Portrait of PPAC instructor Amani Jae.

    James Amani Ricks III was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, where he attended Scottsdale Community College. Hip hop as a culture has always been an inspiration to Amani, all the way from the early days growing up, listening to old school artist that his father would play such as Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, and Funk artists Cameo and Zapp & Roger. The excitement from watching the B-boys break, the poppers pop and the lockers lock drew him into the culture and molded his true dance essence. He joined his first dance group in 2002 called the “Fellas.” Since then Amani is a performer on the WNBA Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop squad, Phoenix Suns performance team Solar Squad, as well as Arizona Best Dance Crew Champions the "Elektrolytes." Amani has enjoyed giving back to the community and sharing his experiences and dance knowledge to others. In 2004 he began teaching hip-hop all through out Phoenix. In 2004 as well he began traveling and performing all over with various recording artists. He has performed all over the country including the TV show "Soul Train", appeared in CW6 commercial, a Warner Brother Music Group Video for new recording artist “Braidy,” the Hip Hop Pioneers "Magic" Clothing Convention, a dancer for the Black Eyed Peas at the US Airways Center, old school Rapper Kurtis Blow dancer, Street Jam Rhythm and Dance Co: In Atlanta, San Antonio, Florida and many more. Amani has trained with some of the top choreographers in Los Angeles such as Shane Sparks known for his work in "YouGot Served" and "So You Think You Can Dance," and Kennis Marquis, assistant choreographer from the movie, "Honey". Amani also has taken classes at renowned studios such as The Edge, Millennium Dance Complex and Synthesis Dance School in Los Angeles where he trains under some of Hip-Hop's industry leaders.

Amani Jae has had the opportunity to open up for major acts such as Lil Wayne, Krs-One, Ciara, The Pack, Juice, Kurtis Blow, Tyga, Dolla & The Black Eyed Peas.

His dance classes are high energy, unique and original smooth dance style that will be sure to give you a good workout.