Meet Rhey Orme | Choreographer, Dancer, Teacher, & Founder of Choreo Summit

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rhey Orme and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rhey, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought wasn’t initially to become a business. At first, I was just a kid from Tucson, Az that wanted to become a professional dancer with almost zero know how on how to get there, mind you I had some incredible dance crew mates who served as mentors like Chris McKinney, Matthew Love, John Williams, and Adrian Walker; but stepping into the professional scene was more or less uncharted territory for all of us. I was an instructor at this time with little real world experience, so how could I even try to help others reach for the “next level” if I wasn’t operating on that level or have any close connections that were? See even with connections as resources I could at least point my students into the right direction. So with all that in my head I decided to move to LA with one of my best friends and now business partner, David Lam, to pursue our dance career(s) but, for me, to also soak up as many gems as possible to help someone like me; someone that wanted to chase their dream but didn’t know where to start. That has pretty much been my narrative ever since. Fast forward to today and I’ve been able to mentor some incredible dancers and help them live out their dreams or at least give them the tools neccessary to get their foot in the door and tools to keep them in the room.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Of course! So yeah, I am a professional choreographer and dancer, currently represented by The Movement Talent Agency. I have been dancing semi professionally to professionally for about seven years now, with the last four being fully professional meaning it was my primary source of income. I think what sets me apart is the simple fact that on paper I probably shouldn’t be in the field I am in. From my limited flexibility to the stigma of being and “older dancer” I’m only 28 but still I get called a grandpa every once in a while as a joke. But in all seriousness, with the physical limitations and the fact that their are obviously younger and stronger dancers out there I have found the things that have worked for me and spent a lot of time figuring out where I fit in the scheme of industry jobs, there’s still A LOT! So instead of beating myself up about those kind of insecurities among plenty others I turn it into action and get to work. I owe that to a very close friend of mine, Patrick Falcon, he was not only a big brother to me but also a great business consultant and really taught me how to turn some perceived weaknesses into full on strengths. Another credit belongs to Jay Chris Moore, founder of The Mob, for spending the time to tell me straight up what I was lacking, sometimes you don’t get that type of support, so having him as another big bro/ mentor really kept me accountable for my growth and honestly so many opportunities to perform and grow as a dancer, choreographer, and an artist. Now I am able to take those lessons and success measures that I’ve tested and put them into my brand, Choreo Summit. The intention here is to put dancers, that have that same hunger I did when I was younger, on a career path in dance and bypass the nonsense and align them with their goals. We do this by offering uniquely themed dance class intensives centered around commercial like settings such as: auditions, rehearsals, working “on set,” we also offer dance resume critiques and video reel editing among many other facets that are required when working in the dance industry. Our goal is to eventually turn this intensive into a fully operating and touring convention. There is definitely a phrase or saying about crawling or walking so others could run or fly. I really don’t remember it but its basically that concept hahaha. We want to prepare the next generation that doesn’t have the convince of living in major hub cities a true opportunity to compete.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Good question, to be honest being from Tucson my expertise in Phoenix is limited, but let’s give it a shot. If I am in town for the week this is what we a re doing: morning jogs around Tempe Lake (obviously not in the summer), brunch First Watch, go check out mills mall because of the shoes stores, if you know you know, lunch would have to be at Unos Tacos for birria tacos, go take class or teach at one of the many studios that have quality classes: Wight Noise, JukeBox, Elektro the list is actually pretty long here those are just examples. For dinner, I’d have to say Twin Peaks I have definitely became a fan over my many visits to Phoenix. Another cool brunch spot would be Welcome Diner for sure! I’d rent studio space at Z room Tempe or Mesa where me and my friend would dance. I’d check out some of the production studios and sneak a photoshoot or video shoot in too. I am literally terrible at this every thing sounds like I am still working 🤷🏽‍♂️ I’d have to hit up the water parks in the summer though, can’t forget that.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Well I already shouted out a few but among them I would also like to personally shout out: My Mom & Dad, Rhey and Anita Orme as well as my sisters Kashawna, Rahjah, and Joi thank you guys for your overflowing amount of love and support through every tough time and celebrating with me during every win, I do this for my family. I love you guys.

Also my Choreo Summit partners: David & Frankie, thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for always pushing this machine to the limit, your innovative takes on mundane tasks is truly a testament to your creative muscles. I could not ask for better partners!

Lost Boyz! My boys, thank y’all for shaping me into who I am today as an artist, the bond we share is our brotherhood and I am so proud of us for these wins! We all eat!

The Arizona Dance Community, there are literally so many of you guys and I’d spend this entire page shouting you guys out for giving me a shot thank you all for trusting in me the way you do. You know the vibes I got you. Wanna give a special shout out to Anthony Cordova at United Dance Studio in Coolidge for being my firs class I ever taught out of my city, I appreciate the love and support from y’all so much!

Jay Jay you know I ain’t forget about you boy! Proud of the man you are becoming and the artist you are developing into, KEEP GOING! The work ain’t done yet.

Hunter! Our friendship and brotherhood and the way you challenge the status quo is something I really admire about you fam! Can’t wait to dance with you again soon!

Hannah Osborn! My lil sis you been with me since the trenches and the world ain’t ready for what you have to offer. Give it to em anyways!.

Instagram: @ChoreoSummit & @Rheyoh

Youtube: @Rheyoh

Image Credits
@Adavidlamvision @shot_by_sonniboy @Art_of_f8th