South County Profile: Max Friedman

MAX FRIEDMAN

It is very likely that you've seen 19-year-old Max Friedman of Cottonwood strutting his best stuff on YouTube. But his dancing pizza slice choreography has its roots in a summer hip-hop class taught by Ronny Grandell at the Cottonwood Community Center.

You see, Friedman has been dancing since he completed that class at age 12.

Friedman found that dancing was something he enjoyed and he was good at. After catching on quickly to dancing, it became one of his favorite things to do.

Soon after, Friedman began teaching dance classes.

In 2008, Friedman went to work for Jake's Take and Bake Pizza in Cottonwood as the dancing pizza slice on the corner of Gas Point Road.

At first, the people who saw him while driving by would simply point and laugh.

"It wasn't cool to like the dancing pizza guy," Friedman admits.

Approximately six months later, the passers-by began showing their support and encouragement by waving to Friedman while he performed on the street corner.

They also started defending him from people who would tease him or make rude comments.

Friedman dances each Friday from 4 p.m. -6 p.m. to promote Jake's Take and Bake Pizza. However, he will soon leave this job to work as a life guard for the Shasta Family YMCA in Redding. Friedman is currently teaching a beginning hip-hop class for boys at the California Dance Company on Barney Street in Anderson.

"When I hear music, I automatically want to dance. I want to inspire others," said Friedman.

"Dancing for two hours straight is exhausting. The worst condition I have danced in for Jake's Take and Bake were gale-force winds and hail," stated Friedman. "That day, I only lasted for about 15 minutes. I will miss dancing for Jake's, but it will be nice to have my weekends off."

For Friedman, dancing will always be his passion. Friedman has attended one semester at Shasta College studying business. His eventual goal is to work on a cruise ship as a production dancer, entertaining others and going through a program called "Degree at Sea." With this plan, Friedman will be able to dance and travel at the same time.

Friedman grew up being home-schooled at Majestic Oak Academy in Cottonwood and graduated in 2009. Home schooling allowed for Friedman to take more dance classes.

Though he is teaching at California Dance Company in Anderson, Friedman is getting ready to take a ballet class with one of his friends at Redding Dance Center. Friedman grew up in a musical family. Various members of the family play guitar, fiddle, piano, bass and mandolin. More importantly, they were very supportive when Friedman started dancing.

"I enjoy watching the reactions of other people when I am dancing," said Friedman. "It is entertaining."

Name: Max Friedman.

Born where and when: San Jose, 1991.

Occupation: Dancer.

Marital Status: Single.

Family: My parents Erin and Craig, sister Anne and brother Joe.

Pets: One dog.

My worst job: I've never had a worst job.

My first job: Working as a dance teacher.

In my spare time I: Play video games and read.

My favorite book: So Yesterday,

My favorite movie: Dark Knight.

My favorite recording artist: T-Pain.

My dream car: An Audi RX8 V10.

My friends like me because: I'm awesome!

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: Not to be stranded on the island.

The one thing in life I've learned is: To never give up.

The best advice my parents gave me: To never give up.

My most embarrassing moment: I've blocked them all out.

My most irrational act: There are too many to pick just one.

My most valued material possession: My clothes.

What I like best about the North State: The girls.

My hero is: Michael Jackson.

My pet peeve is: My smile. It looks fake in pictures, even though it is real.

My fantasy is: To not have to worry about money.

If I could change one thing about myself, I would: Change my smile.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: More jobs.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: For me, it is being able to dance.