Lauren Yalango-Grant

Lauren, originally from New York, was born a playful, slightly dramatic, and energetic mover. Her mother saw this early in her childhood and decided dance classes would be a good outlet to burn off some extra energy. As a child, Lauren took the typical introductory dance classes — ballet, tap and jazz — but at the age of twelve, she began training more seriously in ballet. She studied under Dulce Anaya at the Jacksonville Ballet Theatre, and following her high school graduation she returned to New York. There she received her BFA with honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Shortly after graduating, Lauren joined Pilobolus Dance Theater and created and toured with the company from 2008-2015. Lauren was an original collaborator and cast member of the Pilobolus hit Shadowland, where she lead the production as a principal dancer. She performed both on stage and screen for audiences that included Conan O’Brien and the Queen of England.

Lauren has performed works by celebrated choreographers, including Ryan Heffington, Bill T. Jones, Denna Thomsen, Alison Chase, Stacey Tookey, Nick Kenkel, Jennifer Jancuska, Stephen Petronio, and Jermaine Browne. Other credits include: King Kong Alive on Broadway (Kong Captain), Fuerza Bruta Wayra, Queen of the Night, The Bad Years, Seeing You and Changers, A Dance Story by legendary director, Spike Jonze. Lauren teaches dance, partnering, and yoga throughout NYC and around the country. As a choreographer, Lauren works with her creative and life partner, Christopher Grant, to create stories expressed through movement, play, and partnership. Lauren and Christopher were featured together in Apple’s holiday commercial, ‘Sway.’ They are both currently hosting and dancing in the Vanity Fair series, ‘Movies In Motion.’