Dancing is not just movement, it is a feeling, it is self-expression. The one who expresses him self the best usually is the better dancer. You can know every style in the book, but having no feeling behind the moves kills it every time.

I don’t think a person who has been taking class for 6 months and learns another choreographer’s style should be a teacher!! I think teachers should have something special to offer before they are teaching anyone else; anyone can teach, but not everyone is a teacher.

Always be careful how you treat people on the way up. Understand that there’s someone you’re with who has the potential to be the next big thing. One day you’re dancing beside them, the next your auditioning for them. Respect everyone, cause you never know who’s gonna be your boss.

Just because a person is on TV doesn’t make them the best, it just means they have a smart team, or that person was prepared when the opportunity came. Don’t expect anything, you have to work for it and sometimes you have to take it.

Everyone is your competition!!!!

“Believe in yourself because everyone wants to see you fail.” – Shane Sparks

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Marena Tarin immediately knew something was up.

The 17-year-old student from the Public Academy for Performing Arts was practicing with the rest of the nearly 40 students in Karen Price’s beginning hip-hop class at the University of New Mexico, when she was shocked.

Walking in the classroom, with a hoodie and camouflage, was choreographer Shane Sparks.

“When he walked in, I knew it was him,” Tarin said, still excited. “For him to take time and come talk to us, that’s special.”

Sparks is known for being a judge on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance?” and MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.” He has also choreographed for artists such as Monica, NSYNC, Omarion, B2K and is working on a new reality competition TV show called “Battle of the Crews.”

“Dancing saved my life,” Sparks said. “It’s important for me to come to dance classes and see the new generation of dancers. There is so much talent, and all of these dancers are getting younger and younger. This group, you can see their heart when they dance and that’s what makes it special.”

Sparks took a moment to chat with the group and then later invited them to a freestyle battle, where each student entered a circle and dance for nearly 30 seconds.

He also spoke about how he got into dance.

“I learned it all on my own,” he said of dance. “My family didn’t have the money for me to get lessons. So what I picked up, I picked it up from the streets. As I fell in love with dance, I continued to push myself forward with it.”

As Sparks spoke about his childhood, his story resonated with Tarin.

“Like Shane, I don’t have a lot of money for lessons,” Tarin said. “So it’s really cool that he would take time out of his day to come talk with us. I want to be a dancer and would love to work with him.”

Sparks was in the Duke City because he is teaching some hip-hop master classes at the Duke City Stars, Advance Dance in Rio Rancho and Dance Space in Santa Fe today through Saturday. He was also getting footage for a documentary to be released later this year.

“When they asked me to come talk to the classes, it was something I jumped at,” he said. “All of these kids are phenomenal when it comes to dancing. Watching them reminds me of when I was starting out.”
— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal

The Dance Source is an on going series, dedicated to helping dancers gain the knowledge and expertise required to be successful in the industry. Shane Sparks has partnered with Dancersglobal, to give dancers around the world an undiluted version of what it takes to become a professional, as well as giving dancers an outlet to be heard. Read More

DancersGlobal Presents: Interview with World-Famous Hip Hop Dance Choreographer – Shane Sparks

Shane Sparks is one of the most influential and creative hip-hop choreographers of all time and continues to share his innovative style of dance around the world. From choreographing the hottest dance films, to creating visual masterpieces for music videos, TV shows, and more, Shane has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

In our recent interview, Shane shares his thoughts on today’s hip-hop dance scene, discusses his current projects, gives valuable advice to dancers, and much more. How bout we let Shane take over from here….

Are there any Artists/Dancers you want to work with, but haven’t had the chance?

Yes, starting with Chris Brown, Usher, Ciara, Missy Elliott, Drake, Lil Wayne, Kanye, Diggy, and Tyga. Really anybody with the combination of hood, swag, sexy and represent control.

What are some of the current projects you are working on? Future projects?

Currently I’m judging and hosting The World of Dance tour. I have an Artist by the name of Eva Universe, who’s gonna put all Female dance artists to shame; her show is OUT OF HERE!!! She’s opening for Far East Movement’s tour which I choreographed her show, and she just got booked for a tour in China….Big Things!! Also doing my dance clothing line, and a dance movie that’s gonna change the game again the way YOU GOT SERVED did. TV shows and more..I’m very excited! And doing a video and some other work with ShaneBarker.

How do you feel about today’s Hip Hop dance scene?

The hip hop scene…honestly in the underground it’s booming, but the media is not representing; they call anything hip hop now days. “Step up” represents and LXD I love that whole movement, but the real essence still hasn’t hit yet, and I’m gonna do my best to bring it to the surface. I have so much to say lol

What are some of the daily habits and disciplines required to become a professional dancer?

Of course lots of training, but the most important thing is self-respect. Some people get out here and just wanna be famous, that’s whack! Then you got the dancers who study the business and want more than just fame, they want to make a difference. I’ll explain more of this on my website Shanesparks.com. I’ll be giving advice to up and coming dancers and hopefully help them from making the same mistakes I did.

Can you describe Shane Sparks creative process when choreographing a new piece?

My creativity comes from the music or I’m inspired by something very unique. I can hear a song and choreograph it in my head before I do a move. Sometimes I can see a movement and get inspired, and I’ll come home and bring it to life through dance, I can’t control it, it just happens. That’s what makes me so unique.

How important is it to have agency representation as a dancer?

It’s very important if your hot in the business, but, if you’re not hot it doesn’t matter who you’re with as it will not work unless you go get it yourself.

You mentioned on your YouTube channel that you are launching a clothing line soon; is there an official release date?

No date yet. I’m trying to get other things in order. I want people to want it before it comes out so I’m getting all my projects in order. It’s coming very soon though!!

What advice would you give to up and coming choreographers/dancers looking to break into the industry?

Be versatile and stay focused on your goals. Don’t do just any job; some jobs can hurt you and some choreographers can destroy your career. Be very selective to whom you give your talent too.

Any special shout outs you want to give?

Yes to the people who stuck behind me through my career…my Mother, my sisters, Diana aka Dragon, Troy Keith, Howard Misle, the Steffens family, Mary Rachel Kay Robert and Ann Marie from the Millennium, Gygic, Adita and God!

Is there anything else you would like to add, share, or announce?

Just want to say to anybody in the dance world, please come in the business to change it, do not sell out!!! We will never get our respect if we keep doing work for pennies. We should get paid like artist and athletes, we work hard!!!

GET READY FOR THE DANCEMONGERS!!!!

(BONUS QUESTION – ASK & ANSWER ) Ask a question/s that you’ve always wanted someone to ask and answer your own question.

WHY DO THEY ALWAYS GET A NON DANCER TO PLAY A DANCER IN A DANCE MOVIE!!!?? Lol

Because dancers aren’t taking acting classes. Please dancers, if you want to change this, get into acting classes. It would be crazy to see an actor in a dance movie doing a great job acting and murder the dance floor!

Follow Shane @sparks5678