Hollywood producer holds workshop in Harrisburg
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Students at Touch of Class Dance Studio in Harrisburg received special training Thursday from Johnnie Smith, a Los Angeles-based choreographer and producer with 20 years of experience.
Smith has worked with artists such as Will Smith, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Prince and Coolio, among others.
Studio owner Melonie Motsinger said she met Smith at various dance conventions and has maintained a friendship with him over the years. To her delight, he called and offered to provide a dance workshop at her studio.
"It's a huge honor to have him here," she said.
Smith held workshops for different age groups throughout the day Thursday at Motsinger's dance studio in the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Center.
Dance student Tre' Ingram participated in the morning workshop and felt he learned a lot from the lesson.
"I thought it was a great experience to have someone as big as him in the dance world come to our small town and teach us privately," said Ingram. "And I think it's a pretty big deal that he came to our studio in little old Harrisburg."
Ingram found Smith to be a very motivational instructor and enjoyed the workshop.
Dance student Marcella Motsinger also felt that she benefited from the private instruction from Smith.
"I think it's a great opportunity for our town and the dancers at our studio to work with such a great and important guy," said Marcella Motsinger. "He's well known in the world of dance and we had so much fun."