True Individual Expression!

Movemakers Philly
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A note from Mr. Vince to all students
True Individual Expression!
Youth Hip Hop Dance Students Gain Tools For being Proud of Who They Are

Individual expression is a cornerstone in hip hop dance. The medium of hip hop is well defined. Within the dance form of hip hop there are numerous sub-forms, often distinguished by the region of their genesis. There are certain constants that exist across the many sub-forms of hip hop: musicality, physical dynamism, storytelling, poly rhythmic movement, mime, misdirection, character development, athleticism and more.  Yet each sub-form is known for unique stylistic elements that distinguish it from relatives. These stylistic elements solidify a sub-forms’ mark in the grand landscape of hip hop.

Dancers are microcosms of the form that they practice within. A good hip hop dancer learns the technical and expressive parameters of the system. But the point is not to become a drone. The goal of hip hop is to challenge the status quo, to rattle the cages. How far can one stretch the expressiveness of their dance while remaining within in bounds of the structure? Hip hop is best when carried and performed by individuals that are daring. True daring personality originates in people that are self-aware. There’s no risk when someone behaves without care nor attention to what limits they are breaking. Courage can’t exist in tandem with naiveté. Instead, a true risk is taken when someone has first measured what can be lost in consequence. The risk taker in hip hop knows the standards of the form, knows how they measure against the standard and thereby can recognize when it is time to challenge the norms. Diligent, Gritty, Meritus, Proud and Confident individuals are the ones that push the form.
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Movemakers Philly trains students to know their circumstances, environment and themselves. Our belief is that students that have deep knowledge of themselves within the playing grounds are built best for shaping their environments. The good hip hop dancers manages the moment and environment to best coincide with their vision. When we bring our envisioned selves into the world we are truly self-expressing. Hip hop has the DNA for building strong independent thinkers and expressers.  It’s good to grow up as a replicant of such a powerful model.  

Memphis Jooking and Turfing are two sub-forms that have similarities, for example the foot glides and lifts to their toes. However, there are specific characteristics that are distinct based on the unique regional circumstances that gave rise to the dances.

Animation is a form that prompts dancers to use character, mime, body control and more to create a sense that they’ve become digitized, mechanized or some form of robot/A.I. Each dancer works within the parameters of the form, but each expresses differently. Each takes it to a different place. Some challenge the limits of the form in compelling ways.