Performing Arts Dance Academy: Heather Morris Workshops

Performing Arts was glad to host a series of workshops during the week of December 28th, 2009 taught by "Glee" star Heather Morris. Students ages 6 through adult had a great time learning choreography from the FOX show "Glee" and from Beyonce's tour, where Heather was a backup dancer. They were also treated to some time to ask Heather questions, and to get autographs and pictures.

Below are just a few pictures and videos from the workshops. Please visit our YouTube page to view more videos. If you attended the events, and have pictures or video to share, please email them to us at performingartz@aol.com.

Thank you to Tim O'Shei, author or Live! Starring...You! who brought Heather to Buffalo. Please visit Tim's website to learn more about his events, and future editions of the book.

Heather's Biography:

Heather Morris grew up in Arizona and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a dance career shortly after graduating high school. She auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance but didn’t make cut to the Top 20. Shortly afterward, though, she was hired as a dancer for Beyonce’s 2007 international tour. After traveling the world with Beyonce for the better part of a year, Heather decided to expand into acting.

While taking acting classes, she landed dance jobs on television shows like Eli Stone and in movies such as Adam Sandler’s Bedtime Stories. She was also hired by Beyonce as one of two dancers who performed with her on a promotional tour to release “Single Ladies.” Heather performed “Single Ladies” with Beyonce on Saturday Night Live and the Today show, among other stops, and was offered a spot again on Beyonce’s 2009 world tour. She turned it down, though.

Determined to follow her acting aspirations, Heather decided to follow a unique opportunity that “Single Ladies” had presented her: A little-known, as-yet-unreleased television show called Glee. Heather had been hired to teach the “Single Ladies” dance to the cast. The show’s producers liked Heather so much that they hired her to be a regular cast member — a cheerleader named “Brittany.” Her role within the now-hit show has steadily grown, and with it, so has her popularity. By late November, Heather had been called “Glee’s secret weapon” by the New York Post and on the popular IMDB STARMeter she ranked ahead of Matthew Broderick, Cuba Gooding Jr. and even her former boss, Beyonce.