JOSEPH PINEAPPLE

Working for Disney has taught me how to say things in a positive way and be able to give constructive criticism that’s encouraging. My qualifications to be a judge comes from the many styles I’ve trained in over the years, such as technically based disciplines like Acrobatics, Ballet, Ballroom, Jazz, Lyrical, Musical Theater and more… I have also trained in movement based styles like Hip-hop, Jazz Funk, Contemporary, Gaga (improvisational technique) and more too. I’ve trained under many big names in the industry as well, that have taught me a lot about performance quality. I was also a judge on Netflix Dance 100 to vote for the next upcoming Choreographer.

As a teacher my style leans more towards contemporary. My style of contemporary is also more movement based. Often times you see students with great facility— stretch, turns, jumps, leaps, and wild tricks, however, still have opportunities work on their ability to move and dance in between those moments. In my class, we will work on our kinesthetics, learning how to move our bodies and actually dance by channeling, connecting, and be able to convey with our individual artistic expression through the art of movement.

My goal is to be able to have dancers express themselves clearly without getting stuck, hiding behind, or feeling like they have to result to the “look what I can do and hold a leg for seven 8 counts” (and it mean nothing) because some dancers believe that will win them points. Although that is impressive and it does win them points, there also needs to be a genuine authentic intention, a meaning, a journey, a plot, a storyline, that we as an audience can connect to rather than just be amazed cause you did a backflip.

I want to know why you did a backflip. I want our dancers to be/feel more connected with themselves… the “look at who I am and what I mean” aspects of dance expression. I want them to feel validated. I want them to know that sometimes, just standing is enough — as long as the intention and integrity means something that is believable, not only to the audience but, to themselves as the artist. Do they believe what they’re saying. I want dancers to leave the room feeling accomplished, motivated, and confident knowing that who they are is enough and to never be content because they will only improve from here.

We all start somewhere, and our biggest competitor is ourselves!