I I believe not only has she impacted me of course professionally, but also personally as someone who had years of struggles with self-esteem, being gay and of course being a young black man, Janet as a person showed me a way to find strength in my character. I call her one of the greatest teachers in this life that I’ve ever had. We seem to always be one person removed from meeting one another, it is the funniest thing. I like to believe if that is something in the cards then it will come to be. Of all things I’d ever like to truly do, I’d like to thank her for saving my life. With what I grew up under I know I’m a lot more fortunate that I didn’t fall victim to so many afflictions that those under domestic violence, alcoholism and bi polar depression households do.
I tell myself with every dance endeavour to always put my heart into my work. Janet has been a sparkling example that being true to yourself is a key to one’s vitality, longevity and success. For all that and then some Janet Jackson you have inspired and changed me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I currently reside in North Hollywood California, working out of Torrance California as Chief of Operations for Boogiezone Inc and Director of Operations of Boogiezone Utopia, Laboratory for the Creative Arts. I have my own active dance company 2wisted Elegance L.A. and still teach dance classes frequently. I’ve been well known in the So-Cal dance community as a reliable Janet Jackson authority on her style of choreography, the physical choreography and a speciality dance class called “The Jackson Power Hour.” This class actually focused on sharing Michael and Janet’s famous combinations from as early as 1975 to present day. Not only that, the class focused on what we called the philosophies that Janet and Michael embodied, not just in the lyrics or performances but in their treatment of situations and life. It was one of the best classes to learn what you saw from videos and stage shows and have it broken down, especially if you were someone that had little or no access to go up to North Hollywood to train under the names that made them if they were even teaching said pieces. The goal of the class was to familiarise people with not just Janet and Michael, but the choreographers and dancers so people’s respect and appreciation for what they learned would expand. We called it a class for the fans by the fans, I really enjoyed that. I hope anyone else out there as a fan gets to share their story, this is a wonderful way for us all to connect. Even when she’s not working directly on something we’re all keeping that fire burning for her.