Today we’d like to introduce you to David Thomas.
Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the heart of hip hop the Bronx NY, with my heritage and roots stemming from Jamaica. I began dancing at the young age of 4, impersonating moves from the king of pop Michael Jackson. By 2005, at the age of 14, I made a decision to form my own dance crew which would later be known as the hip hop company, “WRT The Collective (We Run This). Training alongside the new team with complex choreography, creative concepts, themes and music bringing a fresh new authentic style to the table.By 2008, I began to slowly make my mark within the commercial dance industry. Working hard to cultivate my style and getting opportunities to train with some of the industry’s aspiring Artists, such as Laurieann Gibson, Hi Hat Productions, Jose “Hollywood Ramos, Rhapsody James, Candace Brown, Luam, to name a few. Some of my Dance & Choreography credits include working with some hip hop icons
Missy Elliot, A Boogie “wit da hoodie”, Travis Scott, MTV Vmas, ScarLip, Kranium Pharrell Williams, Steve Madden Fall Campaign, Sharaya J, Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca dance co, Former NBA Brooklyn Nets Team Hype member, choreographer for sports teams icluding Brooklyn Nets Kids, NFL Command Force, St Johns University, Fordham University, NYU & Long Island Nets. I continued to expand my career and impact within the industry as not only a performer and artist but as an educator. Being able to have taught internationally (including Israel, Russia, China, Canada, Dominican Republic) and throughout the U.S. (including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Florida and all parts of NYC). Teaching at the largest and most impactful dance spaces within NYC at Broadway Dance Center, Joffrey Hip Hop Summer Program, & the Alvin Ailey Extension. Developing an authentic style, combining raw hip hop and dancehall fusion naming it “island movement” (an authentic fusion of his journey in life and dance combining where he’s from with where he grew up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
it definitely has not been a smooth road, your always going to experience bumps in the road, for me those moments came throughout various parts of my journey. Being a kid and others laughing at you because you were the only one that took an interest in dance to people not wanting to lend a helping hand or give me a chance to showcase my talent when I finally made it into the commercial business I had to break down doors.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Iam a Choreographer, Teacher/ Instructor/ Mentor, Dj as well as respected dancer in NYC. My job is to help dancers see the greatness in themselves, inspiring and motivating them through cultivating movements. I’m mostly known in the tri state area as a dope Choreographer with a positive attitude.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
one of my favorite childhood memories would have to be when I performed and won (almost 3 times) at the famous Apollo Theaters Amateur Night. That was the first time I got to experience performing on a larger scale for a bigger crowd all alone. I could remember my family in the audience cheering me on as well as some friends and even teachers from my school at that time. Everyone knew I was a dancer at that point
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showemhow2move?igsh=MWZmbDF1YnA1OGt1cQ==
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WRTtv2
