CARLOS GARLAND
Artist in Residence (Dance)
Carlos was born and was raised in Jacksonville, Florida. When Carlos first started his dance training, he equally trained in many styles of dance. Becoming versatile was a fun challenge and passionate goal to him. It later on became essential in order to create and sustain a career in dance. Prior to dancing, Carlos has a martial arts background in Taekwondo and is a second-degree black belt!
It was in Jacksonville where Carlos trained in ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, breakdance, dance teaching methods, choreography methods and various world ethnic dances at Lavilla School of the Arts, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts.Carlos’ first professional dance performance was at the age of 15 for “Jacksonville Symphony’s: First Coast Nutcracker.” There he performed in front of thousands as the “Lead Russian”, a position previously held and handed to him by one of his first male dance teachers. During his curricular studies, Carlos sought out many opportunities for training and performing in Jacksonville. He trained in and performed contemporary, lyrical, jazz-funk, and African dance with companies by Kavin Grant: Ka'mia and A Rhythm Nation. Carlos also trained and performed with his hip-hop dance crew, Systematic. With Systematic Dance Crew, Carlos achieved his first national television debut, and together they won BET’s “106th & Park’s” dance competition twice!
Later on, Carlos danced with Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys Of Dance and performed in their hit show "Rock The Ballet." With Bad Boys he has toured over 8 countries in Europe, along with Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the U.S for 3 years! After his tour finished, Carlos became a top 20 finalist on the Fox TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 10!
Next, while living in NYC, Carlos performed with the Broadway cast of "Spider-man Turn Off The Dark" in their final Gypsy Of The Year performance. He also performed as the principal character in the off- Broadway show, "iLuminate, Artists of Light" with the company iLuminate (as seen on America's Got Talent). During this time he became an instructor at Broadway Dance Center and Steps On Broadway in NYC and still teaches there when in the area.
Carlos currently resides in Orlando, FL, and has worked as a performer at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. He is steadily traveling, choreographing, teaching masterclasses and conducting private lessons with many dance students. A proof of his passion as an instructor is that up to date, Carlos has now taught and choreographed at over 75 dance schools around the world! He has now created Dancelook LLC in order to benefit the dance community!