Rick Tjia
Creator of stuff and an addictive learner of things. Talent Scout for Cirque du Soleil, choreographer, composer, coach.
Rick Tjia's Bio:
www.ricktjia.com
Born in Columbia, Missouri, Rick Tjia grew up in Gainesville, Florida, where at age eight he began studies in tap dancing, eventually branching out into professional studies of classical ballet, jazz and contemporary dance (training with teachers like David Howard, Finis Jhung, Christine Busch, Bruce Marks, Laura Young and Geri Houlihan). He also trained in other disciplines (trumpet, physics, and later on, guitar studies and various studies in business). After an extensive career in dance and acting that includes performances with Ballet Austin, Boston Ballet and Delta Festival Ballet, as well as three years of work in film and television in Los Angeles (with choreographers like Twyla Tharp, Joe Layton, and with film directors like Mark Rydell, and James Brooks), Rick joined La La La Human Steps in Montreal in 1993, with whom he danced and toured the world for 8 years. As with many dancers and musicians, Rick is also a composer and choreographer.
In 2002 he joined Cirque du Soleil, where from 2004 to the present day he has been a Talent Scout specializing in dance. Over the last several years, Rick's contributions to the Casting Department has extended itself to contributing to and drawing up new operational and business strategies, as well as contributing to innovative internal and external strategies of various types.
A few past activities:
2012 Workshop, Fédération Internationale de la Gymnastique Acrobatics Level 3 Academy in Vinnitsa, Ukraine
2012 Artistic consulting, Canadian Synchronized Swimming Team (Free Routine) and for the London Olympic Commitee for the Olympic Games (opening presentation of the 2012 Olympic gymnastics competitions)
2012, Choreography, Technical Routine and Free Routine deck sequences, Canadian Synchronized Swimming Team (London 2012 Olympic Games)
2011 Choreography "Rissig" (Utah Ballet)
2007 Choreography "Aeia Bridled", (Dance Alive! National Ballet, Florida)
2004 Jury, Festival international de la chanson de Granby
Rick Tjia's Experience:
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Dancer at La La La Human Steps
1993 - 2000Principal Male Dancer
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Guest Artist (dancer) at Ballet Theatre of Miami
1990 - 1995 -
Guest Artist (dancer) at Sacramento Ballet
December 1992 - February 1993 -
Guest Artist (dancer) at Graffiti Tango
1993 - 1993 -
Dancer at Universal Studios
1992 - 1993 -
Coordination at Fox Television
1990 - 1993 -
Guest Artist (dancer) at Delta Festival Ballet
November 1992 - November 1992 -
Dancer/actor/singer at Abba
1992 - 1992 -
Dancer at Ballet Austin
September 1988 - June 1990 -
Talent Scout, Dance Sector, Casting at Cirque du Soleil
May 2004 -
Owner at Third House on the Left
July 2002 -
Choreographer at Freelance
1993
Rick Tjia's Education:
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Boston Ballet School
1985 – 1986Degree doesn't exist -
Pofahl School of Dance
1975 – 1986No degree existsConcentration: Ballet, Jazz, Tap -
Buchholz High School
1980 – 1984High School Diploma -
University of Florida
1980 – 1982Associate of Arts (A.A.)Concentration: Physics
Rick Tjia's Interests & Activities:
Dance, choreography, coaching, music, composition, renovations, business strategy, art, performing arts, thinking, strategizing in just about anything, making things happen, making a difference, cloud-based applications