By ALESHA CAPONE
AN ALL-GIRL dance crew based in Brimbank has made a mark on Melbourne’s burgeoning hip-hop scene.
The Vibe crew placed third at the recent Got Swagg? event in Derrimut.
They also bagged the Most Inspiring Award at the annual dance crew competition, run by Brimbank FReeZa, YMCA and The Entourage.
Vibe is made up of eight teenage girls – Taylor Gatt, Grace Hosking, Danielle Merlino, Jasmine Mesourouni, Monique Nicolaou, Angelique Paladino, Ellen Russo and Montana Watts.
They hail from the suburbs of Delahey, Sunshine, Altona, Altona Meadows, Greenvale and Reservoir.
The Vibe crew is co-led Arna Singleton, a hip-hop teacher at Dance Effects (DFX) in Deer Park.
“I lead the crew together with Melissa Tarquinio and we both have intentionally created an environment that encourages team work, friendship, support while striving to be your very best,” she said.
Ms Singleton said the Vibe dancers have performed at Step Off, the First Friday Dance Club, the House of Champions in Brisbane, the Australian Hip-Hop Championships and Youthamania – but Derrimut contest is their first award.
“Placing third was like placing first. This is the crew’s first placing at a competition and it felt like a huge victory for the crew,” she said.
“The recognition by winning a place is an indication that the crew is improving and becoming a crew to look out for in our dance scene.
Ms Singleton and Ms Tarquinio also belong to the Hollabak dance crew, which placed fourth at Got Swagg?
“Both Vibe and Hollabak are like a family,” Ms Singleton said.
“My favourite thing about performing is bringing out my alter-ego.
“It’s the character on stage that you suddenly have permission to be, because it’s performance art.
“So if I’m meant to be aggressive, have swag or be girlie in the movement, I can smash this out on stage knowing that I can do so without judgement.”
