including choreography awards and entertainment awards at many dance competitions. In 2010, Amanda joined partnership and opened the dance school “Ballet and All That Jazz, LLC” in East Greenbush, NY. As an instructor, her teaching style is fresh, innovative and wildly popular amongst today’s youth to inspire them to work to their best potential.
Amanda’s journey as a fitness instructor began in 2011 when she became a certified ZUMBA Fitness® Instructor and active ZIN Member. Amanda loves the energy and results from this terrific workout! In 2012, she began “Fitness by Amanda Leigh” which is specifically designed to help empower others fitness goals and to create fitness programs that is fun! Amanda’s fitness motto is “Never doubt yourself!”
As the mother of two young children, Amanda knows first-hand what a woman goes through pre and post pregnancy. Amanda can relate to the struggle of getting back into shape and the moments when you just want to give up. She is dedicated to providing safe effective exercises to postpartum mothers with their Lovey’s and is excited to begin her newest journey as a certified Mommy & Baby Fitness Instructor.
Fun Facts: Amanda has extensively trained under many celebrities including Luam, Mia Michaels, Wade Robson and Frank Hatchett. She loves to visit NYC to attend annual Dance Teacher Seminars to exceed in extraordinary educational training from the top dance educators from all around the world. Amanda lives in Upstate, New York with her husband and two daughters.