KEITH YOUNG

Jazz

Keith Young is quite simply one of the most versatile director/choreographers working in the industry today.

Keith danced with notable dance companies in New York and joined TWYLA THARP’S company as a principal dancer. He later became her assistant on the film AMADEUS. He also served as rehearsal director in the staging of THE SINATRA SUITES, featuring MIKHAIL BARYSHINKOV and TWLYA THARP for AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE.

FILM CREDITS INCLUDE: THE SMURFS MOVIE, directed by Raja Gosnell; multiple films for director Nancy Meyers such as IT'S COMPLICATED with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin; THE HOLIDAY with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black; SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE with Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton; and Mel Gibson’s memorable dance scene in WHAT WOMEN WANT.

Other films Keith has choreographed are THE SWITCH with Jennifer Anniston and Juliette Lewis, and the upcoming film DANCE FOR LIFE, which he filmed in Italy.

Keith is particularly proud of his choreographic work on the feature film RENT, directed by Chris Columbus. His choreography for RENT won an award at the 2008 CHOREOGRAPHY MEDIA HONORS.

TV CREDITS INCLUDE: DANCING WITH THE STARS, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, the new BYRON ALLEN sitcom THE FIRST FAMILY, HARRY’S LAW, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT and PUSHING DAISIES with KRISTEN CHENOWETH.

For THE 78^TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS, he choreographed a performance for the Oscar winning song IT’S HARD OUT HERE FOR A PIMP from the movie HUSTLE & FLOW. Keith also choreographed PRINCE ROYCE’s performance on the LATIN GRAMMYS featuring BEN E. KING. He received an EMMY AWARD NOMINATION for his work on THE DREW CAREY SHOW.

COMMERCIAL CREDITS INCLUDE: SUPER BOWL SOBE LIFE WATER with NFL players, the SUPER BOWL SOBE LIFE WATER “THRILLER” spot with NAOMI CAMPBELL and some very talented lizards. TROP 50 spots with KYRA SEDGWICK and JANE KRAKOWSKI & GILLES MARINI, KIA“MANIAC”, GAP, OLD NAVY, TOYOTA, BLACKBERRY, BIG LOTS, O2 with MICHAEL BUBLE and many more.

Keith is especially proud of his work on THE CHRISTOPHER REEVES SPECIAL with DANCING WHEELS featuring MARY VERDI-FLETCHER.

THEATRE CREDITS INCLUDE: A musical based on the life of SAMMY DAVIS JR. (Played by OBBA BABATUNDE) at THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE. Keith received the SAN DIEGO CRITICS CHOICE AWARD for BEST CHOREOGRAPHY for the musical SAMMY. He also choreographed the Broadway Musical ON THE TOWN, directed by GEORGE C. WOLFE.

Keith has directed and choreographed tours for music artists such as JOSH GROBAN, BABYFACE, EARTH WIND & FIRE, GLADYS KNIGHT, MADONNA (THE GIRLIE TOUR) PRINCE ROYCE 2011 TOUR, BETTE MIDLER, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS and many more.

Picture and bio courtesy of the teacher.