Dancers invited to work with top choreographers

Dancers of all ages are invited to participate in the workshop called Groove which will feature a variety of dance classes including hip-hop, dancehall, jazz funk, contemporary, heels and salsa.

Troika, in association with the Broadway Dance Center of New York, will host the event on Saturday at the Berkeley Institute.

Classes will be taught by renowned international choreographers including JaQuel Knight, the mastermind behind Beyoncé’s Single Ladies video; Luam, who has worked with Rihanna, Ciara, Ashanti, Fergie and Kelly Rowland; Dana Foglia, who has worked with Janet Jackson, Beyonce and Rihanna and Onika Powell, who has worked with Diddy, Sean Paul and Rihanna.

Mr Knight started taking hip-hop classes in high school and then trained under choreographers.

A talent agent then scouted him.

“At that same time, I started my own dance troupe at school.

“From there the dots started to connect. I began auditioning, doing videos and award shows, dancing for artists, then choreographing for them.”

Mr Knight added: “When choreographing, I’m completely inspired by the music first.

“I just listen and become one with music. After that happens, then I’m able to bring in elements of day-to-day activities from people all over, different cultures, different up-bringings, different stories.”

Asked about his most memorable experience, Mr Knight said: “Way too many. I don’t know if it was watching Beyoncé turn on and bring Single Ladies to life while shooting the video or receiving my very first Moonman.

“God has blessed me with some really great projects. They are all very special to me.”

Mr Knight’s advice to aspiring dancers is to never lose the passion and don’t chase the fame.

Ms Powell broke into the industry by auditioning for the Sean Paul Gimme The Light video.

“From there it has been a snowball effect. Tanisha (the choreographer) kept using me for more music videos and shows, as well as Little X,” she said.

“Since then I have continued to meet and work with new choreographers and directors.

“It’s been an amazing experience and I look forward to the growth everyday.”

Ms Powell said her inspiration comes from her mother, her students, teachers and friends.

As for her favourite music, she said: “I love creating dancehall.

“The movement is free, fun and simple. There is nothing technical about dancehall, just everyday fun for the young to the old.”

Ms Powell did training in African and Caribbean folk and then began dancing with a group called RUKUS.

Asked about her goal for the workshop, Ms Powell said: “My main goal is to give everyone attending this workshop a new sense of freedom.

“I know there can be a lot of pressure in feeling that you have to dance exactly like the choreographer or top, popular dancer.

Focus

“I want to get away from that and focus on having fun, to allow everyone to make use of their own personal style on the most popular dances today.”

Ms Foglia has trained in ballet and modern dance but took street dance and hip-hop classes when she was 20.

Her specialty is choreographing to electronic music.

“I dance because it’s my soul, heart, body.

“I dance and have come to realize this as I’ve matured to inspire others and I think the same as for why I choreograph.

“My main goal for this workshop and any workshop or class I do is to give knowledge and not just steps, teach them how to approach the steps, how to make it work on their body, finding a connection within
it all.”

The workshop starts at 9am and ends at 6:30pm.