Who taught usher how to dance
Dancing | Usher Teaches The Art of Performance
Arts & Entertainment, Music
Usher
Lesson time 07:05 min
Mastering dance is all about discovering your own style. Usher explains how interpretation and individuality are the keys to a captivating dance performance. And yes, it involves a lot of practice.
Students give MasterClass an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars
Topics include: Finding your style • Watching and learning • Practicing
Usher
Teaches The Art Of Performance
In his first ever online class, Usher teaches you his personal techniques to captivate audiences across 16 video lessons.
Sign Up
Preview
It would be hard to believe that I wasn't a great dancer when I first started.
As a matter of fact, I almost made the biggest mistake of not making dance a very important part of who I am as a performer, because the song and dance artist, or dance man, right, really wasn't the focus from me.
Or at least that wasn't what the people who were working on my career felt would be a fair representation of what you could expect from me as an artist.
It was more cool.
And while it was great to have those things, the cool factor, right, eventually I got to a place where I wanted my brand to represent who are really was.
I was a kid who danced in the '80s and danced in the '90s.
And I wanted that to be a part of what would represent me as an artist.
I took from a lot of what I used to do as a kid, and I made that a part of who I was as an artist.
Now, you know, the perspective of it was a little bit fragmented because working with my choreographers from Los Angeles, they had a perspective of boogaloo and also to locking and popping.
And then my other choreographer, Todd Sams from Cleveland, he had a different perspective.
And we kind of pulled it all together and before you know it we began to create this new idea of an artist.
So you got Flii and Anwar Burton out on the west coast, and Todd Sams who came together with me, and we created what you know to be my style.
For me, the focus was bringing every aspect of who I was to the forefront.
So I worked with my choreographers and we went back to the '80s and we grabbed onto dance moves that were very relevant in that time and we brought them up to the '90s, which then created an entire new conversation.
It was all based in what I knew and what I was comfortable doing.
It was kind of like second nature to do certain moves because I was familiar with it.
And whenever I wasn't I just worked at it.
I just worked and worked and worked until I perfected it.
I came up with choreography.
But I think the feel, the texture is what was most important.
So I had this attitude.
I said, I want to be the baddest guy on the stage.
I wanted to be able to captivate an audience with my presence, more so than just my voice.
And voice as well, but be able to shock 'em, you know.
Yeah, there was a few pelvis thrusts in there, but it worked.
And you do what works for you, and I guarantee you, man, you will that entertainer.
You can go online and look and study dancers from all over the world to create a style of your own.
You can take dance classes now if you want to, but you have to physically put your eyes on it.
You have to go in and investigate, do a little bit of study to find it.
And then you've got to work at it to perfect it.
I think in some ways you can get classical lessons and be taught dance.
You can learn it from either direction.
If you've learned how to move because you see what's going on i...
About the Instructor
Usher, winner of 8 Grammy Awards, reveals the technical skills, career lessons and breakthrough advice that he has used to captivate audiences for over 25 years.
For the first time ever, learn how Usher approaches performance and wins over audiences from the studio to the stage. There has never been a class like this before.
Featured Masterclass Instructor
Usher
In his first ever online class, Usher teaches you his personal techniques to captivate audiences across 16 video lessons.
Explore the Class
Dancing with USHER! - Dance Informa Magazine
By Chris Bamford.
As Usher toured across the country, some of us were lucky enough to take master classes with his talented team of dancers. Fierce, fresh and amazing, Usher’s dancers are the best of the best in the commercial dance scene. Dance Informa’s Chris Bamford chatted with three of the dancers, Devin Jamieson, Saidah Nairobi and Marc ‘Marvelous’ at Sydney’s Caramell Dance Studio.
What’s it like to work with the world’s most famous music stars?
Devin: It’s always an interesting experience because you get to see their lives and who they really are as human beings, and not just as an artist.
You get to see the amount of pressure that they are put under to deliver. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for them! In terms of the experience, you get to work with these amazing artists that lay the platform of what music and dance is and you get to witness this first hand! It’s just a great experience altogether.
Saidah: It’s pretty amazing. I never thought when I was training that I would be touring the world and actually making a career out of dancing! There is so much you learn that you never thought you would learn from doing something you love. With working with Beyonce and Usher I’ve liked seeing their work schedule and what they are like on stage. They are very detailed artists. They both love to dance in rehearsal. They are so focused to get the dancing down.
Marvelous: Every artist is different and as far as the calibre of artist is concerned, I treat every gig the same. I’m very grateful to be on a job, let alone to be working for an artist that’s a world known icon.
I still look at it as a blessing that God gave me and I’m here to do what he wants me to do and use my talent to inspire people or speak to people. Every gig is different as every artist has a different crowd, but the energy is still the same as the audience is excited to see the artist.
Mel Hitchcock of Caramell Dance Studio with Saidah, Marvelous and Devin
What is it like to dance with Usher ?
Devin: Usher has been amazing. He has been the most down to earth artist that I have had a chance to work with. He has been the most ‘chilled’ and the most real person. He is a very smart guy. He isn’t just paid to sing, he knows what he’s doing. He is definitely in charge of everything he does and he has been very inspiring.
Saidah: Being one of Usher’s dancers is not easy, especially for the female dancers. We have to perform in heels and flats, we have a lot of quick changes and we are constantly moving. When you’re on stage there is so much to take in, but when we go backstage it is crazy! There is sweat, make-up and clothes flying everywhere! It’s intense.
I have grown a lot on this tour. There are a lot of styles to master. There were eight choreographers for this tour and I had only worked with two of them before, so six styles were foreign to me. It was a challenge, but a good one.
Marvelous: It’s great. He’s like my big brother. We joke around a lot. He’s cool. I’ve been blessed to work with a lot of artists but very few I would call my family.
Have you enjoyed your time in Australia.
Devin: This tour has had a very hectic schedule. Our days off have really been travel days, but I have been to Australia a few times and I always enjoy my time here. The crowd is great in Australia. The crowd is one of the best in the world!
Saidah: This trip I haven’t been able to do much. I have taught a few classes while here and have gone to a few after parties, but it has been a very busy schedule. I did go up the Centrepoint Sydney Tower and to the wildlife museum.
Marvelous: I’ve been to a lot of parties.
I love Australia. I have been here five times and every time it gets better. I haven’t had many days off this tour as the schedule is pretty intense. Even Usher said ‘I think I organised this wrong!’ But one thing I tried this time was kangaroo meat. I was scared. It was ok, but I love kangaroos and I don’t think I’ll be doing that again.
You have toured all over the world. What has been the most memorable place?
Devin: Australia has always been my most memorable place. I always have a good time in Australia. It reminds me of home a lot. Dubai was very interesting. It’s a totally different culture and different scene. We actually had to change our show a bit due to their cultural beliefs, so that was definitely an interesting time.
Saidah: Australia is my favourite! The UK is cool, but the weather is a downer. The weather in Australia is always sunny and the people make the experience. Dublin was also cool.
Marvelous: Australia, because here the audiences are very appreciative.
Some European audiences have attitudes and they’re hard crowds to perform to, but the audiences here have been amazing.
What’s your advice for aspiring dancers?
Devin: Make dance your first priority. It should always be in the front of your mind, on top of the list. Never give up and treat dance professionally – treat it like a job. Treat it like you are saving to provide for family because it is possible.
Saidah: Never give up on your dreams. Auditions can be hard and there is a lot of politics within commercial dancing. It’s not just about your talent; it’s about your image as well. If you’re six foot and you want to work with Janet that’s probably not realistic as Janet is little. It’s not that you can’t dance but you need to keep in mind the height and body type of the artist. But study who you want to work for and study choreographers as there is definitely endless opportunity.
Marvelous: Get your ‘vocab’ up. Have a strong ‘vocab’ in all styles, but also have your own style.
If you can do what they can do, but they can’t do what you can, then you are winning!
Related Items:Caramell Dance Studio, Commercial Dance, dance, Dance Informa, dance magazine, Devin Jamieson, http://www.danceinforma.com, Marc ‘Marvelous’, Saidah Nairobi, Usher
Who taught Beyoncé to dance? | Dance hall rental
Rehearsal bases, dance halls, recording studios
in Moscow
Who taught Beyoncé to dance?
Who taught Beyoncé to dance? His name is Jonte!
. etc. However, his extreme outrageousness is no less famous: walking around New York in outfits of exotic coloring a la leopard, and even in heels of breathtaking height, is absolutely commonplace for this person. Jonte arrived in our country, invited by Miguel, one of the jury members and teachers of the popular reality show "Dancing" on TNT.
World famous choreographer
The list of celebrity names with whom Jonte happened to work is impressive - this is Janet Jackson and many other famous people.
By the way, it was Jonte, together with his friend Ramon Baines, who is no less famous in the dance world, who taught Beyonce how to dance, so the current level of her skill is the result of their work.
Interview with Jonte
Here is what the master shared with us: "I started dancing since I was 8 years old. My parents enrolled me in the martial arts section, not far from which there was a jazz-funk dance school. I asked my parents to let me at least just watch the dance classes "but as soon as the melody sounded, I involuntarily began to copy the movements of the teacher. He drew attention to me and brought me to the fore among the students, and later persuaded my mom and dad to send me to ballet school. I risked leaving my native Portland and moved to New York, where I worked my ass off, not shying from any offers, I took every chance to prove myself. Energy and renting a hall for classes - that's all I had. I heard more than once that success in the dance world can only be I’ll say this: no friendship will help you if you don’t work on your own.
came together in 2004 when she took part in the "Super Bowl" with a performance that involved about three thousand dancers and only 23 of them worked directly next to Janet. I was among those twenty-three. It was a great honor and a great responsibility for me to be on the same stage with her, I tried to learn her every word, every movement. I dare to call Janet my mentor in some way. This cooperation gave a serious impetus to my career, provided me with a confident start. Soon after that, Beyoncé became interested in me. When we first met, she was very young, teaching her to dance was almost the same as teaching a child to walk. Beyoncé then and Beyoncé now are two completely different people. In those days, she was, so to speak, "dance primitive". Now she is a real prima donna and I am very proud of it.
There is an opinion that Beyoncé is now the best dancer. And yes, in my opinion, it certainly is. She is a real workaholic; during the periods when she is practicing a new dance, you know, Beyonce can seem to ignore sleep and, sorry, going to the toilet.
(smiles). In principle, Chris Brown is not bad at dancing, but he is somewhat insane.
-Is there any difference between working with celebrities and ordinary dancers?
-I don't distinguish between stars and ordinary people. I'm even more demanding of famous people. their work is seen by the masses, and the posters say that I am the author of the issue, so if they make a mistake themselves, they will put a stain on my reputation. The people expect high skill from my name and it should be so.
-Are there celebrities you would like to collaborate with but didn't work out?
-I've always dreamed of doing a number for Michael Jackson, but... Life decreed otherwise... There was a time when I wanted to try my hand at working with Madonna. Applied for selection and was rejected. Concluded that I do not need this in this case. Not even upset by this fact.
Help achieve your goals and be responsible. Jewish children love their mother
Help achieve your goals and be responsible
Not the satisfaction of momentary desires, from which only emptiness and eternal dissatisfaction, but the achievement of distant and great goals - Yiddish mame aims its children at this.
The Jews say: who does not achieve, he does not want much. Goal setting is a habit. If you teach a child to set goals from childhood, this habit will pass into his adult life. Adults should make sure that the child does not stop at difficulties and achieves results, and the more he appreciates, the more efforts are made. And for this, as the child grows up, they give him more and more responsibilities. The Jewish mother believes that her children should feel responsible for their belongings, pets, or buying bread for the whole family. Excessive demands can break a child, cool his desire to be an adult, so you need to “load” a child according to the principle of training Spartan warriors: the key to the house, the procedure before leaving home, responsibility for the younger ones.
“Adolescence is a very important period in a child’s life,” assures Tamara Smolyakova, business coach for setting and achieving goals. - It was at this time that he takes the first steps towards adulthood, sets goals for the first time, defines life values.
Over the course of life, everything can change, but the foundation is being laid now.
Most of the children do not know how to set goals and achieve what they want, however, like many adults. And because of the lack of goals, a state of boredom and uncertainty arises - this is the law.
If you notice that your child is bored, does not know what to do, you just need to help him set goals. There is a very good way to cheer him up.
Before setting goals, it is very important to "clear" attention, because goals are not so easy to formulate. If you now approach your child and ask him to write down all his goals and desires, he is unlikely to be able to do this. This is quite understandable, because there are certain procedures that help you tune in to setting goals. And the first thing you can do is "clear attention" and make room for creativity.
1. Give your child a piece of paper and have him write down all the unfinished business that he once started and did not complete.
Why do this? If we started something and did not finish, our attention still returns to unfinished business, “clogging” our mind. And only free attention allows us to set new goals and plan. This exercise will help your child to look into the future more easily, complete all his unfinished business and focus his attention on goals.
2. After he writes down all his unfinished business, let him look at them again and put down the real deadlines for their completion. Let him realistically evaluate when he will complete all his "incomplete" and indicate the dates.
By the way, if the case has lost its relevance, it can simply be crossed out from the list, thus, a full stop will be put on it. For example, your child once started to go to karate, but gave up without reaching the result. Now, he knows for sure that he does not need a black belt in karate. Let him boldly cross out this point - this will be the final completion of this matter. Usually, after doing this exercise, there is a lot of interest, focus and desire to work with the target area.
But before you start formulating goals, you need to complete one more task.
3. Give the child a second sheet of paper and have them write down 41 wishes or more. Let him write whatever he wants, whatever he dreams of. It can be things, games, achievements, places he wants to go, people he wants to meet, etc. Anything your child can think of.
As practice shows, children and adolescents have no problems with desires, and they easily formulate them.
Now that the wish list is ready...
4. Make a chart where your child should set goals for all key areas of his life for several years to come. This can be a physical area (sports, health), personal (development, education), family and other areas that he wants to choose for himself. Let him write down his goals for 5 years, what he wants to achieve in each area this year, the next, and so on for 5 years.
If your child has questions and wants to talk to you, be sure to help them. Because very often children do not write down their goals, not because they have nothing to desire, but because they lack information.
At this point, you can tell him a lot of interesting things, spark his interest in the future. Feel free to use the wish list. After all, a goal is a desire that has a date.
This lesson will help the child to independently assess what results he wants to get in a year or two and plan where he will come in 5 years. And he will be able to realize and correct his actions now.
For example, your child wants to graduate from school with a gold medal but has problems with math. Now, he himself can evaluate, and make his own decision, what is best to do in order to reach the “excellent” mark. And that will be his decision. It is noticed that a person achieves the goals that he himself has set much better.
In his table for each year and for each life area, at least 3 goals should be set. The list of unfinished cases can help in filling out this table of goals, let him take from there the cases that he now wants to complete and arrange them in those areas and those years when he does this.
When your child is done, he will have a lot of ideas and energy to move towards his goals.
It is difficult for children to immediately formulate their main life goal. The best thing you can do for your child is to give him the opportunity to try different areas. It is then that your child will be able to appreciate what he really likes and is really interested in. This will help him make decisions in the future.
This exercise will only take a couple of hours on the weekend, but it will help your child become an independent, interesting and successful person.
Parting words
Many parents believe that a child should not be allowed to work at this age, because there will be a lot of these difficulties in life, and he will still have time to “work out”. And they are right in one thing - there will indeed be many difficulties, but you will not be able to protect your child from all of them. But already now you can prepare him for various life situations - giving him knowledge and experience that will make it easier to live and achieve your goals.
What are the duties of a father towards his son? He is obliged to circumcise him, ransom him (if he is the firstborn), teach him the Torah, teach him the trade and marry him; some say he must also teach him to swim. Rabbi Yehuda says: whoever did not teach his son the trade, taught him robbery.
"Talmud", translated by N. Pereferkovich, vol. 3, p. 402
This text is an introductory fragment.
Carl Rogers (1902-1987) How to help people, help themselves
Carl Rogers (1902–1987) How to help people, help yourself Carl Rogers was born on January 8, 1902 in Oak Park to a family of staunch Protestants. When he was a teenager, the family moved to Glen Ellen, where Carl developed an interest in agriculture.
At 1919 he entered
Be responsible
Be responsible We often miss the chance to create close relationships because we avoid responsibility. When we say that we cannot control the feeling of love, we deprive ourselves of the opportunity to make our relationship the way we would like it to be. Desire to avoid
6. How to achieve your goals in communication - and do it with pleasure
6. How to achieve your goals in communication - and do it with pleasure Communication with different people develops in completely different ways. With some people it’s easy and interesting for us, with others it’s just boring, but there are those with whom we feel as if all the strength was sucked out of us,
There must be many targets
There must be many goals We would like to draw your attention to one more nuance - it is better to write down not one or two, but tens and hundreds of targets.
There should be a lot of life tasks. Each of us, the authors of this book, has an individual “Future Diary”, looking into
How to Achieve Your Goals and Be Prepared for the Unexpected
How to achieve your goals and be prepared for any surprises In studying the lives of many prominent men and women, I have found at least one thing in common: each of these people seems to practice autosuggestion, although it is likely that almost no one does it consciously.
What happens when you learn to be responsible
What happens when you learn to be responsible In You Gotta Keep Dancin', Tim Hansel says, "Pain is inevitable, but whether or not we suffer from it is our choice." The same can be said about responsibility. Failures are inevitable, but justify yourself
Chapter IX Relaxation of the mind, or How to help your "computer" successfully achieve your goals
Chapter IX mind relaxation, or How to help your “computer” successfully achieve your goals In this chapter, I will give you several different schemes for relaxing the mind (light meditation), each of which you can apply to a particular situation.
By the way, you noticed that I
How to use the energy of your goals?
How to use the energy of your goals? The main source of energy is desires. A strong desire focused on a conscious goal can start the process of goal attraction. You should believe in the possibility of its realization, saturate yourself with this desire. And then the desired
How not to turn off the right path. Learn to be responsible
How not to turn off the right path. Learn to be responsible Difficulties that may arise ? I really want to become responsible, but every day unforeseen circumstances arise that prevent me from completing my planned tasks. If this happens
Chapter 13 Plan the steps to reach your goals
Chapter 13 We plan the stages of achieving our goals Life is like riding a bicycle.
