Johanna Sapakie’s passion for dance and love for choreography have always played an important role in her life. Her diligent work ethic and dedication to the craft have gotten her far in the ever-expanding worlds of dance and entertainment. While coming from a strong ballet background, Johanna is an athletic dancer schooled in a variety of forms including jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, tap, modern, partnering, point work and aerial acrobatics. She was trained from a very young age and has worked with such master teachers as Joe Tremaine, Debbie Allen, Stephan Wenta, Marguerite Derricks, Wade Robson and Savion Glover.
More recently, on the performance side of her career, Johanna has been involved in many projects on stage and on camera including The MTV Movie Awards, Slime Time Live and Radio Disney Live, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, New Year’s Eve Live at Mandalay Bay, shows with EMI recording artist Oryon, a music video for EMI Latin Recording artist Jennifer Peña, Jazz Dance World Congress 2001-2004, “The Professional Dancers’ Society Benefit” with Liz Imperio, “Steps in Time” with Travis Payne, the grand opening of "The Highlands" with Alex Magno, “The Closing“ and “Bound” with Terry Beeman, the Hysterica Dance Company with Bubba Carr, “Jazz Dance L.A.” with Doug Caldwell, “The Mandalone Project” and “NY’s Performance Outlet” with Dee Caspary, Gucci, Redken, Volvo and Tarbell Realty industrials, a Rhino Records Commercial, photography for the Dance Resource Center and much more. Currently, Johanna is a member of Liz Imperio’s Instincts Live Media Dance Company which has toured throughout the U.S. and Europe and Mark Meismer‘s newly formed Evolution Dance Company.
With her choreography, Ms. Sapakie has been involved in “Michael Jackson: A Tribute to the King of Pop” and “Michael Jackson at B.B. King’s Club”, Jean Ann Ryan cruise lines, the 2000, 2001 and 2002 “Jazz Dance L.A.”, promotional showcases for EMI recording artist Oryon, choreography for professional dance companies, studios and schools around the world and much more.
Johanna has been an associate choreographer for Madonna: The Confessions Tour and Madonna: The Reinvention Tour, “Latin on Ice” for NBC, Premio Lo Nuestro 2007, the Latin Grammy Awards, the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, the feature film “Dus”, industrials, burlesque shows, animated ringtones, showcases and performances for recording artists Jenni Rivera, Los Tigres Del Norte, Nonny and Alexandra Monir and routines for the Los Angeles Clippers, to name a few.
Along with performing and choreographing, Johanna also takes much pride in her teaching. While always trying to expand her horizons, she teaches all forms of dance including jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop and tap. She has taught at studios all around the world for children and adults of all levels and abilities. Johanna also enjoys teaching as part of the LADF faculty as well as other conventions and judging for various dance competitions. She is currently sharing her knowledge and love for dance at Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood and Debbie Allen’s Dance Academy in Culver City, as well as many other places.
Most recently, Ms. Sapakie has found a new love in the world of aerial tissú (fabric) and aerial lyra (ring). She has already had many performances in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Costa Rica and is excited to add these new media to her credits.
