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Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo
Backstage after the "So You Think You Can Dance" season four finale.
Other namesNappytabs
Alma materUniversity of Nevada, Las Vegas[1]
Occupation(s)Choreographers, dance teachers, creative directors, fashion designers
Years active1996–present
Known forDeveloping lyrical hip-hop
WebsiteNappyTabs

Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo, also known as Nappytabs, are a husband and wife choreography team who are often credited with developing the new strand of hip-hop dance known as lyrical hip-hop.[2][3][4][5][6] They have been working together in the dance industry since 1996 and are best known for their choreography on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance. They were subsequently nominated for an 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for their work on season four. In addition to So You Think You Can Dance, Napoleon and Tabitha are supervising choreographers on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. Aside from their choreography work, they own Step by Step Productions and Nappytabs hip-hop dancewear.

Early life

While growing up in Victorville, California,[2] Napoleon (born October 17, 1968) learned breaking, locking, and popping by traveling to Los Angeles and frequenting the b-boy scene; he was eventually cast as an extra in the movie Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo in 1984.[7] After graduating from Apple Valley High School, Napoleon enlisted in the US military[2] and his family relocated to Las Vegas. After being discharged, he attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he majored in molecular biology and minored in chemistry.[1] In college Napoleon started taking jazz and modern dance classes. Due to his talent, he ended up receiving a full scholarship as a member of the university's dance team.[7]

Tabitha née Cortopassi (born September 11, 1973) grew up on the opposite side of the country in Galloway, New Jersey where she studied jazz, ballet, and tap.[7] Since there were no hip-hop classes being offered at the time, she learned hip-hop dance by watching music videos and participating in her high school's cheer and dance teams.[7][8] After graduating from Absegami High School,[9] Tabitha moved out west to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she majored in communications and started taking formal hip-hop dance classes.[1] It is at UNLV where she met her husband Napoleon.[7]

Tabitha and Napoleon started their professional partnership in 1996 while still in college as part of the dance company Culture Shock. During their time with Culture Shock they choreographed a variety of industrials for casinos and companies such as Nike, Levi, Redken, Matrix Hair, and MAC (Makeup Art Cosmetics).[7][10] Although Tabitha was planning to take a job position in public relations and Napoleon was planning to attend medical school, they both decided upon graduating to change their career plans and pursue dance full time.[7]

Career

While in Las Vegas Napoleon and Tabitha both graduated college, got married, and started their career in dance. Since the beginning of their career they have always worked together including their first choreography job and the first dance class they taught.[11] It is very rare for them to work apart. Tabitha has described their partnership as "...the best thing ever. I can't imagine not doing it."[12] Napoleon is quoted as saying "We've been on projects separately quite a few times but we never enjoy [it] as much, and the work from me from my side is never as satisfying as it is when I work with her."[12] In 1999, a year after getting married, Napoleon and Tabitha moved to Los Angeles to expand their opportunities in the dance industry.[7]

Choreography

Choreography and performance credits with musical acts include Celine Dion, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Toni Braxton, Destiny's Child, Timbaland, De La Soul, Kristine W, Culture Shock, and Funky Green Dogs.[13][14] Their television and film credits include Nickelodeon’s Zoey 101, the Grammy Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, Soul Train, Legally Blonde, and MTV's Rock the Cradle.[14] Napoleon and Tabitha have also choreographed for NFL and NBA dance teams including the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic.[15]

"I'm hoping, as a choreographer, that [ABDC's] going to bring it to the next level again, just like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, when they were the stars of the screen... Where you can go somewhere, and it's not 'backup' dancing. You're the actual show."

Napoleon D'umo[16]

Napoleon has served as a talent scout traveling across the country auditioning crews for America's Best Dance Crew since season one in 2008. In an interview with Zap2it.com he expressed his excitement about the show's potential to bring dancers to the forefront. With his wife Tabitha, they have been supervising choreographers for all four seasons.[16]

Also in 2008, the couple took on hosting duties for Rock the Reception on TLC.[17][18] On the show they created fun wedding dances for engaged couples and their respective wedding party to surprise their guests at the reception.[19] A day before the premiere they appeared on ABC's The View in order to promote it.[20] The same year, they joined the choreography and judging team on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance.[3] It was on this show that their lyrical hip-hop style gained mainstream exposure. The term lyrical hip-hop was first coined by choreographer and producer Adam Shankman in reference to a routine choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha to Leona Lewis' "Bleeding Love".

"The great thing about this show is that we've really explored a totally new thing which is lyrical hip-hop and [Tabitha and Napoleon] nail it. This show has shown that hip-hop is just a completely legitimate beautiful genre in and of its own and you can tell such beautiful and heart breaking stories."[21][22]

This routine was later nominated for a 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.[23] The D'umos are known for telling stories in their choreography. They have stated that they do not create choreography without a story because the story determines the movement and the feeling they want to project: "We listen to the song over and over and over and finally we find that skeleton and then we can start preparing some steps."[24] According to Dance Spirit magazine what differentiates lyrical hip-hop from standard hip-hop is that dancers interpret the beat differently:

What makes lyrical hip hop unique is that your dance movements have to tell a story to the lyrics of a song. Expect isolations (especially of the chest), slow, fluid movements (like gliding and body waves) and contemporary-inspired turns (but not pirouettes). There’s popping, but not the hard-hitting kind. Dancers are meant to look like they’re unwinding, unraveling and floating.[25]

In April 2009 Napoleon and Tabitha choreographed three dance numbers for the second season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia. SYTYCD Australia judge and choreographer Matt Lee called their "Dead and Gone" lyrical hip-hop number the best routine of the season.[26][27] In September 2009 Napoleon and Tabitha choreographed the opening dance number on the season 7 premiere of The Ellen Degeneres Show.[28] The routine featured both Ellen and the top 10 dancers from season five of So You Think You Can Dance.

Teaching

Napoleon and Tabitha spend a lot of time teaching classes at dance studios and conventions. They teach hip-hop dance at DancePlug[29] and at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood.[13] They are also faculty members at Xtreme Dance Force,[30] Shock the Intensive,[10] Coastal Dance Rage,[14] 2 Days in OC,[31] iHollywood,[32] and Monsters of Hip Hop[33] dance conventions. In addition to their permanent teaching positions they were featured instructors at Project 818 in Moscow, Russia and judges at the 2009 Australian Hip Hop Championships in Sydney.[34][35]

Directing

Although the majority of their work consist of choreography and teaching, Napoleon and Tabitha have begun to move toward creative directing for tours and live events. In 2006 they served as assistant directors for Christina Aguilera’s Back to Basics Tour. They were also assistant directors for Ricky Martin’s Black and White Tour in 2007 and for Celine Dion's Taking Chances Tour, and Kanye West’s Glow in the Dark Tour in 2008.[36] Also in 2008, they were the lead directors for Monsters of Hip Hop: The Show as well as the So You Think You Can Dance Tour and America's Best Dance Crew Live, which featured Jabbawockeez, Super Cr3w, Fanny Pak, ASIID, and Breaksk8.[36][37][38] In 2009, they directed the Jabbawockeez opening show for New Kids on the Block's Full Service Tour.

Projects

Napoleon and Tabitha have their own line of dancewear called Nappytabs, a nickname by which they are affectionately known in the dance community. Nappytabs is the first line of hip-hop dance apparel. They decided to develop it due to the lack of appropriate dancewear for the urban hip-hop dance community[39] (hence the slogan created by dancers for dancers). For this reason, it is sold exclusively at selected regional dance clothing stores, major dance conventions—Monsters of Hip Hop, Shock the Intensive, Pulse, CoDance—and online through the Nappytabs official website.[3][8][40] Nappytabs is endorsed by b-girl crew, Beat Freaks—the runner up on season three of America's Best Dance Crew.[41] Nappytabs has also been worn by T-Pain[42] and mentioned by him in the remix of “Turning Me On” by Keri Hilson.

In 2007, Tabitha was the host/instructor of an exercise DVD by Prevention Fitness Systems titled Drop it with Dance. It is described as a "...high energy workout [that] will have you dancing off the pounds and inches."[43] The video is split into six 10-minute routines that gradually increase in difficulty; movements from all six routines are combined in the finale "Showtime" segment.[44] Tabitha also appeared in Rock Your Body, a dance/fitness DVD hosted by choreographer and creative director Jamie King who is known primarily for his work with Madonna.[43][45]

In 2010, Napoleon and Tabitha will appear in the documentary MOVE.[46][47] The film is about dance as an art form and how notable choreographers were able to go from dancing as a hobby to dancing as a career. There are over fifty dance professionals slated to appear in this film including Jamie King, Vincent Paterson, Marguerite Derricks, Desmond Richardson, Alex Magno, Kenny Ortega, and Barry Lather.

Married life

Napoleon and Tabitha were married April 19, 1998.[7][48] In an interview with Us magazine Tabitha made the following statement about their relationship: "I am crazier about him than ever... We have been working together for so long. We know how one another operate and have such a good rhythm. If we are apart, I miss him because I need his feedback. I welcome his input even if it is different than mine because it always gives us a better product."[49] Napoleon added "what better work can you ask for than to be with her?"[49] In a separate interview with LAist.com Tabitha stated "We benefit by being a team. We have such a crazy workload, such long hours. If we didn't have each other, we are so busy we wouldn't have time to date."[2] They have said that the secret to a successful marriage is communication and respect.[50] "If you have that respect, I think you can carry a long way because I value everything he says. Even if I disagree with it, I respect it and we always find a good middle ground."[50]

References

  1. ^ a b c Russell, Gregg (2006). "Tabitha and Napoleon: Hip to Hip Hop". Studio Beat: 22–25. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e Wolfson, Julie (September 9, 2009). "Talking about the Impact of Dance with Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo of So You Think You Can Dance". LAist.com. Gothamist. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
  3. ^ a b c Cheng, Peter (2008). "Lovers of Hip Hop". Gloss Magazine. 1 (14). Retrieved 2009-04-04. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Lyrical Hip Hop Takes Center Stage"". The Expressionist. June 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-12.
  5. ^ Jaclyn Mullen (interviewer) (September 4, 2009). Jaclynsphere (Adobe Flash). Dana Point, CA: MyHollywire. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  6. ^ Catalina Walsh (producer) (June 2, 2009). SYTYCD Season 5 – Tabitha & Napoleon. Los Angeles: Tribune Interactive.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jones, Jen. "Hollywood's Hot Dancing Duo, Tabitha and Napoleon D'Umo". Dance Teacher Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ a b Staub, Mary (August 29, 2008). "One Love:Tabitha and Napoleon Take on Life, Love, and Hip-Hop Together". Dancer Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-20. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ Scavuzzo, Sam Fran (July 15, 2008). "Couple's wedding dance gives local dancer a shot at TV fame". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  10. ^ a b "Faculty". ShocktheIntensive.com. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  11. ^ Johnson, Laurie. "America's Favorite Choreography Duo" OnlineDanceAcademy.com. Retrieved 2009-04-19
  12. ^ a b "Tabitha & Napoleon SYTYCD Australia interview". Network Ten. April 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  13. ^ a b "Edge Teachers – NTD". EdgePac.com. Retrieved 2008-07-13.
  14. ^ a b c "Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo – Biography". CoastalDanceRage.com. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  15. ^ "SYTYCD Bios". Fox.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  16. ^ a b Paloucek, Karl (February 7, 2008). "MTV Puts More Than Four on the Floor". Zap2it.com. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
  17. ^ "TLC: Rock the Reception". Discovery.com. Retrieved 2008-07-10.
  18. ^ "Rock The Reception – Pazsaz Entertainment Network". Pazsaz.com. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  19. ^ Kinon, Cristina (July 7, 2008). "Bride, groom ready to rhumba in 'Rock the Reception". Daily News. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  20. ^ Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo (July 14, 2008). "Gary Oldman". The View. Season 11. ABC. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |episodelink= (help); Unknown parameter |city= ignored (|location= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "The Top 16 Perform". So You Think You Can Dance. Season 4. Episode 10. June 25, 2008. Fox. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Chelsea & Mark (dancers) (July 23, 2008). SYTYCD Season 4 – Top 16: "Bleeding Love". Los Angeles: 19 Entertainment, Ltd. and Dick Clark Productions. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  23. ^ "2009 Creative Arts Emmy Award nominees". CDN.Emmys.TV. pair Networks. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Johnson, Kristy (2009). "Tabitha and Napoleon Exclusive!". DanceInforma.com (15). Retrieved 2009-06-08. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  25. ^ Levinson, Lauren (2009). "Lyrical Hip Hop". Dance Spirit. Retrieved 2009-04-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "Best Routine of the Season?". dance.ten.com.au. April 7, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  27. ^ Talia & BJ (dancers) (April 5, 2009). SYTYCD Australia: Top 6 – "Dead and Gone". Australia: FremantleMedia Australia Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  28. ^ Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo (choreographers) (2009-09-08). "Season Premiere". The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Season 7. Episode 1. syndicated. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |episodelink= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Faculty". DancePlug.com. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
  30. ^ "Directors: Choreographers". XtremeDanceForce.com. 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  31. ^ "2 Days in OC". 2 Days in OC. Dennis Caspary Productions. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  32. ^ "Tabitha & Napoleon". iHollywood.com. Retrieved 2009-06-26.
  33. ^ "Monsters of Hip Hop bios". Monsters.com. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  34. ^ "Napoleon & Tabitha D'umo". Project818.com. Retrieved 2009-07-05.
  35. ^ "AHC Sydney Finals – Review". CriticalHype.com. April 20, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  36. ^ a b "Tabitha and Napoleon D'umo / MSA Pressroom". MSAagency.com. Retrieved 2009-05-28.
  37. ^ "Tabitha and Napoleon, Monsters of the Show". Movmnt Magazine. 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-11. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  38. ^ Yuri and Taeko (interviewers) (August 26, 2008). The Yuri and Taeko Show – Napoleon & Tabitha – ABDC 2 Finale (Adobe Flash video). Los Angeles. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  39. ^ Krisanits, Tracy (2007). "Keeping Tabs". Dance Retailer News (5). Macfadden Performing Arts Media: 46. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  40. ^ "Partners". Nappytabs.com. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  41. ^ "New gear available now at Nappytabs.com!". Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  42. ^ Cohen, Robb D (December 31, 2008). "T-Pain". Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  43. ^ a b "Prevention Fitness Systems: Drop it with Dance". RodaleStore.com. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  44. ^ "Prevention Fitness Systems – Drop It with Dance". DVDtalk.com. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  45. ^ Jamie King and Tabitha D'umo (instructor, dancer) (February 12, 2008). Rock Your Body: With Jamie King Break It Down One. King Productions, Inc. Accessed 2009-05-29
  46. ^ "Featured Cast in Alphabetical order". movethefilm.com. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  47. ^ "Move (2010)". imbd.com. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  48. ^ "Anniversary". Twitter.com. April 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
  49. ^ a b ""So You Think You Can Dance" Choreographers: Inside Our Marriage". UsMagazine.com. Wenner Media. July 1, 2008. Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  50. ^ a b Cheng, Peter. "Secret to a successful relationship/ marriage". GlossMag.com. Retrieved 2009-04-04

External links

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tabitha_and_Napoleon_D%27umo&oldid=329611317

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