OUR MISSION
WE BELIEVE dance is an expression of self and should be shared in a positive and uplifting space. OUR GOAL is to educate, motivate, and inspire current and future generations of dancers by engaging and providing a boutique-style experience where dancers will be seen and receive individualized attention.
OUR TEAM
THE BREAK THRU EXPERIENCE, created by award-winning Choreographers and Directors Tina Landon and Jimmy Locust, is a program designed to get your students and performances in tip-top shape for competition. By evaluating the technique and execution of your current choreography through one-on-one and group experiences, we help you to level up and be your best for the season.
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Not competing? Our program provides valuable feedback on how to improve your current dance ability and help break thru those areas where you or your students may feel stuck.
JIMMY LOCUST
CO-FOUNDER/MASTER TEACHER
Jimmy Locust has worked with top entertainment industry stars such as Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul, Quincy Jones and Debbie Allen. He has been featured in iconic music videos and films including Rhythm Nation 1814 and the wedding dance sequence of Coming to America. He has performed at the Grammy Awards, Academy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Mr. Locust was one of the head choreographers for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (opening and closing ceremonies) and was nominated for an American Choreography Award for his work on the Warner Brothers’ network television show Nikki. Locust has choreographed commercials for both international and national companies, including Sankyo in Japan with Nicholas Cage and Rapid Advance in the U.S. He worked on the Justin Bieber Tour in 2010 and choreographed for the CW Television Network’s The Next with hosts John Rich, Joe Jonas, Nelly and Gloria Estefan. Locust has been a studio owner and master teacher for over fifteen years and is Artistic Director/Owner of Locust Performing Arts Center in Stamford, Connecticut. He is the Founder and Director of Harmony Nation, an educational anti-bullying program, and recently established a non-profit, The Locust Foundation, to provide free and affordable arts education for youth. Locust is also an Associate Director of Axam Dance Theatre Experience of Atlanta, Georgia and a returning summer faculty member for the renowned Boca Ballet Theatre in Florida. He was selected to be an adjudicator and Artist-in-Residence for JCC Maccabi Games Artsfests across the country from 2015-2019. In addition, he has choreographed theater productions and designed dance curricula for numerous community and private education programs across the U.S. Locust’s multi-faceted lifestyle was chronicled in his series Locust Under 5’.
TINA LANDON
CO-FOUNDER/MASTER TEACHER
Tina Landon is a multi-award-winning and Emmy-nominated creative director / choreographer. She is best known for her sensual yet strong movement that dominated the landscape of dance in music videos and live tours since the mid 90’s. Some of her most memorable and signature moves can be seen on artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears and Shakira, to name a few. Tina’s love and passion for dance began as early as she can remember when her mother of Mexican-American heritage and lover of dance and music made sure her children would fare better by mandating dance lessons in their household. Falling in love with dance and yearning for more, Tina left her home in Lancaster, California to pursue her dreams in Hollywood. Auditioning for various dance productions around town, she landed a gig as a Laker Girl. She was well on her way, yet what could be considered a “big break” would be just the beginning when she was booked as a principle dancer for Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal music video. Tina’s hard work and commitment eventually landed her many dance roles in various music videos including her first spot as a touring dancer on Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Tour. She eventually went on to choreograph Janet’s next two world tours, Janet and The Velvet Rope, which earned her an Emmy nomination for the HBO special. She has also directed and choreographed national and world tours for many other artists. Tina is a five-time MTV Choreography Award nominee and MTV Award recipient for Michael and Janet Jackson’s Scream and for Ricky Martin’s Livin' La Vida Loca. Her latest passion is giving back and helping young dancers navigate careers in the music industry by sharing and coaching them through her extensive experience and knowledge.
KARI HOVDE
CO-FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Founder and Executive Director of The Backstage Foundation, Kari Hovde is a beacon of guiding light. Her passion to love and serve others exudes both personally and professionally. She is an accomplished dance educator, active & involved community leader, a business owner of K Properties NW, and now a fine arts philanthropist. As a Graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and Seattle Pacific University, Kari maintains an educational background in Marriage and Family Therapy. She received her fine arts training, enrichment & mentorship from Olympic Ballet, Seattle Civic Dance, and Charisma School of Dance. Professionally, Kari is a natural leader and facilitator, whether being involved on local community boards or assisting at Charisma School of Dance, Kari brings a caring and genuine heart to every space she occupies. Her ability to inspire, motivate and create meaningful connections is a quality that has garnered her both praise & adoration in the community. She cares deeply about the growth opportunities available to everyone she meets & this is what has allowed her to be successful consistently in all endeavors of life. Kari enjoys teaching dance classes, volunteering with organizations focusing on the improvement and growth of children, and spending time with friends & family.
PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM
Our Protégé Program is designed to instill leadership and career opportunities for dancers who want to further their knowledge and education in the field of dance. Dancers are chosen via their participation in the workshop as well as a short interview conducted by our master teachers.
Protégés should expect to attend future workshops and assist via social media as well as in person in whatever capacity is needed for the day, including set up and break down as well as assisting our master teachers in class.
Protégé Olivia has been dancing for seven years and specializes in hip-hop. She has been a part of the WNBA Seattle storm dance troupe in 2023, a part of the 2023 Kaos cast and cast experience in LA California, and is also a Backstage Foundation Scholarship Recipient in 2023. She dances because it’s a way of expressing herself and is an art she genuinely enjoys. Olivia’s goals are to train in new techniques and styles while taking all training and education opportunities that come her way. Olivia is excited to be a Break-Thru Protégé and is looking forward to sharing her experience with many dancers in the upcoming year.
Protégé Dominic has always had a love for music and dance and has been training for almost seven years. His favorite thing about dance is being able to express himself without having to “talk” in a universal language. Dance is an art that everybody can understand and appreciate in some fashion. His main future goal is to explore more of his own style and expression and to really find what his calling is, inside and outside of dance. He feels honored to have been selected as a Protege for the Break Thru Experience. His focus has been on choreography education rather than technical dance classes, so to have an experience of intense technical training pushed him to grow in a way he has never experienced before. Although this experience challenged him, he was able to grow emotionally and technically within this intensive.
