When you ask successful commercial dancers why they started dancing, you tend to hear similar stories: Their 5-year-old selves turned on MTV and obsessed over “Thriller” and “Vogue,” and they ended up dancing for hours in the living room, mimicking the iconic choreography and falling in love. Music videos were so many dancers’ first inspirations. […]
You’re obsessed with class videos. We’re obsessed with class videos. The passion, energy, and talent showcased in these clips, which give us an insider-y peek at the commercial dance world’s hottest classes, are totally irresistible. But at what point does the phenomenon go from being a good thing to a bad thing for dancers and […]
Everything former DS cover girl Kaycee Rice touches turns to viral. From doing Nike campaigns (she has her own collection and self-designed shoe with the brand!) to performing at the Super Bowl to crushing class videos with WilldaBeast and Tricia Miranda, Kaycee’s always on the move—and she’s always fierce, fun, and full-out. Kaycee Rice on […]
Adagio. Marley. Rosin. Switch leap. You’re more than familiar with a lot of theatrical-dance terminology. But do you know what an industrial is? A session fee? If you’re looking to break into the world of commercial dance—think music videos, TV spots, promotional events—you’ll need to learn, and fast. We asked some industry heavy-hitters to clue […]
Remember just a few days ago when we reminisced about all our favorite dance-based commercials, and got hyped about the new Shoe Carnival commercial featuring Fik-Shun and Simrin Player? Well watch out, Shoe Carnival, because there’s a new back-to-school block party rolling through the halls, thanks to Macy’s and Chloé Arnold. The locker-clad setting evokes […]
Forget Choreographer’s Carnival—let’s give it up for Shoe Carnival! The shoe mega-retailer is the latest brand to jump head-first into the very smart and hugely entertaining “let’s feature dancers in our commercials” venture. (See also Microsoft, Target, Under Armour, Microsoft again and Virgin America.) The national television commercial, choreographed by Jamal Sims and directed by Tim […]
Ever feel like the college dance world is geared exclusively toward concert dancers? There’s a brand-new school on the horizon for those seeking a dance degree with a slightly different vibe. Relativity School, based in L.A., will offer one of the few commercial dance BFAs in the country. The school will have a strong academic […]
Ballet has had its moments in rock and pop music videos, but it’s not something that has been consistently successful—anyone remember Rihanna’s ill-fated attempt to look good in pointe shoes? Let’s face it: When music videos utilize ballet they’re usually trying to appear more artsy, and in the process they can lose sight of their […]