Choreographer and Artistic Director - Dale Lam
Dale Lam is the driving force behind our company. You've never met a more hyper person than Dale. Her creativity, dedication to perfection and openess to new ideas makes us what we are.
She has developed a very exciting teaching and choreography style combining traditional jazz, ballet, ethnic, street, modern and natural movement. Her high-energy classes and choreography incorporate theatrical elements to teach the importance of emotion in dance and stage presence.
In addition to being artistic director for CCJC, Dale is a member of the dance faculty at the University of South Carolina and is an in-demand jazz choreographer and master instructor. She has set choreography and taught at studios all across the United States. She has conducted master classes at the Kiradjiev Cultural Center in Plovdiv, Bulgaria during the summer of 1999, the American School in Singapore and for the Singapore Dance Association at Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore and was the head of the jazz department at the Summer Dance Experience in Myrtle Beach for two seasons. In addition, she has judged a number of dance competitions, including nationals in Vegas.
Dale received extensive dance training with Frank Hatchett, Mia Michaels, Desiree Robbins, Robin Dunn, Ed Kresley and Joe Tremaine and has a BA in Theatre and Speech from the University of South Carolina. She also received acting training from Jim Baffico of Carnegie-Melon and training in piano, cello and voice.
She has performed for the King of Norway during an overseas tour of "Godspell" and was a principal singer and dancer in "Hooray for Hollywood" at Carowinds. She was also Dance Captain for the Southeastern Theatre Conference Summer Repertory in Fairfield, Tenn., and lead vocalist and dancer in a Department of Defense Mediterranean tour. She has choreographed for the Budweiser Dancers and has appeared in more than thirty live theater productions and trade shows for companies such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
"There's so much more to being a great dancer than just "learning the steps". There's also an emotional element that must be taken into consideration if you wish to give an outstanding performance.". Dale has a lot more to say too. Read Dale's Notes.
Dale's theatrical background is a big plus for us in this area. Before beginning choreography, Dale will often have the dancers sit and listen to the lyrics of a song, and discuss the emotions they're feeling and how to portray that while dancing.
If you're interested in Dale giving a master class or setting choreography for your studio, just contact us!