April 28: Today in Dance

Born Today: Harry Shum, Jr.

Harry Shum, Jr. (1982-) is best known for creating the role of Mike Chang on the TV series Glee (2009–2015) and for appearing in dance films You Got Served (2004) and Stomp the Yard (2007) as well as two of the Step Up sequels (2008 and 2010). Although he was born in Costa Rica, he grew up in San Francisco and auditioned for the high school dance team and left college to pursue a dance career. He worked as a back-up dancer for artists including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Jennifer Lopez and appeared in music videos by Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey and later co-choreographed episodes of The LXD (Legion of Extraordinary Dancers) a web series that showcased different hip hop dance styles.

Also Born Today: Singer/dancer Ann-Margret (1941-), who starred in the movie version of Bye Bye Birdie (1963), and movie musicals Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Tommy (1975).

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Ballet Premiere: The Snow Queen in 1986

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Check out more about dance at: https://www.dawndavisloring.com/todayindance

Dawn Davis Loring is delighted to announce the publication of her first book on dance: Dance Appreciation, co-authored by Julie L. Pentz. Available from Human Kinetics and from Amazon and other booksellers.