Contemporary Jazz

A fusion of modern, jazz, and ballet, Slam’s unique style explores a wide range of organic, often angular movements and syncopated rhythms with a base in classical technique. His Contemporary Jazz class emphasizes artistry and musicality, while it challenges the dancer to move in new, unconventional ways. Beginning with a warm-up of modern-influenced, ballet-based exercises that focus on proper execution and alignment, the class evolves to the learning of Slam’s original choreography, broken down and demonstrated for clear understanding.

For intermediate and advanced levels the understanding of the classical vocabulary and previous experience with jazz and/or modern dance are helpful.



Salim Gauwloos aka Slam
After training at the Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp at the age of seventeen, SLAM auditioned in his native Belgium for a scholarship to the prestigious Steps Dance School in New York City. Out of the two thousand dancers that auditioned, Salim Gauwloos, also known as SLAM was one of the two dancers who were awarded the scholarship.
In 1990 he began his association with Madonna, he is most famous for his performances in “The Blond Ambition Tour”, the documentary film, “Truth or Dare”, and he has also performed in several of her videos, such as “Vogue”, “Hanky Panky” and “Holiday” (live).
He has performed in music videos for very popular artists in the entertainment industry such as George Michael, Aretha Franklin, and Britney Spears. He performed in New York City Opera's productions of "Salome", “Daphne”, and “Candide”. His Broadway credits include Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida", and Mambo Kings, The Workshop.
SLAM has acquired a reputation as an exceptionally gifted choreographer. He was selected to showcase his choreography in the prestigious Ballet Builders 2002, 2004, and 2006. His work choreographing the number for Aida's performance at Broadway “Cares Equity Fights Aids” won "Gypsy of the Year 2003".
He recently presented two world premieres set on Orlando Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Fernando Bujones, which received rave reviews. The contemporary solo titled “Coming of Age” that SLAM created for Joseph Gorak (ABT II and winner of the Youth America Grand Prix 2006 in New York City) was performed at the Gala “Stars of Today meet the Stars of Tomorrow”, held at NY City Center.