Preserving the culture of breaking is what is important to James Alexander, founder and director of Flavor’d Flow Studio—the first hip-hop-culture-based dance studio in Columbus, Ohio. Alexander, a Columbus-native, remembers when breaking reemerged in the 1990s and underground hip-hop events started popping up, which is where he was first introduced to the art form. “I […]
When Rennie Harris University (RHU) launched earlier this year, it was a long time coming. Like, 20 years long: Harris first had the idea for the street dance teacher certification program in early 2000, and it sat on the back burner as Harris prioritized the many other projects on his impressive resumé—from his Rennie Harris […]
While contemporary jazz teacher Stacie Webster keeps her choreography rooted in traditional jazz, she likes to incorporate soulful music in the studio. “I gravitate toward deep house music because it’s a mixture of house, jazz, funk and soul,” says Webster, who has taught for the Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens program since 2007. “It […]
Robin Dunn loves to teach the sexy walk in her beginner hip-hop classes, because it’s a basic step, yet students can put their own mark on it. Two key things to remember: Maintain a light bounce and relax the upper body throughout. “Another key thing? Put your personality into it,” says Dunn. Robin Dunn is […]
Ask anyone at the University of Southern California’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance how they feel about assistant professor of practice, d. Sabela grimes, and they automatically begin to sing his praises. Not only is he one of the department’s most beloved and dynamic educators, he is among the most respected and innovative facilitators of […]
“This is what I like to call my ‘PG but LIT’ playlist,” says Showstopper Dance Convention teacher Taylor Quinn. “That means all of these songs are great for kids 8 and under, and I get to enjoy them, too. I use this playlist for our stretch and warm-up, going across the floor and sometimes even […]
Warning: “Get Stupid” is about to be stuck in your head—again!—and you’ll love every second of it. Remember the uber-catchy song in that Samsung Galaxy S9 commercial from back in February? No big deal if you don’t, because that infectious track—Aston Merrygold’s deliciously danceable “Get Stupid”—is back, and this time there’s an incredibly dancy music […]
Looking for your next audition shoe? Shot at and in collaboration with Broadway Dance Center, Só Dança has launched a new collection of shoes working with some pretty famous faces of the musical theater world! Offered in two different styles and either 2.5″ or 3″ heels, top industry professionals are loving how versatile and supportive […]
We’re willing to bet that, by now, you’ve not only heard of hiplet, you’ve formed some opinions about it, too. Homer Hans Bryant (DT, February 2008), who coined the term and the dance style (it’s a hybrid of hip hop and ballet, and it’s pronounced “hip-lay”), knows he has his critics and detractors. But his […]
Pavan Thimmaiah casually hovers in a freeze, his weight between his head and hands on the floor, legs extending out on an upward diagonal. From this topsy-turvy position, he encourages his students to try this breaking staple. “Take a picture and make it your Facebook profile,” he jokes. Self-taught Thimmaiah founded PMT Dance Studio in […]