MARKKANEMURA-ONLINE.ORG | Your #1 Source for Everything Mark

MK-O: MARK KANEMURA'S BIOGRAPHY

Last Updated: November 20 2008

Mark Kenneth Ioane Kanemura Biography

Mark Kanemura entered the world of dance at the age of 13 when he enrolled in classical dance education. From there he went into musical theatre and was involved in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Mark then landed a dancing role in Grease, choreographed by Marcelo Pacleb, "the mastermind of the highly acclaimed 24-7 Danceforce Productions."

Mark was 14 when he first began working with Marcelo. At the time, Mark's family was going through a divorce and his mother was having difficulties paying for rent, buying food and other necessities-- having money to pay for dance class didn't seem like an option but Marcelo saw the "potential with [Mark] as a dancer" and offered him a job at 24-7, helping out to teach classes in exchange for dance lessons.

Mark has done ballet, modern, contemporary, funk, jazz, hip hop and street styles.

With 24-7, Mark has been on a TV competition called Destination Stardom where he and 11 other 24-7 dancers won the $25,000 group grand prize. He has also appeared in the Hawaii Ballet Theatre's production of the Nutcracker. He's also appeared on Miss Hawaii Scholarship Pagaent, choreographing for the show.

Mark's been to California and New York for dance training and has won awards and recognitions from notable dance competitions. Mark has traveled to Japan where he was the dance captain with Tokyo Disney Sea's Mystic Rhythms, he's traveled to the east and west coasts as a dancer on the Norwegian Cruise Line's Spirit and has choreographed for the Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Aloha, Pride of America.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE 2008

In the summer of 2008, Mark made it to the Top 20 Dancers of Season 4 So You Think You Can Dance. He started off the season paired with Chelsie Hightower and the two danced their way into the Top 10 and into the hearts of millions of viewers all over the world. Having made it to the Top 10 ensured Mark would be with the SYTYCD post-show for the So You Think You Can Dance Tour 2008, where he and the rest of America's favorite dancers would tour across the country dancing and meeting the fans that helped launch them into stardom.

Mark garnered great reviews from SYTYCD bloggers, reviewers, and fans across the globe. His interesting and unique style and the sheer commitment, passion, and execution he put into each of his performances made him a stand-out contestant and resulted in a huge and supportive fanbase.

Back when his SYTYCD Bio was created, Mark was asked "What would you like to see happen to you as a result of the show?" to which he replied "Opportunities to grow, Teaching and Dancing around the world. I would love to leave a mark in people's minds and hearts!" And he has indeed done so with a mere few months on the show.

On September 20, 2008, the Top 11 of SYTYCD Season 4 (including Mark), along with 2 alternates, hit the road for a 41 city dance tour, performing popular routines from the show and meeting their loving fans. The Season 4 Tour ended on November 17, 2008, marking the end of Mark's SYTYCD journey but the beginning of the rest of Mark's bright career.

Mark Kanemura's journey has only just begun and his fans will be following and propelling his dance career for years to come. Watch out world, mKiK is coming.

------------------------------------------
Bio written by Linda with information from:
RUSSELL TANOUE'S '06 Mark Bio & Advertiser Marcelo Article

Photographs used on page taken by:
http://russelltanoue.com!

| BACK TO HOME | BACK TO MARK INFORMATION |

Subscribe to MK-O's RSS (news) feed: