myExtraContent1
myExtraContent2
myExtraContent3
Billy Larson
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Billy Larson brings an impressive array of performing, teaching, and choreographic experience to East Coast Movement. As a performer, Billy most recently danced the lead role in Mia Michaels' 3 Steps From Heaven for ASH Contemporary Dance Company, where Billy performed as principal male dancer for four years. Billy traveled throughout North America as "Funky" in Dein Perry's critically acclaimed TAP DOGS, and was a dance champion on CBS's Star Search. He has also had principal roles with the late Mark Marino's American Dance Company throughout Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Yugoslavia. His credits also include the 2002 Winter Olympics opening and closing ceremonies in Salt Lake City, Carnival Choreographer's Ball NYC, The Elan Awards, Broadway Dance Center's Performance Outlets, and Dancers Responding to AIDS benefit performances. As an accomplished dance competitor during his years of training, Billy received countless awards, medals, and other recognition in all forms of dance. In 1998, he was named the highest-ranked solo tap dancer in the United States at the North American Tap Dance Championships. Later that year, he traveled to Riesa, Germany with the United States team and captured the gold medal in solo tap dance. Billy's win garnered two more "firsts": He was both the first American and the youngest competitor ever to achieve this honor.

In 1999, Billy was honored to represent New York as "Mr. Dance of New York City" at the Dance Masters of America's Mr. and Miss Dance of America scholarship pageant. Again, Billy captured the top honor, the first tap dancer ever to win this title.

In addition to his work as a performer, Billy is recognized around the world as a master class teacher and choreographer. He is currently on the faculty at the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where he teaches contemporary jazz. In 2007, Billy was named the resident contemporary teacher at the famed Joffrey Ballet School's first annual summer Jazz and Contemporary Dance Intensive. He will return to Joffrey to teach again in the summer of 2008.

Billy also travels throughout the country as the contemporary-jazz master teacher for WILD Dance Convention. He continues to travel to major dance studios throughout the continent as a guest teacher and choreographer, and serves as a judge with numerous performing arts competitions.

Broadening his career as a choreographer, Billy recently formed Truth In Progress, a contemporary dance company based in the Philadelphia/NYC area. The company received outstanding reviews for its debut performance.

"Expression through dance and creative movement is a way to expand a child's mind and strengthen a growing body. This is achieved through proper guidance and fine instruction. We strive not only to create successful performers who will continue professional careers in the performing arts, but also to guide and nurture all students through encouragement to achieve their own personal goals. This will help develop strong, prominent skills for use in all sectors of life."
myExtraContent10