Dance & Life | Khalil McNeil

KHALIL MCNEIL

EARLY LIFE

As a kid i grew up with my mom and my older brother. Being the younger one, I was the baby so I mostly was given the world. Growing up with a single mom though, you learn to ask for things you only absolutely need. another thing i learned from my mom is you don’t really need anything from anyone and that you can do it yourself or with your loved ones. I played outside a lot as a young kid but as i got older into my pre-teen/teen age years i became more of a home body. I also realized i wasn’t really cut out for any team sports so for me video games and dance it was.

Dance career

I am the co-studio owner of Garage 713 in Houston, TX and a working DANCER & choreographer. I first got the itch to perform and entertain after doing a rather odd rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for my 5th grade talent show. By fall 2008 i Joined a performance dance team called FLY Dance Company. Here I trained in a few foundational styles such as popping, breaking, and locking. I was also able to build up my performance skills by performing locally all over the Houston area in various shows and/or events like the Bayou City Arts Festival, High School spring shows, expos, quinces, & more. From 2012 to 2021, I got into the choreography & competition side of the dance community when I joined SoReal Dance Studio as a student, dancer, & instructor where my choreography would go on to win numerous awards. A COUPLE career highlights for me AS ACHOREOGRAPHER was winning an online choreography competition hosted by Jaquel Knight AND TEACHING AT THE HOUSTON STOP OF THE KAOS DANCE CONVENTION 2023 SEASON. Some highlights AS A DANCER include dancing in the Justin Bieber “Second Emotion” Music Video, the 2022 Billboard Music Awards with Diddy, RIHANNA’S SAVAGE X FENTY VOL. 4 SHOW AND MOST RECENTLY Rihanna’s Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show. I have worked with various industry choreographers associated with Michael Jackson, Beyonce, N.E.R.D., Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Pharrell, Megan Thee Stallion and more. I now hope with owning a studio and having a newfound leadership in the community THAT I can bring THE SAME DRIVE, LOVE AND ATMOSPHERE I HAD when I was just starting to Dance BACK TO THE HOUSTON COMMUNTIY.

WHAT DOES YEETYAH MEAN?

The technical definition for the word “yeet” is an exclamation of excitement, approval, surprise, or all-around energy, which you’ll often hear when seeing a dance move. Now adding “yah” to the equation gives the phrase two different dynamics. “Yeet” to give you the exclamation of energy and “yah” to bring it down or give it a chill vibe.