LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It's one of the most famous dance breaks in music video history — Michael and Janet Jackson in "Scream."
The man who created those moves lives in Louisville and is teaching others to chase their dreams.
LaVelle Smith was one of Michael Jackson's choreographers and dancers for 23 years, helping bring to life some of the pop legend’s biggest tours — Bad, Dangerous and HIStory.
"I have moments where I'm like 'Oh wow, yeah, I did that,' or I will see something that reminds me of something I did, and I will say 'Oh they were influenced by something I did,' which is a big deal," Smith said.
Now, Smith teaches dance moves around the world and right here in Louisville, where he taught a class at the Terpsichore Dance Company on Saturday.
Since Halloween is just around the corner, the students are learning one of Michael Jackson's classics, the "Thriller" dance.
Smith has worked on tours with Janet Jackson, Beyonce, and The Rolling Stones.
Michael Jackson's Bad tour played Freedom Hall in Louisville back in 1988. Smith said he had more than 50 family members attend, but the concert almost didn't happen.
"We weren't going to come here, he had cancelled it," Smith recalled. "We were going to go to I think Lexington and I said 'oh, man.' He (Michael Jackson) had overheard me say we are not going to Louisville anymore. The next thing you know, it's back on the tour, and we came here. It was the best. It was the best."
The dance class will perform the "Thriller" dance at the NuLu Halloween Parade and Festival on Oct. 25.
Top Stories:
2 females shot and killed in south Louisville, police say
Annual Bowman Fest brings aviation history, family fun to Louisville
CRAWFORD | No. 24 Virginia swipes Louisville's identity, walks away with 30-27 OT win
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
