05/19/2013– Tladi – Dancing his way to the top

This time, it is the family’s youngest member, Tumi Tladi who will be flying the South African flag high at Los Angeles’ Edge Performing Arts Centre in West Hollywood for three months, from August 3 to October 30 as he not only showcases his choreography and dance skills, but also teaches his international audience about the art, history and techniques of South African dance.

The multi-talented choreographer and dancer’s exceptional routines were so prolific that they caught the eyes of internationally recognised dance practitioners Kumari Suraj (So You Think You Can Dance choreographer), Nick Demoura (Justin Bieber’s dancer and choreographer at Millennium Dance Complex), Brice Professor Lock (revered pop queen Madonna’s dancer) and Tony Czar, who is a dancer for R&B superstars Usher and pop princess Britney Spears.
Tumi’s nimble steps and his uncanny ability to seamlessly move to the beats of an unusually high number of genres such as hip hop, lyrical, new school and a host of others, resulted in his life-changing experience to LA being sponsored by Cristian Gutterre, former manager of the legendary jazz fusion keyboardist and musical maestro Keiko Matsui.

It takes a rare kind of dedication and single-mindedness that has propelled Tumi to be so technically advanced that the likes the likes of Suraj, Demoura and Lock could not resist but invite him to be the only South African representative on American dance shows such as LA Carnival, a choreographers’ ball that boasts the biggest names in the industry.
“It is an absolute honour for me to have been singled out for my expertise and be elevated to a level where I can proudly represent my country,” he says.
“But this is so much bigger than me, as I represent decades of South African heritage that is manifesting itself in dances such as Pantsula, Bujwa and an endless list of others. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to impart a significant piece of our culture through dance. I know that the Americans will embrace what we have to offer like never before,” he enthuses.

Tumi – who is also the founder of the Happy Feet Society Educational Movement of Dance and CEO of T.Definition Films - will not only be making headlines on prominent dance shows, but will also be appearing in commercials and broadening his filmmaking horizons as he learns from the best in the world in Hollywood.
Back home, Tumi hopes to return with a wealth of knowledge that he can plough back into a country that has given him the opportunity and passion to wholeheartedly pursue his true love.

“The dance industry has always recognised more established and mature dancers and choreographers, but this opportunity also serves the role of highlighting just how much undiscovered talent there is within the younger urban dancers. This is our collective to chance to prove that we have surpassed student level, so much so that we are representing South Africa on an international level,” concludes the 19-year-old.
www.youtube.com/tumitladi
www.twitter.com/tumitladi
www.facebook.com/tumtrenttladi
www.tumblr.tumitladi.com
For further media information, access to publicity photos and interview requests contact Vanessa/Dees on (011) 788 7632/083 2678 1446 or write to media@jtcomms.co.za

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Tumi Tladi