Charles Klapow
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Charles "Chucky" Klapow (born July 5, 1980) is a choreographer and dance instructor known for his teachings of the mental approach to dance. He developed the theory of the U.F.O. Turning Technique which involves balancing, spotting, and the thought of getting lifted up into the U.F.O. The idea is that if you can balance forever, you can turn forever. Rather than pushing around quickly for more turns, the force and momentum required for those extra turns comes mostly from your head by spotting quicker and/or sharper.
Charles began his dancing career at age 12, dancing for Patti LaBelle, Celine Dion, Kris Kross, Salt-N-Pepa, Melissa Etheridge, and others in an all-star concert for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This included a dancing spot in the Paula Abdul music video "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah". By the time he was 15, Charles was an assistant to choreographer and mentor Marguerite Derricks. He assisted Marguerite and danced in Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997), 3rd Rock from the Sun, Fame L.A., among others. Charles created a dance company with parter Wade Robson in the mid-1990's called L.A. Images.
In the fall of 2000, Charles Klapow started choreographing for the Swedish pop group the A*Teens. He was their choreographer for music videos including "Floorfiller", "Halfway Around The World", "Sugar Rush", "Can't Help Falling In Love", and "I Promised Myself" as well as their tour director and choreographer from 2001-2003. These tours took Charles to Germany, Sweden and all over the United States, with additional spot dates in Mexico, Spain, Russia, and Denmark.
Chucky was brought on board by Kenny Ortega (Dirty Dancing choreographer) to help choreograph High School Musical (2006), a Disney Channel Original Movie. Very quickly, Ortega became another mentor to Chucky as they quickly developed a working chemistry together.
Ever since the inaugural season of the WNBA Charles has been a choreographer for the "Sparkids", the hip hop squad which performs at all Los Angeles Sparks homegames. Beginning in 2005, Charles became co-director of the squad under the direction of Christy Buss and he assumes most of the choreography duties for the Sparkids.
Charles Klapow has choreographed commercials for companies including Gap Kids, Old Navy, JCPenney, and Carl's Jr.
Charles Klapow has also recently choreographed for the latest Disney Channel Movie "High School Musical."
Choreographed "Cheetah Girls 2" with Raven-Symone.
[edit] Trivia
- Shortly after working on the first Austin Powers film, Charles Klapow gave private dance lessons to Mike Myers (actor) and his wife Robin.
- Opened for Britney Spears, Aaron Carter, and German Popstars No Angels on various tours with the A*Teens.
- As well as helping with choreography in High School Musical, he also starred as one of the players in the basketball team.
[edit] Awards
Winner of an Emmy award for Outstanding Choreography for "High School Musical" along with Kenny Ortega and Bonnie Story.
