Did you ever wonder how the Sixers Junior Dance Team has learned the latest in Hip-Hop moves? Well check out their dance instructors Tori Closson and AleKsa Chimel.

Tori (left) and LeX (right) are currently in their third season as coordinators of the Sixers Junior Dance Team.

AleKsa Chmiel (a.k.a. LeX) began her dance training over 16 years ago. She has trained extensively with several hip-hop masters and originators as well as being trained in jazz, tap, lyrical and some salsa. Lex was a touring company member with the acclaimed Rennie Harris Puremovement and original cast member of "Rome & Jewels" Hip-Hop theater production. She was a core performer in the production "Cool Heat Urban Beat," where she toured Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, etc and has worked with recording artists such as Will Smith, Pink, Sean Paul, etc. From 2001-2002, she was a member of the NBA Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team and has been co-choreographer of the 76ers first Junior Hip-Hop Dance Team since 2001 and Fox's Good Day Philadelphia Hip-Hop Dance Team 2001 & 02. LeX has been an instructor for Philadelphia’s top Hip Hop Dance Festival, Illadelph Legends 2001, ’02, & ’03. Besides teaching and choreographing at several studios in the Philadelphia area, in 2002 she teamed up with a fellow choreographer, Tori Closson, to create FloMotion Dance Company and FloMotion, Too and recently opened FloMotion Funk Facility dance studio.

Tori Lynn Closson was born in Philadelphia, PA. She studied Ballet, Pointe, Tap and Jazz at Florence Cowanova Studio of Dance in West Philadelphia for fifteen years. She graduated from Padua Academy High School in Wilmington, Delaware in 1994 and then completed her education at Hampton University in Hampton, VA receiving a BA in English Arts in 1999. Immediately following graduation, Tori appeared on MTV's "Global Groove" and was inspired by a few of the members of Rennie Harris' Puremovement Company. That was when she decided to take Hip Hop classes and learn about all the elements of the style and culture. Tori performed all over the Tri-State area during this time and even studied ballroom competition dancing.

In March of 2000, both Tori and Lex were hired by Fox Philadelphia for the morning program, "Good Day Philadelphia." Through Fox Philadelphia Tori and Lex created the Good Day Philadelphia Hip Hop Dance Team, which consists of kids between the ages of 10 through 12. The Fox Kids would perform during the summertime on select Fridays on live television. The Good Day Philadelphia Hip Hop Dance Team has just completed its second season. Debbie Appaluci, director of the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team, was a consultant on the 2001 Good Day Philadelphia Team and approached Tori and Lex about the possibility of doing choreography for the first Sixers Junior Dance Team. Tori and Lex are currently in their second season as choreographers of the Sixers Junior Dance Team. Tori & Lex are also instructors and choreographers of master Hip Hop classes at a variety of dance schools and studios in the Philadelphia area. Lex enjoys DJ’s and is hoping to start a career in music production. Tori is looking forward to working with her partner, Lex, to create their own Hip Hop Dance Company.