LaTonya Swann

LaTonya Swann (born February 4, 1991) is an American dancer, choreographer, print model, philanthropist, and the first winner of BET's Born to Dance (TV series): Laurieann Gibson.[1]

LaTonya Swann
Niko Tumamak and Swann at UW-Madison Dance Competition
Born (1991-02-04) February 4, 1991
District Heights, MD, U.S.
OccupationDancer, choreographer, actress, model, philanthropist,
Years active2011–present
Website

Life and career

LaTonya Swann was raised in District Heights, Maryland and graduated from Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School in 2009. She was a member of the Jr Washington Redskins All Star Dance Team, and Capitol Movement Faculty and Alumni, training in hip hop, jazz, ballet, and contemporary.[2][3] After winning the $50,000 prize on Born to Dance in 2011 Swann moved to Los Angeles and working bicoastally, opened a large scale dance studio in Capitol Heights, Maryland which shares the name of her "Seize The Dance" chest tattoo.[1] Swann has worked as a dancer and/or actress with Lady Gaga, Dawn Richard, Cassie, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Lil Mama, Aloe Blacc, Beyoncé, Cher Lloyd, Avenged Sevenfold, Memphis May Fire, Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, Tinie Tempah, Jonas Åkerlund, Gil Green, Colin Tilley, Rich Lee, Joe Dante, Matt Alonzo, Jon Jon Augustavo, Melina Matsoukas, and So Me. She has worked as a choreographer on television, tours, music videos, and stage plays including 106 and Park, WDCW and Royal The Stage Play written and directed by Chris Clanton. She has been a celebrity judge and instructor for University of Wisconsin–Madison Move If You Want It Dance Competition,[4] and celebrity guest instructor for Get Kids Movin National Kids Fitness Convention.[5]

Born To Dance

Swann first appeared on the debut of Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson August 2, 2011 at 10pm ET bringing in 1.2 million viewers. The show was produced by Laurieann Gibson and The Ted & Perry Company and included an appearance of Lady Gaga with her Monster Ball Tour Performance being the final show challenge.[6]

"Born to dance" episodes
Season Week Dancers Challenge Description Episode title
Born to Dance (season 1) 1 Top 20 Casting "Aspiring dancers vie for top honors and a $50,000 prize in this reality-competition series starring celebrity choreographer Laurieann Gibson. First up: Laurieann and her team preside over open casting calls for female dancers." The Search Begins
2 Top 17 Essentials of Dance "Laurieann teaches the essentials of dance to her charges, zeroing in on ballet, hip-hop and jazz. Elsewhere, the dancers cook up dinner plans for their tutor, but the heat is on when they make a big mistake." Triple Threat
3 Top 12 Music Video "Laurieann offers a course on the essentials of music videos, after which the dancers take part in a video shoot. Meanwhile, family problems impact one contestant." Designing Dancers
4 Top 10 The Mo'Nique Show "The dancers take to the stage to perform before an audience at "The Mo'Nique Show," yet a division surfaces when one contestant withdraws from the others." The Reckless Necklace
5 Top 8 Commercials "The dancers shoot a commercial for a vacuum cleaner, but some of them don't hold the assignment in high regard, raising Laurieann's ire." Suck It Up
6 Top 8 Partnering "Laurieann's favorite male dancers arrive at the studio, resulting in the lady contestants gaining a partner on the dance floor—and off it as well." Boys Boys Boys
7 Top 6 Lady gaga auditions and head shots "The dancers try to kick up their careers by auditioning for a Lady Gaga show. They receive makeovers and take head shots, but one contender spirals downward when she's unhappy with her look." Born To Glam
8 (Finale) Top 3 Lady Gaga Performance "In the Season 1 finale, the contestants perform with songstress Lady Gaga, after which the winning dancer is named." The Monster Ball

[7]

Further information: Born to Dance (TV series)

Career credits

Television
  • 2010: So You Think You Can Dance (U.S. season 7) - Vegas Week Contestant; Adechike Ballroom Partner
  • 2011: 106 & Park - Guest with Laurieann Gibson & Born To Dance Top 3
  • 2011: The Mo'Nique Show - Guest Dancer
  • 2011: Born to Dance (TV series) - Contestant; Winner
  • 2011: Shakira Latin Grammy Awards of 2011 Performance - Dancer
  • 2012: Shake It Up (season 3) - Spirit Squad Member
  • 2013: WDCW Young & The Throne (QC Show Segment) - Actress, "Imani"
  • 2013: WDCW Queen Charis Show - Choreographer
  • 2013: The Graham Norton Show - Dancer, Lady Gaga "Venus" Performance
  • 2013: The X Factor (UK TV series) - Dancer, Lady Gaga "Venus" Performance

Film
  • 2014 : Warriors Fan Trailer (Ram Bhat) - Principle, Lizzies

Choreography and appearances
  • 2003-2008: Capitol Movement Annual Dance Concert DC - Dancer, Choreographer
  • 2012: Cassie "King of Hearts" Performance 106 & Park - Assistant Choreographer, Dancer
  • 2013: Get Kids Movin Fitness Convention - Guest Instructor
  • 2013: University of Wisconsin–Madison Move If You Want It Competition - Celebrity Judge & Instructor
  • 2014: Royal The Stage Play (Chris Clanton) - Choreographer
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References
  1. Ashley Larkin (10 December 2012). "Born to Dance Winner Opens Seize the Dance Gym in Capitol Heights". www.washingtoncitypaper.com. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  2. "LaTonya Swann - Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. HS Alumna is Born to Dance". www1.pgcps.org. Office of Communications. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  3. "Studio Faculty LaTonya Swann". www.capitolmovement.org. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  4. Barbara Gonzalez (20 March 2013). "Sigma Lambda Gamma Presents: Move If You Want It Dance Competition 2013". www.modamadison.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  5. "Event Recap: Get Kids Movin! Where Kids Jump, Run, Play and Dance to Fight Childhood Obesity". www.prlog.org. Think Brown Ink. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  6. Robert Seidman (3 August 2011). "BET's 'Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson' Averages 1.2 Million in Premiere". tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  7. "Born to Dance Episodes". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
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