Interview date: July 16, 2023Episode Summary:

Bobby Amamizu, a seasoned dancer, educator, and choreographer. Bobby shares his inspiring journey from a competitive dancer at Irvine Dance Academy to working with top choreographers and performing in high-profile productions like Dancing with the Stars. He talks about his early years in the dance industry, including the pivotal moments that shaped his career, such as performing in the Fiona Apple music video at just 10 years old and his experiences with Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis show in Las Vegas.

He reflects on the importance of training in multiple dance styles, including tap, ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, and emphasizes how versatility helped him stand out in a competitive industry. He shares valuable advice for dancers, stressing the need to enjoy the process and cultivate strong relationships within the industry. 

The episode wraps up with Bobby’s heartfelt insights into building lasting connections in the dance world.

Show Notes:

• (1:00) Bobby’s early dance journey and transition to competitive dance

• (5:00) Mentorship from Moni Adamson and his first professional gig at 10

• (10:00) Training at OC High School of the Arts and landing Viva Elvis with Cirque du Soleil

• (15:00) Navigating challenges as a young dancer in a competitive industry

• (20:00) How versatility in ballet, tap, and other styles set him apart

• (25:00) Moving to LA and diving into TV and film work

• (30:00) Teaching at major conventions like Tremaine and Hollywood Connection

• (35:00) Building relationships with top choreographers and mentors

• (40:00) Balancing live performances, TV shows, and teaching

• (45:00) Current projects, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and an Amazon ballet show

• (50:00) Final advice: Keep training, stay humble, enjoy the journey, and never give up

Biography:

Bobby Amamizu originally from Irvine, CA is a graduate from Orange County High School of the Arts and holds a BFA in Dance Performance from UC Irvine. 

He is a professional dancer, educator, assistant choreographer, and choreographer who has worked in all varieties of entertainment such as stage, industrials, company, film, commercials, and television.

Stage/Industrials/Company credits include: Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis (original cast), The Power of Music Evening with Hans Zimmer, Freelusion, Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away Roadshow, Loving The Silent Tears (original musical), International Ballet Festival of Miami, Laguna Dance Festival, National Choreographers Initiative, L’Oreal, Mattel, Morinda, Unity LA (Tessandra Chavez), and Commonality (Adam Parson).

Film: A Week Away (Netflix), Valley Girl “Like Totally A Musical”, Fame, A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas, Dear Dumb Diary. Television/Commercials: Young Sheldon, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 5), Physical (Season 2 and 3), Roar, The Voice Promo, Carpool Karaoke, Ford, Lip Sync Battle, Hulu’s “Door No.1”, Home Joy, Miss Universe, Strictly Come Dancing, Fiona Apple music video “Paper Bag,” Jerry Lewis Telethon.

He has taught for different companies, institutions, and conventions including Cirque du Soleil, Houston Met, OCSA, Edge Performing Arts Center, Steps on Broadway, Tremaine Dance Convention, and LA Elite/Elite Dance Convention. He is currently on faculty for Hollywood Connection Dance Convention and an Adjunct Professor at Pace University’s Commercial Dance Department.

Bobby is an assistant to many choreographers such as Marguerite Derricks, Michael Rooney, Bonnie Story, Lane Napper, Dominique Kelley among others. Some of the past projects he was fortunate to be a part of as an assistant choreographer include Happy Socks, AT&T, Carvana, Flirty Dancing and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. 

At the time of taping The Business of Dance Podcast he was working on a new ballet TV show “Etoile” as an assistant choreographer that was filmed in New York and Paris.

Connect on Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/bobbyamamizu

https://www.facebook.com/bobby.amamizu.9