THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 3, 1996 TAG: 9602030364
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
It was a bit of Broadway - and Hollywood, Vegas and MTV - at the Beach.
Famed choreographer and dancer Frank Hatchett, who trains stars like Gregory Hines, Brooke Shields and Whitney Houston at his Broadway Dance Center in New York, paid a visit Friday to the Golden Slippers Dance Academy in Virginia Beach. He taught four master-jazz classes to area dance students ages 7 and up.
Hatchett has choreographed for, danced with or taught some of the biggest names in show business: Sammy Davis, Jr., Harry Belafonte, Pearl Bailey, Ben Vereen, Diana Ross, the Jackson Five and Vanessa Williams. He's also choreographed and appeared in countless television commercials and music videos. MTV-watchers might recognize him as Julie's dance instructor in the premiere edition of ``The Real World,'' the network's cinema verite soap opera series.
Hatchett's specialty is what he calls ``vop,'' a sassy hybrid of jazz and street dance techniques, such as hip-hop, with an emphasis on individual expression.
``It's a fusion, it's a style,'' Hatchett said before the Golden Slippers classes. ``Everybody has their own flavor of vop. In other words, to take a basic step and to feel it with what you feel within. You're allowed to make it your own.''
In Virginia Beach, personal style was only part of Hatchett's curriculum. He also explained to the students how the basic principles of dance - respect, discipline, projection, punctuality, focus and self-esteem - can be applied in life.
Dressed in a black sweat suit and ball-cap, Hatchett looked low-key. A class of 7- to 9-year-olds - two boys and two dozen girls - at first seemed shy of the fit 60-year-old, a native of Danville. But his expressive face, expansive smile and infectiously enthusiastic approach to dance soon won the children over.
And Hatchett received glowing reviews from his finger-snapping, foot-stamping, hip-shaking pupils.
``It was fun,'' said 8-year-old Anthony DeAngelo, who takes jazz, tap and ballet at Golden Slippers and would like to be a dancer when he grows up. ``He had a lot of style in his dances.''
``He taught most of the girls how to hip-hop who really didn't know how,'' said Teresa Greene, also 8 and a Golden Slippers student.
``I think he should be able to work here and in New York.''
Hatchett frequently travels to Virginia, teaching dance at inner-city schools in his hometown and in Richmond, motivating and inspiring youngsters to achieve their full potential. Hatchett is in the area this weekend for a Dance Educators of America seminar in Norfolk.
``One of the main reasons I do this is it gives me a chance to touch a lot of young people that never get a chance to get to New York,'' Hatchett said. ``I tell them that taking dance classes doesn't necessarily mean that you're destined to go on Broadway or television or into theater, but that this is another way of preparing you for life - self-esteem, working with people. I find that through dance we can help educate young people.''
Hatchett's Virginia Beach connection is Susan Browney Moyer, owner of the Golden Slippers Dance Academy, whom he's known for several years. She often takes his classes when she is in New York, and two years ago he invited one of her student troupes to perform at his yearend recital in Manhattan.
After six months of planning, it's still a thrill for Moyer that the renowned Hatchett could work her studio into his hectic schedule.
``We just can't believe it,'' she said.
``I made an analogy to my husband - he's really into baseball - I said this would be like Cal Ripken coming to town.'' ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN photos
The Virginian-Pilot
Students at the Golden Slippers Dance Academy in Virginia Beach
eventually were won over Friday by the enthusiasm and warmth of
Broadway choreographer Frank Hatchett. Lydia Roberts, 8, gets a kiss
from Hatchett, above. Lydia's mother, Becki, left, peeks in on a
dance session Hatchett held with students.
by CNB