Who we are…
High Level Dance Society (HLDS) is a grassroots San Diego-based nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the community through the transformative power of Hip Hop culture. Founded by Eddie Gutierrez, also known as Eddie Styles of Rock So Fresh Crew and Full Force SD, HLDS is rooted in a deep love for the city that raised its members.
Led by a collective of passionate local leaders and innovators — Melissa Adao (Bgirl Mel), Nick Martinez (Airnick), and Luis Prado (Lprad) — HLDS creates pathways for hope, joy, inclusivity, arts, and cultural empowerment. Their mission is to give back to underserved and BIPOC youth in San Diego by sharing the wisdom, values, and creative freedom of Hip Hop.
Through community-based initiatives, workshops, and events, High Level Dance Society nurtures the next generation with the same spirit of unity, resilience, and expression that shaped their own journeys. At its core, HLDS is more than a dance organization — it's a movement rooted in love, legacy, and leadership.
What we stand on…
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Each One Teach One is the heartbeat of Hip Hop dance — a call to share, uplift, and pass on the culture. In every move we teach, we honor those who came before us and empower those who come next. Through unity, knowledge, and expression, we build a legacy where everyone becomes both student and teacher. The cipher never ends — we grow together, we rise together.
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Love, Peace, Unity & Having Fun — these four pillars are more than just words; they are a way of life within our San Diego Hip Hop community. Through dance, we inspire love by embracing each other's stories. We move in peace, creating safe spaces for expression and growth. We stand in unity, breaking down barriers and building bridges across neighborhoods and generations. And above all, we never forget to have fun — because joy is powerful, and it’s what keeps the culture alive. We dance not just for ourselves, but for each other — to lift, to heal, and to celebrate. Let’s carry these values forward, one step, one beat, one cipher at a time.
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Foundation is Forever — because without roots, there is no growth. At High Level Dance Society, we honor the foundations of Street Dance as sacred ground — not just steps, but stories, struggles, and spirit passed down through generations.
We deeply value the knowledge laid down by the pioneers, the wisdom carried by the culture’s keepers, and the evolution driven by innovators. Our commitment is to learn, preserve, and build with respect — to seek out and connect with those who were there when the movement began, and to carry their lessons forward with integrity and purpose.
Foundation isn’t a phase — it’s a mindset. It’s how we stay grounded as we grow. It’s how we show love to the past while shaping the future. Because in Street Dance — foundation is forever.
Follow us on Instagram: @highleveldancesociety
Meet the team
Luis Prado
Melissa Adao
Sophia Laurio
Nick Martinez
Eddie Gutierrez





