Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Locust.
Jimmy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always knew as a child that I loved to dance, but I didn’t know it was a professional calling until my best friend in high school took me to his friends dance recital. That’s all it took. I started taking ballet once a week at a local studio then I added a jazz class. After a year, my teacher, Mary Lea took some of us to a summer intensive in Chicago with the renown Jazz Dance Icon Gus Giordano. I went to the intensive and loved it! I had just graduated high school and my mother (God rest her soul) wanted me to go to college. I remember pleading with her saying, I wanted to continue dancing. She wanted me to get an education to make a good living. Little did I know, while I was in Chicago Gus Giordano was secretly forming his new touring company. Sometime after mom and I had talked I got a phone call offering me a paid principle company contract for Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. Mom was proud and off I went to tour the country and parts of the world with this amazing company.
After some years, I moved to Los Angeles, where I auditioned for a year or 2 and didn’t book anything. I was convinced that it was my height because I’m a smaller guy. Gus always said to me “I don’t see your height I see your art.” which gave me confidence. Gus passed away some years ago. I had auditioned for Paula Abdul a couple of times and got cut but she told me that she was working on her recording career and and come back for her video audition. I did and I booked that job it was her first single “Knocked Out”. From there, I did her video “Forever Your Girl” and she also featured me in the Iconic dance sequence from the film Coming To America with Eddie Murphy.
From there, my career was launched. I was picked from 1000’s of dancers for Janet Jackson”s Rhythm Nation film project which produced the title track video and the song and video Miss You Much. Janet gave me a speaking part in Miss You Much that opens the video. (Side note, I caught up with Janet on the last leg of her State Of The World Tour in December and she uses the intro from Miss you Much in her show.I hadn’t seen her in a couple of decades but she was so kind to give me the VIP treatment with 2nd row center seats and briefly met with me after the show. She’s Amazing! I’ve been blessed to do the Academy’s, The Grammy’s and feature films as an actor and dancer. Then, my life moved into choreography. I was one of the head choreographers for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games as well as being the head choreographer for the NBA Atlanta Hawks Dance Team.
I choreographed for the international market with a commercial for Sanyo with film star Nicolas Cage. I was creative director/choreographer for athletic companies such as Reebok, New Balance, Avia, Diadora, Speedo (in Miami with the Olympic Bronze medalist Synchronized Swim Team). Then I felt it was time for me to give back. And by that I meant working with children and sharing my craft with them. I was living in New York City at the time and I took a train to Stamford Connecticut to teach for a friend. From there I became a studio co-owner in 2005 and opened Locust Performing Arts Center (LPAC) in 2010. Now LPAC is a vibrant studio with over 400 students. My dream is to expand my love of dance across the country. My assistant choreographer, close friend and one of my head teachers Miami native (New World of the Arts graduate) Monica Richardson Delgado was there when I built LPAC and has been my right hand. She recently moved back to Miami and got married and then light bulb went off in my head. Monica has the same teaching methodology as I do, so I knew it was time to continue to spread my vision and open Locust Dance Academy (LDA) in Miramar. Monica and I both hold Artistic Director positions at LDA.
Our methodology is simple. We care for each student that walk through those doors. We empower them to soar beyond any limitations that may distract them from being the best dancer they can be. We give the children the good balance of encouragement, love and healthy boundaries. Locust Dance Academy had a soft opening this pass November and will fully open its doors this September for our first full season!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of my biggest struggles was the build-out process for Locust Dance Academy. Finding the right space and then finding the right architect to bring my vision to life. With time and diligence, I found both!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Locust Dance Academy story. Tell us more about the business.
This is a new neighborhood dance studio/conservatory that offers the expertise of top industry pros and dance educators in a welcoming setting. This studio not only offers excellence in performing arts technique and education but also has a warm community of staff and fellow dancers. Though we strive for performance excellence, we focus on the process and in empowering students to work around their unique challenges and limitations to reach their own potential. Our goal is to uplift students and encourage them to be excited about dance and to have a positive impact in their community,
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I really don’t believe in luck. I believe in blessings and life lessons that can appear to be both.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2195 S. Palm Ave. #104
Miramar, FL 33025 - Website: www.locustdanceacademy.com
- Phone: 954-812-4931
- Email: locustdanceacademy@gmail.com
- Instagram: locustdanceacademy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/locustdanceacademy/?timeline_context_item_type=intro_card_work&timeline_context_item_source=1448891539
Image Credit:
Mindy Vaccino, Jody Frank, Jimmy Locust
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