If you’re a dancer or any type of performer, you know that the arts world is its own community. In the past few years, the dance world has birthed exceptionally talented individuals who have choreographed career-highlighting performances of some of our favorite artists.
Baller Alert has created a list to recognize and honor the top 10 choreographers in the game. These choreographers need no introduction– from creative directing videos and award shows to holding wall-to-wall sold-out dance classes. But for those who don’t know, let us give you a glimpse into their world.
Full Out Cortland – @fulloutcortland
Full Out Cortland has shook the dance world since becoming the leading choreographer for megastar Doja Cat. Born and raised in Miami, Fl, anybody in the down south dance world has heard the name Full Out years before his mainstream break. Traveling back and forth between Miami, Atlanta, Tallahassee and L.A., he stayed true to himself and his very own style of dancing– “FULL OUT.” After taking criticism from the industry for dancing “Really Big,” he decided to say, “Fuck it, I’m gonna create my own brand. I’m gonna do my own shit. I’m gonna dance big and I’m gonna inspire people to do whatever the fuck they want to do.”
Sean Bank Head – @itsbankhead
Sean Bankhead is an Atlanta native who has worked with icons including Beyonce and Missy Elliot. He has carried the girl group 5th Harmony on his back, remaining the main choreographer for Normani while creating a significant viral moment with rap star Cardi B.
“When I’m choreographing, I like to have one move, one grove that everybody and they momma can do!”
Bankhead shared that he grew up around music. It was his escape. He would listen to artists like Michael and Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Usher and his personal legend, Missy Elliot.
The self-taught dancer owes his early dance career to the Atlanta studio Dance 411, where he learned the ropes of the industry and how to be a professional dancer. With mentor Fatima Johnson and his best friend Jaquel Knight, Bankhead had the recipe for success.
Bankhead will be taking it to the big screen as a co-host alongside Becky G and Joe Jonas on the new MTV series, Becoming a Popstar.
JaQuel Knight – @jaquelknight
JaQuel Knight is a director, creative director, entrepreneur and critically acclaimed, award-winning celebrity choreographer known for creating some of the most memorable moments in dance and entertainment history. His rise to global recognition came at just 18 years old when he created the choreography for Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” which has accumulated over 846 million views on YouTube and became one of the many the most iconic videos of the 21st century.
As a director, JaQuel has brought numerous other projects to the forefront, directing projects for Megan Thee Stallion, Pharrell, Chance the Rapper, Zara Larsson, and more. JaQuel also served as creative director and choreographer for all things Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. He also lended his creative expertise to culture-shifting projects such as Beyoncé’s “Black Is King” film and her Coachella performance, in addition to Shakira and J. Lo’s Super Bowl Halftime performance and Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” video.
In 2020, JaQuel became the first choreographer ever to make the cover of Billboard magazine. He was recognized as the first pop/hip-hop commercial choreographer to copyright his choreography with “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).”
Parris Goebel – @parrisgoebel
Parris Goebel is a New Zealand native who has taken the term girl power to the next level. Many recognize her from the all-female hip-hop dance crew, Request Crew, which has dominated any and every piece of choreo thrown their way. From the likes of Rihanna and J. Lo to the stage of MTV, Parris Goebel has proven herself as a professional dancer.
“I use my art and my creativity to hopefully touch and inspire someone to walk a little taller, take risk and have no fear.”
Parris shared that the best thing she has ever done in her career was starting her own studio. Parris wants her studio to be a gateway for young girls to follow their dreams.
Fatima Johnson – @Fatima_noir
Fatima Robinson is an icon in the dance world. She choreographed the legendary Remember The Time video by Michael Jackson and if you watched the halftime show this year, you could see that she’s still a driving force showing no signs of stopping. She was one of the first to choreograph during the birth of hip-hop. She’s worked with many celebrities, including Big Daddy Kane, Heavy D, will smith, Dr. Dre, The Black-Eyed Peas and Aaliyah.
With an eclectic fashion sense, she loves a wrist full of bangles, flashy earrings and a headpiece that’ll make you questions if it’s a part of her hairstyle. Standing out is her secret weapon.
In exchange for lessons and a dance studio, Robinson cultivated her skills in the club and used her younger sisters to choreograph dance moves and put on shows for family and friends. Celebrities have described her as super cool, a great mother, Zen and the embodiment of art.
Johnny Blaze – @jblazeofficial
Johnny Blaze has blessed the stage with pop and R&B icons Chris Brown and Justin Bieber. With a love for teaching, he has traveled the world as an international choreographer to lead classes in Asia, Europe, South America and most of the U.S.
The Miami native joined a dance group at the age of 9 called Hip Hop Kidz. At 12, he moved to Los Angeles to chase his music and dance dreams. He held roles in Dream Girls, Prom Night and the story of Martin Luther King Jr. His resume includes awards shows, T.V. shows, and a long list of commercials.
The rapper/dancer has expressed his love for people and energy and thrives when he’s around friends and family. He even owns a home and lives with his little brother and sister. Blaze’s finances and stability are significant as he plans to transition into his music career. He shared that he only has about ten years left in the dance industry as he has fulfilled all of his dance/choreographer dreams.
Ysaebelle Capitulé – @Ysabellecaps
Ysabellecaps started her professional dance journey as a dancer for the Golden State Warriors Jr. jam. At the age of 11, the California native’s dance moves granted her the opportunity to grace the stage on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. At only 22 years old, she has danced with Chris Brown, Neyo, Cardi B, Mya, Bruno Mars and Usher. Social media has been her main stage, catapulting her to stardom. With over 111k subscribers on YouTube, she continues to upload dancing choreography, singing, pranks and lifestyle videos.
Calvit Hodge Jr.
Calvit Jr. and the word “culture” go hand and hand. The Virgin Islands dancer has infused his roots and the high energy Florida style of dancing to mark his place in the dance industry. He’s previously worked with Rihanna, J Balvin, Hailee Steinfeld, and now Camilla Cabello and Major Lazer.
Street dancing was the introduction for Calvit. Crumping and flexing were like therapy, helping him overcome his frustrations as an adolescent.
Breaking the rules and being his own person are the rules he lives by. His goal is to inspire others to do the same.
Traci Young-Byron (Supa) – @supa_blackgirl
Mrs. Traci Young-Byron AKA as Supa is the ultimate dancer, teacher, choreographer, entrepreneur and creative director. Representing for all the “brown beauties from the hood,” Supa has groomed and created a young dance machine she calls YCDT Studio. She is known for creating choreography for her young girls that engulf skill, attitude, personality and a supa touch that only she can provide.
As a dance teacher at her Alma Mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, she has choreographed content that is known to go viral on social media.
Supa was born and raised in Miami, Florida by way of Liberty City. She is honored to have choreographed for a wide range of dancers/artists & companies including but not limited to the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre, the MNW GGirls, the Miami Heat Dancers, Fly Khicks of America’s Best Dance Crew, Ciara, Polo Da Don, Summerella, Mugler Fashion House, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Lifetime Television’s Step It Up & Bring It!
Antwon Collier – @antwankeith
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ2QTuchwwg/
Antwon Keith Collier has made a name for himself in the entertainment industry as a dancer, choreographer, model, and actor. Taking a leap of faith after his studies at Florida State University, Antwon moved to Los Angeles, CA, and has never looked back. His talent has allowed him to grace the stage with artists like Camila Cabello, Beyonce, Lizzo, Normani, and Janet Jackson, to name a few. He’s also had the opportunity to act and choreograph on hit shows Insecure and Goliath. Furthermore, his talent has qualified him to do commercials and print work for brands like Target, Kohl’s, and Coca-Cola. Antwon took his love for dance and fitness and created Florida Fit, a dance fitness class that empowers every person to be fit and live authentically and powerfully. By the looks of it, Antwon Keith isn’t slowing down anytime soon and has even bigger plans to impact his community at large.
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As a dancer, it’s super dope to see these talented artist getting their flowers for the moves they’ve made in the industry! Great read!!!