Janine M. Thompson begins her 7th season as Director/Choreographer of the Miami HEAT Dancers. She has a long list of impressive accolades dating back to 1995 when she began her professional dancing career with the NBA's Miami HEAT. After being featured in numerous music videos and leading six exemplary seasons as a Miami HEAT Dancer, Janine was appointed to the position of Director/Choreographer of the team in 2001.

Under her direction, the team has evolved into a talented group of multi-ethnic entertainers who have received national recognition for their accomplishments. In 2005, USA Today described the Miami HEAT Dancers as, "the best kept secret in the League." In April 2007, the Miami HEAT Dancers were crowned Champions in the 2007 NBA Dance Bracket competition and hold the title “Most Popular Dance Team in the NBA,” an honor they have received for two consecutive years. The HEAT Dancers have been featured in numerous magazines including the June 2006 issue of the ever-popular FHM magazine. The Miami HEAT Dancers and the HEAT Golden Oldies—who are also under Janine's directorship—were invited to perform at the 2006 NBA All-Star game in Houston, an unprecedented League request.

Thompson has a penchant for spotting and developing talent as evidenced by notable HEAT Dancer alumnae who have been catapulted into the national limelight: Trista Rehn, star of ABC’s The Bachelorette, Jessica Sutta, vocalist of the pop group Pussycat Dolls, Brooke Long, Suitcase No. 15 model, of NBC’s Deal or No Deal, and most recently, Layla El, winner of the WWE’s 2006 $250,000 Diva Search.

An experienced and well-known professional in the entertainment industry, Janine has choreographed several music videos, commercials and industrial shows. She is the founder of ICON Talent (www.icontalent.com ), a talent agency and entertainment company specializing in corporate and private events.

Janine is a graduate of the University of Miami. In 1994, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing. She also held the position of Director/Choreographer of the University of Miami Sunsations dance team for several years.

Her creativity, professionalism and energy have transformed the Miami HEAT Dancers into one of the most elite dance troupes in all of professional sports.