Rikud Studio has opened in Prospect Heights, introducing a dance education model that prioritizes street and club dance forms over traditional ballet-based curriculums.

Located near Barclays Center, the studio focuses exclusively on breaking, hip-hop, and house. In its first two months, the facility has enrolled more than 165 students and currently offers 30 weekly classes for children, teens, and adults. The studio operates without mirrors, ballet classes, or traditional recitals.

Rikud was founded by Caila Moed, a former finance and philanthropy professional at Goldman Sachs and Lincoln Center with over 20 years of dance training. Moed established the venture to provide an alternative to the European-rooted dance education standard.

“Most dance studio education in the U.S. still starts with ballet and works towards recitals,” Moed said. “But historically, hundreds of distinct dance traditions emerged from cultures around the world long before ballet became the norm in European courts. Hip-hop, house, and breaking are complete dance forms with their own techniques, histories, and pedagogies.”

Instruction at the studio centers on foundational movements such as bouncing, rocking, and grooving. Technical training includes breaking fundamentals like toprock, footwork, power moves, and freezes. All classes are led by professional dancers and choreographers, including Master Teacher Andrew Carter, known professionally as B-boy Dr. Ew.

The studio offers age-specific programming, including:

• Littles (ages 0-3): A caregiver-and-child class introducing rhythm and social dancing.
• Minimovers (ages 3-5): A hip-hop movement class focusing on balance and body control.
• Kids and Teens (ages 5-17): Fusion classes blending hip-hop styles with breaking and popping.
• Adult Sessions: Low-pressure hip-hop classes and low-cost open sessions for house and hip-hop.

Rikud is also launching a summer camp running from June 15 to Aug. 14, 2026, in collaboration with HereNow Cultural Space in Bed-Stuyvesant. The camp will include instruction in breaking, DJing, and graffiti arts, alongside neighborhood cultural tours.

The studio’s location connects students to neighborhoods with significant hip-hop history, including the childhood homes of The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z. Rikud also hosts community events, such as breaking battles and family dance parties.

To learn more about class schedules and enrollment, visit rikudstudio.com.

••••• Message Center••••

Lily Vakili is set to release her intimate six-song Live Wire EP May 8 (pre-save here).  Recorded with her collaborator, the Grammy-Award winning, Emmy-nominated producer/engineer Reed Turchi, Live Wire an old-school, live in-studio, audio and video recording of songs named for what fans and critics alike say is a perfect description of her charismatic performance style.  She will be playing a special EP release show in NYC on May 6 at Francis Kite Club – get tickets here and in Philadelphia May 20 at Nikki Lopez – get tickets here.

Follow us on social media: Facebook • Instagram • Threads •  X • Bluesky • Tiktok • Reddit

Looking for news and events beyond NYC? Finding Connecticut and Finding The Hudson Valley have the latest happenings just north of the city!

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Share your New York City experiences on instagram #findingnewyorkcity

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding New York City. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain. 

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code NYC35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding New York City include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops• Pet Treats