On with the Big Dance Scene.

Happenings: G! Adventures Lipdub Promo & ElectroDash @ Wonderland

2013-09-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

Last week I got to wear two very different costumes and it was AWESOME! I'll keep the writing short, since the photos are worth more than words. Enjoy!

G Adventures Annual Lipdub Video: Out Soon!

I instantly fell in love with this company (an adventure company who travels the world and takes people to amazing adventures). You already know they're outside the box when the job calls for full head-bodysuits! They had the most creative and awesome workspace, with a full kitchen, themed meeting rooms (star trek, dr. Seuss) and an interview room that was a kiddie ball pit!! Oh yes, and they gave us ice cream at the end of our shoot. LOVE!

Special Thanks to Teego from my home team VYbE Dance Co. for this awesome, hilarious, priceless opportunity to dance and wear onesies!! Also you probably already know, I was extra happy because PURPLE IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR!

Photos Courtesy VYbEDanceCo.

Guess which one I am?

The crew: Katherine Ye, Juliana Qian, Vinny Alayo, Myself and Daniel Gomez

Electrodash 2013 @ Canada's Wonderland: Another priceless opportunity with another crazy costume: Glow in the Dark tracksuits! The day was off to a slow start... waiting to get on podiums at the beginning of the race. How glad were we all when we had time for a quick bite at Wendy's before our almost 4 hour non stop dancing shift! We felt like important people when runners/walkers (not from the Walking Dead) stopped to take pictures with us because of our awesome costume and OF COURSE our dancing. If you have pictures please post them up! We'd love to see them.

Special shoutout to Teego from VYbEDanceCo. for this opportunity and the amazing photos throughout the night!

Me, striking a pose

Taken from the ElectroDash website

What awesomeness looks like. Glow in the dark!

Until Next Project,

Happenings: Waack Revolt cameo, Supernatz Anniversary, Gadfly Audition

2013-09-03T22:31:00.002-04:00

Hey! So much has happened in the past 2 weeks. Wow!

August 24, 2013: There's a new Toronto Waacking Scene movie that is about to make its debut at the Reel Asian Film Festival in November, starring 2 extremely talents and beautiful women: Emily Law and Di (Fly Lady Di) Reyes. Not to mention many more talented dancers in the cast. I was so lucky that I got to be a small part of the movie! It's a tiny cameo in the final scene with some amazing hair-ography choreographed by Emily, as well as an extra on the 90s scene (go watch it you'll know what I mean).

The talent on set was simply on fire and it was so interesting to dance on sand... what an experience! Special thanks to Vinny for helping me get this little cameo spot!

Vinny!

#outfitoftheday! Found a purple flower and put it on my ear

August 29, 2013: I attended the Supernatz 21st Anniversary party at The Annex Wreck Room. Prelims for the final battle the next day were taking place. I had a great night! It was also great to catch up with my long time friend from back in the day, Robin who is part of Supernatz. Represent! Got to meet some of the crew, they are a fun bunch!

Supernaturalz @ Annex Wreck Room, 21st Anniversary!

August 30, 2013: GADFLY TUDS audition. It was definitely an INTENSE audition! I was happy to have done it, and it opened my eyes and my mind that I too can do floorwork, albeit needing a LOT more practice on it... But it was an amazing piece taught by Ofilio and Congratulations to those who got through! Respect!

Want to know what I've been up to these past two days? I know you want to know... Another blog post coming shortly!! With more photos. I promise you'll love it.

Inspire each other,

UPDATES: It's Been a While... Battle Footage and Class Updates

2013-08-21T16:17:00.000-04:00

Hello World Wide Web, we meet again!

It's been a CRAZY summer, and I've been busy working at a Food Innovation and Research Studio almost everyday. But I have not forgotten to DANCE! Couple things I'd like to mention in this update:

1. Enter the Ring battle
2. VYbEDANCE's new class schedule
3. Step Up 5 Audition

1. I entered ENTER THE RING battle hosted by DKM a couple of months ago, and passed prelims!! SO exciting, here is the footage from the PRELIMS:

Here is the footage from the.. TOP 32 (?)

Many thanks for those who have continually supported me and pushed me to go out of my comfort zone and do this.

2. I no longer teach a Multi Level Sexy Urban Pop class anymore! Here is the new VYBE SCHEDULE (subject to change without notice)

WEDNESDAYS BEGINNER HIPHOP with J4S (ME!) @ 630-745PM

Sidebar: I am still the young face of "CLASSES" on VYbE Dance Company's website! Hehe.

Sidebar II: I am on these posters!

September classes at VYbE are only $5!!!!!!!! (I am on the bottom left of the poster!... looking quite.. discerned)

3. The LOVE girls did the Step Up 5 Crew Auditions held in Toronto's very own OIP Dance Studios! So proud of us. We rarely do things like these and it make me so happy to have tried something huge like that. We didn't get it, but it was an awesome experience for us as a team and it's always fun to feel nervous and super satisfied after an experience like that.

Here's a group photo: (we need a more comprehensive costume next time...)

Hope an awesome day everyone!

Inspire Each Other,

Ooops... Been a while.

2013-04-23T02:10:00.000-04:00

Wow it's been forever since I've updated this blog. WAY too much has happened to me, personally and in my dance life... Where do I start?

I'm currently in Culinary Nutrition program which is why I haven't had as much time as last year to update... but at the same time I've done so many interesting dance-related projects... I really should've posted them as I encountered them. Nonetheless, so many great things have been happening. At the same time, I've been going through some seriously ROUGH patches in my personal life and it has been taking a huge toll on me physically and mentally. I know, everything happens for a reason and time heals everything. But, there are just some life decisions that you encounter and wonder... if you've made the right decision that you will have to live with for a very long time. Nevertheless, now that summer is approaching (although mother nature seems to be very angry at us, snowing like that in April...) I am determined to keep up with this blog that I have created. This will give me motivation to post more class videos and let everyone know what I am up to! Even if I'm just imagining that you are out there reading this, I want to thank you for being here for me!

Tomorrow's an early day, I have been invited to teach a Grade 1 class a little routine for their April assembly. I have 2 hours to complete a piece with these kids and they will present in one week! This is seriously a daunting task and I hope I can deliver. This will hopefully act as a pilot (if that's the correct term. Can you tell I've been watching too much TV?) to show the benefits of dance and group interactions through movement to young kids at school.

Wish me luck!

Inspire Each Other,

It's Out: Stay with Spectacle Media

2012-11-22T17:04:00.004-05:00

Unfortunately I cannot post the video up on blogspot, but here is the link! Watch it, it's intense.

http://vimeo.com/54068099

Special thanks to Dave Lam, Tomasz Kurek and Ryan Churchill for making this video with me. It was a lot of fun and I've definitely learned a lot!

Been a While..

2012-11-22T16:59:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since i've updated. many things have happened.

Thank you to Gadfly to have taken me under their guidance and allowed me to have been a part of their Bazaar: Loyalty piece this year. Although there isn't good footage to put up, I still am super thankful and will remember this experience forever.

I'm super thankful to have been chosen to be a part of the Gadfly Klorofyl Remount piece.
It is a almost 16 minute piece that is the essence of the full Klorofyl production. This has really helped me. I know I am not a street dancer at all, but those little parts of freestyle that I need to do really have pushed me to work. As well, this piece contains such a unique style that I've never experienced before, it's beautiful and amazing to dance. A struggle, a mission that will be conquered in the end.

It happens this Saturday and Sunday, November 24 and 25 2012.

Thank you to those who are coming out to support me through my journey with Gadfly.

Upcomings: NOTBS 2V2 Bboy, 1V1 AllStyles Battles

2012-07-20T19:55:00.002-04:00

Sorry, couldn't find a nicer poster online

Supporting an old friend and bboy, Gabe "Floodgatez", with his super awesome event this Sunday July 22nd, 2012! It is the NOT BS 2V2 Bboy, 1V1 AllStyles Battle crossed over with a Modified Car show. Just an blurb of what it's all about:

"Not BS stands for “Not By Sight” and has creatively collaborated the emotional expressions of both breakdancing and car modification into one event. Car modifying is seen as a hobby that alters a vehicle from its original state for the purpose of appearance and engine or handling performance. Breakdancing has been perceived as a physically demanding dance often viewed as a public spectacle. However, there is an artistic and emotional expression that cannot be seen By Sight when both car enthusiasts and breakdancers engage in their respective hobbies. My hope is that this can be an opportunity for community building and for artists to demonstrate their hard work." (taken from Facebook group, click Here)

Details

Who: Not BS, Gabe "Floodgatez"(EF, Apex, JH, TM3), DJ Be Bad, MC Nicholas Reynoldson, Dancers, Judges (Tango, Jester, FreshFX), Import Models

Where: 4732 Sheppard Avenue East, Wheels Direct at Scarborough. Parking at 4630 Sheppard Avenue East.

When: Sunday July 22nd, 2012, 1PM-7PM

Cost: $10 for competitors and spectators at the door, additional $5 for bringing your camera (this is only to raise more funds for the cause! Read the next line...)

Why: Most importantly, all proceeds go to Kenya missions fund and Summer Camp program for children with Special Needs

Go go go! Let's go entertain and be entertained at this one of a kind Dance x Modified Car event of the century!

Support Each Other,

It's Out: Teambuy's Maxx Seafood and Grill Promo Video

2012-07-20T19:14:00.001-04:00

After blogging about it just last night, the Teambuy video that Johnny Loh and Lily Yan asked me to help out with is now fresh out the press! (Well, imagine we're in the old days when that saying was relevant...) I'll say no more, here it is!

Hair and Makeup: Jasmin Yeung
Stylist: Lily Yan
Everything Video related: Johnny Loh
Company: Teambuy.ca

Hahaha, I laugh at the last shot of me laughing like a silly girl. But hey, I'm not complaining! Special Thanks goes to Johnny and Lily for this awesome opportunity. You guys rock!

Inspire Each Other,

Updates: A Month's Worth!

2012-07-20T01:19:00.000-04:00

Oh boy. Has it been THAT long since I updated my blog? I'm sorry, world out there and my own psyche, written therapy is much needed. I have been gone, but I haven't been static! I've been working on things here and there as well.

Before that, I really must jot down the reason why I was gone (for my future eyes): I've had a longstanding chest pain/ infection and possibly something wrong with my blood since May 2012 which I regrettably overlooked (Sorry, old self!!!). Up until the day of Spotlight, I had stress and adrenaline keep me up and alive and not noticing any symptoms of anything. Once the day after Spotlight hit, I got a fever, painful red bumps on my ankles, a huge cold sore beside my lip, and episodes cold sweat and just plain sweat. Immune catastrophe GALORE! Pretty sure my mind and body were mad at me. REAL mad. Imagine going to Orlando, Florida with fat painful ankles. Because that's exactly what I did - shopping, walking, universal studios, and Islands of adventure - really not the sensible decision but Dang it's Orlando!!! Anyway, then I took an antibiotic called AVELOX. Little did I know, one of the known side effects were swollen tendons/ joints. Thanks for telling me, Doc, you suck. And now, a month and a bit later, my ankles are STILL swollen. I still get painful red bumps and a cold sweat whenever I work "too much", which is defined according to whatever my body feels like. Sometimes I can walk like a normal person (ankles, knees and elbows still slightly swollen), or sometimes I walk like an old grandma with a pitiful limp (ankles like balloons and knees aching a lot).

OKAY! Enough ranting. But other than the injury, I've been pretty busy (don't tell anyone, I've been dancing on my injury... But not a lot! I Promise! Shhh). Want to hear what I've been up to? Yesssss you do :)

Wedding performance for Andy and Jessica

Danny and I performed at his brother's wedding in June and it was so fun! The lighting was terrible, I don't know why they dimmed the lights but the audience still loved it. This was also the day that someone said I looked like Carly Rae Jepsen with my smile and my curled hair that day. Haha! What do you think? I haven't seen the footage, but I imagine it was a great show that night.

Carly Rae Jepsen, Taken from Google

What do you think? Do I look like an asian her?

Wedding Classes with Jennifer and John

Choreographing and putting together a little one-minute set for this lovely couple to show off on their wedding day. We'll be working for about 6 hours together for learning choreography, formations and accommodating the wedding gown, suit and dress shoes. I can't wait to see footage of the big day!

A screenshot of our wedding sessions at VYbE

Fairchild Radio's Sunshine Generation Opening Dance

This year Danny and I are leading the choreography and direction of Sunshine Generation competition's opening show for their Pre-show. It's actually at Market Village this Saturday at 2:30pm! Come out and see what we've come up with!

15 contestants of 2012 Sunshine Generation looking all snazzy and cute. Spot the TWINS!

Beatdown

Beatdown. What a long personal story for me. I really wish I could've danced in it. It's got so much personal meaning and relation to what I've been through, it was the toughest decision to not dance and just stay on the sidelines and choreograph. You'll understand when you see it. Or maybe you won't. But I know I will!

Doctor's appointments

Still trying to figure why, and what next with my situation. Seeing lots and lots of specialists lately - respirologist, rheumatologist, physiatrist, even neurologist! - they better find out what's wrong with me. This is adding on to the past ENT and future hematologist. I was always the kid who went to the nurse's office at primary school, but I didn't think it'd carry over to my adult life! Must. Get. Healthy. Need. To. Dance. Full. Out.

Other projects here and there

I did a nice video shoot with Johnny Loh and Lily Yan (they're going out) for a Teambuy.ca promotional video for Maxx Seafood and Steak Grill. It was really fun! Lily styled me because I had nothing to wear, and thankfully my hair was behaving that day, and it was beautiful weather! Will definitely post that once it's out.
Lily's styling efforts not gone to waste!

Helped Kelvin Young Photography at an ORBIS charity event, "Pull for Sight" at the Toronto Pearson Airport, early early early morning on Sunday the 15th of July. Got to see the inside of a FedEx plane, got to touch a plane, got a nice little tan, watched my ankles inflate, and asked many participants to sign up on his cool iPad app for notification of team photo viewing. It was an amazing event and it blew my mind that people could actually pull a plane and make it move. I guess it helps that the engine is on and it's on wheels. I'm showcased on Kelvin Young's blog! Check it out right HERE!

Taken from Kelvin Young Photography. www.kelviny.com

Ha Ha Ha. "RAH!! I'm pulling the plane!!" www.kelviny.com

Well, that's all for now. I have many other little things planned here and there, and despite this stupid injury, I am ready to do what I gotta do to get myself out there. My goals still haven't changed. I know this inflammation with go away, or I will learn to live with it. I've had my ups and downs and I've got no time for a debbie downer right now. Let's fight! Are you with me???

Inspire Each Other,

Setbacks.

2012-06-14T10:14:00.001-04:00

Personal note.

You know when you're on a really good track, thinking it's too good to be true, but you go along with it anyway because you think, maybe there really is a chance I'll have what I want and I'll earn it with my bare hands.

That usually doesn't last. And I know why, it's no trivia. Life is giving me a serious lesson. A serious thing to ponder about. To get through and to be a fucking survivor.

I know I can do it, I know I can fight through whatever it is that comes my way. But at the same time, I really also am as emotional and as weak as my physical self, the small little asian girl that you see on the outside. No one could've known that this could happen, no one at all.

I really am grateful for my friends and family who are really there and trying to help and support me as much as they could. They all have their own ways of showing it, but I really can tell how much they care and want the best for me. Thank you for everything. You have no idea what every kind word, every joke, every detour back to positivity means to me.

If you have something you really want to fight for, don't ever let go. You never know what setbacks you will have in your life that will try to take it away from you. Be a strong warrior. Be that person you want and think you should be.

Alas, I need to stay positive. Can't keep reverting back to horrible thoughts, preparing for the worst. I know Life, or whatever deity is out there, they really just want to give me a struggle to help make me define myself. Become a better person, know my real wants and needs. I know it, and I'm ready to take on whatever you've got.

PS. I REALLLY WANT TO DANCE!!!!! ARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHH.

Happenings: Unity Charity 3v3 BBOY, 3v3 ALLSTYLES Dance Battle Preliminaries

2012-06-10T14:23:00.004-04:00

The Unity Charity Battle Prelims hosted by Dave Baring was a huge success! Held at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO, we thank them for sponsoring the space) for FREE on Friday June 8th 2012, the turn out was amazing. It started off with many cypher circles (mostly breaking and a few hiphop and popping/ locking ones) and good hiphop music and breaking beats to get everyone warmed up. This was about to be my first dance battle ever and it hadn't even kicked in yet.

Many familiar, and even more new faces showed up as the night progressed, the all styles battle prelims happened first. When it began, that's when my heart started racing a little bit. When Mariano and Dave Forteau (MC's of the night) actually called out our team name "Team Roshi" (Don't ask what it means... Vinny made it), I went into panic mode. I'm pretty sure it was a mild panic attack I had there, I could feel my heart pumping like there was no tomorrow, my limbs were numb, the music was hard to absorb, what the opponents were doing right in front of my eyes were a BLUR. Thank goodness Pyro was by our side to calm us down, told us to focus, and listen carefully to the music. And here it is... footage of our prelims!

I dont know what I was doing... I need to learn how to control it a little more... not let my nerves get the best of me when I freestyle.

I really want to thank everyone who has been supporting me and pushing me to do this. I know that I am an instructor and I should be fearless, but when I felt weak and nervous, I was glad to have so many people out there who had my back and kept me going. Even if they weren't there at the AGO, or even if they didn't say "good luck" I know that if they knew they would be happy for me and would cheer me on too, and just that thought alone was really powerful in my head to push myself forward. And especially to those that stood by me and were at the battle hoping for the best for our team, I thank them for their presence and their words of encouragement and even more grateful for their words of advice after it all happened.

Well that was a super fun experience!! I feel like battling is like getting tattoos.. it gets addictive after the first one.

Inspire Each Other,

Happenings: Spotlight 2K12 Photo Blog

2012-06-10T12:05:00.000-04:00

Photo Blog of Full day rehearsal and Tech Rehearsal.
All photos from my camera, and whoever was holding it (me, Henry, Pyro, Danny, etc.)

Happenings: Spotlight 2K12 The Sleuth was a SUCCESS!

2012-06-03T18:21:00.002-04:00

Wow! How exciting was yesterday, June 2nd, 2012?? We finally had VYbE's annual dance showcase at Young People's Theatre in downtown Toronto, and it was AMAZING. I have many many pictures from the tech rehearsal the day before, as well as a few photos from the big day which I will be posting later.

After a night's sleep, I'm all kinds of sore everywhere on my body, though I must say every bit was well worth it. I had someone from the audience come up to me and say that I really looked like I was enjoying my time on stage because they could see my huge smile from where they were. And, indeed I was having the time of my life! Spotlight really is a big motivation for most of my year, and I think I can speak for everyone involved (dancers, directors, singers, photographers, etc.) that they really do want all the best to happen on stage, for themselves, and for the audience as well. We all work out butts off, and although we sometimes complain, no one can deny that amazing feeling you get on spotlight day when you finally get to show off your hard work and improvements from the past year.

So many hilarious and fun memories come from Spotlight every year. This year,

we wanted to get $5 burgers from this $5 burger campaign but didn't end up having enough time during lunch break
For the first time A BIRD POOPED on me. but luckily it landed on the very end of my sleeve, but not far enough to reach the food I was holding,
Pyro helped me take photos during tech rehearsal, but it ran out of battery just as me and Danny's duet came on (sad face)
My highschool friends came to watch, and we explored that hilariously awkward situation when you see people after the show is done, and there's always that awkward "bye" moment
J VYbE got me a super sweet gift during the break in between, and a signed T shirt, but the signing makes it impossible for me to ever really wear the shirt :(
The battle! Pieces (Unity) finally won! Although some Tony (sp?) guy that Doris knew almost won with his "interpretive dancing" haha. He was brave though, I never would have the guts to jump as high as him and slide on the floor like he did in his freestyle. Props to all the competitors!
The kids from the Hollaback Kids all hitting on all the girls of the company, the one boy that kept saying "Hey Jasmin!" every time he saw me.
And so much more...

Inspire Each Other,

You've Got to See This: Vanessa "Eyes" Li Choreography

2012-05-28T02:19:00.000-04:00

Well well, I've got a new category of posts to do now! "You've Got to See This" is a feature title for all things that I believe deserve to be featured. Today, we start with a familiar name to this blog, Vanessa "Eyes" Li (I don't know why I always refer you by your full name..)!

In collaboration with Johnny Loh Productions (really, it's just himself) she's done it again and created an intensely HIPHOP-able related and oriented video. Great use of expression, of levels, and of space changes. Big ups to all the dancers in the video! Always great to see so much talent packed in such a short and juicy video. Here it is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcgAJhdi0ZA

There's always a First: Bazaar's Childhood Edition (Video and Backstage Photos)

2012-05-17T19:21:00.000-04:00

Date: Tuesday May 15, 2012

YAY!! Bazaar was SOO fun, and I'm really thankful and appreciative to have had this surreal experience with all the dancers in our set. Thank you especially to Vanessa Li and Andrew Pyro Chung for handpicking me to be a part of their vision.

Mariano Abarca as Host

For those that don't know what BAZAAR is, it is a choreographer's showcase, run by ABA Entertainment (find them on Twitter HERE), and hosted by Mariano Abarca, one of the top Toronto dancers/choreographers. This time around, the theme was Childhood. So Pyro and Vanessa portrayed that through a story of emotions of a child at a slumber party (Happy, Angry, Sad). Our set was extremely lighthearted and fun, as we thought every set would be with this theme. However, more than half of the other choreographers chose to take a darker and deeper path with this theme (don't say that's what she said..).

There was one especially by Esie Mensah that really made me, and almost everyone that has seen it, feel something strong in our hearts. It was about child abuse, and although it started with a lighthearted, cute, and really well executed piece, it ended with a little girl (danced and acted very well by a girl that I met during the Lady Gaga performance, unfortunately I don't know her name..) and an evil man (KJ, I believe his name is) and, well, you'd have to be there to experience it. Hopefully I'll find that video soon... But it was extremely disheartening to every audience member, which leads me to believe how great of a piece that was, to make everyone really feel something so strong just by watching a piece. Really well casted, and amazing execution.

Another choreographer worth mentioning was Natalie Nesterenko (I met her through Apolonia's waacking classes on Sundays), who also happens to be Mariano's girlfriend. She worked with two kids, to try to portray the love story of her and Mariano. It was SO CUTE!!! She also did another piece that evolved around the monsters from the closet. It was a great set, so versatile and so well executed, since the cast were all seasoned dancers from the Toronto dance scene already. Amazing job!

"Emotions of a Child" Dancers:

Andrew Pyro Chung

Sonic

Eujean Kim

Jasmin Yeung

Kristine Flores

Mikey Le

Ralph Esamillan

Sarah Tumaliuan

Vanessa Eyes Li

My costume: Uh oh Shirt and crazy pants

Bazaar babies: Eujean and I

Ralph and Sarah

Eujean and Kristine

Sonic in spongebob apparel

Vanessa's cute hello kitty jammies, and Pyro the creeper, while Mikey poses :)

You cannot IMAGINE how ecstatic (and a little nervous in the beginning, not going to lie..) I was to dance with every single one of these dancers. All SOO EXTREMELY talented and SO easy to get along with, and so professional when time came to get down to business. (I can't stop typing in Caps because I can't think of another way to show you how I really feel haha). I had so much fun doing the voiceovers, and thanks to Johnny Loh with the serious audio equipment, it didn't sound ghetto at all!

You are invited to our slumber party! Come and bring lots of candy while you enter our emotional journey of candy overdose. :)
NOTE for everyone watching the video - The little girl humming in the beginning is me!!! And Ralph is actually the "grandmother" yelling at us children. Sonic does his own voice at the very end of our medley.

Woohoo! Afterparty at...

New Ho King! $5 meals? Ok!!

Yay, food! - David Forteau, Sarah and Kristine

I apologize for the insanely blurry photos... I'll promise to bring my new Nikon D3100 to the next event/outing, once I learn how to use it properly! :)

Inspire Each Other,

Updates: New blog look

2012-05-08T18:02:00.003-04:00

I updated my blog design! It's still rather simple, I've been trying to play around with the colours and the font just a little, But I don't exactly know what colour I want to use to try and show the struggling life of a dancer... Hmm. So instead, I just chose a nice minty green just to brighten up my day that I know can cheer me up whenever I come to my own blog. I hope it brightens your day too!

Today is a super long day: Spent a few hours working on the blog, I have to teach Daniel Gomez (a main character of Spotlight 2K12) a routine that I've choreographed for J VYbE, and then popping class with Pyro at VYbE, and then rummage for food. Then, we have a Bazaar rehearsal scheduled for 12AM!!! That's the latest one I've done so far.. this will be interesting.. I hope I eat enough to survive through! Wish me luck. After that, because Bazaar's theme is Childhood, they have decided to use my voice in the routine and make voice overs since I sound like a little girl. Honoured! Haha.

Let me know what you think about my new blog look! Comments are always always ALWAYS welcome :)

Inspire Each Other,

Happenings: Spotlight 2K12 - The Sleuth! (SneakPeak Trailer)

2012-05-07T17:18:00.002-04:00

When the sun comes out, you know it's that time of year again - SPOTLIGHT time!! For those that don't already know what it is, VYbE Dance Co. has an annual showcase for the performance program students to show the world what they have learned in the past program year (from October to June). To add to the excitement, every year different performers (Snow Zei the singer, Visual Assault a breakdance crew, WIBI an Acapella group, etc) are invited to showcase their talents on stage with us to complete an entertaining and well-balanced show for the audience members.

This year the story is the mystery of Mr. Rich's (Johnny Loh, AKA our videographer from the previous post of Henry's Thesis project!) death solved by Mr. Picklez (Wil Rockerfellah).

My awesome 2011-2012 J VYbE group!

I am leading the J VYbE performance program this year (it's now my third year) and I must say they are looking good and prepared. It also makes me feel so accomplished to know that in the past year with my students that they have learned most of the basics of dancing, of performing, and had a lot of fun at the same time! They are in four pieces together and everyone has worked extremely hard and I'm so proud of this group of kids. So, when you see them on stage, please do encourage them and scream for them because they've worked so hard to give you an awesome performance on that stage!

I have a special piece in Spotlight which will be performed by Snowzei our singer (her character is the mistress of the mystery) - the song is called "Sexy Silk", originally by Jessica Cornish, from the movie Easy A. The LOVE girls will also be performing my "Original Don" by Major Laser piece. Watch out for these piece and please tell me what you think!!

I cannot wait for Spotlight day, it's always just a fun day to have the whole company together and work towards something so amazing and inspiring. Get your tickets now! Here's the SneakPeak trailer you've all been waiting for!

To purchase tickets online and more information, spotlight.vybedance.com

Inspire Each Other,

Nirvana in Pizza Pizza!

2012-04-29T12:52:00.000-04:00

A while back, I background danced for a local Toronto singer called Lexi Tellings, along with some of the LOVE girls from VYbE.

Yesterday, my friend Henry messages me during the night and told me that he saw it playing on the Pizza Pizza in-store TV's!!!!! How exciting! Too bad he couldn't take a picture...

Please "Like" her on her Facebook fanpage HERE, she's a hardworking girl who deserves to to be known. She has a new single out now as well, called Buy Me a Drink featuring the talent Mister Park (previously introduced on my blog via the Battle In The Trenches event).

But here is the video if you haven't seen it yet:

I hope she is doing well! and we Thank her very much for the amazing opportunity!

Inspire Each Other,

There's always a First: Assisting Waacking Workshop!

2012-04-27T11:44:00.001-04:00

This morning - and when I say morning I mean I woke up at 6AM... - I was asked by Apolonia Velasquez, co-head of Gadfly (amazing dancer, teacher, instructor, person, etc.!) to help assist in a Waacking workshop she was scheduled to do at Brampton. YAY!!!!!!!!!! She has unfortunately hurt her left shoulder last week (Feel better!), and needed someone to do the left side for her, and fortunate for me that I was given this insanely awesome opportunity. Really, you should see how big my grin is as I even write this (most of you will probably imagine it as you know I smile... a lot..)!

My visitor's pass (they spelled my name wrong.. ugh)

St. Augustine Secondary School (I believe that's what it was called) was a great host, and they have dedicated a lot of time and effort into their dance program at school. They have also had other super awesome instructors to teach workshops, including Pyro for popping and locking, and many more.

It was SO fun to assist Apolonia, it had gone surprisingly well and they were quite fast in picking up the drill and the style as well!! As for me, it was also beneficial because I was able to go slow and really watch my angles, and my technique, while trying to be a good assistant and not mess up because they were watching me and learning as well. And, I got to listen in on a bit of the history of Waacking from Apolonia which I never really knew (quite ashamed.. don't look at me like that!) so that was great, too!

All I needed: Water bobble, purse and my breakfast

It's now 11:15AM and my day has ONLY STARTED. Compared to waking up at 2PM yesterday doing nothing, I feel so accomplished already! But now... *drum roll please* NAP TIME!

Inspire Each Other,

It's my Birthday!!!

2012-04-24T03:53:00.001-04:00

April 24th is a great day for Birthdays, Yay! I'm turning 23... Ahh so old! I think from now on, whenever someone asks, I'll just ask them how old they think I am.. And then just keep whatever age they give me... Yes, I will stay young forever, thanks to my asian gene pool of the young-looking phenotypes (does that even make scientific sense?? Rusty university knowledge).

Happy birthday to Ralph Escamillan (Toronto Waacking extraordinaire), Vinh Nguyen (SGBM) as well as Ellen Kim (Movement Lifestyle)!! Two amazing and inspiring dancers I've always looked up to, and loved even more because they share the same birthday as me. So now, I am even more so convinced that I shall follow the footsteps of these great dancers since - let's be honest now - it's in the stars and signs!

APRIL24-IANS UNITE!

Inspire Each Other,

YOUR Projects: Henry's Thesis Video!

2012-04-24T03:32:00.001-04:00

We've all been waiting for the final product of all our hard work... and here it is!!! (Please excuse my hilarious rusty acting/ improv....)

Here you can finally see Henry's vision put to life. The concept of a girl and a boy, just having a regular day, when you get a glimpse into the girl's point of view and thoughts. She depicts how she really feels about him, her true emotions, through dance, and her intentions of love through motion. The four girls can be translated (sort of) as different personalities, or different ways the (main) girl tries to express herself. Through some of the choreography you may be able to see some parts depicting a struggle. The struggle of loving someone so, so, so much you can't even express it without looking crazy (Lily's little crazy solo part).

I personally can really relate to this because sometimes when I just look at that someone, I have a rush of feelings and/or emotions that I want to show, but fear that I may seem crazy or too over the top. Or, even when I listen to a song, and it reminds me of someone, I just want to call them or find them and just smile, to feel safe with their mere presence. How do you relate to this? Anyone specific that comes to mind when you see this?

Congratulations to Henry for a successful thesis, I hope you get a super high grade with it, because we've all seen how much extra work and effort you've put in to this. Thank you for letting me be a part of this, and THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for allowing us to keep the outfits :)

UPDATE: Henry got an A+ on his project! YAYY!!!!! *Jumps and screams of joy*

And we've been reblogged by "fuckyeadance" of tumblr!! Click here for the link.

Click HERE for the credits and planning blog post of Henry's thesis.

Inspire Each Other,

Happenings: UDO Canadian Street Dance Championships

2012-04-21T14:20:00.003-04:00

Date: Saturday April 7, 2012

It was such a last minute decision for me to go to this event (too long to type it all out... read the title)! Vinny was kind enough to give me a ride, as he was going to enter the locking battle along with Des. The battle was at the Hoop Dome in Downsview Park, a very nice and large sporting venue that had almost every type of court that you could think of. As we arrived they were at the Group dance competitions for ages 12 and Under. While they waited, some of the poppers and lockers used the other basketball court to warm up, plug in their headphones and jam a little by themselves. Most dancers were from the "Bahen Centre" session people, so I called it the Bahen Corner (No? Not funny?).

I got to see friends, and even meet quite a few people who I've seen from other events but never got the chances (guts) to say hi to. As always with anything dance related, the event was off schedule, albeit not too drastically off. During the children and teenager group dance divisions, Jade was the MC, and during the Battles, and the event hereinafter, LennyLen was the host of the night.

One of the things that I noticed from this event was that some facial expression of those in the dance group competitions were a little off.

Here are some clips of the event:

Footage from the Locking Battle. Congratulations to Mike for winning!

Footage from the Popping Battle. Congratulations to Engine for winning!

Inspire Each Other,

Me: What's my schedule like?

2012-04-19T17:16:00.000-04:00

What's my schedule like every week?

Monday: Choreograph, Teach Recreational teams, Beginner sexy urban pop, Beginner hiphop

Tuesday: Take Pyro's popping class, maybe Locking

Wednesday: Choreograph, Teach Open Classes, Beginner Hiphop and Multi Level Sexy urban pop

Thursday: LOVE rehearsals

Friday: Bazaar rehearsals, Extra spotlight scene rehearsals

Saturday: Teach performance team, J VYbE, go to dance events

Sunday: Take Apolonia's waacking class, Rehearsals with VYbE FAM

aaaaand... Repeat.

x___X tired after class/ rehearsal..

But, I'm happy that I have the time and the means to do what I love. Although I do worry about money, and how on earth I'll survive as a starving artist doing what I want, I have to say I've had a lot of support from those around me. From people giving me valuable opportunities, to my family supporting what I do; I am without a doubt truly blessed and thankful. I am hopeful too that one day, I will make a good living out of dancing and performing. So, Bring on the crazy schedules and rehearsals, life! I'm READY!

What's YOUR dance SCHEDULE?

There's always a First: Bazaar!

2012-04-15T13:43:00.001-04:00

I am so grateful for the opportunity to perform at the BAZAAR stage in May 15 2012! Thank you so so so much to Pyro and Vanessa for choosing me and giving me a chance in their piece. I am also grateful to be dancing alongside such talented dancers: Kristine, Sarah, Eujean, Ralph, Sonic and of course Pyro and Vanessa. YAY!

This time around, BAZAAR's theme is Childhood. I wish I could tell you what this medley is like, but we'll all have to wait until that golden moment on stage!

Sidenote: I bought a Nikon DSLR a few weeks ago... And I'm so upset I haven't been able to play and experiment with it yet because it's back in Nikon to get fixed... the SD card eject button was rather faulty. I have to thank Kelvin Young for helping me bring it to Nikon, as well as teaching me some seriously valuable photography lessons. I can't wait to get my camera back in my hands!

Inspire Each Other,

Happenings: Luther Brown's Workshop

2012-04-09T05:37:00.000-04:00

Date: Friday April 6, 2012

Luther Brown is one of the foundations of the Toronto Hiphop Dance scene. You are not a dancer if you don't know who Luther Brown is. He currently lives in Los Angeles, as a very successful choreographer. On Friday he held a workshop at OIP dance studio, located in Downtown Toronto. It was packed with all the people you needed to know, people supporting each other, supporting the community, supporting Luther Brown.

Back in the day when I was still young, and in the Jr. VYbE team, I was fortunate enough to meet and learn from Luther Brown (Thanks, Tee!). Although I'm sure he doesn't remember me, I would never forget that time he taught us and introduced us to his style.

His workshop was tiring, but so fun and challenging to me. His style is quite different to my own style, and so to emulate his style onto my own body took a little bit more work. When it came to doing the routine in groups, everyone danced with so much energy as if it were an audition. I learned a lot from that, because in this industry, if you want to be seen, you need to show the world what you've got. And you never know which time you dance will the right people be watching you, so dance your heart out, every chance you get. That's what I learned from this workshop.

Inspire Each Other,