{"id":4277,"date":"2013-03-11T18:17:52","date_gmt":"2013-03-11T18:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dancemogul.com\/news\/?p=4277"},"modified":"2013-03-11T20:39:13","modified_gmt":"2013-03-11T20:39:13","slug":"joe-brown-bridging-the-gap-of-arts-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dancemogul.com\/news\/joe-brown-bridging-the-gap-of-arts-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Brown \/ Bridging the Gap of Arts & Education"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Born and raised in New York, Joe’s passion for dance began as early as he can remember.\u00a0 Cultivated by the urban dance scene as a competitive hip hop freestyler and a rich introduction to Broadway theater thanks to his older sister, his influence spans the world of dance and the performing arts. \u00a0Joe continued his passion for dance in Boston, exploring traditional fraternity stepping and performance hip hop while studying mechanical engineering at MIT. \u00a0Now in Los Angeles pursuing a master’s degree in architecture at SCI-Arc, Joe still continues to be heavily involved in the dance community. Joe has already trained with and assisted some of the most prominent choreographers and has performed at popular dance showcases including the Choreographer’s Carnival and Federal Live. His intensive training spans several styles including hip hop, house, dancehall, step, jazz funk, popping\/locking, and waacking. Most recently, he started a new dance workshop in North Hollywood entitled Stroll Groove, exposing the art form of strolling to the local dance community. He has also recently performed in music videos for recording artists including Laura Mvula, French Montana, Nicki Minaj, and more! He continues to be involved in numerous upcoming projects and performances in varying capacities, as dancer, choreographer, artistic director, teacher, and mentor. Joe took the time out to tell us about balancing MIT and his dance career. We found out that Joe is still currently doing this as he pursues his Master’s degree. For all the dancers out there grinding and thinking that\u00a0they\u00a0have to give dance up, Joe is living proof that it can be done. We hope his words inspire you to keep achieving.<\/p>\n

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Dance Mogul:<\/strong> How were you able to blend hip hop, stepping, and\u00a0Broadway\u00a0theater to help create your own self expression?<\/p>\n

Joe Brown:<\/strong> There’s a tie that binds all three of these areas for me: intensity.\u00a0 The most memorable and entertaining performances I’ve seen were the most intense.\u00a0 I’m a product of each but by very intense, in-your-face measures in getting to that level and that shows in my choreography and performance style.<\/p>\n

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Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Tell us about your experience at MIT, what made you pursue higher\u00a0education.<\/p>\n

Joe Brown:<\/strong>\u00a0Attending MIT was an amazing and challenging experience.\u00a0 I majored in mechanical engineering with the intention of furthering my childhood dream to design theme parks.\u00a0 The rigor and intensity of the curriculum provided sound foundation in problem solving and time management that proved worthwhile in and out of the classroom.\u00a0 The school and the collegiate city of Boston also offered tons of extracurricular opportunities and access to other passions of mine including dance.<\/p>\n

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Dance Mogul:<\/strong> How do you balance pursuing your masters and still be heavily involved in\u00a0dance?<\/p>\n

Joe Brown:<\/strong>\u00a0Pursuing my masters definitely remains my current priority, but being well-rounded and balanced requires effort, sound foundation, and purpose. That foundation for me is my walk with God and living accordingly to his Word as a disciple.\u00a0 Acknowledging and understanding that I was put here to use my talents for Him, gives me the drive and heart to make it happen!<\/p>\n

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Dance Mogul:<\/strong> Who are some of the\u00a0choreographers\u00a0you have had the opportunity to train with and work with?<\/p>\n

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Joe Brown:\u00a0<\/strong>I’ve had awesome opportunities to work with choreographers such as Chuck Maldanado, Rob Rich, Ray Basa, Lorenzo Hanna and Dionne Renee of Dancehall Funk, Phlex, Kumari Suraj and Kenya Clay.\u00a0 All great in their own right and I’ve learned a great deal from them in and out of the studio!<\/p>\n

Dance Mogul:<\/strong> For those that don’t know, can you update us on the Stroll Grove and Strolling?<\/p>\n

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Joe Brown:\u00a0<\/strong>Stroll Groove is in process to go on an official promo launch with regular classes, video releases, and showcases at local events.\u00a0 The impact and feedback from the free workshops last quarter was amazing!\u00a0 I’m looking to continue that energy into the spring and summer!<\/p>\n

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Dance Mogul:<\/strong> What was it like working with Laura Mvula, French Montana, Nicki Minaj?<\/p>\n

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Joe Brown:\u00a0<\/strong>It was exciting and quite surreal.\u00a0 Being able to perform for rising talents and already established forces in the music industry was amazing.\u00a0 Still being quite new to the LA dance scene, having the opportunity to work for great choreographers and learn from the talented dancers around me was inspiring!<\/p>\n