Shane Sparks

Hip hop choreographer Shane Sparks is best known for his role as a judge and choreographer on the reality television dance competitions "So You Think You Can Dance" and "America's Best Dance Crew." He won the American Choreography Award for co-choreographing the 2004 film, "You Got Served." He is extremely talented as both a hip-hop dancer and choreographer.

Sparks was born on June 25, 1974 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the youngest of three children born to Melvin and Wanda Sparks, both officers in the police force. Sparks spent some time in the hospital after his birth due to scoliosis. He became interested in dance at the age of eleven, when he started performing in talent shows. His interest in teaching became apparent when he started offering dance lessons from his own backyard. Dance became extremely important to Sparks after his sister's boyfriend was murdered, as it became a way for him to escape and feel safe.

Sparks moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school to pursue his dreams of dance. He began working as a substitute hip-hop instructor, and soon took over the class. His classes quickly grew to be the biggest in LA. Sparks soon began working as a choreographer for popular venues, including the American Music Awards. He was also a choreographer for the film "You Got Served", and served as a judge at the 2004 World Hip Hop Championship. He has worked with an impressive list of stars, including Lindsay Lohan, Aaliyah, Monica, and Benji Schwimmer.

Sparks is well known as a judge and choreographer on the reality television dance competition "So You Think You Can Dance." He was a choreographer during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and was promoted to judge/choreographer for the 2007 season. Sparks is also well known as a permanent judge on MTV's dance competition "America's Best Dance Crew." Several talented and determined dance crews compete to earn the coveted title of America's Best Dance Crew and s $100,000 cash prize.