My SD Dance Experience
I hope everyone took time to read Keone’s blog after watching the latest ML videos.
I was never involved with an adult SD dance crew, but I’ve been on several junior hip hop dance crews. Here’s my story:
I started off with Natural Vibes in Winter 2007 where I trained with many inspiring dancers that have influenced me to continue dancing to this day. My directors motivated me, and I just couldn’t wait for school to be over just so that we can all go to the quad to dance on the cement stage. I always remembered someone asking, “Whose locker are the speakers in?”. It’s crazy knowing where everyone’s at today and how far we’ve all branched out and that we still continue to dance. Performing at culture nights, high school conferences, pep rallies, and dance showcases has always been a fond memory. Everything was about expression, passion, and inspiration. Not all the crews knew each other personally, but we all knew of each other from shows. Kinections, Eastlake All Male, Intrace, iDK, etc… we all shared the stage together.
One of my biggest inspirations is EKETC. That was definitely one channel that I was proud that I was subscribed to on YouTube. Formality, Hi-Fi (NYR), Mass Appeal, fLipside. I was in love and inspired.
In Fall 2008, I auditioned to be a part of Mystic Stepper’s studio with my good friend Arnold. I made it in to FAMous (Francine Maguie’s crew) & Riot 7403 (Phillip Geniza’s crew). There was so many people in the studio that I slowly started meeting everyone and started getting closer with all of them! Everyone a part of this studio is so inspiring and their talents are beyond crazy. I loved the fact that I carpooled with my friends Amy and Bri, because I’d be able to stay during other rehearsals. I never did jazz or ballet, but being surrounded by it inspired me. I never tried it because everyone seemed so good at it, but it’s AMAZING being surrounded by dance almost everyday.
So this meant that my Sophomore year, I had Natural VibeS and Mystic. Mondays would be tumbling/acro class, Wednesdays would be FAMous, Thursdays would be Riot, and everyday after school would be Natural VibeS. But at the end of my sophomore year, I found out that I would be transferring schools to Morse, so that meant that I couldn’t do Natural Vibes, so I had to quit, and then I couldn’t pay for Mystic anymore, so I quit that as well. Because I was moving to Morse, I went to Morse All Male auditions, but sadly, I didn’t make it on to the team.
I went from three crews, to none. During summer vacation, I went to a church bonfire at Coronado Beach with Corpus Christi, and it was pretty normal fun. I had no idea that this event would have such a toll on my future. I had a conversation about dance with Red & Che Che, and they were both on iDK. They told me that they don’t have auditions until January, but they can ask the director if I could stop by rehearsals.
My first indecisive Dance Krew rehearsal, I recognized some people, but majority, I didn’t know anyone. The team was getting ready to put together a new set for World of Dance San Diego. I remember when they were cleaning a piece, their director, Rocky, pulled me out to the hall way and we had a conversation. He said that he didn’t care much about if I was talented or not, all he wanted to know from me is that I was willing to work. After rehearsal, I found out that I wasn’t the only new one, there was someone else named Erik. The next few rehearsals I began to meet everyone, and one thing I noticed different from the other crews I’ve been in is that this team does WORK.
My first show with iDK was World of Dance, then later Maxt Out, then The Bridge. This team is so inspirational and over time I watched the team grow, with new people, talents, styles, and homes. 2010 was a fun year. Putting together our K-12 set to me is the best definition of hard work paying off. The adventure with iDK has been ineffable.
My last show was Fusion and it was at the end of my senior year. Senior exhibition, grad nite, pep rallies, senior cruise, ASB stuff, academics, and graduation… it was a lot at one time for me.
Although I stopped performing with the team, I still stayed around. Rocky ended up becoming one of my best friends, I have my bros and sis’ from iDK, and I ended up becoming marketing director for the team. The adventure still continues. New team, new faces. Auditions are this upcoming Saturday. It’s crazy knowing how far this team has gone, and where it has taken me.
I can’t believe it’s 2012.
On top of marketing for iDK, I also work with Consensus Entertainment and will help produce that first annual Body Rock Jrs.
I’m so grateful.
