Mentor
Kyle Tanguay has been dancing since the age of 10. He is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about dance education. He grew up in Rochester, NH and trained at Fusion Dance Academy in Dover, NH under the direction of Jaime Gagner. Recently, Kyle earned his BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. Some of Kyle’s notable performance credits include but are not limited to: American Idol Season 3, Nigel Luthgoe’s Dizzy Feet Gala, and Luca Fogale’s ‘Half Saved‘ music video in which he was also the choreographer. Kyle is excited to currently be working as a member of Long2 Dance Company and as a Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader within the National Football League.
What is your favorite charity?
My favorite charity is the Eagles Autism Foundation. I have been very fortunate to work with them for the past two years. I have been able to attend several fundraising events asw well. The annual Eagles Autism Challenge is a 5k in where we celebrate, raise awareness and funds for this amazing group. To date, we have been able to raise over five million dollars, and I have worked hard to raise $2,000.00 myself! During game days I love my interactions with those living with autism. It is rewarding and heartwarming to see the difference we can make is these individuals’ lives.
Why you love to teach?
Teaching has been a passion of mine for several years now. I absolutely love working with children of all ages and take complete joy watching different dancers work to achieve different skills. I love making personal connections with my students and being able to mentor them in life decisions as well. My students take a sincere place in my heart, and it is a complete blast getting up and going to a job I love each and every day.
Who is the person who inspired/inspires you to dance?
The person who has, and continues to inspire me to dance is my dance mentor Jaime Gagner all the way back home in New Hampshire! I struggled finding my place as a dancer at a young age and she was able to guide me and relight my fire for dance. She has taught me values even outside of the realm of dance and I am forever grateful for everything she has done for me. Each and every time I dance I still feel the fire under my feet that she ignited, and I am so lucky to have a mentor like this in my career. It is also her who inspires me to teach, as I hope to make that same impact on the dancers I mentor.
What was your first dance routine?
My first dance routine ever was a super swaggy rendition of Ice Ice Baby at the age of 10. I wore a skin-tight sparkling blue top and black bell-bottom jazz pants. What a start!
What is your favorite dance accomplishment to date?
My favorite dance accomplishment to date is my work with the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders! I was fortunate enough to be one of the first males in over 35 years to take the field as a cheerleader, and I hope that this inspires other young males to follow their dreams whether it be at dance, or any other thing they set out to do in life. Performing with the Eagles Cheerleaders is something I cherish and absolutely love.
What is your most important accomplishment in life so far?
My most important accomplishment in life so far is being the first of my immediate family to obtain a four-year degree as both of my parents went directly into the military. I recently graduated with my BFA in Dance from The University of the Arts. Although it was a long and rocky road, I will forever be grateful and proud of the many sacrifices I made to get there.
What are 3 things you would bring if you were stuck on island?
If I were stuck on an island I would bring my speaker, my music, and some dancing shoes to keep myself busy doing what I love until help arrived!
Which SPICE GIRL are you?
I would most certainly be sporty spice because there is nothing I love more than Philadelphia sports teams!
You are stuck on an island. You can only choose only one: coffee, your dog/cat, chocolate, beach, French fries, hair dye, lip stick?
I would certainly bring the coffee! I am a coffe-holic and drink as much as I can!
