Flintridge Sacred Heart welcomes choreographer
Dancer and choreographer Sean Cheesman was on the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy campus Feb. 3 to teach a group of 20 dancers an Afro-Jazz routine. He is choreographing a gospel number for the school’s annual dance concert in April.
Cheesman is familiar to viewers of the TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance” and has worked with pop icons Michael Jackson, Prince and Britney Spears. He is a longtime friend of Sacred Heart’s dance teacher, Cindy Montoya, whom he met 20 years ago when they were both background dancers for Paula Abdul.
“Sean has one of the most innovative minds for telling a story through unique rhythmic movement,” Montoya stated. “When I was thinking of how to incorporate meaningful movement into this year’s dance concert, I knew that Afro-Jazz, with its earthy roots, complex rhythms and athleticism, would help convey the emotion of certain American history themes.”
Cheesman said he enjoyed working with the teens. “It’s wonderful to feel that energy that they bring.”
He is scheduled to return to the campus next month to help them prepare for their upcoming dance concert.
-- Carol Cormaci, carol.cormaci@latimes.com
ALSO:
La Cañada officials warn of potential beetle infestation
Local half-dozen girls’ basketball squads headed to playoffs
La Cañada’s Kate Hansen slides into 10th at first day of Olympic competition