Choreographer's Note:
This is a number I've worked on all year, and I didn't want to post it until the end of competition season, but I find it fitting and appropriate to share this with everyone and anyone during this time. I hope people can find this video therapeutic as well as memorable. I began choreographing this dance in Sept 2008. The concept of this dance was inspired by several things: the Lifehouse Skit, self-reflection, and the obvious... Michael Jackson himself.
I am probably just one of many artists who have been graced and inspired by the genius of MJ, and I'm very honored by that. When I was a young child, I didn't have the luxury of training at a studio, or watching youtube, or SYTYCD. I just had MTV. And back when MTV used to only play music videos, I would wait for Thriller to play. I was scared to death of the theatrical parts and would hide behind the couch!! But as soon as the dance break started, I was right in front of the television dancing alongside MJ and his cast. I don't remember much about my childhood, but I do remember dancing to Thriller.
Mr. Jackson, you have inspired a world, you have inspired me, and through that, you have inspired all of my students, especially FORMALity. You will ALWAYS be admired, respected, and loved.
Most would associate me with only FORMALity, but year-round, I work with students at Temecula Dance Company. This is the place where I am able to take risks and evolve. Most hip-hop numbers are very literal and over-theatrical. With this number, I wanted to explore the passion of lyrical hip-hop, and do it with subtlety. There are several messages in this number. But I think the concept for me is about BEING the difference in the world that you want to make better. It's about positioning yourself in the WRONG place at the RIGHT time. The dancer in white dances against the grain, but through his example, is able to encourage and inspire the other dancers in grey to make a choice. In the end, after several moments of struggle, they form one single line in unison to indicate that they are in fact, all the same. The dancers look into their mirrors, then they turn the mirrors over to the audience to search within THEIR souls.
Dancers from Temecula Dance Company:
Ryan Clugston (lead in white)
Arnel Vasquez
Anthony Kin
Patrick Andrada
Cliff Datan
Steven Steen
Joseph Carter
John Lagrimas
*What an honor for these guys to be part of such an experience & to pay homage to The Greatest Of All Time.
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