(Juliette Irons, Fresh Dance Intensive and The Pulse on Tour 2013)
It's been quite a while since I last posted on my blog! Almost six months in fact....so many amazing things have happened and I'm happy to share my journey with you. I'm constantly surprised by the talent there exists in the dance community and the amazing people I'm lucky enough to cross paths with.
First up is footage from Juliette Irons' class at Millenium Dance Complex. Juliette is a dancer/choreographer on Faculty with Top 10 Dance Challenge - a new dance competition and convention that debuted in 2013 with a 7-city tour. Check out 0:43 where I had the opportunity to take class and dance alongside the talents of Maggie Wade, Daniel Gaymon, Matt Luck, Austin Spacey and Nathan Makolandra.
I love taking class with Juliette any time I can and working with her on my contemporary solo for the 2014 season. We always have so much fun dancing and creating together. We love to feed off each others ideas in a collaborative process. Here is my favorite moment from my solo "Darkness to Light", captured by Visual Tech Productions at Adrenaline Dance Convention.
FRESH Dance Intensive
FRESH Dance is a workshop series created by David Norsworthy and Kristen Carcone. It was founded in 2007 and has since grown to hold events across Canada and throughout the USA. In 2013, FRESH held 28 workshops and conventions for a total student body of over 2000 dancers.
I was honored to be asked to teach at my first dance convention in November 2013. I taught my first hip hop class at one of FRESH's in-studio workshop to a group of intermediate age dancers. FRESH is about "artistry, exploration, passion, energy, imagination, creative risk-taking and honesty". I love the Fresh mandate and was happy to share my passion for dance with the enthusiastic workshop participants in such an intimate environment.
Thank you to Kristen Carcone and David Norsworthy for the opportunity to teach at your Workshop. I look forward to sharing my passion with other young, aspiring artists at a future date!
The Pulse on Tour
It was a privilege to be an Elite Protege for the Pulse and the thrill of meeting up with Pulse dancers, friends and Faculty never ends for me. Whenever there is a chance to attend a Pulse event, I love to go and my first visit was Dallas and then Atlanta. I was re-united with my bestie Tori both times and we had a blast together!
With my buddy Sean Lew
Above with my beautiful Elite Mama, Kristen and waiting for class to start with Kierstyn, Tori, Morgan, Serena and Savannah
Hanging out after the showcase with Tori, MVP and the boys (who are hiding from pictures on the opposite couch!)
With Larsen, Tori and Felicia in Atlanta. And with Tori looking fabulous as always in Dallas
With Papa Judd back from New Zealand's Got Talent, Sean Lew, Jake Landegrebe, Gil Duldulao and Dom Battiste. Posing with my favorite crew member MVP and with Tori, both of us modelling sequin pants from Tessandra Chavez's new "Timeless Creations" product line, available through Discount Dance Supply
I can't say how much the Pulse on Tour has changed my life....but this Tour and it's Faculty is comprised of some of the most caring and supportive individuals Ive met on my dance journey. I'm honored to be an Elite Protege Alumni and stand proudly beside the elites before me! Check out videos of Brian Friedman's Classes from Dallas and Atlanta:
Raise The Bar Workshop - Montreal, Canada
I attended "Raise the Bar" Workhop in Montreal last March and plans are underway for another workshop for March 2014. Check out the promo reel for more information:
MONSTERS OF HIP HOP
In November, I had the chance to attend the Monsters of Hip Hop Convention in Mystic, Conneticut. I love going to Monsters - this is my second year attending their conventions. Andy, Gene, Dave, the Faculty and Monsters Staff always offer a weekend of full-out dancing, where dancers of all ages can share in their love of dance. The combos are always challenging and fun; and the dancers are supportive of each other.
It was an amazing weekend also because I got to hang out with my best friend JQ. We conspired for months, planning to meet at Monsters to dance and see the new Catching Fire movie since we're both huge Hunger Games fans! We put our hair in Katniss braids, wore our training outfits and headed to the theatre to watch the movie.
Noho Hooligans
In December while in Los Angeles, I attended two performances of "Noho Hooligans", a dance show created and produced by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, Assistant Director - Kyle Hanagami.
The show started at the Noho Arts Center and consisted of 7 acts. Each act was held at one of the famous North Hollywood Dance Studios - Millenium Dance Complex, Nappy Tabs, Liv Art and Movement Lifestyle. We were divided into groups by coloured wrist bands, then guided from location to location by Santa Claus (played by Nico O'Connor and Issac Tualaulelei) and their team of Elf Hosts (Gustavo Vargas, Aubree Storm, Carlena Britch, Mykell Wislon, Guy Amir, Kenya Clay and Sky Fairman). Each studio showcased choreography by a different Choreographer: Mandy Moore, David Moore, Kyle Hanagami, Kevin Maher and Miguel Zarate, Jaquel Knight and Willdabeast!
While you walked from studio to studio, guided by your tag-team Elf Hosts, we sang Christmas Carols and nibbled on Christmas Cookies and Cider. I had so much fun the first night with my mom, sister Kate, Tasha Hamilton and Martel Jackson.
It was an awesome evening of dance and a beautiful way to kick off the holidays with friends who share the same passion for dance!
