Getting Real with Rūts - Tee Kustin

TEE KUSTIN

Skateboard in hand, hamburger backpack on, Tee Kustin rolls up to Rūts Dance Studio ready to dance and connect. 

If you’ve taken his class, you know that Tee is an advocate for exchange of ideas and opening up a space for raw exploration and conversation. You’ve also probably seen him end class with a sit-down session in the Rūts parking lot chatting 1:1 with each student wishing to pick his brain. Just from a quick conversation or a class observation, it’s easy to see that Tee loves connecting with others. 

“I think the respect should be all mutual, so I don’t see myself any different than anyone taking [class].” 

With a battle background from Detroit, Michigan, Tee brings a fresh take on foundation, expression, and movement. 

After moving to LA in 2023, Tee started teaching and connecting with the community right away. Just two years in, he’s been signed to Clear Talent Group, worked with renowned choreographers, and has a performance resume that includes global venues, as well as Coachella, with a variety of top K-pop artists. 

Having gone from the battle world to the choreography world, he says the transition period and cultural shift was definitely something to get used to. From dancing for hours on end with the sole goal of getting better, to being around people who pay their bills with dance, he reflects on the contrast—and how each world brings such a wide mix of people. 

“The value on each side is so high. It’s been really fun being able to see both perspectives.” 

Now balancing both battle and choreo, he says he never really stepped out of one world to go into another. From rehearsing choreography, then going straight into freestyle practice, he reminisces on the hours spent in his hotel room for out-of-town gigs.  

Tee’s eyes light up when talking about the places he’s traveled. Fueled by culture, people, and traveling, Tee loves meeting locals and forging connections with the dance community wherever he goes. His favorite places from tour include Mexico and the Bay Area, specifically Oakland.

He speaks fondly about his workaholic tendencies and how Los Angeles fuels that fire. In a city that’s always moving, he thoroughly enjoys being surrounded by the hard-working individuals and deep culture that make up L.A.  

“You can make international connections and still be [here]. No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it in L.A. and I don’t think anywhere in [the States] is like that.”

With 8 years of dance experience and 2 years of teaching under his belt—including one year at Rūts—Tee is passionate about sharing his love for movement and inspiring others to start dancing.

His message to fellow dancers? “Foundation is key!” 

What’s on the come up? 

Visiting Europe for the first time! Catch Tee at Summer Dance Forever 2025 in Amsterdam. 

Where can you find Tee?

Don’t miss his next Hip Hop Development Intensive at Rūts this Thursday, May 29th  9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

He just won the 1vs1 Hip Hop Battle at Versa-Style’s 20th Anniversary Street Dance Festival! Check out one of his rounds here. 

Find him on IG: @teekustin @teamkustin @kustinkamp 

Interviewed and blog written by: Lexi Novak -Rūts Dance Studio