Dancers who make choices

Strong dancers don't just execute movement. They make choices. My workshops are built to challenge dancers technically while pushing them to become more intentional, dynamic, musical, and individual.

After seven years performing and coaching with Cirque du Soleil's The Beatles LOVE, alongside work in concert dance, commercial entertainment, and higher education, I bring a professional perspective into the studio without losing what makes a workshop exciting. I want dancers moving, sweating, taking risks, and discovering something new about the way they perform.

Gianni Howell teaching a class at a dance convention

Gianni Howell demonstrating movement for dancers during a convention class

Gianni Howell leading dancers through choreography in the studio

Performance: 7 years with Cirque du Soleil's The Beatles LOVE
Coaching: Artist Coach, Cirque du Soleil
Higher education: Assistant Professor of Practice, UA School of Dance
In the studio: Choreographer, guest faculty, convention judge

Class offerings

Dynamics · Intention · Performance

My jazz classes are rooted in dynamics, musicality, intention, and performance. Technique provides the foundation, but I challenge dancers to move beyond simply getting the choreography right.

Class combines a technical and physical warm-up with movement phrases built to explore weight, attack, transitions, musical detail, and performance quality. Dancers are encouraged to make bold choices while keeping clarity and control.

The goal is to leave class dancing with greater intention, not just with more choreography.

What I'll ask you in class

Where does the movement initiate?
What changes when you alter the texture?
Are you listening to the music, or dancing on top of it?
What is your intention?

Musicality · Style · Individuality

Tap is music, movement, and style. My classes focus on rhythm, clarity, dynamics, weight transfer, musicality, and personal style. Technique gives us the vocabulary. What interests me is what a dancer chooses to do with it.

We work on sound and technique alongside texture, timing, accents, dynamics, and stylistic choices. Two dancers can execute the exact same steps correctly and create two completely different performances.

The goal isn't just making the right sounds. It's making musical choices, building a personal style, and letting the movement and the rhythm work together.

What I'll ask you in class

How do you sit into the movement?
Where does your weight live?
What is your groove?
How does the upper body support the rhythm?
What makes this combination sound like you?

Jazz and tap can be booked individually, or together as a multi-class workshop.