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MEET THE OGRAPHY DANCE TEACHERS…..
Posted on 24. Sep, 2009 by chopper.
Ben Wolff is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BFA in Dance. Ben has taught and choreographed as a Guest Artist at various Universities, as well as master classes throughout the USA. Ben’s choreography has been featured in music videos, feature films, and live events at high profile venues in and around the Los Angeles area. In addition to choreography, Ben has begun to make a name for himself as a Creative Consultant with Defiant Media.
Growing up as the child of an entertainer Himerria Wortham never considered stepping into her mother’s footsteps of living, loving stage life and touring the world. Instead, she dreamed of reaching for the stars with science, in particular biology. While enjoying her early discovery of the microscope, her mother kept her enrolled in violin, piano, gymnastics, figure ice-skating, drawing classes, and took her on all of her traveling adventure with the hopes that she would one day share her passion for different cultures, their languages and the arts. Inevitably, after giving up her aspirations of becoming an Olympic gymnast, Himerria finally found her niche in dance.
Himerria Wortham a.k.a. MeMe, dancer, choreographer, student of Dance and Kinesiology, playfully began dancing at the age of 14. Studying under the world renown Breaking crew Flying Steps in Berlin, she received her first exposure to the Hip Hop dance world. After a short period of training she began to doubt herself and her ability to succeed in Breaking, thus took a dance break lasting three years. Meanwhile, concentrating on her scholarly achievements, Himerria began studying French and Italian adding to the two languages that she grew up with, English and German. At the age of 17 she rediscovered her urge to dance, but this time with choreography based Hip Hop. Finally, finding her niche Himerria began taking classes, competing nationally and working professionally until she moved to the US to Study Kinesiology and dance at Wayne State University. Here is where West African Dance, Ballet, and Jazz were finally introduced to her.
Currently, Himerria is living in Los Angeles and following her dreams to becoming a versatile dancer and a well-rounded person. Himerria enjoys reading, laughing, watching movies, traveling, crafts, and creating YouTube videos with her best friend and business partner Della Hamby.
J.J. Pasco (Troy, MI) moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance. He spent three and a half years training at the Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys while assisting choreographers such as Joseph Malone, Charles Klapow, and Jahnna Biddle among others. He also spent a few months focusing his energy training under many great hip hop teachers at Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio. J.J. Has worked on the featured films What Just Happened with Robert de Niro and High School Musical 3. Most recently he worked with Deborah Gibson in The King and I and also worked on the film “B-boy.”
My name is Bryan Marsh II. I was born in Westland, Mi. A small suburb outside of Detroit. I was what they call a late bloomer in the dance world. I started street dancing at the age of 18. My skills progressed while dancing at local clubs and battling with my crew Hardcore Detroit. After finding out about Los Angeles, Ca. and the opportunities it provided for dancers & entertainers. I decided it was time for a major move. I sold everything I had and moved to Los Angeles. It there where I made an impact. My skills as a dancer my skills as a dancer progressed to a professional level in a short six months. I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and dance for such artists as Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Lady GaGa, Michelle Williams and many other companies like Nike, Puma, etc.In less than 3 years in L.A. I was blessed to meet my mentor and best friend Chopper. Who you know as the owner of Ography Dance Studios. Chopper has given me the opportunity and skills to become a successful teacher. I now teach regularly at Ography Dance Studio.
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WINNER of a FREE YEAR OF HIP HOP CLASSES
Posted on 18. Sep, 2009 by chopper.
What’s cracken…..
We had a wonderful weekend Sep 12 & 13. It was Free Dance Weekend meaning there were no charges for classes.
There was a great turn out. Everyone had fun and that’s what Ography is all about.
Great job to all of the instructors and staff.
Thank you to all the came out.
CONGRATS TO THE WINNER OF A FREE YEAR OF HIP HOP CLASSES……
JENNIFER FULMER
Check it out ….
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Win A Free Year Of Hip Hop Dance Classes!!!!!
Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by chopper.
Hey what’s crackin it’s ya boy Chopper with Ography Dance Studio! I have 2 UNBELIEVABLE announcements so you might want to have a seat!
First off -Ography is having a F*R*E*E Dance Weekend coming up September 12th and 13th! That’s right we will be holding 5 classes at absolutely no cost to you and your friends. This a perfect time to get your friends together and come out and get your groove on! The class schedule will be:
Saturday Sept 12th: 2-3pm, 3-4pm and 5-6pm
Sunday Sept 13th: 2-3pm and 3-4pm
Think it can’t get better than that? Listen up…
Who wants to get F*R*E*E UNLIMITED HIP HOP CLASSES FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR!? Yes you did read that correctly, one lucky person will get a Unlimited Access for a full 365 days! Woohoo:)
How do you win a year of classes you ask?
It’s actually easier than you might be thinking…For each class that you attend during the upcoming Dance Weekend you will get an entry into the draw for the full year of classes. And here’s where it gets even better—if you bring a first time friend with you(someone who has never taken class at Ography) you will receive DOUBLE entry into the drawing! Bring as many friends as you like and take as many classes as you like and the lucky winner could be you:)
Now for the simple rules:
1) Everyone who wants to enter the draw must pre-register online
(on the home page of the website click on banner)
2) You must attend at least 1 hip hop class during the dance weekend to qualify–but of course you want to take all of them to increase your odds of winning the draw!
3) The Dance Weekend and Draw are open to all members, non-members, students, non-students, first-time students, loyal students, ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY!
4) In order to qualify for the draw you must register before September 9th. If you plan on bringing friends they do not need to pre-register UNLESS they want to be eligible for the raffle. In order to get into the raffle everyone must pre-register.
That’s pretty much it! Woohoo Please help me spread the word to all of your people, plus of course with Ography’s “Refer-O-Friend Program” if the friends you bring sign up, you still get the $25 credit towards your classes
See you in class,
Chopper
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Exclusive Dancing With The Stars is Back At Ography. Debi Mazar and Maksim Chmerkoskiy
Posted on 18. Aug, 2009 by chopper.
What’s crackin
Dancing With The Stars is back at Ography. Debi Mazar is looking great and will be a definite contender for the new season.
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Steve Wozniak (aka The WOZ) and Karina Love Ography Dance Studio!!!
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by chopper.
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Top 3 Ways To Get A Professional Dance Agent.
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by chopper.
What’s crackin
I know you’ve heard that every dancer needs a Professional Dance Agent to move there career to the next level. How do you get one? How do you even get the Professional Dance Agent to notice you? We’ll here are the
Top 3 Ways to get A Professional Dance Agent.
1.) Refferals- You can get reffered to Professional Dance Agent by a friend or ateacher or a choreographer. Anybody that you know has connection to a professional dance agent.
2.) Open Auditions- You can call the professional dance agent to find out when and where they will be having open audition.
3.) Scouting- This could happen at any giving moment. You could get approached by a professional dance agent while taking a dance class or hanging with your friends. So when ever your out dancing Making sure your doing your best cause you never know who is watching you.
There You have it. The Top 3 ways to get a professional dance agent. Now go get you dance on. and remeber There’s Only One.
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Top 3 Duties of Professional Dance Agents
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by chopper.
What’s crackin
Lets talk about Professional Dance Agents. Every up and coming Professional dancer wants one. Why do you want one? Is it because they can get you the dance job of your dreams. Is it because they can hook you up with the choreographers? Well a lot of dancer get it twisted on what having a dance agent means. Well let me clarify what having a dance agent means.
Here are the Top 3 Duties Professional dance Agents
Duty #1. Get you into Audition.
One of the most important job of your dance agent is to get your foot in the door. Professional dance agent submit you picture or reel to the company that is looking for a curtain type of dancer that may fit your profile. Then the company will call the agent back to confirm that they want to see you in the Audition. It is up to the agent to know what company is having a audition, when and where is the audition and what type of dancer they are looking for. then submit your picture or reel for that job and inform you that you have a audition.
Duty #2 Negotiate your pay rate and contract.
After you book the professional dance job music, video, tour, commercial. Your Agent then goes into negotiating your pay rate for the job that you will be hired to do. They make sure that all the dancer are receiving the same pay rate Sometimes the company might try to pull a fast one and pay one dancer or dancers more than the others. So the Professional dance agent make sure that doesn’t happen. the also make sure you get payed on time.
Duty #3 Ensure your Safety.
On certain jobs you will be asked or required to do task that may lead to bodly injury like dance on platforms, dance on wet floors. They agent make sure you are compensated for putting yourself in a potential dangerous situation, or you may have to go out of the country. The agent will make sure the environment that you will be traveling to will be a safe and heavily secured. you may have to go to third world country depending on the artist you will be dancing for. like Janet Jackson, Micheal Jackson Britney spears. etc… you will be dancing for. In those countries body guards are a must.
Well that’s it. Hopefully I have giving you some clarity on what are the Duties of a professional dance agent. Please remember this important fact. The professional dance agent can not get you the job. That is totally Up to you!! they only get you In the Door you have to do everything you can to seal the deal. So dance yo ass off.
P.s Please leave me a comment if you feel that this information has been helpful to you. Once again this is yo boy chopper the Owner Of Ography Dance Studio and remember There’s Only ONE.
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Chopper goes to Michael Jackson’s Memorial at Staples Center
Posted on 21. Jul, 2009 by chopper.
What’s crackin,
A friend of mine was a dancer for Michael Jackson’s latest tour ( This Is It Tour). Each Dancer was giving 2 ticket to invite friends and family to the memorial. He called me up and offered to give one of the tickets to me and he gave the other one to my teacher Bryan. I was blown away but also hesitant to attend Michael Jackson’s memorial because of the crowd. The Media estimated that there would be a over a million people attending. I felt that this was a once in a life time chance so I sucked it up and went downtown to the Staples Center. We had great seats on the floor right next to all of the celebrities. I saw everyone from Larry king to Nikki Hilton. Everybody came out to pay their respects to the King Of Pop. To be honest it was a little too sad. I believe that the death of someone is far more a blessing than life itself. After all, you can’t have one without the other. I wanted to celebrate the life and the legacy that Michael Jackson left behind, not the fact that he was lying in a coffin. I wanted them to play at least one of his upbeat songs like “Off The Wall”, “Remember the Time”, or “Speed Demon”, but they didn’t play a single happy song. All in all it was a great experience. WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON! Thank you for all the great music.
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Beginning Hip Hop Dance Routine
Posted on 19. Jul, 2009 by chopper.
Whats crackin
Oldie but goodie! hip hop dance routine.
http://www.vimeo.com/5633153
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Ography Has Another Amazing Teacher…
Posted on 16. Jul, 2009 by chopper.
Whats crackin
Last week My new teacher Me Me had her first official class here at Ography and let me tell you it was truly amazing! All my teachers go through a 3 week training to be certified to teach here at Ography. I got a call from Meme and she wanted to know if i had any more room in the training and I told her to come on in. From day one she gave me a 110% everyday until the end. Last Tuesday night for her first official class she blew my mind! She went above and beyond the skills that she displayed throughout the training. The thing I love most about Meme is her personality. She captivated the class and had them eating out of the palm of her hand. Everybody was laughing and having a great time. All I can say is WOW! she is truly a sweet girl and a amazing teacher. Thanks Meme for doing such a great job.
If you didnt get a chance to make her class please check her out every Tuesday from 8 – 9pm. You wont regret it. For class schedule please click here
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Chopper’s Choreography Reel
Posted on 06. Jul, 2009 by chopper.
What’s cracking
Checkout my Choreography reel and tell me what you think about .
http://www.vimeo.com/5244209
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Adult Beginner Hip Hop Dance Class
Posted on 29. Jun, 2009 by chopper.
OGRAPHY DANCE STUDIO is for People Who Want To Learn Hip Hop Dance Moves and Break Down Some Funky Grooves – While Getting An Exciting Workout. Hey it’s Chopper again, and as you know I’m a hip hop dance instructor, choreographer, and dancer in Hollywood California. I am here to teach you the hottest dance moves I picked up while touring around the world with major recording artist like Omarion, Ginuwine, Missy-Elliot, Ludacris, Ashanti, Marcus Houston, Faith Evans and more.
Learning To Dance Has Never Been This Easy! At OGRAPHY STUDIO You’re Going To Learn:
- how to feel more comfortable dancing in front of people
- how to feel loose and not stiff in your movements
- how to connect your mind to your body and gain more coordination
- how to find your personal groove
- how to have fun out dancing with your friends or even by yourself!
- how to pick up dance steps quickly
- how to turn exercise into fun!
- how to groove to the latest music
- how to build confidence in your dancing
Click Here To Sign UP Online
My instructors and I have personally helped develop these same skills with numerous dancers in the city and across the country. I know we can help you reach YOUR goals too.
This is the PERFECT Studio for If You’re “Shy” And Dread Dancing In Public.
Whether you want to improve your dance skills, want a new way to exercise or you just want to have a good fun time, you’ll learn all the basic skills you’ll need to get on the good foot.
Hey!!… This IS definitely the best Hip Hop Dance Studio in HOLLYWOOD for beginners.
And Now You Can Bring Out Your Inner Dancer!
In These BASIC LEVEL Hip Hop Dance Lessons you’re going to benefit from an EXPERIENCED TEACHER who knows:
- How to be patient with you, and help you move forward.
- How to create a positive and cool atmosphere
- How to challenge you just enough to get you to the next level
- How to give you some great tips for defining your body
- How to break down awesome choreography by using counts
- How to share their dance experience to help you reach your goals
- How to keep you and entertained focused throughout class
Click Here To Sign UP Online
Need More Reasons To Join?
Get In Shape, Get Sexy and toned, And Feel Great About Your Body WITHOUT dragging yourself to the Gym!
Now, that summer is basically around the corner it’s time to show more skin!
I know it’s really tough to loose those few pounds and keep them off. We all want to look our best, and feel great about our bodies and our health too.
I know you used to be a member or you are currently a member of some gym… but do you actually go to it on a regular basis? NO!
We spend tons of money out of our pockets month after month, thinking that we will have the discipline to return day after day and week after week.
Pretty soon we kiss that money good-bye, simply because there’s absolutely nothing to help us stay on track. But MY dance classes are different.Beginner
Hip Hop Dance Classes Will Help You:
- Define your stomach muscles
- Strengthen your leg muscles including your thighs and calves
- Firm up that butt and hips
- Feel more sexy and appealing around others
- Lose some weight without yo-yo dieting
- Increase blood flow through your entire body
- Improve your memory and retain more dance routines
- Feel more Alive, attentive and alert
- Feel more comfortable with your body and your clothing
- Feel more active and find yourself GETTING OUT MORE
Click Here To Sign UP Online
Seriously, isn’t this WAY more Appealing than staring at an blank wall while running on the treadmill?
Forget paying for an expensive trainer. With the high impact routines I Choreograph, you will squat, jump, kick, spin and Sweat into shape!
To top it all off…THIS CLASS IS SUPER FUN! Not only do I want to inspire you to stay fit and work toward your goals, but I also want you to enjoy the process! In no time you’ll be feeling healthier, stronger, and you’ll develop more confidence to wear what you want, and dance how you want with confidence!
There’s no more reason to ponder which class to take, when to get started, or where to get your groove on!
With all the hottest moves, techniques and funky styles you’ll learn, you’ll be showing off in no time at home and in the club! You’ll see why endless people from all walks of life enjoy taking these classes, and how we enjoy each and every minute we’re dancing with you… and there’s always a gift of wisdom to take away from each session.
Want proof? Check this video out to see what our previous students had to say:
You Will Experience The Benefits of:
- How to perform body isolations- to help make your movements look more smooth and graceful.
- How to dance with more “edge” and flare- people will stop and watch YOU dance
- How you’ll notice your increase in stamina- which will benefit your endurance and make breathing feel easier
- Learn to “perform” like professional dancers you watch every day on TV and movies
- How you’ll feel a noticeable increase in your energy- and feel more alive! Gain more focus
With my Beginner Hip Hop Sessions you have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Watch how your skills develop in just a few short weeks.
What to Wear? Wear What You Want As long As It’s Comfortable and Stylin’
