Tremaine Dance celebrates 35th anniversary

Based in Los Angeles, the internationally recognized Tremaine Dance Convention and Competition is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. So far in 2016, the organization hosted a robust 2015-16 National Tour across the U.S., a star-studded 35th Annual Convention Gala Event and National Finals this summer in Orlando, a book release and is now gearing up for a new documentary on Tremaine.

Led by legendary and very busy choreographer/dance educator/performer Joe Tremaine, one of the most influential dance personalities in the country today, the innovative annual convention includes masterclasses with professional teachers/choreographers and competitive opportunities in approximately 24 U.S. cities for over 50,000 dancers each year from across the United States and around the world. Tremaine is well-known in the industry for performing, choreographing and/or teaching dance to scores of celebrities, including Paula Abdul, Christina Applegate, Cher, Helen Hunt, Gene Kelly and Diana Ross, to name just a few. He’s widely credited in the dance world as the catalyst for the current dance explosion, with the company’s pioneering events paving the way for the hundreds of dance conventions, competitions and television shows that followed his early lead. The company’s mission is to further dance education in a positive and motivational environment with top professional choreographers and working dancers from Los Angeles and New York.

At this point, nearly two million dancers have been involved in Tremaine Dance Conventions and Competitions over the years. Tremaine, who believes everyone should get off their derrieres and dance, sees his life’s work not only as teaching and mentoring young dancers, but also teaching life skills. His motto: “Dance Training is Life Training.”

“Dance education not only teaches vital technique, it also provides opportunities for hard work, goal setting and achievement, working in teams, handling disappointment, creating something beautiful, and developing lifelong friendships,” Tremaine stated.

The 35th Annual Tremaine Convention Gala Event and National Finals took place Wednesday, July 6 through Monday, July 11, 2016 in Orlando, FL. It was an action-packed week of daily classes, celebrity guests, competitions, special performances, awards, interviews and special Q&A sessions. At the event, which is known as the highpoint of the season, dancers who placed in regional conventions throughout the 2015-16 Tour vied for the $5,000 “2016 National Performance of the Year” and “2016 National Dancer of the Year” honors. A “2016 National Teacher of the Year” was also awarded. See the full list of finals’ winners here.

Participants had the unique opportunity to meet and learn from high profile celebrities as well as dance industry leaders. The week culminated in the red carpet gala event on Sunday, July 10, which included an elegant black-tie party, sit-down dinner, awards ceremony, and live performances by competition winners and special guests.

Plus, for the first time ever, all former honorees, many with a Tremaine history, were invited to this year’s extra special gala event. Chita Rivera, Florence Henderson and some of the very best movers and shakers in the entertainment industry were there, like Barry Lather, Ivan Dudynsky, Charles “Chucky” Klapow, Katy Tate and Alison Faulk.

In addition, a new book by Tremaine and dancer, author and blog talk radio host Laurie Johnson was just released. Called The History of Tremaine: The Making of a Dance Legacy, it shares their wealth of knowledge with recreational dancers, professional dancers, dance parents and dance teachers. The practical book “explores the art and craft of professional dance” and “serves as a guide to navigating the dance world.”

As if all this wasn’t exciting enough, a new documentary is scheduled to debut in 2017. Behind the Curtain: An Untold Story of Dance, Dancers, and the Man Behind the Curtain will take a peek into the world of professional dance to explore the raw drive and passion of dance. The feature-length documentary will focus on Tremaine, the man behind the curtain. The film is directed by Shane Valdes; produced by Lynn Givens; and co-produced by Shelli Margheritis.

For more information, or to see dates for the convention’s 2016-17 Tour, head to www.tremainedance.com.

Photo (top): Tremaine Dance Conventions’ 2015-16 Tour Faculty. Clockwise from center top is Meghan Sanett, Keri LaGrand, Derrick Schrader, Tiffany Maher, Marty Dew, Colby Shinn, Laurie Johnson, Tony Bellissimo and Joe Tremaine. Photo (left): Joe Tremaine. Photo (right): Joe Tremaine performs during Tremaine Dance Convention’s 35th Anniversary Tour in Los Angeles with (left to right) faculty members Emily Zachary, Derrick Schrader and Keri LaGrand. Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging. All photos courtesy of Tremaine Dance Conventions.