NYC native dancer and choreographer Nadine Ruffin aka “Hi-Hat” is proof that the greatest challenge we will ever face is ourselves. By defeating Will Smith’s choreographer in a dance battle a decade ago in Los Angeles, Hi-Hat positioned herself to become a professional dancer, soon-turn choreographer. She would go on to create original moves that would intrigue the world leading her to establish her own brand, HiHat Entertainment.
Her first nationally recognized appearance was on a video for Montell Jordan called “I Like”. Jordan was so impressed by Ruffin’s work, that he invited Hi-Hat to choreograph his entire tour. She went on to lend her talent to many other notable artists including Rihanna, Mary J., Diddy, Shakira, Wyclef, and Jay-Z. She is mostly recognized for her trailblazing maneuvers for Missy Elliot, in which she quarterbacked the dance moves in the trendsetting videos for hits like “All In My Grill”, “Get Your Freak On”, and “One Minute Man”.
Outside of Hip Hop, Hi-Hat created dance moves for silver screen gems (Step Up 2 & Step Up 3-D), videos for the movie soundtracks (Charlie’s Angels, Rug Rats), and countless award shows (Grammy’s, Hip Hop Honors, American Music Awards). In 2010, Ruffin was featured as a guest judge on the panel for Fox’s dance competition show, “So You Think You Can Dance?” where she offered her expertise advice. She is internationally known and admired by fellow choreographers for her unique style and ground-breaking moves. Hi-Hat used the element of street dancing to help her accomplish her dream of showing the world that defeating the doubt within ourselves is our greatest challenge.
–@CourtneyBrown