BZ Contemporary - Tessandra Chavez Interview

MEET TESSANDRA

Tessandra Chavez, born and raised in San Diego, CA, began dancing at the age of 5, studying Tap, Jazz and Ballet. She immediately fell in love with dance and decided to pursue it faithfully. She was so inspired to dance, she later added Modern and Hip Hop into her training. At age 11, she discovered her passion for choreography and persistently sought out opportunities to display her work. This intense passion became routine and continued into high school where Ms. Chavez started her elite dance company called Unity Dance Ensemble. Tessandra was only 15 years old when she established Unity and was determined to create a dance empire that would inspire all dancers of this generation and last a lifetime. During high school, at age 16, she was hired to choreograph the half time shows for the UC Riverside Cheerleaders. In 1996, Tessandra graduated high school from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts and attended California State University Long Beach. Since Unitys establishment in 1994, Unity has performed locally to sold out audiences and performed nationally as guest artists. Tessandra has produced, directed and choreographed full length dance concerts since age 15. Tessandra is known for her eclectic and challenging style which is a blend of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern and Ballet. Tessandras choreography has set a standard and definitely opened eyes to innovative and abstract movement. Exploring new avenues and breaking barriers is a phrase she lives by. Many refer to her as the genius for her incredible versatility and ability to touch lives with her work. She has won many awards for choreography including the 1999 Tommy Award for Emerging Choreographer, 2000 honorable mention at the Jazz Dance World Congress and the 2004 Silver Leo Award for excellence in Jazz choreography. Tessandra is also a past member and choreographer for two hip hop dance companies, Urban FX and Funkanometry. She also leads a group known as the Allstars who are hand picked dancers from various hip hop troupes that come together to perform Tessandras hip hop work. The Allstars perform in venues like the choreographers carnival where they create quite an explosion among the LA scene. Tessandra is a regular Master Teacher and guest choreographer in the US and has been known to bring out the best in a dancer by her intensity. Recently, Tessandra relocated to Los Angeles where she is an instructor at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio and teaching on the LA Elite Dance Convention. Tessandra is also expanding Unity to the Los Angeles area where she plans to inspire the LA scene. For more information about Unity and Tessandra Chavez contact www.unitydanceensemble.com.

DISCLAIMER

For Inspirational purposes only.

Please respect the creative work of this choreographer. Duplicating or recycling these moves in any shape or form for your own use (without permission) is prohibited and "shameful."

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Boogiezone
• Dance
• BZ
• Contemporary
• Lyrical
• Tessandra
• Chavez
• Unity
• Ensemble
• Focus
• Center
• Interview
• Tessie
• Debbie
• Allen
• Academy
• Edge
• Hollywood
• California

[xineratz]

I remember dancing with Tessie at Valencia Park Elementary! She was beyond amazing then and so professional when the rest of us were just kids!!! I'm super proud of her! Go girl, you're inspirational!

[toshasherman]

The best teacher I HAVE EVER HAD! There is no one like her. She caused me to abandon fear and dance with spirt. I am so grateful to have danced for her.

[cherfacee]

SHE IS AMAZINGGGGGGG!

i wish i could meet her in person

[urbandanzer]

She has been one of my dance idols for many years!! Love her!!

[uRbAnDaNcEr918]

wow.....just wow!! I love her

[essenceladies]

ahh!! she makes me cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kidst3pz]

ughhh do WORK! go BZ! Congrats from BZ NJ!