Freeport native Alex Isenberg making all the right moves

Freeport native Alex Isenberg had been dancing his way through life, landing professional gigs with celebrities such as Madonna and Liza Minnelli and performing around the world.

Then the pandemic brought much of the entertainment industry to a halt.

“No live shows, no filming, no in-person auditions, nothing,” said Isenberg, 29, who now lives in Los Angeles. “It was all brought to a screeching halt and it’s been around 10 months of zero work and it’s quite disheartening.”

Isenberg has overcome challenges before.

He said he began learning dance at his mother’s Freeport studio when he was 3. A year later, he won his first national dance title.

But serious health issues resulted in Isenberg undergoing more than 12 surgeries, correcting a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and two flat feet. Dance was frequently interrupted by doctor’s appointments, surgeries and subsequent recoveries.

Later, sports limited Isenberg’s time for dance. He played football, basketball and track and field in high school. He helped lead Freeport to its 500th football win as the team’s quarterback in 2009.

“The teachers, coaches and people that I formed such solid relationships with and who molded this impressionable man made my senior year special,” Isenberg said. “We had such a tight-knit group and a pretty large group of us still stay in touch to this day, even though we are scattered across the country.”

He went on to play football at Georgetown University.

Attending a dance convention in Pittsburgh during a trip home from college reignited his passion for dancing. He transferred to Allegheny College in Meadville in what he called a “turning point” moment in his life.

Before completing his degree, he dropped out of college and moved to New York City to follow his dreams of dancing and performing.

Classically trained in ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance, Isenberg describes his dancing style as “hip-hop, contemporary jazz/modern with a touch of Bboy (break dancing) flair.”

A move to Los Angeles six years ago has led to more opportunities in acting, choreographing and recording music.

“I wanted to work in TV, film, tours and commercials, but dancing was the mainstay and my original plan. Dance was paying the bills and I was doing that full-time,” Isenberg said.

In addition to his dancing gigs with celebrities, he worked on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and had past bookings in Japan, Singapore, Canada, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. He’s appeared on Lifetime’s “Dance Moms,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and in a Samsung commercial.

He’s co-director at the Avenue Industry Workshop, and co-founded a music group called The Savage Patch Kidds with his girlfriend Ramona Vogue.

“Coming from a small town, it’s hard not to feel like such a small fish in that big pond,” Isenberg said. “In places like New York City and Los Angeles, it’s not even the best of the best (talent) from the USA, it’s the world. If you believe in yourself, work as hard as you possibly can and be ready whenever you get your shot, anything is possible.”

Isenberg’s brother Adam Isenberg, 35, of Freeport, isn’t surprised by his younger brother’s success.

“Alex developed a strong work ethic and he was always looking to achieve the next big thing. He put in the work,” he said.

Alex Isenberg said his future plans include advocating for cleft lip and palate awareness.

“I have spoken to kids with questions, and new parents are afraid and they want to talk with someone who’s been through it,” Isenberg said. “My support system in Freeport during my formative years was irreplaceable. It was crucial to me forming confidence.”

He also wants to complete his college degree.

“I’m going to try and finish my biology degree this summer into fall semester,” he said.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce at 724-226-7725 , jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .