Thanks to On Center Performing Arts for this bio as well! Jack Failla is a native of Los Angeles, California. He studied dance under some of the most respected teachers in the business: Joe Tremaine, New York's Luigi, West Side Story's Jaime Rodgers, just to name a few. Jack has performing and choreography credits ranging from Las Vegas's "Sigfried and Roy" at the Mirage, "Jubileee" at the Bally's Hotel & Casino, and world productions in South Africa, Greece, Asia, Portgual, and most notably "Bal Du Moulin Rouge" in Paris, France. Jack has participated in productions of widely varying genres, including World Tours of Dolly Parton's "Hello, I'm Dolly", Cirque shows "Galaxy" and "Cirque Dezire", both touring all over Europe. He recently choreographed for Miley Cyrus's daddy, Billy Ray Cyrus, for over 2 years. In 2007, Jack choreographed 7 new shows for Princess Cruises and the 5 star cruise line, Regent Seas.
Jack is known throughout Nevada, Montana, and Connecticut for his children's summer workshops, and Master Jazz classes with University students. He has the abilty to bring the artistry of dance, on this most sophisticated level of celebrity, to the level of the most novice of children. He has an incredible ability to assess qualitifes in his performers and being them to a higher level of performance. His pupils discover new facets to their own abilities on a regular basis. We were so pleased to have him teach at Next Step Prep for a couple weeks.
Jack stressed the importance of a good warm up and of regular stretching and range-of-motion exercises to the students, emphasizing that "it's what you DON'T see in the stretch that counts" and reminded students of the internal anatomy involved in dancing.
Movement work across the floor...
It was an absolute delight to watch Jack dance...I know it sounds cliche to use the word "fluid" when discussing dance, but, well...it fits!
Jack has a wonderful way of coaching and demonstrating for the students. He has an infectious spirit that motivates students to do their best, even with moves they find complicated...here Jack emphasizes the importance of a strong core muscle group...
Right in the thick of it with demonstration...
Thank you so much, Jack. We will miss you!
To NEXT STEP PREP,
ReplyDeleteThe experiemce was magical! Our "GIFTS" are only borrowed, to be given back one day, this day for me is here! Thank you for allowing me, with cheerful readiness on your part, to be able to fulfill this process. I will keep you so very close to my heart, and only hope to be able to continue giving my knowlegde styles, in this big, beautiful world we know ,as "DANCE".