Toronto

A lesson in 'Beyography' for the Beyoncé concert

Nicky Nasrallah is the Toronto man behind "Beyography," a dance class dedicated to Beyonce's popular choreography. He celebrates the one-year anniversary of his classes on the same night the singer get set to perform her concert at the Rogers Centre.

Watch and learn 3 basic Beyoncé dance moves

Beyography: Toronto dance class dedicated to Beyoncé

9 years ago
Duration 1:54
Nicky Nasrallah, the brainchild behind "Beyography" chats to us about his class on the day Beyoncé performs in Toronto.

Nicky Nasrallah had a front-row seat for his idol's show in Toronto Wednesday night.

"I will have my hand out in the beehive pit ready for Beyoncé," he said before the show.

It was Nasrallah's fifth time seeing the singer live when she took the stage at the Rogers Centre, as part of The Formation World Tour. 

But he has another way to connect with Queen B: his weekly Beyography class, a Toronto dance class dedicated solely to Beyoncé's moves.

Beyoncé 101

Now Beyoncé's moves can look difficult, but Nasrallah has broken down three key Queen B moves that we all can learn.

The "Uh Oh"

How to dance like Beyonce: The UhOh

9 years ago
Duration 2:01
Beyography dance teacher Nicky Nasrallah teaches Beyonce's dance move "The UhOh" ahead of the singer's concert.

"The Hammer" 

How to dance like Beyonce: "The Hammer"

9 years ago
Duration 1:33
Beyography dance teacher Nicky Nasrallah teaches Beyonce's dance move he dubs "The Hammer."

The "Single Lady."

How to dance like Beyonce: "The Single Ladies"

9 years ago
Duration 1:34
Nicky Nasrallah teaches us the most popular Beyonce move "The Single Ladies" ahead of the Beyonce concert at the Rogers Centre.

A group of roughly 45 people, both first-timers and regulars, got their Beyoncé on at his class Wednesday afternoon and learned the choreography to the singer's songs Yoncé and Feelin' Myself.

"I don't worry about technique in this class, it's about getting some choreography down, getting moving and just feeling free," said Nasrallah.

A group of 45 people danced to Beyoncé's song "Feelin' Myself" at Toronto Beyography class, a dance class dedicated to Beyoncé, on the same day the singer performs in Toronto at the Rogers Centre. (Victoria Valido/CBC News)

Nasrallah holds three classes every week at various Toronto dance studios. Wednesday's class was at Elevation Dancentre Studio on Bloor Street West near Dovercourt Road.

Nicky Nasrallah with his "Beyography" shoes that he struts in during his Beyoncé-dedicated dance class. (Victoria Valido/CBC News)

Beyoncé's Toronto concert falls on the same day Nasrallah is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his Beyography classes going public.

Charmaine Stephens has been attending the classes since they started running.  

Charmaine Stephens is a regular at the Beyography dance classes. (CBC News)

"To know that I can learn the choreography and be closer to Bey is why I come," said Stephens.

Nasrallah says some of his students tell him the class has changed their lives.

"This class has pulled them out of something negative in their lives and given them something positive to look forward to every week," he said.   

The profits from this week's classes will be donated to the United Way of Toronto and York Region and so far $450 has been raised.

45 people attended a Toronto Beyography class, a dance class dedicated to Beyoncé choreography, on the same day the singer performs concert in the city. (Victoria Valido/CBC News)

Wednesday's choreography for the class was based on Beyoncé's live performance at the Global Citizen Festival.

The singer's #BeyGood campaign benefits the Global Citizen charity which supports those living in poverty around the world.

"It just proves the connection with Bey and good causes and good energy," said Stephens, a long-time attendee of the classes.

Beyoncé performs during her Formation world tour in Miami on April 27, 2016. (Frank Micelotta/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/Associated Press)