Bio content provided by individual
Teacher Bio
Omari Wiles, known as Icon Omari Oricci, is an African American West African and Vogue dancer. Wiles is best known as legendary Omari NiNa Oricci, founder of The House of Nina Oricci [est. October 2019] and Creative Director of Les Ballet Afrik. His choreography has been featured with Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, John Legend, Jidenna, and Rashaad Newsome....Read more
Omari Wiles, known as Icon Omari Oricci, is an African American West African and Vogue dancer. Wiles is best known as legendary Omari NiNa Oricci, founder of The House of Nina Oricci [est. October 2019] and Creative Director of Les Ballet Afrik. His choreography has been featured with Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, John Legend, Jidenna, and Rashaad Newsome. He has worked as a featured dancer showcasing Afrobeats with Goldlink, Jidenna, Maleek Berry, and Wunmi; West African dance with Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, and Forces; and Vogue with Rashaad Newsome, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Jennifer Hudson. Wiles has been published in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch,” Korean Vogue, British Vogue in a spread featuring Naomi Campbell, The Observer, Dance Mogul Magazine, and The New York Times. Wiles also appeared with his house, the house of Nina Oricci, as a contestant on the second season of Legendary on HBOMax. Wiles is the recipient of an Obie Award and the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography.
Wiles is now evolving his own style of dance with his company Les Ballet Afrik, blending African, Vogue, Modern, and House as one. He and his company have performed at the Joyce Theater, the Guggenheim, and the New York Metropolitan Museum. He is co-choreographer of Cats: The Jellicle Ball which premiered at Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)
Read less
Class Descriptions
An art form of poses and beat to beat synchronization! Coming from the gay, black, Latino, and ballroom communities. This style expresses the feminism and fierce attitude within Voguefem. Strike a pose and learn the 5 elements of Vogue Fem, Catwalks, Duckwalks, Floor work, Spin and dips & Hands performance! Stretch and warm to the hottest vogue beats in ballroom. Dancers will exercise drills and choreography while also learning history of vogue and culture.
In this class you will learn the proper technique in West African styles from Senegal and Mali (Djembe, Sabar and Kutiro.) A breakdown of steps and techniques . Class will begin with a warm-up, prgress into across-the-floor, and end with a short combo of choreography. Class is taught to soundtracks or live drums.