Published: November 26, 2007 08:21 am      

LA-based dancer sets TVCC clinic

Jesselee Santos has worked with some of Hollywood’s hottest artists.

In his eight-year dance career he’s choreographed routines for names such as Pink and Jessica Simpson. Over the years, he’s become a master of the hip-hop style.

Next week, he will be bringing all of his experience to Athens.

Santos, who is based in Los Angeles, will be teaching a one-day dance clinic at Trinity Valley Community College. The clinic will be from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 27 in the TVCC Ballroom. During the two-hour clinic, Santos will be covering basic hip-hop style techniques.

“We often have guest dancers in to teach our Cardettes,” said Darla Mansfield, Cardette director. “But we are very lucky to have someone with his credentials coming to teach, so we thought this time we would open the dance clinic to the public so they could take advantage of this opportunity.”

Mansfield said Santos has some connections in the Dallas area, which is how he ended up in touch with TVCC.

Mansfield said the class will be ideal for dancers of both sexes. Because Santos will be moving quickly through steps younger dancers will find complex, she added, the clinic is really designed for dancers high school age and older.

“It will be a great time to learn a new style of dance,” said Mansfield.

Santos began his dance career in 1999. He has also toured with top artists such as Mandy Moore, Pink, and Jessica Simpson. Santos has also performed on the Grammy Music Awards with Britney Spears (2000), Madonna (2001), and Alicia Keys (2002), as well as the Soul Train Awards with Blaque and Usher.

He has performed in more than 25 music videos, including “Wild Wild West,” “Crazy,” “Most Girls,” “Irresistible,” “A Lil' Bit,” “Slave 4 U,” “Overprotected,” and “Pass the Dutch.”

He has also been on MTV's Janet Jackson Icon Show, Pop Stars with Eden's Crush, HBO Live from Vegas with Britney Spears, as well as national Pepsi and Sony commercials.

Santos has also made a plunge into the world of choreography, choreographing for such artists like Jessica Simpson, Pink, and Angelina. He also choreographs for Jonathan George, which includes his music video “Ooh Mama Mia.”

Cost for the class is $20 for non-TVCC students and $15 for students.

“It’s a great bargain. Normally this type of class would cost you twice as much,” said Mansfield.

To register for the class, please call Mansfield at 903-675-6225.