Luiten learns moves from Hollywood choreographer

Ireland Luiten, a freshman at Odessa High School, has developed a passion for dance. The daughter of Greg and Kellie Luiten of Odessa, she has taken dance lessons locally as well as in Spokane since she was just three years old. She is currently a student at the Studio Inc. Dance Academy in Spokane, where she recently spent eight hours receiving one-on-one instruction with Hollywood choreographer Liz Imperio, learning the basics of matching movement to music.

Imperio is a major director and choreographer in the entertainment industry. According to the Studio Inc. website, her credits include the staging and choreography for Jennifer Lopez's most recent world tour, director/choreographer for Gloria Estefan's last three world concert tours; and two world tours for Madonna.

Imperio was born and raised in Hollywood, Calif. and is a proud Cuban-American. Her early work was noticed by choreographer Kenny Ortega, and she worked as his associate choreographer for six years before going out on her own. She is said to be one of the most sought-after choreographers in the business.

She is also known as a motivator and master teacher of dance throughout the world, at K-Broadway in Japan, Dance Life Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, Harmonic Studios in Paris, France and many others.

She has been teaching on the convention circuits for more than 24 years and is a partner and founder of her own Los Angeles-based production company, Liz Imperio Productions.