Tony Azzaro – Director of Freestyle Dance Academy. Photo by Bicking Photography.
Mr. Tony – Studio Director
Tony Azzaro is a professional dancer, actor, host & choreographer based in the Philadelphia & NYC region. Some credits include: AMC, CBS, ABC, Comedy Central and more. Aside from his work as a performer, Tony is a sought after dance instructor, and is a regular guest professor at both Lehigh University & Muhlenberg College. He also can be found choreographing for competition teams along with teaching various workshops & conventions in the region. Tony sits on the board of non-profit dance company, Project Moshen (Philadelphia, PA), and is a member of UNESCO’s International Dance Council. Tony looks to bring technique & knowledge to his dance classes, while helping young performers navigate the entertainment industry.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Tony began exploring dance after his experience in theatre led him to movement. He was also a member of the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas. Tony was inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson, Usher, Justin Timberlake and more, along with dancers such as the Electric Boogaloos, The Lockers, Rock Steady Crew and others. After moving to Bucks County at the start of high school, he began to seriously educate himself in hip-hop and dance. Tony is versed in multiple styles of hip-hop including popping, locking, breaking, krumping, tutting, and house. He also has experience with various other styles of dance. Tony is an active professional performer and teacher, and has also been an entertainer at Cutting Edge Entertainment in Huntingdon Valley for almost a decade as a dancer, DJ and Master of Ceremonies. Tony is extremely proud of his time performing with Outta Kontrol, a Temple University based hip-hop crew, before completing his degree in Production, Communications and Media. He has been the proud director of Freestyle Dance Academy for ten seasons.
Tony also frequently teaches workshops on hip-hop technique & history in the tri-state region and beyond. Some of Tony’s teaching credits include Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College, The Koresh School of Dance, and other schools & dance studios in the Philadelphia area. Mr. Tony also choreographs for many organizations & teams in the area, with his award-winning choreography being recognized at various dance competitions, etc.
Freestyle Dance Academy director, Tony, performs a solo during Sanbrooka Productions‘ “I.V.U.” – Photo by Bicking Photography Studio.
Tony is an active member of The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew, based out of New York City. TBB is an organization that focuses on the preservation & education of hip-hop culture & dance. Originally founded in 1975, the organization now has chapters all over the globe, constantly pushing to educated & inform about hip-hop & urban culture. Recently, Tony was selected to become a member of the International Dance Council, a branch of UNESCO. Learn more about the CID here.
“Mr. Tony”, as many of his younger students have come to call him, believes that in order to provide his students with the best training, he must always remain a student and continue learning. Tony still trains whenever possible, and takes any chance he can to meet and learn from other actors & dancers. Tony is also still an active performer in the Philadelphia community and beyond, and is a member of Sanbrooka Productions theatrical company in Philadelphia, under the direction of Sammy Reyes. Tony is a seasoned entertainer, also having experience in singing, musical theatre, modeling and acting.
“LIFE ISN’T ALWAYS CHOREOGRAPHED, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FREESTYLE.” – Bradley Rapier aka Shooz of the Groovaloos
Studio Director Mr. Tony performing at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Photo Credit: Rhymes with Beat.
