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Brian Green

CURRENT CLASSES:

• Tuesday 7:30-9 pm Beg Hip-Hop
• Thursday 7:30-9 pm Beg House
• Saturday 3-4:30 pm Basic Popping

Brian Green a.k.a. "Footwork," choreographer, teacher, and dancer, began dancing at 8 years old. He studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and African for five years from Phil Black, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Joefrreys Ballet. In 1978, his brother, Oscar, introduced him to "Poppin'," a dance from California. Wanting to learn more, he went to the NYC underground between 1983-84.

By the end of 1984, Brian understood and was a part of the Hip-hop Culture. 1984-1986, he found the House and Freestyle culture in Roseland, 4Ds, Paradise Garage, and other clubs in NY. 1986, he ran into two people: Damien and Spanky, who became his full inspiration in the House culture. Their inspiration, Brian's rhythm from Tap, his mother's intricate Hustle, Salsa, and African steps, eventually spawned a unique very fast footwork style that gave Brian his name around the underground scene of NY and abroad.

Brian in his career has choreographed or danced with artists like Mariah Carey, Gwen Stefanie, Fergie, MYA, Foxy Brown, Missy Eliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Busta Rhymes, Barbara Tucker, EVE, Kraze, MAW (Masters at Work), and many more. In the last 10 years, his teaching has focused on the history of dances in the Funk, Hip-hop, and House culture, which he has spread through the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa. In these countries he has been a judge for countless dance contests, promoting the true art, culture, and essence of these dances!

He is the 2001 ACA (American Choreographers Awards) recipient for Best Hip-Hop Choreography in a Music Video for his choreography in the video called, "FREE" by the artist called, MYA! He has created a new company, WORLD SOUL (www.23prime.com/worldsoul), which has focused on showing audiences the passion, history, and various techniques that are in various dance styles. He has also created a dance edutaining event that has been sweeping NY and spreading around the world called the House Dance Conference (www.myspace.com/housedanceconference & www.housedanceconference.com)! He is also one of the Foundation Team Members and Faculty of Red Bull's educational yearly event called RED BULL BEATRIDERS (www.redbullbeatriders.com).

Lastly, in 2008, he has just finished the choreography for the instructors DVD for NIKE called NIKE ROCKSTAR WORKOUT HOUSE, and heading the campaign for that in February 2008. Look for it on youtube in April 2008!

Class Description

Int HIP-HOP: GIVES THE FULL HISTORY OF DANCES IN THE HIP-HOP from the early '80s till now. Brian also teaches you the names of hip-hop movements that were legendary in the hip-hip clubs of New York's underground scene, which is where Hip-hop is born. Brian moves from the name dances into different styles of hip-hop to their changes when other parts of the U.S. started to follow NY’s wake! Showing the differences between, Street Jazz, Funk, and other names, which are mistaken for Hip-hop.

Int HOUSE: A dance that started in the late '70s and recognized in the clubs in the early '80s. Stemming from the influence of disco and funk eras. Called, Jacking in Chicago and Clubbing in NY. The term House became an umbrella term used to explain what the music was called, which now explains the dance. Jacking is part of the foundation of the '80s dance movement in the House culture. But not too many people know how to JACK today. So, the label House has been born.

This class also gives you the history and names of the dances that started the House dance phenomenon that is growing slowly in America, but already running rapid in Europe and Asia. Moving into the 90s and Y2K, House dance has evolved from its basic steps of the '80s.