By NICOLE VALICEK
A JUNIOR hip-hop crew are hoping their smooth moves will secure them a ticket to compete in Las Vegas.
TDC Dance Company’s hip-hop crew are a group aged 9-12 and supported by the company’s teachers and director Lisa Hammer and TDC’s hip-hop director Andrew Dowton.
“We wanted kids who were trained in other styles such as jazz, ballet and acro to dance just as well in hip-hop as the crews who train predominantly in hip-hop,” Lisa said.
“It just started off with us training a few dancers who we thought had potential in this area and from there we really saw these kids were starting to really understand the style.”
Lisa said the crew that only formed one year ago, only train once a week and compete against crews that train four to five days a week.
“For our kids to train once a week for two hours and only for one year to come away with all these awards and placing’s this year is a very proud moment for Andrew and Lisa.”
The young crew have slowly gained momentum placing in a number of competitions.
They placed third runner-up amongst 13 crews at the World Supremacy Battleground International Dance Championship, second at the dance competition Step Off and first at Dancefest.
“Our kids work hard in class but we also understand how important the fun side of dance is and how important building relationships and being part of a team and supporting one another,” Lisa said.
Most recently the group placed fourth at Battle Grounds and will jet to Sydney to compete for a top five place so they can compete in Las Vegas.
Hip-hop crew member 11-year-old Sadie Leffey said she enjoyed learning a different style of dance.
“I love hip-hop its fun and a good way to express yourself.”
