Yolanda is the longest running HIP HOP teacher for Sydney Dance Company’s casual classes and specializes in teaching and building confidence in beginner dancers. Her motto is “So you think you CAN’T DANCE? BET I CAN TEACH YOU!”
Her YouTube dance videos from www.youtube.com/yolandathomas have a combined total of over 1.4 million views, with 1 video clocking well over half a million views.
She recently filmed hip hop “Smart Tips” in LA with Geffner Productions who have worked on the Dr Phill show and Frasier and seek out ‘experts in their field’ for their videos.
Her choreography has been seen on various film clips played on Video Hits, Channel V, Rage and Music Max. A highlight was working with dancers that appeared with Snoop Dog for MTV in Las Vegas.
In 2011 she won Choreographer of the Year (junior div) for GROOVE- one of the biggest hip hop competitions in Australia, for her work with STARTIME KREW who competes at an international level.
Yolanda choreographed and appeared in MTV‘s ‘Full Tank’. The segment featured Yolanda choreographing finalists of the Cleo Bachelor of the Year competition, who had NEVER danced before.
Australian national tours include: dancer/rapper for Coca Cola’s Redfest media launches and joining New York band Reel 2 Real as a dancer /member replacing their permanent member while they promoted their smash hit “I like to move it, move it!”
Yolanda’s musical theatre highlights include the role of Donna Sue Miller in GREASE the Arena Spectacular; she was also the understudy to Danni Minogue as Rizzo, with minimum crowds of 10,000 in Australia and 40,000 in N.Z.
As a vocalist/session singer, Yolanda has worked for artists such as Powder Finger, Wendy Matthews and Vanessa Amorosi on many live gigs and T.V appearances. She was the vocalist with rap group LA DI DA signed to Roadshow that had major radio airplay on 2Day fm’s Hot 30 Countdown.
Yolanda, recently returned from showcase gigs in L.A with her band Yolanda and the Stolen Boys. She has won 2 L.A MUSIC AWARDS and nominated for “Artist of the Year” for her EP ”Left me Doing Time” which debuted on the ARIA charts at #31.(available on ITunes and www.stolenboys.com ) Yolanda also received national exposure on FOX8 from auditioning for American CBS show Rockstar 2:Supernova
Yolanda was photographed by award winning photographer Alexia Sinclair for a coffee table book on 100 Inspirational Australian Women, titled “Women of the World“. It was released nationwide and features many Australian celebrities.
