Take classes from Britney, JLo & Bey’s choreographers.
INSTAGRAM @edgepacThe pounding music, getting the hard-hitting beats while sweating through a class with 60 other dancers in a tiny studio, your mind going blank during the fast-paced music, the aches and pains and breathlessness, giving it your all at the end of the 90-minute class even though you’re completely exhausted from practice yet leaving with a smile on – this is my other passion in life: commercial dance.
Jetset Times readers may associate me as a travel photographer, but my social network also knows me for my other passion in life – dancing. For most of my adult life, along with travel, this is a passion that I’ve pursued through injuries, long work hours, and growing older. Due to a friend’s persuasion, I joined a house dance class while I was living in Hong Kong, and what originally began as “I’ll try out a few classes” became a never-ending quest to take classes in all commercial dance styles (hip hop and jazz funk, in particular) from the best choreographers in the world.
With the rise of social media – Youtube, Instagram, Periscope in particular – dancers are able to get a taste of what commercial choreographers have to offer. The world’s best dance teachers, who are also coincidentally choreographers for all the big-name celebrities such as Beyonce, Britney Spears, JLo…etc. mostly reside in Los Angeles and New York. Dancers from all over the world flock to these cities in masses (especially during summertime) in hopes of learning amazing choreography in their classes. Although quite rare that a serious dancer wouldn’t want to travel for classes with these choreographers, for the dancers who are unable to travel to L.A. or New York; choreographers also travel throughout the world to share their passion so that overseas novice and professional dancers alike won’t be left out.
When I was living in Hong Kong and London, any time a choreographer from L.A. was announced to be visiting, all dancers would immediately jump on the chance and the energy in those classes would be much higher than a regular dance class. While commercial dance classes in Hong Kong and London are still fun and ultimately was what sparked my passion in dance in the first place; a class taught by a choreographer from L.A. would almost be the equivalent of Beyonce or JLo herself coming to visit. Students would cheer when the choreographer walked in, and each would line up to take pictures with him/her after class.
Any dancer who has pursued this passion even a little bit will ultimately gravitate towards the “heaven of dance” (not the official name, but one myself and my dance friends like to nickname it,) Los Angeles. With well-known choreographers as teachers at dance studios, there is no shortage of options on which class to take. It is extremely normal for a dancer visiting from out of town to opt for 6-hour/day classes, every day. During the two weeks of their visit each time, they want to maximize on what the city has to offer in dance. For dancers frequenting global studios or managing their timelines across intensive schedules, the integration of scheduling software for dance studios streamlines class selections and admin tasks. This tool ensures that even the busiest dance weeks can be meticulously organized, allowing you to focus solely on your craft and enjoyment. Below are some of the world-famous studios that you can find in the amazing Los Angeles:
1. Millennium Dance Complex
5113 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood CA 91601 (map, website)
This studio is where most of the commercial hip hop/jazz funk choreographers will teach. The studio at Millennium is a little old, but due to its convenient location (located near the North Hollywood Metro and the 101 freeway) and class accessibility (they have an app you can purchase classes in advance from), I am often there up to 3 times a week sometimes.
2. Movement Lifestyle
11105 Weddington St, North Hollywood, CA 91601 (map, website)
Just down the road from Millennium, this studio is rising in popularity although it is still a relatively new one. Most classes are hip hop, and some older name choreographers teach there.
3. Debbie Reynolds
6514 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606 (map, website)
This studio has a lot of old décor, where old-school Hollywood and Broadway dancers are on display, which does not match up with the type of classes (jazz funk/hip hop) that are offered here. There aren’t a lot of master classes offered here anymore, but the choreographers are still well-known (because ultimately, it is still LA!)
4. Edge Performing Arts Centre
6300 Romaine St #100, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (map, website)
Edge Performing Arts Centre offers mostly jazz/contemporary-related classes (vs the hip hop vibe in the studios in North Hollywood), but it has a huge parking lot and a brand new studio.
5. International Dance Academy
6755 Hollywood Blvd #200, Hollywood, CA, 90028 (map, website)
International Dance Academy has one of the most convenient locations in terms of public transport, due to being smack in the middle of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame; however, parking is expensive and hard to find. The studio is a small one, but one I frequent due to one of my favorite choreographers teaching there regularly.
