TV choreographer Simeon Qsyea has conjured up a fresh blast of hip-hop for a forthcoming Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts dance production.
Simeon, who works on shows So You Think You Can Dance and directs Britain’s Got Talent 2010 semi-finalists the Ruby Girls, has taught the moves to third-year students who will perform the routine at “LIPA Dance Presents - The Classics.”
The public performance runs from 17th to 19th November 2011 and is a montage of eight pieces masterminded by industry professionals.
The 27-year-old, who has also devised music videos for JLS and Alexandra Burke, said: “I’ve choreographed a hip-hop number that’s fun, funky and fresh and that will appeal to a wide audience.”
“We’ve chosen just one track, which is rare in the hip-hop world. There are usually three or more tracks chopped up to keep audiences on their toes. I want to change that idea – use one track and still keep my audience entertained. I want to keep people engaged primarily through the choreography instead of the music.”
Londoner Simeon spent three days last week setting the choreography with LIPA’s third-year dancers, choosing to depart from the standard hip-hop practice of using a composite backing track.
The five-minute piece, accompanied by the song Showgirl by pop/soul vocalist Bluey Robinson, also includes elements of aahehop, tutting, house, breakin’ and new jack swing dance styles.
Third-year Dance student Alisha Dee Flintham, 21, from Sheffield, said: “Working with Simeon was a unique experience, as was learning about how he was brought up and the styles that have influenced him.
“As the piece has a light and fun vibe and storyline, creating it was very enjoyable. And showing audiences how much we are enjoying ourselves on stage is what Simeon wants.
“The piece was challenging to learn, though, more so the style and the way of moving than the steps, which are very old school.”
Head of Dance at LIPA Sarah E Baker added: “Bringing in choreographers like Simeon complements our training programme and enables audiences to experience their unique industry styles through the medium of LIPA third-year dancers.”
LIPA Dance Presents…The Classics is being performed by third-year dance students at LIPA, Mount Street, Liverpool, from Thursday 17 November to Saturday 19 November 2011 at 7:30pm, with a 2:30pm matinee on 19 November. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults, £4 concessions.
Advance bookings can be made by visiting the events and public performances pages of www.lipa.ac.uk or via Unity Theatre Box Office on 0844 873 2888 or at tickets@unitytheatre.co.uk
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