SuperNova brings hip-hop master dance classes to town
By Jerome Boettcher
For the St. Louis American
According to Tanya Alexander, opportunities for dance in St. Louis are there, just not in hip-hop.
“It’s not there in St. Louis, not a lot of hip-hop classes,” Alexander said. “They love to do it, but they don’t have access.”
That’s why Alexander, a St. Louis native, is bringing hip-hop dance to St. Louis. Alexander is the CEO and artistic director for SuperNova Production Group in Los Angeles and New York. She will return to St. Louis to instruct master classes at area dance studios and youth centers starting Monday and running through Saturday.
The master class tour is the second in a series of events that SPG is producing in St. Louis this year. The first was The Competition, a statewide dance showdown that was held at Jennings High School in April. Another event will be held later this year. It will be The Bizarre-Celebration and Dance Spectacle, a nightclub event.
St. Louis is the first city that the “Blow it Up” tour will visit. The tour also will visit Miami and Chicago.
“We always kick it off in St. Louis, we have a nice following there now,” Alexander said. “We want to bring a high caliber of dance to St. Louis.”
Each dance master class infuses cutting-edge choreography with styles ranging from hip-hop to jazz technique. The classes are designed for men and women ages 12 and up who are aspiring or professional dancers, members of school dance, drill or cheerleading squads or music groups with a dance component.
Some of Alexander’s accomplishments include being a three-time award-winning choreographer. Nationally and internationally she has performed with some of today’s hottest hip hop, R&B and pop superstars, such as Missy Elliot and Jive Records’ artist Joe. In addition, she has performed onstage and on the screen in productions such as The Shield, Nothing But the Truth, The Wiz, The Disney Channel’s Young Musicians, Law & Order: SVU and HBO’s Lucky Louie.
During her time in St. Louis, Alexander graduated as the valedictorian of Jennings High School. She then attended Saint Louis University, graduating Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Theatre.
While at SLU, Alexander served as the head choreographer for the Baby Blues, SLU’s dance squad, and led the group to several national dance competitions. Alexander completed additional training at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy and the SAG Conservatory.
“Dance is one of my favorite art forms, because it is so universal,” Alexander said. “Hip-hop and video style are so popular right now. It’s easy to reach people.”
Alexander will instruct the classes with assistance by several area dancers. Call SPG at (800) 896-0876 or visit www.supernovaproductiongroup.com to RSVP. The cost of each class is $20 per student for each 90 minutes of instruction. Alexander said space is limited and expects more than 100 dancers.
“I don’t want people to be intimidated by it,” Alexander said. “It’s really like a party where you learn choreography. There is no competitive edge or environment to it.”
The current dates and locations for classes are:
? Tuesday & Thursday, June 20 & 22, 6:30-8 p.m. at Performing Arts Center of St. Charles, 226 N. Main St., St. Charles.
? Wednesday & Friday, June 21 & 23 6:30-8 p.m. at City Studio Dance Center,
4397 Laclede Ave., St. Louis.
? Monday-Friday, June 19-23, 2-3 p.m. at Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, 2901 N. Grand Ave., St. Louis (summer camp participants only).
