The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Q&A with Jodi Gould: Dancer + Choreographer + Instructor

Jodi Gould - Dancer + Choreographer + Instructor

In the world of dance, there’s an enormous gap between trained (choreographed) dancers and freestyle dancers. In Hollywood there are only a handful of famous dancers who don’t have the last name ‘Jackson’ that have mastered the art of dancing with an eight count AND dancing to the beat of the music. Everyday we watch them entertain us in their music videos and at award shows:

Chris Brown, Ciara, Omarion, Beyonce and arguably Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Furthermore, in our real lives, things are vastly different; the number of talented dancers we come across is astounding. Some are our friends while others are complete strangers that grab our attention when out at the club.

Jodi Gould (pictured above) is a friend of mine that definitely fills the gap between trained dancer and freestyle dancer. A citizen of dance, her petite frame packs more moves than any of us can count. Currently teaching classes throughout London Jodi, took a minute out of her day to answer some of my questions about dance.

Lils@justdistracted:

How long have you been dancing for?

Jodi Gould, The Choreographer:

I was 9 so....15 years?

Lils:

What form of dance do you practice?

Jodi:

Now, only dancehall and various styles of hip hop.

Lils:

How many days a week do you dance?

Jodi:

My answer should be every day but since I’ve been in London I’ve been slacking a bit: S (shh don’t tell lol) I dance 3 or 4 times a week.

Lils:

What’s your favourite dance style?

Jodi:

I like guyish hip-hop, lol, I like dancing like a guy better than dancing like a girl haha. I like dancehall too...hmm, those things are so opposite!

Lils:

What’s your favorite recently choreographed music video?

Jodi:

Haha, ok one, it’s not that recent, but, it’s one of my favorite videos to watch the dancing in, but it’s not even in English haha, its “Wedding Dress” by Taeyang. He’s a Korean artist. Go watch it! Now! Um, I quite enjoy watching anything from Rihanna as well haha!

Lils:

What form of dance do you have little to no interest to learn?

Jodi:

Locking, I’ve tried so many times, but for some reason I just DON’T like it!

Lils:

What’s ur all time fav song to dance to at the club?

Jodi:

Anything by Lil Wayne lol “Go DJ” is always one of my favs.

Lils:

What’s your bathroom break song (the song that makes you stop dancing)?

Jodi:

Crazy in Love by Beyonce, I can’t stand that song!

Lils:

If you could work with any artist dead or alive who would it be?

Jodi:

Michael and Janet of course! But also Lil Wayne haha, ooh maybe some Ciara too, that’d be hot!

Lils:

How long did it take you to do the moonwalk?

Jodi:

Haha, I taught myself one day when I was like 12.

Lils:

Do you know memorize the choreography for Rhythm Nation?

Jodi:

I know parts of it, but I usually break into my own version .

Lils:

Who do u think can compete in a dance off against Ciara?

Jodi:

Stephanie Lavigne! Haha

Lils:

Who do u think can compete in a dance off against Chris Brown?

Jodi:

Hmm, Omarion? Yeah, I’d like to see that.

Lils:

What’s been your worse injury to date?

Jodi:

Hmm, knock on wood but I haven’t had too many dance related injuries! When I was younger in tap, I was doing pull backs and fell on my face; I had a muscle fracture in my elbow, that’s probably the worst one.

Lils:

Do you watch any of the so you think you can dance shows?

Jodi:

Nope, I use to, but I had friends on it and realized how set up everything is and sort of lost interest. I still watch it every once in a while though.

Lils:

Do you feel there’s been a decline in dancers in the entertainment business?

Jodi:

No actually, I feel like there are more dancers and more work for them. Dance is so mainstream these days with all the dance shows and YouTube stars! I love it

Lils:

Were you a fan of J-Lo during her fly girl days?

Jodi:

Hmm, gotta be honest and say that I wasn’t a fan.

Lils:

What’s your strongest dance style?

Jodi:

Hmm, guyish hip hop lol, and dancehall I guess.

Lils:

What’s your favourite dance movie?

Jodi:

Haha, um, I don’t know...If I had to pick, I’d say “you got served” haha it’s so corny, I love it!

Lils:

What do you say to someone that ur training with zero rhythm?

Jodi:

I just make them listen to the music and show them what to listen to like, boom, ca, boom, ca, hahaha does that even make sense?

To find out how you can take a dance class with Jodi Gould FOLLOW her @ twitter.com/jodigould

The Perfect Lunchtime Read is a writing series that began on January 7th, 2011. Every weekday I write a new Perfect Lunchtime Read for you to enjoy while eating your lunch at work or taking a break from your hectic life. Every weekday new Perfect Lunchtime Read is posted on justdistracted.com. A notice of its arrival on the website is sent via Facebook & twitter.com/justdistracted

Every writing piece is light and easy to read, I like to leave the serious topics with the New York Times. Warning:

My writing style is no holds bar but don’t worry you won’t be seeing any NSFW photos posted anytime soon.

If you have feedback, questions or comments please feel free to email me at justdistracted@gmail.com

To read previous Perfect Lunchtime Reads visit justdistracted.com:

Intro - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - New Year

Entry 1 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Where to find a lover in time for Valentines

Entry 2 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Mondays

Entry 3 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - The Lotto Winner

Entry 4 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Where do men cry?

Entry 5 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Award Season

Entry 6 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Award Speeches

Entry 7 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Legal Vs. Illegal

Entry 8 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Peeping Lils

Entry 9 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Entry 10 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Get Silly

Entry 11 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - An Open Letter to Lauryn Hill Fans

Entry 12 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Dear A$$hole at Hibiscus

Entry 13 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Where’s your famous ex?

Entry 14 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - My Brand New Friend

Entry 15 - The Perfect Lunchtime Read - Entry 15

Entry 16 - Last Day of the Month

And much MORE!

Hope you enjoy your lunch and thanks for reading!

Lils

JUST Distracted