It’s more than the steps, that’s what I tell dancers I work with all the time. When I’m selecting dancers, I usually look for those that can make sense of it and just get it. When you’re the director you have then the power to bring your own visions and thoughts to life.ĭo you select the dancers that you work with? If so, what do you look for in a dancer? When working for a director, you want to bring their vision to life. But normally, at the end of the day when working for an artist, you want to bring their vision to life. I want you to go for it and give me you”. Or you may have a project where they may say, “JaQuel, here is the song. You have some directors who have props and ideas worked out already and they want you to come in and make sense of their ideas. It all depends on my role on the project. Obedience and discipline are key.įor the most part, I usually have a fair amount of creative freedom. The choreography is done for the most part you just have to listen to the music. I’m a former musician, so I believe in listening and obeying what the music tells you to do. I come up with my concepts/idea by sitting and being totally inspired by the music. In general, how do you come up with your choreographic concepts/ideas? Do all the performers you work with give you total creative freedom, or do they tell you what they want? That alone was an award-winning experience. I was doing interviews, teaching classes, handling rehearsals and hosting events, and she was able to see it, finally. She was able to be around and observe my work. I flew her out to New York to be with me for the weekend. Definitely an amazing and great feeling! I shared it with my mother who at that point, I hadn’t seen in a while because of my work schedule.
Something way above my own personal power and out of my hands. Oh my, I don’t think I have yet to put the moment into words. Tell us about winning your MTV Video Music Award. With an artist like Beyoncé, there isn’t a ‘director’s approval’.If she approves it, then it shall happen. For Diva, we conceptualized everything and then took it to the director. For Single Ladies Beyoncé had the idea and concept in her head for the most part and I went in and made it hot and relevant. I have told her this! And then she’s funny and humble on top of all that!ĭo you first conceptualize Beyoncé’s choreography and then take it to her directors for approval, or do you work with her and her team together to create the steps and overall look?įor video it all depends on the situation. She’s great! I believe she is the first human robot to walk on the earth. She expects her entire team to give their all, just as she does. She pushes you to your limits as a creative artist and she will never settle for less. Her passion, drive and hard work are all very inspiring and unreal. What is she like to work with?īeyoncé is such a great talent to work with. You are known for your work with Beyoncé. Are you able to fly to New York tonight?” The song was Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) and since that moment I haven’t stopped yet. Then a few months later I received a call from Frank and he said, “Hey, I have this new Beyoncé song that I can’t send through email. This then led to choreographing her promo tour. Later I was called to come in and give a few key steps/grooves, which led to co-choreographing the video We Break The Dawn. I did that and Frank and Michelle both loved it. I did the combo and slate and then was asked to freestyle in the genre of ‘house’. as a dancer for Michelle Williams, from Destiny’s Child.
In a nutshell, I went to audition for Frank Gatson Jr. I didn’t start taking hip-hop classes until 2005.īig break? I’m still not completely sure what my big break is. I always danced as a kid, mimicking music videos in front of the television. I do not have a formal dance training background. JaQuel’s credits include Beyoncé’s I am… tour, Britney Spears’ Circus Tour and American Idol amongst others.ĭance Informa enjoyed asking the young dance prodigy a few questions. After winning an MTV Music Award for Beyoncé’s Single Ladies music video, JaQuel hit fame, and at only 20 years of age the accolades keep coming. JaQuel Knight is a choreographer in high demand.