On January 9, many countries celebrate International Choreographer’s Day. Although this date is not officially recognized as a holiday in the United States, dance communities celebrate it as a tribute to choreographers’ contributions to art and culture.
To mark this occasion, we’ve compiled a list of extraordinary California dancers whose performances are mesmerizing. Let’s dive in!
Richard “Richy” Jackson is a renowned choreographer from San Francisco who moved to Los Angeles in 1999 to pursue a career in dance.
Richy has danced for artists like Missy Elliott and Usher and served as an assistant choreographer to award-winning dancer Michael Rooney. He later worked alongside choreographer Laurieann Gibson, crafting and performing routines for Lady Gaga, as well as other stars like Cimorelli, Keri Hilson, Brandy, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj. In November 2011, Lady Gaga ended her professional relationship with Gibson and appointed Jackson as her choreographer and visual director… His recent work includes choreography for JoJo Siwa’s viral single “Karma.”
Born in Lancaster, California, Tina Landon trained in jazz, ballet, and tap dance. Her career began with the Laker Girls, a National Basketball Association cheerleading squad. In 1990, Tina joined Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation 1814 Tour,” which led to her choreographing Jackson’s subsequent tours, “Janet World Tour” (1993) and “The Velvet Rope Tour” (1998). The latter earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography.
She has worked with numerous artists, including Prince, Anastacia, Mýa, Pink, Marc Anthony, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Michael Jackson, Shakira, The Pussycat Dolls, Tina Turner, Rihanna, Ciara, and many others.
Kyle Hanagami, a Los Angeles-based choreographer, is one of the most sought-after talents in the industry. He has collaborated with stars like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, he has partnered with global brands such as Nike, Disney, Netflix, and Calvin Klein.
Kyle has also gained massive social media traction, boasting 1.4 million followers on Instagram and nearly 5 million subscribers on YouTube, with over a billion video views. He seamlessly blends the entertainment industry with the digital world, creating captivating and recognizable choreography.
JoJo Gomez is equally famous on social media, with 1.2 million Instagram followers and nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
Joanna, of Latin American and Greek descent, lives and works in Los Angeles. She is well-known for her dynamic dance routines and has choreographed for American singer and actress Demi Lovato and singer Tinashe. She has also performed with Justin Bieber on “The Voice” and appeared in music videos for artists like Kimberly Cole and Stefan Kendal Gordy (LMFAO).
Currently, Joanna teaches dance in studios across California and shares tutorials on her YouTube channel.
Brian Friedman regularly choreographs for various television projects and has worked with Britney Spears on iconic routines for “Toxic” and “I’m a Slave 4 U.” He later collaborated with Beyoncé and Justin Bieber. In 2011, Friedman returned to work with Britney, creating choreography for her #1 singles “Hold It Against Me” and “Till the World Ends.”
Audiences love Brian’s unique blend of dance styles and constant innovation. His breathtaking performances on shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and the “MTV VMAs” remain unforgettable.
Currently, Friedman continues to teach choreography in Los Angeles while contributing to various projects.
This list represents only a fraction of the talented American choreographers who have gained recognition through daily hard work and innovation. It highlights California as a hub of exceptional talent, and we look forward to sharing more stories in future articles.
