My Class to The xx's "Islands (Untold Remix)

The Los Angeles dance scene during the summer time is like the mall during the days preceding Christmas. 

Pure chaos. 

Nearly every dance studio from Hollywood to the valley is inundated with visiting students who are ravenous to take class. While some travel across the country, others travel across the world. And why not? After all, Los Angeles is arguably THE dance mecca in the United States. 

As a teacher, the visiting students are a fresh wave of new energy in class. I had an absolute blast the last few times I subbed at Edge Performing Arts Center. 

And in addition to that, many of my college-aged friends are now free of school obligations and are able to join me in the studio. As I mentioned many times before in my previous posts, having my friends in class makes teaching all the more enjoyable.

Here is the most recent combo I taught at Edge. The footage we shot during class was a little shaky and off center, so I (along with Diana Schoenfield and Tess Hewlett) re-recorded it in a smaller studio:

Lately, I've been very drawn to The xx. Romy's (and Jamie's) voice is so beautifully haunting that I actually have physical reactions to her singing. My Haim streak a few months ago proved that it is not unusual for me to be obsessive about choreographing to a specific group.

So it might just happen again.

But while I mull over who to choreograph to next, enjoy the video! And while you're at it, check out my youtube channel at: www.youtube.com/user/karenschuang

My Class to The xx's "Heart Skipped a Beat"

For my last class as Movement Lifestyle's June Contemporary teacher, I wanted to teach to another song by The xx. I was in the mood for something light-hearted with a medium tempo, and ended up choosing "Heart Skipped a Beat" from the group's debut album.

I was joined in class by the beautiful Diana Schoenfield, a fellow dancer on Entity Contemporary Dance Company and a third year Dance student at UC Irvine. :

It's hard to admit, but as someone who is very new to the teaching scene in LA (it's been 6 months!) I get nervous thinking about whether or not people will show up to class. I've had long conversations with my peers and other teachers about my insecurities, and they always try to assuage my doubts with a few theories on the culture of class taking in LA. Regardless, I enjoy creating movement and sharing it with others!

And that is why I love when my friends come to class. It takes the pressure and edge off, and it's an incredible feeling watching someone I respect do my choreography. Diana is particularly breathtaking to watch. She has a way of being very subtle and articulate all the while being intense and engaging. Definitely peep her stuff on her Youtube channel or go to UCI and watch her in a show!

Thank you again to Movement Lifestyle for having me teach this month, and of course much gratitude to Diana for dancing with me last Thursday.

I'll still be subbing at Edge Performing Arts Center, and my next class is Tuesday (July 2) at 2:30. Hope to see you there!