Biography & Class Description & Testimonial

Iquail Shaheed, a native of Philadelphia, was introduced to dance at the age of 13 upon acceptance to the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. He furthered his dance studies at the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO). While training at PHILADANCO, he became a senior member of Danco II, under the tutelage of Donald T Lunsford II. Subsequently, Iquail has earned scholarships to The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, the Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance, the Paul Taylor Schools, The Juilliard School, Jacob’s Pillow, Pennsylvania Ballet and International Ballet Theatre Schools, among many others. As a dancer, he has worked with such companies as The Sean Curran Company, Ronald K Brown/ Evidence, The Fred Benjamin Dance Company, and Subtle Changes Inc. Such Broadway shows as Hot Feet, The Lion King, and Purlie. Additionally, he has worked in the Film (across the universe), Television and Print Industries. Iquail has earned many awards including the Philadelphia Dance Award (Rocky), Marion D Cuyjet Award, NAACP ACT-SO National Silver Medal, and a Promising Artist Award. As a Teacher, he has been recognized for his passion and commitment to preserving the Horton Technique. Currently he is on faculty at The Ailey School, and has taught at Alonso King’s Lines Ballet School, Steps on Broadway, Centre Stage, the Creative and Performing Arts High School, and teaches master classes both nationally and internationally.

Modern Dance

Dance to live drums and/or piano as you delve into the technique of Lestor Horton. This class is tailored for dance students of all backgrounds in modern dance and is one of the prominent dance techniques used to train many groundbreaking artists and companies.

This class focuses on alignment, musicality, strength and flexibility, while students learn how to master their facility. Additionally, the class is designed to enhance the students’ performance abilities by fusing their passon for movement with choreographic phrases.

Soon you’ll be manipulating your body into laterals and angular turns as you move in, out and through the space with ease and grace.

Bring your Ginseng!

Testimonial

"I had a really great time in Iquail's class! I've had some modern training but a lot of what he taught was new to me and he took the time to make sure I knew exactly what the steps and positions were. He's a very laid back and down to earth guy so take this gem of a teacher's class before it gets crowded!! He's an all around great instructor and incredible dancer and his class is definitely not to be missed!"

~ Alex Rodabaugh, Vassar College student