Philadelphia native Anthony Burrell has shared the stage with somel of today’s biggest names in entertainers such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Kesha, Brandy, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams. He has served as their creative director, choreographer, movement coach, and/or dancer for their live performances and world tours, as well as their music videos. In efforts of giving dancers from around the country an opportunity to train with top choreographers and instructors in a variety of techniques such as ballet, contemporary, hip hop, theater/commercial jazz, etc., Burrell created Breaking Barriers Summer Dance Intensive. Breaking Barriers will be held at Philadanco Dance Company from August 3rd to August 15th from 9:30 am until 4:00 pm daily.
“This summer dance intensive is an absolute unique Philadelphia experience for dance students ages 10-25, that aims to bridge the gap between concert and commercial dance and connect dancers to the professional dance world,” says Burrell. Noted by judges as “The Best Dancer in New York” on season 7 of So You Think You Can Dance, Burrell’s skills have taken him places that some people can only dream of ever going. Dance literally saved his life by helping him escape the trappings of his tough surroundings, and by providing him with the tools necessary to express himself as an artist. Now he is returning home to share his passion with dancers who now dream the same dream that Burrell once dreamed.
Burrell’s skills have led to him being cast as the the principal dancer on the national Broadway tour of Come Fly Away, and touring the world with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which afforded him an opportunity to perform for President Barack Obama. Burrell has also guest starred on FOX’s Glee, and served as a choreographer on Lifetime TV’s Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms. He is now gearing up for his return to TV as creative director for Asia Monet Ray from Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition and Dance Moms, on Lifetime’s newest addition to it’s summer/fall lineup, Raising Asia, which debuts tonight, Tuesday, July 30th, 2014. All of these opportunities have been the results of his dedication to dance. Now, he wants to see other dancers dance in his footsteps, and accomplish even greater things. These classes are designed to give dancers first-generation choreography that’s currently being performed on tour and music videos.
