Comp Kid Turned Teacher and Choreographer Gabe De Guzman Comes Full Circle
Gabe De Guzman grew up taking convention classes across the country and starring in one viral class video after another, gaining tens of millions of views and hundreds of thousands of fans in the process. Now 24 years old, De Guzman is back on the convention circuit—at the front of the ballroom, leading the next generation of dancers through classes.
De Guzman’s high-energy choreography, characterized by unexpected yet seamless transitions, has appeared everywhere from Season 17 of “So You Think You Can Dance” to Skechers commercials. And while his professional bucket list includes choreographing for an international tour, De Guzman believes whatever path he’s on will be the right one: “I just go where the wind takes me—I have a lot of trust in the universe to place me where I’m meant to be.”
Feeling the Beat
“My choreographic inspiration always strikes from a song, whether it’s a beat that I love or a lyric that resonates. Certain songs hit my soul in a different way and pull something out of me.”
Trusting His Instinct
“I don’t really tweak my choreography. I always follow my first instinct because it’s ultimately the most natural movement. I emphasize this a lot in my classes—don’t create a dance as a thought, but as a feeling.”
From Student to Teacher
“I grew up in the convention circuit, so teaching at conventions has been one of the most fulfilling tasks. What’s most important to me in the classroom is that students leave with more than just movement—I want them to have a better understanding of themselves as a dancer and unlock deeper ideas.”
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