LYNN — Choreographer and dancer Jimmy Locust comes to the Lynn YMCA on Friday, March 2, to show how dance can educate teenagers on ending bullying and explore conflict resolution through compassion and respect.
Locust, who worked with performers including Janet Jackson, the late Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and Quincy Jones, will lead two master dance classes. A class oriented to middle school students will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday followed by a class for high school students from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The classes are designed for dancers with intermediate level experience. The program is sponsored by Lynn Public Schools.
YMCA Community Relations Director Audrey Jimenez said Locust’s Harmony Nation anti-bullying initiative will empower students, parents, educators, youth serving agencies and the community at large.
“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,” said Jimenez.
Locust will bring Harmony Nation to Breed Middle School on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Locust’s training in ballet, jazz and modern dance along with house funk and hip-hop influence have formed the basis of his signature style. He has blended those diverse styles into “Tech-Hop” which is taught in his master class tours.
Participant numbers for the March 2 and 3 dance classes are limited. Anyone interested in taking part in a class is asked to RSVP at [email protected].
