Best Choreographers in the World: Icons Who Redefined Dance

Every unforgettable performance — from a stadium concert to a Broadway finale — begins with a choreographer. They’re the architects of motion, turning rhythm into story and performance into emotion.

The world’s best choreographers don’t just design steps; they create moments that define artists, shape genres, and cross cultures. From Hollywood to Bollywood to Seoul, these visionaries have reimagined what dance can express.

This list celebrates the global icons behind the movement — the names who’ve transformed the way singers, performers, and entertainers command a stage.

We’ll explore their signature styles, their defining works, and the creative impact that keeps their choreography alive long after the music stops.

List of Top 10 Choreographers

10: Shiamak Davar

Date of Birth: October 19, 1961 – Mumbai, India

Best Works:

• Dil To Pagal Hai
• Taal
• Dhoom 2

Accolades:

• National Film Award for Best Choreography
• Honorary Doctorate for contributions to the Performing Arts
• Founder, Shiamak Davar International Dance Academy

Career Journey of Shiamak Davar:

Shiamak transformed Bollywood choreography by fusing Western jazz and contemporary dance with Indian storytelling.

Starting in theater and music videos, he soon became the go-to name for large-scale film musicals and live events, including the Commonwealth Games and IIFA Awards.

Breakthrough of Shiamak Davar:

His choreography in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) redefined Bollywood dance, setting a new benchmark for cinematic movement and performance direction.

Choreography Style of Shiamak Davar:

Davar’s work combines grace, energy, and cinematic storytelling — blending ballet, jazz, and Bollywood’s signature flair.

Recent Works of Shiamak Davar:

Through his global dance academy network, he continues training young performers and choreographing international stage productions.

9: Akram Khan

Date of Birth: July 29, 1974 – London, United Kingdom

Best Works:

• Giselle (English National Ballet)
• Desh
• Kaash

Accolades:

• Laurence Olivier Award
• ISPA Distinguished Artist Award
• MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)

Career Journey of Akram Khan:

Born to Bangladeshi parents, Akram began with traditional Kathak and evolved into one of the world’s most respected contemporary choreographers. His collaborations with ballet companies, filmmakers, and artists like Kylie Minogue reflect his ability to merge heritage with innovation.

Breakthrough of Akram Khan:

His solo Kaash (2002) brought him global acclaim and positioned him as a modern visionary uniting cultures through movement.

Choreography Style of Akram Khan:

Khan’s choreography fuses speed, emotion, and storytelling — balancing classical rhythm with contemporary fluidity.

Recent Works of Akram Khan:

His reinterpretation of Giselle (one of the famous dance style) for English National Ballet remains one of the most powerful modern reimaginings of classical dance.

Read Also: Famous Bollywood Dance Choreographer

8: Kenny Ortega

Date of Birth: April 18, 1950 – Palo Alto, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• Dirty Dancing
• High School Musical Trilogy
• Michael Jackson’s This Is It

Accolades:

• Primetime Emmy Awards (3 wins)
• Disney Legend Award
• MTV Movie Award for Best Dance Sequence

Career Journey of Kenny Ortega:

From backup dancer to one of Hollywood’s most respected choreographers and directors, Ortega mastered the art of blending music and storytelling. His choreography shaped an entire generation of musical films and youth entertainment.

Breakthrough of Kenny Ortega:

Dirty Dancing (1987) put him on the map, earning cult status for its unforgettable choreography and chemistry.

Choreography Style of Kenny Ortega:

Ortega’s direction emphasizes emotional choreography — every move advances the story, not just the beat.

Recent Works of Kenny Ortega:

He directed Julie and the Phantoms (Netflix), proving his storytelling-through-dance approach remains timeless.

7: Tessandra Chavez

Date of Birth: May 30, 1982 – San Diego, California, U.S.

Best Works:

• So You Think You Can Dance (multiple Emmy-winning routines)
• Dancing with the Stars
• Beyoncé – Run the World (Girls) Live Performances

Accolades:

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (multiple wins)
• World Choreography Award
• Artistic Director, Unity Dance Ensemble

Career Journey of Tessandra Chavez:

Tessandra began choreographing professionally as a teenager, known for her emotionally charged routines and cinematic storytelling. Her choreography bridges commercial and concert dance, giving raw human emotion center stage on television and live tours alike.

Breakthrough of Tessandra Chavez:

Her Emmy-winning routines on So You Think You Can Dance introduced a new wave of dance storytelling to mainstream audiences.

Choreography Style of Tessandra Chavez:

Deeply emotional, dramatic, and musically sensitive — her choreography blends lyrical power with contemporary athleticism.

Recent Works of Tessandra Chavez:

She continues to choreograph world tours and mentor the next generation of dancers, redefining modern performance art.

Read Also: How To Choreograph a Dance Routine

6: JaQuel Knight

Date of Birth: August 6, 1989 – Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Best Works:

• Single Ladies (Beyoncé)
• Formation (Beyoncé)
• WAP (Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion)

Accolades:

• MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography
• BET Award for Best Director
• Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30

Career Journey of JaQuel Knight:

From a teenage dancer in Atlanta to one of the most in-demand choreographers in music, Knight built a legacy on power, storytelling, and cultural relevance.

Breakthrough of JaQuel Knight:

The Single Ladies music video (2008) became an instant cultural phenomenon, earning viral immortality.

Choreography Style of JaQuel Knight:

Bold, fierce, and unapologetic — blending street movement with theatrical control.

Recent Works of JaQuel Knight:

He’s the first choreographer to copyright dance moves, protecting artistic ownership for future creators.

5: Lia Kim

Date of Birth: July 10, 1987 – Seoul, South Korea

Best Works:

• TWICE – TT
• Sunmi – Gashina
• MAMAMOO – HIP

Accolades:

• YouTube Silver & Gold Creator Awards
• Forbes Korea Power Influencer recognition
• Founder, 1MILLION Dance Studio

Career Journey of Lia Kim:

A former backup dancer turned choreographic entrepreneur, Lia Kim transformed K-pop’s visual language with her clean, detailed, and emotionally charged routines. She is also a renowned figure among the best Korean dancers.

Breakthrough of Lia Kim:

Her choreography for Sunmi’s Gashina redefined solo artist performance in K-pop.

Choreography Style of Lia Kim:

Known for her musical precision, intricate transitions, and subtle emotional cues that turn pop choreography into storytelling.

Recent Works of Lia Kim:

Through 1MILLION Dance Studio, she mentors the next wave of choreographers, influencing K-pop and global stages alike.

Read Also: Top Korean Dancers

4: Remo D’Souza

Date of Birth: April 2, 1974 – Bangalore, India

Best Works:

• ABCD (Any Body Can Dance)
• Street Dancer 3D
• Bajirao Mastani (song “Deewani Mastani”)

Accolades:

• National Film Award for Best Choreography
• Filmfare Award for Best Choreographer
• Zee Cine Award for Best Director

Career Journey of Remo D’Souza:

Starting as a street dancer, Remo rose to become India’s most versatile choreographer-director. His films brought real dancers to the big screen, blurring lines between cinema and competition.

Breakthrough of Remo D’Souza:

The success of ABCD (2013) made him a household name, inspiring countless young dancers.

Choreography Style of Remo D’Souza:

High-energy, cinematic, and deeply expressive — his choreography combines storytelling with athleticism.

Recent Works of Remo D’Souza:

He continues mentoring through TV dance shows and producing projects celebrating India’s street culture.

3: Crystal Pite

Date of Birth: December 15, 1970 – Terrace, British Columbia, Canada

Best Works:

• Betroffenheit (Kidd Pivot & Electric Company Theatre)
• Flight Pattern (The Royal Ballet)
• The Statement (Nederlands Dans Theater)

Accolades:

• Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production
• Benois de la Danse Award
• Officer of the Order of Canada

Career Journey of Crystal Pite:

A former member of Ballet British Columbia and Nederlands Dans Theater, Crystal Pite evolved into one of the most original voices in modern choreography. Her work merges theatrical storytelling with precise, emotionally layered movement that challenges how audiences perceive dance.

Breakthrough of Crystal Pite:

Her 2015 creation Betroffenheit stunned critics worldwide, blending dialogue, theater, and choreography into one of the most acclaimed dance works of the century.

Choreography Style of Crystal Pite:

Narrative-driven, cinematic, and deeply human — she turns complex themes like grief, connection, and chaos into movement that feels alive and urgent.

Recent Works of Crystal Pite:

She continues creating for major international companies while expanding Kidd Pivot’s touring repertoire, solidifying her legacy as one of the most powerful contemporary choreographers of her time.

Read Also: Famous Hip Hop Dancers

2: Travis Wall

Date of Birth: September 16, 1987 – Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.

Best Works:

• So You Think You Can Dance
• Dancing with the Stars
• After the Curtain (Shaping Sound)

Accolades:

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography (multiple wins)
• World Choreography Award
• Founder, Shaping Sound Dance Company

Career Journey of Travis Wall:

Travis Wall went from being a teenage finalist on So You Think You Can Dance to one of the most respected contemporary choreographers in the world. His blend of classical technique and cinematic emotion has made him a favorite among performers and audiences alike.

Breakthrough of Travis Wall:

His choreography for SYTYCD in the late 2000s showcased his gift for storytelling through movement, earning him his first Emmy and international acclaim.

Choreography Style of Travis Wall:

Fluid, expressive, and emotionally rich — combining ballet-level technique with modern, theatrical intensity.

Recent Works of Travis Wall:

As creative director of Shaping Sound, he continues to tour internationally, pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance through innovative stage production and heartfelt narrative choreography.

1: Parris Goebel

Date of Birth: October 29, 1991 – Auckland, New Zealand

Best Works:

• Justin Bieber – Sorry
• Rihanna – Savage X Fenty Shows
• Jennifer Lopez – Super Bowl Halftime Performance (2020)

Accolades:

• MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography
• Emmy Award Nomination
• Founder, The Royal Family Dance Crew

Career Journey of Parris Goebel:

From local battles in New Zealand to choreographing for the biggest names in the world, Parris turned her distinct fusion of hip-hop, femininity, and power into a global movement.

Breakthrough of Parris Goebel:

Justin Bieber’s Sorry (2015) exploded worldwide, making her choreography instantly iconic.

Style of Parris Goebel:

Raw, bold, and unapologetically expressive — her routines fuse street power with storytelling depth.

Recent Works of Parris Goebel:

Beyond tours and music videos, she directs fashion shows and creative campaigns, proving that choreography can be both art and a cultural statement. With his versatility, he has solidified his name amongst the best hip-hop dancers.

Read Also: Who Is the Best Dancer in the World