LYNN — Jimmy Locust, a choreographer whose clients included Michael Jackson, will have dance classes and confidence empowerment presentations at the Lynn YMCA Friday and Saturday morning at Breed Middle School.
Locust will lead an intermediate-level dance class at the YMCA, 20 Neptune Blvd., beginning with middle school students from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, and high school schoolers from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Class sizes are limited and some space will be reserved in the classes for 100 Males to College program members, said YMCA Community Relations Director Audrey Jimenez.
Master class participants will learn “tech-hop” moves from Locust and, on Saturday, perform on Saturday morning at Breed prior to a Harmony Nation presentation scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon.
“Any time we can participate in a program that promotes caring helps with bullying before it starts. Jimmy’s approach speaks directly to our youth in a very authentic way,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez described Locust as a master of body motion with extensive vast experience as a choreographer, dancer, actor, singer, writer and entrepreneur.
She said he has worked with Janet Jackson, her late brother, Paula Abdul, and Quincy Jones. His classical training in ballet, jazz and modern dance along with house funk and hip-hop influence have formed the basis of his signature style.
He is credited with creating “tech-hop” dance style. From that he created “Tech-Hop” which is taught in his master class tours.
Locust founded Harmony Nation as an anti-bullying, anti-hate initiative featuring dance and acting skits. Jimenez said Harmony Nation seeks to educate on bullying and explore conflict resolution through compassion and respect.
Funding has been provided by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education for the 100 Males to College program awarded to Salem State University with Lynn public schools and Lynn YMCA as partners.