Shimmy Exclusive Interview

Mandy Moore




Shimmy: Tell us a bit about your background.

Mandy Moore: I grew up in Colorado and danced at the local studio, Summit School of Dance, from 8 years old to when I graduated. I took ballet, tap, modern, jazz and acro...it was a small town, but we had some great teachers at the studio. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 18 and auditioned for Edge Scholarship. I actually didn't make the program, but I ended up working at the studio for class. I eventually ended up selling merchandise for LA Danceforce, a dance convention that the owners of Edge also owned. After a year of that, I knew that my talents would be better used in the classroom, so I started teaching for them and that led to teaching at Edge, meeting more people and the rest...is history.

Shimmy: What inspires you?

Mandy Moore: Everyday life inspires me...people fascinate me. I really like to people watch and I find that most of my idea's for choreography come from my observations. I love music, so I have to say that also inspires me. I love experiencing something great, be it a great performance, a great dinner, a great conversation, a great moment...the feeling I get after experiencing that, inspires me.

Shimmy: What are "dream roles" for you?

Mandy Moore: Dream roles for me are anything that challenges me to be better at my craft. I dance, teach and choreograph, so there are many "roles" to play. I really enjoy being in a situation that I don't know much about and trying to take in and learn from everyone involved with it.

Shimmy: SYTYCD has brought you and your work to the masses, will you return for season four?

Mandy Moore: I will be returning to SYTYCD for Season 4, in fact I was just speaking with the producers the other day and we were talking about what episodes I will be working on.

Shimmy: What contestants from the show did you enjoy working with the most and why?

Mandy Moore: Well, I was lucky, I got to work with Sabra twice!! She is great and works so hard, I love dancers that put in the work. I also loved Dominic, he had never really done contemporary when I worked with him and he came in with an open mind and heart and ended up being very successful.

Shimmy: The JUMP Convention- tell us about it.

Mandy Moore: JUMP is a dance convention that travels around the country and puts on workshop/competition for local dance studios. JUMP is so much fun to work on, we have a live band that plays in the classes, live camera feeds to huge screens for the dancers to see better, an all-star faculty, and tons of special classes and events all geared toward an amazing experience for any dancer that attends. I travel to twenty-some cities with them and it is one of the most fulfilling things I do.

Shimmy: You've dabbled in so many areas, what do you enjoy most of all?

Mandy Moore: I have to say that I have been very lucky to have been so successful in many areas... after all that I have done so far, I love dancing in class the most!!! I know that sounds crazy, but training and dancing in class is the best way I have found to keep in touch with the reason I started dancing, because I love it.

Shimmy: What projects do you have in the works or planned for the future?

Mandy Moore: I always have lots to do. Right now I am choreographing all the group songs for American Idol and will start SYTYCD in a couple months. I have JUMP Nationals at the Kodak Theater in July and will also be traveling to Italy to teach that same month. In August, I will be co-hosting an event with Nick Lazzarini, called "The Nick and Mandy Show." The event is a week of classes, workshops, and rehearsals ending with a show at a theater in Los Angeles. Next December, I am choreographing the Orange Bowl half-time show in Miami.

Shimmy: If I swiped your ipod for an hour, what would I be listening to?

Mandy Moore: I love Ani Difranco, so you are bound to listen to a song or two of hers...I just found William Fitzsimmons and Jon Foreman, acoustic and beautiful...a little Dane Cook, he is ridiculous...and you are sure to run across any good 80's song, most likely a big hair rock love ballad, I love em....

Shimmy: Three things you cannot live without.

Mandy Moore: Lip gloss, DKNY bedding and my Dad's apple pie

Shimmy: If you could switch places with anyone (not in the dance world) for 24
hours who would it be?

Mandy Moore: I would like to switch places with my grandmother, Betty. I can't imagine all that she has experienced in her life, it would be amazing to see the world and all it is presently through her eyes.

Shimmy: What advice would you give to aspiring dancers?

Mandy Moore: My advice to aspiring dancers is to make sure you love it, cause there are so many "No's" along the way and if you truly love to dance, the "No's" won't seem so rough.

Shimmy Video Pick- Neil Haskell and Sabra Johnson table dance choreographed by Mandy Moore.

Shimmy Exclusive Interview- Dan Karaty

Shimmy: What was it like growing up with parents that performed on Broadway?

Dan: Well, growing up in the Karaty family was a lot of fun. I'm the youngest of five kids, and although my parents were Broadway veterans, when they decided to have kids they gave it up. My father was a stockbroker and my mom stayed home with us. My parents decided to open up a dance studio when I was about 13 years old, and that's when I started to dance. They certainly had plenty of knowledge, talent and experience to pass on to me.

Shimmy: What was your own experience in Footloose like?

Dan: My experience in Footloose was brief, but amazing. To be a part of an original Broadway cast was something I always wanted, and it made my parents very proud. To be honest though, we opened in October and I gave my notice in November…I had one semester left at New York University and wanted to finish my education. If I took any more time off I knew I would never go back.

Shimmy: Would you ever return to the boards?


Dan: I wouldn't return as a performer, but as a choreographer or director? I would be there in a heartbeat, that's another dream of mine.

Shimmy: When did you transition from performer to choreographer?

Dan: The transition from a performer to a choreographer just sort of happened. Wade Robson and I worked together quite a bit, and while I was dancing on some gigs for him I began helping out with choreography. We always worked well together and things just happened from there.

Shimmy: What was it like working with Britney Spears back when she was at the top of her game?

Dan: Britney was an absolute joy to work with. We created some memorable performances together and that girl really knew how to turn it on when she hit the stage. Britney was always a hard worker and didn't quit until she got it right. I wish her nothing but the best.

* Dan performing with Britney Spears at the 2000 Video Music Awards *



Video: Momoe2006

Shimmy: You've dabbled in so many areas- teaching, judging, doing commercials, choreographing tours and television- what do you enjoy the most?

Dan: You know, my career has continued to evolve over the past 10 years or so and I've been happy every step of the way. I consider myself a lucky man because I do what I love. Honestly, I'm excited to see where things take me next…but I'm extremely happy with what I'm doing now. Choreographing movies and commercials and being on television, it's not so bad 


Shimmy: So You Think You Can Dance has brought your work to the masses, will you return for season four?

Dan: I'll be there! I really can't wait to see what amazing talent shows up this year. Oh, and rumor has it that I'll be showing up on other versions of the show around the world. See you overseas too!


Shimmy: What contestants from the show did you enjoy working with the most and why?

Dan: I love performers more than anything else. Yeah, show me that you can dance, but entertain me! That's what I'm really looking for. Nick Lazzarini from season 1, Lacey from season 3, those are the type of dancers I love to work with. They bring so much to the table and make it fun.

* Lacey Schwimmer & Kameron Bink dancing a Dan Karaty number on SYTYCD *



Video: Green Ramalama

Shimmy: The JUMP Convention- tell us about it.

Dan: Well, Gil Stroming is the man in charge and he does an incredible job. He has really changed the convention world and has taken it to a whole new level by having a great faculty, live music, amazing sets, and so much more. All of us on JUMP travel around the country to teach, inspire and motivate dancers of all ages. From hip-hop to jazz to contemporary, we offer the kids the best of everything. And oh yeah, this past summer we held our national finals at Radio City Music Hall, and this summer we'll be holding it at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

Shimmy: What inspires you?

Dan: Inspiration can really come from anything…an experience in my life, an incredible dancer, a piece of music I hear, anything. I do my best to keep things fun and entertaining for the masses to enjoy. I like to make people smile, laugh, or at the very least have a good time, that's my goal when I'm creating.

* Dan teaching at JUMP Convention *



Video: littlelady103106

Shimmy: What are "dream roles" for you?

Dan: Ha, actually, what I'm doing right now is a dream for me. Hopefully I can do more of the same. I really would love to choreograph and direct a musical…and anything else I can get my hands on.

Shimmy: If I swiped your ipod for an hour, what would I be listening to?

Dan: My choices in music can vary depending on the mood I'm in. I love listening to Kanye, and chilling out to Maxwell. Oh, and Led Zeppelin's music is forever. I'll always love Biggie and Jay-Z…and any old school hip-hop.


Shimmy: Three things you cannot live without.

Dan: The New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and Starbucks!

Shimmy: You have a degree in journalism. What areas are of interest to you?

Dan: You know, I've always just loved to write. I don't know if I'll ever have a career in it, but its something I like to do in my down time. I would love to someday sit down and write about all of the crazy things I've done, seen, and experienced. I'm not sure if anyone else would be interested, but it seems readable to me.

Shimmy: Leap ahead ten years, if you are no longer involved in dance what might you be doing instead?

Dan: Ah, that's a good one. First of all, I'll hopefully be married with some kids running around. Whether I'm on-camera or behind it, I know I'll be involved in the business one way or another. Maybe I'll be following the Yankees around the country….now that would be fun!

Shimmy Video Pick
* Anya Garnis & Danny Tidwell dancing a Dan Karaty number on SYTYCD *



Video: Green Ramalama

JUMP The Alternative Convention Heads To Secaucus

Nick Lazzarini, Dan Karaty, Danny Tidwell and Mandy Moore are just a few of the innovative faculty members teaching their way across the country. JUMP comes to Secaucus, NJ Jan. 18-20. If anyone out there is attending please send us your experiences, photos or videos!

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