Slam “Salim Gauwloos” career started when he began training in his native Belgium, at the Ballet of Flanders in Antwerp. At the age of seventeen, He auditioned in Belgium for a scholarship to a prestigious Dance School in New York City. Out of the 2,000 dancers that auditioned, he was one of the two dancers who were awarded the scholarship.
In 1990 he began his association with Madonna. He is most famous for his performances in The Blond Ambition Tour, the documentary film, Truth or Dare, and he is also the Face of her infamous Vogue iconic video. In addition, he has performed artists like George Michael, Aretha Franklin, Toni Braxton, Taylor Dane and Britney Spears, to name a few. He has worked with Mia Michaels' company R.A.W and with Margo Sappington's Company, The Daring Project, where he performed with Valentina Kozlova. He performed in New York City Opera's productions of Salome, Daphne, and Candide. His Broadway credits include Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida on Broadway, and Mambo Kings, The Workshop.
Slam has acquired a reputation as not only an extraordinary dancer, but also as an exceptionally gifted choreographer. He was selected to showcase his choreography in the prestigious Ballet Builders 2002, 2004, and 2006. His work choreographing the number for the Aida cast's performance at Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids won Gypsy of the Year in 2003. He also presented two world premieres set on Orlando Ballet under the Artistic Direction of Fernando Bujones, which received rave reviews —“His synergy of forms is so fresh”—“This dance is as cerebral as it is visceral”—by Diane Hubbard Burns for the Orlando Sentinel. His work I Breathe You In was recently performed at Orlando Ballet’s production A World of Dance under the artistic direction of Bruce Marks.The contemporary solo titled Coming of Age that Slam created for Joseph Gorak (ABT and winner of the Youth America Grand Prix 2006 in New York City) was performed at the Gala Stars of Today meet the Stars of Tomorrow, held at City Center.
Slam has taught workshops throughout the world, for Ballet de Monterrey in Mexico, IMPULSTANZ in Vienna, Amsterdam Dance Center in Holland and Arena 21 in Zurich Switzerland. He was also invited to do a residency at Bucknell University. His popularI Breathe You In dedicated to Fernando and Maria Bujones, was performed at the “Bravo Bujones Gala,” a tribute to Fernando Bujones’ Legacy.
Slam created works in Buenos Aires titled Between Hope and Fear and 10-10-71 which where part of Argentina’s Mozarteum Program ’07 and 2010. His piece 10-10-71 was also performed in a tribute to Argentina’s famous Dancer called Jose Neglia, where his son Sergio Neglia, also performed his father’s famous roles, along starts such as Cecilia Figaredo. He has also set a work on the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company titled “11:11”. Slam won the choreography award at the YAPG 2008 in South Carolina.
His Fashion credits include choreographing a Revlon commercial with supermodels, Cindy Crawford, Helena Christensen, and Claudia Schiffer, shot by Bruce Webber; a Gianni Versace Campaign shot by Herb Ritts; a Philip Morris campaign shot by David Lachapelle featuring Slam Rochelle Aytes; the Wella Trend Vision ads shot by Alexi Lubomirski, the Sebastian Trilliant ads featuring Charlotte Ronson, and as a guest on "The Face." He also choreographed an advertising campaign and video commercial for Longchamp, featuring supermodel Coco Rocha shot by Max Vadukul, and a cover and editorial spread with Anne Hathaway as a face of One Billion Rising, the global movement to end violence against women shot by Alexei Hay.
Check out Slam at his website www.SalimGauwloos.com. Also become a Fan of Slam's on Facebook!
Read less
