Kyle Hanagami

Kyle Hanagami is a Los Angeles-based choreographer and director known for his distinctive dance style and widespread online presence. He initially pursued psychology and economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he joined the school’s hip-hop team. This casual commitment evolved into a serious passion for dance, leading him to return to Los Angeles in 2010 to pursue a career in choreography. Hanagami built his career by leveraging platforms like YouTube, where he quickly gained a substantial following and shared his choreographic work, demonstrating a unique ability to navigate the evolving dance industry landscape. His early career included dancing for the Black Eyed Peas and choreographing for “The X Factor.”

Over the years, Hanagami established himself as a prominent choreographer, developing a movement vocabulary characterized by musical flourishes and syncopation. His classes in Los Angeles attracted numerous dancers, and his YouTube channel, featuring choreography videos and insights into a professional dance artist’s life, drew attention from directors and actors seeking collaborations. This exposure led to choreographic work for artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, and Ariana Grande, and productions like “Dancing with the Stars.” A significant turning point in his career was his collaboration with BLACKPINK, beginning in 2016 before the group even released their first song. He has since choreographed numerous music videos for the K-pop group, which have accumulated billions of views globally.

In 2023, Hanagami took on the role of choreographer for the movie musical adaptation of “Mean Girls.” This project allowed him to explore new creative challenges, culminating in a credit as a second unit director and subsequent admission to the Directors Guild of America. He continues to contribute to the dance industry, including choreographing for “So You Think You Can Dance.” Hanagami is also a vocal advocate for choreographic copyright, having secured copyrights for much of his work and pursuing legal action against Epic Games regarding alleged infringement. He serves as a vice president of the Choreographers Guild, actively working to address challenges and support choreographers within the entertainment industry.