JUNE 1-4: JAQUEL KNIGHT, MARI MARTIN, AND LEE DANIEL

JUNE 1-4: JAQUEL KNIGHT, MARI MARTIN, AND LEE DANIEL

MEET JAQUEL KNIGHT

Born in North Carolina, but raised in Atlanta, GA, JaQuel has been dancing passionately since the age of 2. Beginning his formal dance training at the age of 14 with instructors such as Chuck Maldonado, Dave Scott, Brian Friedman and Shane Sparks, JaQuel soon realized that he wanted his passion to become a career.

Moving to Los Angeles directly after graduating from high school, he began his journey to becoming a professional dancer and choreographer. After being in LA for only a week, he booked his first job with noted choreographer Fatima Robinson, for a principal role in P. Diddy’s music video, “Diddy Rock.” From there he went on to work with artist like Janet Jackson, Gnarls Barkley, DJ UNK and Soulja Boy and with choreographers Michael Rooney, Richard Jackson, and Miss Prissy. Then on to assist choreographers like Chuck Maldonado, Jae Blaze and Frank Gaston. Those opportunities resulted in choreographing the single and promo tour of “We Break The Dawn” for recording artist Michelle Williams, of Destiny’s Child, and the single “Corazón (You’re Not Alone)” for Latina Pop group, Prima J.

Months later, JaQuel received a phone call from Frank Gatson, who had previously discovered his great choreography ability while working with Michelle Williams, to come in and choreograph Beyoncé new video for the single, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” Days after the video was released, JaQuel was recognized for the genius and innovative choreography seen throughout three-minute dance clip, ending with Beyoncé catching her breath.

Since then, JaQuel has choreographed Beyoncé’s second single “Diva,” from the “I Am...Sasha Fierce” album, along with being choreographer for her 2009 “I Am...” World Tour. He was also called in by artistic director for the stars Jamie King, who has worked with Madonna, The Spice Girls, and Celine Dion, to be a contributing choreographer for Britney Spears’ big return in her 2009 “The Circus” World Tour.

JaQuel has also filmed scenes from Hannah Montana: The Movie with Jamal Sims and will be working on the Nickelodeon show, The JumpARounds, with Chuck Maldonado. This is just the beginning of his journey and he’s not looking to stop anytime soon.


JAQUEL'S VIDEOS:

REEL: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x92cix_choreography-reel_music
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1094926449732&subj=1123680170
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x938mp_8ball-mjg-you-dont-want-drama-hipho_music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeVO0jmIses

MEET MARI MARTIN
Thirteen-year old Mariel Martin began dancing against her will at a summer hip hop camp in Boulder, CO. Since the first day of the camp, she has been unable to stop dancing. She danced in hip-hop focused programs at studios in Boulder before moving to the Bay Area where she got a little more serious after joining Funkanometry SF. During her four years with Funks she choreographed many pieces for stage and classes and eventually was appointed Co-Artistic Director. She also helped develop the youth team Funksters (now known as The Oddacities) and acted as Co-Artistic Director for three years. Recently, she has been blessed to be a part of Choreo Cookies in San Diego, which she believes to be one of the most talented and wonderful teams on the planet. She has also been lucky enough to travel internationally to teach in Columbia, Norway, Germany, Canada, Finland, and Singapore as well as various places in the U.S. like Chicago, Boulder, Las Vegas, New Jersey, New York and all over California. Mariel has no idea how to classify her style, but just likes to think of herself as a person who is in love with music, no matter what genre, and tries to simply interpret her appreciation for it.

MARI'S VIDEOS:


MEET LEE DANIEL
Lee Co-directs the international dance company "Dance2xs", Lee Daniel has taught in all of the top studios across the globe including Chicago, NY, London, Estonia, Italy, and Portugal. Lee's style has definitely one of a kind mixing street dance, jazz funk and even lyrical elements to create a one of a kind class not to be missed!

LEE'S VIDEOS: