KAI MARTINEZ is a Latin-American professional choreographer, animation consultant and dancer from NY, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Her background in freestyle movement and commercial choreography gives her a unique voice as a creator.
The knowledge she gained as a performer, Kai began expanding her reach within the entertainment industry. She has worked in commercials for such brands as McDonald’s, McCafe, AT&T, Walmart, H&R Block, Hard Rock Cafe, 19 Crimes, SK-II, Shoe Carnival, Boost Mobile and more. Kai has also worked as a movement coach and choreographer for Grammy award winning artists Anderson .Paak and Cocoa Sarai as well as Juno award winning rapper TOBi.
All of this experience combined led her to hold a very unique role in Disney’s 60th Animated film “Encanto” where she not only danced and acted but she also worked as an Animation Reference Consultant alongside choreographer Jamal Sims to help create the musical dance numbers for the film. She also worked closely with the Animation team to help bring the dance sequences to life, advising on movement as well as cultural nuances derived from her own Colombian heritage. Encanto won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature film and Kai had the distinct honor of performing the Oscar nominated song “Dos Oruguitas” alongside Sebastian Yatra.
Kai is currently working on a new animated film that is set to release in 2023.