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MANDY MOORE
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Mandy Moore
Teacher and Choreographer Extraodinaire!
When Mandy was mentioned in casual conversation with a very successful Broadway choreographer, she was described as one of the most innovative choreographers of her time. Not only is she an amazing choreographer, she brings something extremely unique to every stage as a performer. It's been refreshing to meet someone so talented, humble, down to earth and giving in this sometimes cut-throat business. Catch Mandy teaching at the Edge Performing Arts Center or on the convention circuit across the Country and Internationally.
Mandy is regarded as one of the most passionate and inspiring teachers and choreographers of our day. In addition to being the choreographer for “American Idol-Season 6,” Mandy was one of the guest choreographers for the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Most recently, she choreographed for superstar, Celine Dion and her upcoming World Tour. Mandy has appeared on numerous television shows, including “Drew Carey,” “That 70’s Show” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” Film credits include “A Time for Dancing” and “Austin Powers.” She has choreographed commercials for Kidz Bop and performed in industrial shows for Nike, Acura, Epson, Nexus, Joe Boxer and Ramada Hotels. Mandy travels nationally and internationally to teach and choreograph for many private studios, companies and independent performers. And above all, she is one of the most generous interviewees we have yet to encounter. Read her suggestions below on tips and advice on how to take your dance career to the next level.
| Q: | When did you start dancing? | | A: | I started taking dance classes when I was 8 years old. My mom says that I have been “dancing” since I was just weeks old…she says she saw me nodding my head to the beat of the music when I was just months old. When I started regular dance classes I took only ballet and tap- jazz and modern came much later. |
| Q: | At what point did you know that you wanted to make dance your career? | | A: | I remember being in fifth grade and listening to the older girls at my studio talk about what they wanted to do after high school and none of it included dance…I remember being so confused, because since I started it is the ONLY thing I have ever wanted to do. My “dream” became a bit more of a reality once I started taking class outside of the small town I grew up in, I realized that there was lots of opportunity to dance. |
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| Q: | Who has been the most influential person in your career? | | A: | Yikes, loaded question…I have SO many!! In my early dancing, the person would be my first dance teacher, Kim DelGrosso. She helped me understand how to love dance and that has helped me through many moments. In my professional career…probably Carrie Ann Inaba. I assisted her for many years doing so many different kinds of jobs. I learned so much about the business from her and I loved that she has an incredible work ethic, something that I have always thought to be #1!! |
| Q: | Why do you think convention/competition are beneficial to young dancers? | | A: | What better way to share information, than with a room full of eager, energetic young talents! When convention/competition is used in the right way…to learn, I think there is nothing like it. Young dancers have such an awesome opportunity to work with choreographers that are big in the business right now, as well as learn from choreographers that have “been there, and done that.” As anything, convention/competition has a down side too…I think it is easy for dancers/teachers/parents to forget that dance is as much about the journey as it is the destination. I see so many dancers get caught up in the winning part, that they don’t see all the beautiful moments getting there. |
| Q: | Where do you find inspiration for your innovative choreography? | | A: | Thank you first of all!!! Let’s see…I find inspiration everywhere. Most of my class choreography comes directly from experiences I have had. I draw from feeling I felt and what I like to call “Ally McBeal” moments…you know those things you want to say or do in a situation, but don’t in the reality of it. Dance has always been therapy for me, so when I get to write the story I have to tell, it is that much sweeter. I am very inspired by music…when I choreograph; I listen to the music hundreds of times before I ever even move a muscle. I really try to do different things every time I choreograph, I think if someone can watch a piece I have done and not be able to exactly tell if it is mine, I like that. I want to be able to stay versatile as a choreographer, so I have to always keep my eyes and ears open to inspiration. |
| Q: | Tell us about the The Nick and Mandy Show | | A: | The Nick and Mandy Show is an event that I do with the fabulous Nick Lazzarini. We hold to event in Los Angeles at the end of July and it is basically a workshop with classes and rehearsals, that ends with a cabaret type show. We wanted to do something for dancers that would be a blast and be fulfilling artistically as well…work hard, have fun, and put on a great show. There is more information on the breakthefloor.com website. |
| Q: | Living in LA, what kind of outlets are there for performers who want to make dance their career? Do you think it’s a realistic goal? | | A: | I love LA…LA has Hollywood and it is important to understand what the business is all about. You have to look good, know some people and work hard and I believe that will get you pretty far. In LA there is lots of opportunity for television shows, movies, print ads, commercials, music videos, tours…it’s LA!! I sometimes have a hard time answering questions about LA being a “realistic goal” cause I really believe that ANYTHING is possible. If you want to dance and make a living at it, you can- it is the same as any other business, you have to get your education, you have to know about the business and opportunity will present itself. Dance is coming back and I think in the coming years there will be more and more out there to be a part of. |
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| Q: | What is one piece of advice you wish you’d known when you were starting out? | | A: | When you grow up dancing, dance is something that you love. Then, when you start to make a career of it, it becomes a business. That is a difficult transition to understand how to look at it from the eyes of the people that are hiring you…they look at you a bit differently than your local dance teacher. Dance can still be something you love, you just have to be able to separated yourself from the emotion of it enough to make smart business decisions. Artists are not always the best business people, so if you can fuse the two extremes… |
| Q: | As a teacher/choreographer, what catches your eye in a dancer? What is it about an artist that makes you take interest? | | A: | All I have to do is look in their eyes…most of the time it doesn’t matter to me how proficient they are, it’s about the feeling they have. There is nothing more beautiful that watching someone move from a place of truth, they get a little glimmer in their eye. |
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