about

Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning in the community through creative development for youth and adults. We do that using the four elements of hip hop and its culture through a curriculum-based program that is easy to understand and stimulates human expression.

team

Each of our team members are experienced in their said areas of concentration. They understand that no two bodies are alike and will work and encourage you to reach the goal you aspire.

HAGERSTOWN

PETER ARIZMENDI
“BAM”

Owner
Born in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, BAM “THE LIQUID ROBOT”, has been performing since the age of nine.” I was amazed by the way the street dancers on the Lower East Side expressed themselves through dance, and I quickly became inspired to learn these techniques”. Through urban dance BAM was able to avoid the perils of the streets while growing up.

TOBY TOWSON

Acro Ballet
Toby Towson started dancing late in life and is making up for it by still dancing into his seventh decade. He has performed his acrobatic dances throughout America and also in Canada, Switzerland, Germany, and Spain. He was the original Barkley the Dog on television’s Sesame Street following a friendship with Jim Henson’s family. Toby taught himself to walk on his hands when he was eight years old and won national recognition competing in men’s floor exercise gymnastics, graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in psychology. Later in life he earned a M.Ed degree from University of Maryland and taught in public schools in MD for ten years. He is married to Kathy Talbott with whom he is helping to raise their three daughters, Ella, Anya, and Eva.

DEREK WILLIAMS
“SMILES DEEP”

MC
Derek, better known as Smiles Deep, is originally from Columbia, MD and came to Hagerstown in 2012. Smiles began his journey with Fresh Academicz in 2014 when he was a student of Spencer Jackson. Smiles now teaches the MC class. His passion for helping students pursue their creativity through words, beats, and dance is described as his "dream job."

TONY WILLIAMS

MC

Tony aka “T-Wills” is from Schenectady, New York and recently relocated to Hagerstown. He has a passion for reaching youth through hip-hop and mentorship. His experience includes being part of a hip hop group, Compelled by His Love, being featured in two music videos and three mixtapes and has performed on stages across the Northeast. He looks forward to raising up the next generation of MC’s and performing artists during his time at Fresh Academicz.

BRITTANY ARIZMENDI

Administrative & Marketing
Brittany grew up in Williamsport, MD and spent her early years dancing jazz and tap. It wasn’t until she joined her college dance team where she was introduced to the hip hop scene. She spent several years in Virginia where she taught hip hop to teenage girls as part of a youth ministry. After a small stint of helping at a church plant in Los Angeles, Brittany recently moved back to her hometown. She is excited to be part of the Fresh Academicz team and is looking forward to the cultivation of creativity that will come from students at the studio!