Find out what Julia had to say in this weeks shout out…..
Find out what Julia had to say in this weeks shout out…..
BIO PROVIDED BY DWAYNE
Find out What Dwayne had to say in this weeks shout out…….
Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?
Dwayne: The first time I started dancing was in Trinidad, where I was born, like in my moms belly lol. I can’t even remember the first time! My mom and my grand mother always told me I was a hyper child and I was always moving, jumping, and throwing myself around when ever I would hear music.
Nikki: Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your earliest memory)
Dwayne: The First song I choreographed something to was Beastie Boys – Intergalactic for my talent show in grade 6 with my two best friends. At the time I didn’t know if it was break dancing or hip hop, I just did what ever looked cool lol lol
Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free styling?
Dwayne: My Personal advice to dancer when it come to free styling is to “BE YOUR SELF” it’s called “FREE STYLING” for a reason lol but …theres always a but.. know what your doing! Your still dancing or performing, you want to look awesome doing it. Even tho it’s called “free styling” there is still a dance behind it and a style, it could be poppin, hip hop, house, krump, jazz ,salsa, even ballroom, etc.. you have to know your history and basic moves so you can grow as a dancer. It’s very important with any style of dance to know your history, it can only make you a better dancer in the long run.
Nikki: Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you?
Dwayne: For me getting in the zone to choreograph or even just dance is having positive people around me like my crew Mayhem’s Finest! I need to get hype and ready to go OFF! Also just good food and relaxing cause when I’m relaxed and I hear a wicked tune… that does it! My mind starts to ponder and my creative juice starts to “flow”
Nikki: Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry?
Dwayne: In the dance industry some of my biggest influences are Mr Wiggles, Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly, David Elsewhere, B Boy K-mel, Luther Brown, Lenny Len, Show-Tyme, Frank Boogie, Chris Brown… the list can go on but I’ll stop there.
Nikki: Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?Dwayne: WOW this is a tough question… I really don’t have a favourite choreographer that I have worked with in Toronto because I get along with everyone one I work with. In rehearsal it’s all love and good vibes. I learn from so many people and Teachers/ Choreographers it’s amazing! If I had to pick a name I would be lying :sNikki: Name one of your favourite artists to work with and why?Dwayne: So far in my career I have worked with many artists and I’m blessed… this might sound wired but I’m going to give it a shot. Working with So You Think You Can Dance Canada was very overwhelming for me. At this point in my career my Top 22 family of season 4, we were all artists on that stage. We got to showcase our passion to Canada or the world you could say. I think sometimes people forget that dancers are artists too. So my answer would be “Working with my Top 22 family on So You Think You Can Dance Canada Season 4” Nikki: What was it like making it to the Top 22 for season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada?Dwayne: Making it to the Top 22 for season 4 was a huge blessing for me. I put so much hard work into training and preparing myself mentally and physically for everything. Going though round after round. Seeing people get cut left, right and centre, then hearing those words “Boneless…. (dramatic pause), YOU IN OUR TOP 20!!” it was nuts. Just knowing you got something you always wanted or was dreaming for. No one can take away that feeling ever it was to crazy!!!! if you go online and look at my reaction it will explain everything lol 😀 The experience will always be “One In A Million” (Aaliyah) to be honest it’s really hard work to be on that show, you can ask any competitor, but nothing in life is easy. Everything you do is full out 24-7 but it’s a great experience because your living a dancer dream…well I think so. You get to meet some of the best choreographers in the world, you get to grow as a person and a dancer, meet a lot of new people, build a new family, New career opportunities open up, and get celebrity treatment… the works! If you put the hard work in, it will pay off. ( Short story.. never thought I would meet “Mia Michaels” and I did, I was shocked but she thinks I’m amazing, how cool is that!! ) Nikki: Are you currently working on any projects?Dwayne: Rodrigo Garcia from SYTYCDC S4 And I have our own Dance Workshop called “H.A.M” for kids of all ages who are interred in dance. We offer it to all “dance school” around Ontario. We mix two style of dance for one class. If interesting or want to know more information you can email sharna@myarbonne.ca.
Also my brother (Tall Up) and I have our own business called “Mayhem Bros” We teach dance workshop all around the school board of Ontario in the Arts and Phys-ed department. If interested or want more information you can email us at mayhembros@gmail.com.
Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?
Dwayne: Qualities that I think Toronto dancer posses are..
1) We are passionate
2) Humble
Nikki: Any advice for emerging dancers and choreographers working/training in Toronto?
Dwayne: My ultimate advice would be to… BE YOUR SELF!!!!! Keep an open mind. Get out of the box and KNOW YOUR DANCE HISTORY!! Your never to old to learn or train. ( Is Kesha Hip Hop? lol )
THANK YOU RODRIGO FOR BEING PART OF T.D.O.T. XO
Find out what Shane had to say in this weeks shout out AND VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!!
Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?
Shane: Yes I Do. It was when I was 7 years old. I had always watched music videos and talent competitions like Star Search with my family and just wanted to perform on stage. So I begged my mom to put me in dance and she did. Ever since then I’ve been dancing.
Nikki: Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your earliest memory)
Shane: Yes I do. Since I attended a performing arts high school, when I was a senior we had to create a group dance with the younger students. The song I used was Bob Marley’s- “Redemption Song”
Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free styling?
Shane: Wow, Free styling is definitely not an easy thing to do! It’s taken me a really long time to become good at it (and I’m still not the best). If I had any advice give it would be to not over think while in your free style. Do what comes natural to your body. And as my mom always says “Practice Makes Perfect”
Nikki: Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you?
Shane: When it come time for me to choreograph I really like to listen to the music that I’m choreographing to so I can really get a sense of what kind of movement I’m going to use. From there on I usually just like make up phrases and fit them to the music.
Nikki: Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry?
Shane: That’s a hard one. There are so many big influences in the dance industry from artist to choreographers to dancers. But for me I would say Michael Jackson (event though he has passed), Janet Jackson, Gene Kelly, Mikhail Brayshnikov, Bob Fosse, and Alvin Ailey just to name a few.
Nikki: Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?
Shane: There are honestly just so many amazing choreographers in Toronto! There is a couple that I love working with or even taking classes from. Leon Blackwood, Eryn Waltman, Steilo Calagias, and of course Luther Brown. The reason I say these Choreographers is because I find that regardless of the day of the week or size of the class I know when I work with these choreographers I will be challenged and gain a lot of knowledge just from one class. Also they are just such great people and very talented individuals.
Nikki: Name one of your favorite artists to work with and why?
Shane: I personally haven’t worked with that many artists but so far I would say working with Lady Gaga on the 2009MMVA’s was one of my favorite experiences. The reason being that She was so committed to her work. It’s such great feeling to know when the artist you’re working with is really committed to their own work because as a dancer it makes you work that much harder.
Nikki: What is it like being on SYTYCD and making it to Canada’s Top 10?
Shane: It is an Awesome feeling!! To know that I have worked so hard over the past couple of years to make it on to SYTYCDCanada and now to be named Top 5 guys of season 4 is incredible. I don’t think there are enough words that could really explain how honored and blessed I am.
Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?
Shane: Toronto Dancers are committed, loyal, respectful, friendly, focused and all around Hard Workers! There is not one dancer I know from Toronto that does not deserve to be where they are now.
Nikki: Any advice for emerging dancers and choreographers working/training in Toronto?
Shane: If there is any advice I can give to anyone it would be to never lose who you are, to always keep your head up and stay focused. But most importantly wither dancer of choreographer take class and stay creative!!
THANK YOU SHANE FOR BEING PART OF T.D.O.T. SENDING YOU NOTHING BUT GOOD VIBES FOR THE FINALE SHOW XOXO