Choreographer who worked with Michael Jackson and Beyonce will lead free sessions across Liverpool

A world-renowned choreographer who worked with music megastars including Michael Jackson and Beyonce is coming to Liverpool city region to lead free dance sessions.

LaVelle Smith Jr will team up with MD Productions to give young people across the region a unique opportunity this half term.

LaVelle will join MD’s founder Miguel Doforo for a series of creative sessions, workshops and rehearsals as part of the See You See Me project.

They’ll take place in Toxteth, Newton/St Helens, Huyton, Netherley and the Black-E in the city centre, leading up to a free community showcase at the Museum of Liverpool on Friday February 21.

Miguel will be working alongside an icon of the industry who shares his passion for encouraging young people from all backgrounds to express themselves through dance.

And, he says, it’s particularly special because growing up in Netherley he taught himself to dance watching LaVelle perform with Michael Jackson.

He said:

“I used to dance to the Bad album in my room, watching a VHS tape over and over, and then I was really lucky to see Michael at Aintree when I was 10 years old,”

“I didn’t dance in public properly until I was 22 because of where I grew up and the stigma around it, but now I teach in the community centre where I used to go, and the fact that I’m bringing this man to do a dance class there blows my mind.”

After devoting years to successfully building MD Productions, including three appearances by dance troupes on Britain’s Got Talent, Miguel found his business devastated by Covid.

“It was horrendous and I had to think, what do I do now? I wanted to work in the community, that’s where my heart is, so I took it as an opportunity to see how we could grow from what we’d learnt, and expand the project to meet different needs.

“I believe that the arts and dance are a great way to create a safe space where people can express themselves and explore their identity without any labels or hidden preconceptions.”

Miguel set up See You See Me CIC, MD’s not-for-profit initiative, two years ago and started working with partner organisations to offer free dance, community, and creative sessions in areas across the region, including Liverpool, St Helens and Knowsley.

“See You See Me celebrates individuals for who they are, regardless of their race, gender, culture, disability, religion, or learning style,” he explains.

Remembering what a huge influence LaVelle’s work had been on him, Miguel contacted him and the pair discussed See You See Me.

“Early last year we were communicating on a daily basis and he was seeing a lot of the work we were doing around identity.

“He told me he wanted to work with us because didn’t have it easy, he got a scholarship and said if he hadn’t had that and had his training paid for he would never have got to work with Michael Jackson.

“He understands how important it is to give to these kids and communities because not everyone gets this chance.”

Miguel was initially able to bring LaVelle over to Liverpool last October where they co-hosted a day of dance at FireFit in Toxteth.

“He taught all of his best-known Michael Jackson pieces and did a Q&A and I remember thinking how surreal it was for the kids to have feedback from someone who’s legend in dance.

“He was in the video for Smooth Criminal and one of only four dancers on the Bad tour. He went on to do all the tours, he choreographed Michael Jackson’s Super Bowl show, Beyonce’s Super Bowl, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation and he worked with Diana Ross, Chris Brown and Rihanna. 

“He’s now become patron of MD and he’s our lead ambassador for the See You See Me project which is phenomenal.”

The half term sessions will centre around developing a piece to Beyonce’s Freedom. It will take inspiration from the slave trade, then look at what being enslaved means to people who are struggling with things like identity or social issues.

There’s no fee so everyone has an equal opportunity to take part, they just need to register via MD or Miguel’s Instagram. 

“LaVelle will be here for 10 days, from February 15, and there’ll be a multitude of different things. People might just want to come to one class or all of the days, for fun or to be part of the performance, or just to a Q&A.”

Find out dates and times once they’re announced here.

Find all the latest Liverpool news here.