A dancer-turned-choreographer, famed for catapulting his career as a part of Madonna’s record-breaking ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour, is to begin a two-day residency at a Liverpool performing arts school.
Salim ‘Slam’ Gauwloos will be visiting Rare Studio in Liverpool on Thursday 4- Friday 5 April to lead an exclusive two-day masterclass that will allow him to teach the next generation of local talent with his 25+ years of performing experience. Working with everybody from Britney Spears and Naomi Campbell to George Michael and Aretha Franklin, Slam is responsible for helping to trailblaze ‘voguing’ culture (he starred in the video!) as well as leading Madonna’s ‘Blonde Ambition’ tour – one that shaped a whole new era of dance. He has since gone onto teach across the world and is now a regular face at New York City’s Broadway Dance Center.
Slam will be joined by esteemed choreographers, and fellow Broadway Dance Center teachers, Keenan Cooks and Leslie Feliciano who combined, boast a star-studded roster including Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B. Rare Studio also plan to add a special guest UK choreographer to their incredible international line-up.
The two-day residency is open to not just Rare Studio students, but dancers from across the city and beyond. Attendees can expect two days of intensive training covering all aspects of contemporary, commercial, lyrical and hip-hop. Slam and the team will also be awarding two $500 Broadway Dance Center scholarships which will enable two students to visit New York City with flights fully-funded by Rare Studio. There will also be the chance for students to win one of three fully-funded scholarships to attend Rare Studio.
Salim ‘Slam’ Gauwloos, choreographer, said:
“I’m incredibly excited to be visiting Rare Studio in Liverpool. I’ve heard great things of how the school is enabling talent from all corners of the UK to reach their potential on an international level so, as you can imagine, I’m looking forward to seeing what talent they bring to my two day residency.
“It’s going to be an amazing couple of days and I aim to put the rising stars through their paces. Once upon a time I was in their shoes so working with and inspiring young people is something that is very close to my heart. I just know that myself, Keenan and Leslie are going to have a hard time deciding who is awarded the scholarships, that’s for sure!”
Lindsay Inglesby, director at Rare Studio, said:
“This a massive moment for not just Rare Studio, but, for Liverpool and our performing arts scene. Salim has played a huge role in bringing dance into the mainstream. Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour, including Salim’s contribution, flipped the performing arts industry onto its head; artists such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have openly said how much of an influence that one tour has had on their careers. All three of our guest choreographers work with household names, from Kendrick Lamar to Rihanna, so we couldn’t be happier that they’ll have a chance to check out our incredible talent.
“We recognise how huge this opportunity is which why we’ve opened it up to performers outside of Rare Studio. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for rising dance stars to not just showcase what they’re made of to a team that truly work with the best in the business, but, also have the chance to bag a scholarship for the coveted Broadway Dance Center and Rare Studio itself.
“We’re honoured to be flying Salim, Keenan and Leslie over from New York City for a two-day residency and we know they’re going to be blown away with what our next generation has to offer!”
Book your place and find out further information now here. To keep up-to-date with the latest Rare Studio news, visit their website.
Categories: News
