BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. — As a hip-hop choreographer, performer and instructor, Greg Carney has danced his way through life.
"Dancing has just always been in me. My mom used to play those old hits that would get us grooving in the house, and I kind of carried it with me," the Harriman native explained.
As students end the school year, Carney is carrying his passion into a Blount County school. At Prospect Elementary School, gym class with "Mr. G" was in full swing on May 2.
"You can see their hands bopping, you can see their fingers snapping, toes tapping. I mean, they love it," Carney said. "I think kids need a positive role model. That's where I would like to fit in."
Partnering with Prospect's physical education teacher Leesa Taylor, Carney combines hip-hop with fitness.
"We have so many problems now with kids with mental health issues and the technology and too much screen time," Taylor said. "The music brought us all alive. It's so energizing. I thought it was amazing. I loved it."
Carney said he wants to inspire young people to get active and have fun while doing so. That's how his idea for Kardio Kidz was born. "This is a way to get kids up, get that heart rate going and get them in the groove," he said. "Music is the best way."
Kardio Kidz, an online platform launching June 11, will include videos and educational tools to teach children dance at home.
Carney said Kardio Kidz was inspired by his own role as a father. His daughter Zayla is one of the students in Taylor's gym class. "She's here today. She's loving it that daddy's here," Carney said.
Beginning with his own children to those in the community and beyond, Carney said music has a way of bringing people together.
"I'm wanting to go online with this so that I can reach other kids globally. This is just a high energy class. I'm hoping that I can reach the world with Kardio Kidz," he said.