James Ryan Mertz, originally from Long Island, NY began his training at Miss Edie’s Dancin’ Feet where he learned Commercial Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, and Tap. He was also enrolled at the Long Island High School for the Arts where he trained in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Theatre. After high school, he attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA where he evolved his training in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Gaga, Hip-hop, and Contemporary. He has performed in works by Phil Orsano, Geo Hubela, Sharon Eyal, Miles Keeney, Mark Caserta, Sidra Bell, Dolly Sfeir, and more. Currently, James is a company member of The Orsano Project, led by Phil Orsano, as well as Abstrakt Beings, led by Theresa Stone, and dances for the Hip-Hop group 34th & Phunk, led by Geo Hubela, among freelancing.