Rasta Thomas

Thomas is an accomplished ballet dancer who founded the Bad Boys of Dance company. He has performed leading roles in The Nutcracker as well as other works.

He has over thirty years of experience in movement, theatre and live-art as a performer, choreographer, educator and writer. Additionally, he has taught somatic approaches to movement education across various settings worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Rasta Thomas was born in Washington, DC and began physical therapy training as early as two. Traveling with his parents inspired his love for dance and music.

His early career as a professional dancer included performances with Cleveland San Jose Ballet and Dance Theatre of Harlem as well as gala appearances as a guest dancer. Over time, however, his desire for teaching outweighed that for performing and together with Barbara Fallis founded New York School of Ballet.

Thomas Studio has helped thousands of students realize their dreams of dance through classes in Hip-Hop, Jazz, Modern and Ballet styles. Additionally, Ailey Arts in Education Community Programs also take place here.

Professional Career

Thomas is an esteemed dancer, teacher, coach and director. He has appeared on multiple episodes of So You Think You Can Dance as well as collaborated with some of the biggest names in music.

He is a founding member of EDGEWORKS Dance Theater Company and serves on the faculties of City Dance School and Conservatory and Tulsa Western Ballet. Additionally, he has performed as guest artist with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Baryshnikov’s White Oak Dance Company, and Lar Lubovitch International Ballet companies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-created Creative Intersections with James Kirby Rogers to bring live performance back into communities affected by it. Since then, he has sought ways to provide spaces of positive expression through dance.

Achievement and Honors

He has performed as a guest artist with Dance Theater of Harlem, Washington Ballet and City Dance. Additionally, he was invited to perform at Jacob’s Pillow.

He received one of the dance world’s highest honors – The Ivy Hall Foundation Scholarship – and taught at universities nationwide as well as juvenile temporary detention centers.

She earned a BFA from Point Park University with majors in Dance and Arts Management. Since graduating she has served as Artistic Director, Primary Instructor, Choreographer at Thomas Studio where she has earned thousands of high scores during competitions and attended Dance Teacher Summit NYC to further her education. She believes her job should go beyond simply teaching dance; rather it should include shaping young lives.

Personal Life

Thomas is a dedicated husband and father to four adorable children. He enjoys traveling with them as much as dancing; dancing is his life and he hopes that other can find inspiration to keep dancing no matter their age!

Thomas has appeared in various opera and theatre productions across Australia and as a guest artist of Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. Additionally, he serves as an international teacher who imparts workshops and participates in ballet juries.

He has choreographed for numerous music videos, such as Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 which is widely considered one of the greatest dance videos ever. Additionally, he established his own dance school called Academy of Performing Arts where he competed and placed eighth overall on season 9 of So You Think You Can Dance competition series; additionally he has performed extensively and traveled widely as well.

Net Worth

Thomas has amassed considerable wealth from his dance and film acting careers. Additionally, he published and sold his book for significant profits and currently owns a home in Manhattan.

He has performed with multiple major dance companies, such as Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, featuring works by George Balanchine, Glen Tetley and Domy Reiter-Soffer among others. Additionally, he performed at Dance Theatre of Harlem.

He has choreographed for the Collage Dance Collective, Flint Institute of Music and Hattiloo Repertory Theatre among others. Additionally, he founded companyONE pre-professional training program and serves year-round faculty at Joffrey Ballet School New York (where he also writes regularly for ELLE and Dance Spirit magazine).