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Archive for the ‘Bios’ Category
Quebec’s Jean Marc Généreux began dancing at age 9 in 1972 and has been with his wife and partner France Mousseau since 1977. The two have trained with the best coaches in Canada, America and England and competed as amateurs for 10 years, winning all of the major titles. They turned professional in 1986, and for 12 years they traveled all over the world representing Canada and winning many major titles. Généreux and Mousseau won the prestigious British National Dance Competition in Blackpool, England, and the Ohio Star Ball in the Open Latin Championship, the most prestigious dance competition televised across North America.
They competed in more than 15 world championships and world-class competitions in more then 25 countries, the two ranked among the 10 best Latin couples, finishing third at the World Ten Dance Championship (winning first in the Latin section).
Généreux and Mousseau retired from the competitive scene in 1998; however, the two still travel all over the world to perform in dance shows, as well as judge and choreograph for the elite competitors. Since 1976, they have made over 100 television appearances in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Généreaux and Mousseau also performed in the motion picture “Dance With Me” featuring Vanessa L. Williams and Chayanne and the motion picture “Shall We Dance” with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. In 2006, Genereux joined the cast of the American version of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE as a choreographer. Married since August 1987, they are the parents of two children Jean-Francis and Francesca. Genereux lives in Quebec, Canada.
Husband and wife choreographers Napoleon D’Umo and Tabitha D’Umo have contributed their choreography and dancing talents to every genre of entertainment. Their career began in Las Vegas, directing and choreographing numerous shows for casinos and companies such as NIKE, Levi’s and MAC. Moving to Los Angeles opened many doors for them in film, television, tours, music videos and commercials. Since then, the duo has choreographed and/or performed with recording artists such as Céline Dion, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Toni Braxton, Timbaland and Destiny’s Child. Their assistant director credits for music tours include Ricky Martin’s “Black and White Tour,” Christina Aguilera’s “Back to Basics Tour” and Kanye West’s current tour. Their television and film credits include Nickelodeon’s “Zoey 101,” “The Grammy’s,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Soul Train” and “Legally Blonde.”
Napoleon and Tabitha’s choreography for NBA and NFL teams from the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic, to the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos can also be seen in arenas around the country. In between their busy schedules the two can also be found in Hollywood teaching at the Edge Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex, as well on the road with “Jump” and “Monsters of Hip Hop” dance conventions. Napoleon and Tabitha are the directors of “Monsters of Hip Hop: The Show” held in Hollywood.
Tabitha is from New Jersey, and Napoleon is from California. They both currently live in Sherman Oaks, CA.
Growing up in Wyckoff, NJ, with Broadway veterans as parents, it seemed inevitable that Dan Karaty would find dance in his life. During his junior year at NYU, he made his Broadway debut in “Footloose.” By his senior year, he was touring with Britney Spears and had appeared on the “MTV Awards” and “The Billboard Music Awards.” Karaty and his friend Wade Robson collaborated on Spears’ first Pepsi commercial and the *NSYNC World Tour.
Karaty went on to choreograph videos and tours for Jessica Simpson, Kylie Minogue,*NSYNC, Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher and most recently choreographed the feature film “Music and Lyrics…” with Hugh Grant.
He lives in New York City and is the New York Yankees’ No. 1 fan.
Mia Michaels’ choreography for Céline Dion’s “A New Day…” under the direction of Franco Dragone at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas received stunning reviews. The show featured a cast of 50 dancers with two hours of pure dance artistry. Currently her work can be seen on Céline Dion’s world tour, “Taking Chances” and Cirque du Soleil’s first touring show, “Delirium,” which premiered March 2006. She has also created works for numerous recording artists including Madonna, Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Anna Vissi and Prince.
For her work on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, Michaels recently won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for her dance piece “Calling You.” Other work in film and television includes “Cool Women” for AMC/DreamWorks Television and award-winning commercials for Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Bacardi, Coldwell Banker, Ziploc, the WNBA, Star TV and VISA.
Included in her diverse concert and stage work is the critically acclaimed New York based dance company, RAW, of which she is the founder, artistic director and choreographer. She has created works for the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “Hello, Dolly!,” Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago and Oslo Dance Ensemble. Her choreography has been seen off-Broadway with “If These Shoes Could Talk” and “Fort Chaffee.” Michaels has also held faculty positions at prestigious institutions of dance around the world including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Joffrey Ballet and the International Dance Festival of Italy.
Michaels is constantly striving for new inspirations for her work. Her students and peers around the world have noted her as a memorable influence. She has a way of touching people’s lives with passion, emotional expression and style of dance.
Born and raised in Coconut Grove, FL, Michaels currently lives in New York City but continues to teach master classes around the world.
Canal Fulton, OH, native Mary Murphy is an in-demand film and television star. In addition to her crowd-pleasing work as a judge on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE Mary has traveled for special guest appearances in Australia, Canada and Norway.
Murphy’s also recently completed a featured role in the upcoming thriller “Killer Movie,” starring Kaley Cuoco, Jason London and J.C. Chasez. The long list of stars she has coached includes Julia Roberts, Mary Steenburgen, Donnie Wahlberg and Dennis Quaid.
Beyond her work in Hollywood, Murphy continues to be one of the hardest-working women in dance; serving as a judge at major ballroom dance competitions across the U.S., including The Holiday Dance Classic in Las Vegas.
Murphy is also a world-class technical dance instructor and is based at her Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, CA.
Murphy lives in San Diego, CA.
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