DERICK ROBINSON

This week’s Dancer/Choreographer shout out goes to Derick Robinson. “It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer." and Derick Robinson has made that transition. After many years of training at the provincial and national levels of soccer, Derick left his sporting roots behind to explore the world of dance. Starting out as just a hobby, dance has grown into more than just a passion; it’s his way of life. He has had the opportunity to work with such artists as Divine Brown at the “Toronto New Year’s Bash” to bring in 2011, and for Lady Gaga at the 2011 “Much Music Video Awards”. He is the founder and choreographer for the new all male Hip-Hop dance crew, The O.G. Crew (Original Gentlemen). They have competed at World of Dance Toronto, The Canadian Street Dance Championships, on Much Music’s Best Dance Crew and have recently performed for Trish at The America’s Next Top Model Live Event in Toronto, which he choreographed.

Over the past few years Derick has developed and refined his own style of dance that is only starting to be exposed to the Toronto scene. His work has been seen at The Bazaar Showcase, On Much Music and at Toronto’s Choreographer’s Ball. He believes that creating a connection between emotion, movement and the music is what makes his choreography so unique. As an up and coming choreographer in Toronto, his work has been described as creative, innovative and diverse. Derick’s choreography is based with Hip-Hop, but he likes to fuse it with other styles such as African and contemporary. Excited to continue his journey with dance; Derick is eager and enthusiastic to bring something new and different to the stage.

Bio provided by Derick

Derick on You Tube

Follow on Twitter @DerickXclusiV

Connect on Facebook Derick Xclusiv Robinson

Find out what Derick had to say in this week's shout out...

Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?

Derick: The first time I started dancing was in grade 10. I was always the athletic guy doing all the sports, and one day I just decided to try something different and join the dance class at my high school. I had no idea was I was doing, seeing as the first thing we did in the class was ballet. It wasn’t exactly what I had expected, but I quickly started falling in love with the movement.

Nikki: Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your earliest memory)

Derick: The very first song I choreographed to was call Rising Sun by DBSK. It was the first year I started the dance crew at my high school. We were called XclusiV. I had absolutely no idea what the words meant, but I fell in love with the rhythm and feel of the song. I remember that whole process like it was yesterday. We practiced for months, and once our performance was over it was one of the best feelings I have ever felt.

Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free styling?

Derick: I know there are a lot of dancers that say they can’t freestyle. But when you strip down free styling down to what it actually is, it’s just moving. The best advice that I can give is to remember that free styling is just about freely dancing without the stress of having to mess up choreo. Just put on some music and move in any which way you please.

Nikki: Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you?

Derick: I think of doing choreography as if I were doing a puzzle. I need to have the right theme, purpose, music and motivation. Each one of these things has to come together to be able for me to get in the zone. Sometimes it can take me 30 minutes to choreograph something and other times it takes weeks. Some dances are more complex and others are just for fun. I have to have all the right pieces to be able to get a finished product. If I can’t have all of these elements come together then it just doesn’t feel right, I don’t know how many dances I have scraped and started over because I wasn’t getting the right feeling from them. Choreographing takes a lot of patience.

Nikki: Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry?

Derick: There are so many people that have influenced my dancing and myself. First off would be Mike Song, he is the reason I got into hip-hop and has always been a huge idol of mine. Ian Eastwood is one of my biggest influences. I can really connect with his dancing. The passion and musicality he puts into his dances are incredibly inspiring. Some others are Keone Madrid, Mariel Martin, Tony Tran, Jaja Vankova, Jillian Meyers, Megan Lawson, Leon Blackwood, Shameka Blake and Esie Mensah.

Nikki: Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?

Derick: One of my biggest inspirations would be Hollywood Jade. He is basically the one that found me as a dancer and helped introduce me to so many people in the industry. He gave me my very first dancing gig. He has always pushed me to be the best that I can be and to never settle for anything less, and he has been there for me in any situation. His creative visions are always of phenomenal quality and class. Without him, I don’t know where I would be with dance, or if I would even be dancing at all today.

Nikki: Name one of your favorite artists to work with and why?(Could be another Dancer, choreographer, musician etc. Doesn't have to be from Toronto)

Derick: My favorite person to work with would be Shameka Blake. She has this incredible ability to bring out movement in me that I never thought I could be able to do. Sometimes I really don’t understand how certain the things can come out of her brain. “I can’t” literally doesn’t exist in her vocabulary, so there is no limit with her and she always strives for perfection, which brings out the best in me.

Nikki: Are you currently working on any projects?

Derick: The biggest thing I’m working on right now is with my crew The O.G. Crew (Original Gentlemen) we have qualified to represent Canada at the World Street Dance Championships in England at the end of August. So we are currently trying to do as much fundraising as we possibly can to come up with enough money to go over there and compete. So keep a look out for workshops, performances and small little fun things that are going to be coming from us in the near future.

Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?

Derick: I believe that Toronto dancers are always hungry for more. We push and push and push to be the best we can be at all times. There is always a fire burning inside of us that makes us want to do as much as we can to become the best we can be. I honestly think that Toronto dancers are really underrated in the larger dance industry. But I also believe that the world is soon to have their eyes opened very wide. Toronto is ready for movements.

Nikki: Any advice for emerging dancers and choreographers working/training in Toronto?

Derick: I think the biggest advice that I can give comes from a quote that I live by, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn't change you”. If you always sit back in your comfort zone with dancing or choreographing you will never be able to grow and develop. Take the risk and try a new style of dance, try a harder class, try anything new and different. You will always know your abilities, but you will never know where those abilities can take you if you don’t reach as far as you can. Don’t ever get comfortable, dare to be challenged, dare to fail and dare to be unique.

THANK YOU DERICK FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE AND PASSION WITH T.D.O.T. XO

CHECK OUT SOME FOOTAGE OF DERICK DOING HIS THANG...

KATE KNOX

The week’s Dancer/Choreographer shout out goes to Kate Knox. Originally from Stouffville, Ontario, Kate began dancing at 3. She trained at The Stouffville Dance Centre in ballet, tap and Graham technique under the direction of Michele Green, and later Deborah Radbourne. Upon entrance to the arts program formally known as Arts York at Unionville High school, Kate was introduced to jazz, musical theatre and hip hop, and was exposed to the world of competitive dance, although never competed.  She continued her education at Ryerson University, earning her RAD Intermediate Vocational Exam and her B.F.A. in Performance Dance. During her time at the Ryerson Theatre School she had the opportunity to study and work with established dance artists such as Kenny Pearl, Robert Glumback, Darryl Tracy, Allen Kaeja, Derek Sangster and Christopher House. Kate has continued to hone her craft not only as a dancer, but as an actor and singer. She has delved into life as a showgirl after performing with Sophie Luxton at Second City in 2009. She is currently working with DivaGirl Entertainment and DivaGirl Fitness with Laura Furtado, Nuvo-Burlesque and Carla Catherwood, and Motus O Dance Theatre. Her choreography will be showcased as part of Kokus Production’s Toronto Fringe Festival show entitled “Numbers” July 6-15 at Factory Theatre, and can be found on stage with Nuvo-Burlesque’s Electronic Cabaret on June 8^th at the Mod Club.

Select performance credits include: Love Letters (Pastel Supernova Enterprises) Iphigenia in Tauris (Canadian Opera Company), Circus Terrifico, Perspectives I, Carmina Burana (Motus O),  Lagrima for Women in Dance (Melissa Nascimeto-So), Steam Heat: A Fosse Celebration, Titanic: The Musical, A Chorus Line, CATS (Curtain Call Players), Fever and Fever II (Sophie Luxton), Table Talk, Four Forces to Building Your Soul (for Dance Ontario Weekend 2010 and 2011 with City Dance Corps), A Glendale Christmas (Dodo Productions as part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival 2009), Gameshow: The Musical (as part of Toronto Fringe and Best of the fest 2008)


Bio Provided by Kate.

www.kateknox.info

Find out what Kate had to say in this week's shout out...

Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?


Kate: I started ballet lessons when I was three in the gym of the elementary school down the street back when my family was in Markham. I remember the lady has long brown hair and at the time I thought she was the prettiest woman ever! If you ask my parents through they’ll likely tell you how I was dancing wedding entertainment by the time I could walk.

Nikki:  Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your earliest memory)


Kate: Oh god! I was in fourth grade and it was a talent show and I choreographed my first ballet piece as a solo to “In the Hall of the Mountain King” by Edvard Greig. I didn’t win, and I was pretty mercilessly mocked for choreographing to classical music instead of doing something off Dance Mix ’95 like everyone else. I was a big geek as a kid.


Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free styling?


Kate: There’s so much I want to say on this subject! I think the biggest one I can think of is give everyone one a reason to watch you. It doesn’t mean you have to pull out every trick in your back pocket. Sometimes all you have to do is stand or walk with a presence and people can’t take their eyes off you. One look and they could fall in love. The more you wear your heart on your sleeve as you dance, the more compelling you are, and no one can take that away from you or criticize it. Feel the music, listen to your body and let your love tell everyone who you are.

Nikki:  Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you?


Kate: I’m a huge audiophile so music is a big drive for me. From that music I can usually get an emotion or a certain story I want to tell with it. Then I do my best to bring it to life the way I feel it. Sometimes I just like to let the music play and see what happens when I stop thinking and just move.

Nikki:  Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry?

Kate: There are three women in the past year especially who have really helped me evolve as a dancer and re-affirm that this is what I want to do and where I want to be:

Laura Furtado really taught me the business side of the arts first hand and gave me the tools and encouragement to really make this a career without succumbing to a day job. She really is a self made woman and I’m constantly learning new skills and tricks and meeting new and fantastic entrepreneurs through her. She’s been my go-to as a role-model for women in business.

Carla Catherwood has really changed my dancing in a year and a half. She’s continued to push me. I never really saw myself as anything urban and through her I’ve found a whole other quality I loved to watch in other people but never really thought I was capable of. It’s really given a confidence to continue doing things that are out of my comfort zone and push myself as a dancer and technician.

Pastel Supernova is nothing short of a goddess. Working with her in Love Letters was the most emotional, exhausting, straining, trying, lovely, overwhelming and altering experience and I would be so lucky to do it all again. She really taught me not to be afraid of my passion and that vulnerability truly is the most important asset as an artist. She is an embodiment of staying true to who you are and what you want and putting your whole heart into it as you do it.

Nikki:  Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?

Kate: There’s so many!! I loved my time with Darryl Tracy. He’s just a delightful person and a brilliant choreographer who really tests your brain as well as your body. I also really liked working with Melissa Nascimeto-So. She’s just a beautiful and bubbling energy and the time really seems to fly by with her.

Nikki:  Name an Artist you enjoy working with and why?(Could be another Dancer, choreographer, musician etc. Doesn't have to be from Toronto)

Kate: It’s not a single artist but I’m really enjoying this new time with the hip hop/urban dance community. There’s so much talent and creativity and everyone is incredibly loving and supportive. It’s a beautiful collective that’s so exciting and diverse. I still feel like a fish out of water sometimes, but I’m learning so much from everyone!

Nikki:  Are you currently working on any projects?

Kate: I have a piece of my own choreography in Kokus Production’s Fringe piece called Numbers. It’s a contemporary duet between two main characters expression their longing of a time that was and heartache of what can never be. Show runs July 6-15 at Factory Theatre. Check out the Faceboook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/187228898027907/?ref=ts

We’re also in the last few rehearsals and touch ups for the next Chic-A-Boom Room at Mod Club called Electronic Cabaret. It’s going to be a very sexy show, a lot of great specticale and fantastic dancing with an Army of Sass of over 40 women. Show is one night only on June 8^th, tickets are $20. You can check out the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/275247359220043/  and Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nuvoburlesque

Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?

Kate: Their dedication to their craft. Toronto dancers are die-hard and willing to put up with a lot of shit just to dance. Their work ethic is incomparable. I find their greatest strength is their greatest weakness, as sometimes there a people who take advantage of this beautiful dedication, and that’s just not right. This city has some absolutely amazing talent and artistry, and it always breaks my heart when I hear that that hard work haven’t paid off.

Nikki: Any advice for emerging dancers and choreographers working/training in Toronto?

Kate:

-          If you want it, you’ll make it happen. If you don’t you’ll make an excuse.

-          Know your worth. You’re going to spend at least the first year working for peanuts if you’re lucky, but there comes a point in your career where you decide you’ve gone through the trenches enough and your talent and experience is valuable. When that time come, stand your ground on it. Treat your craft as any other tradesman does. You don’t hire a plumber to fix a leak and expect the service for free. You are providing a service. You are no different.

-          Don’t allow other people’s definition of success to define you. It’s easy to get caught up on what other people are doing, especially with Facebook. Don’t think that their success is better than yours, or that it should all happen at the same time. It’s relative. Like my grandfather keeps telling me: It takes years to become an overnight success. 

THANK YOU KATE FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE & PASSION WITH T.D.O.T. XO

JENNIFER AUCOIN

This week's Dancer/Choreographer shout out goes to Jennifer Aucoin. Jennifer is a full-time salsa instructor, choreographer and event organizer. She is the founder and director of STEPS Dance Studio, artistic director for Steps Dance Company and co-founder of the Women’s Salsa Retreat.   She is the organizer of the annual Six Degrees Salsa Competition in Toronto, one of the most prestigious salsa competitions in Canada. Jennifer has represented Canada on the judging panel for the World Salsa Championships televised on ESPN for the past four years and has judged competitions in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, New York, Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Detroit, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto. 

Jennifer is the organizer of the annual Canada Salsa Congress, an international salsa festival that takes place in Toronto every October. This 4-day extravaganza is the largest salsa event in Canada and features nightly performances by dance companies from all over the world and daily salsa workshops given by world-renowned instructors. This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the Canada Salsa Congress and will take place October 4-8, 2012 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

Jennifer is also co-founder of Discover Dance Canada, an organization which teaches Latin Dance to elementary and high school students.  This program was born with the mission to build confidence, self-esteem and cultural awareness in children and teens through Latin Dance in the school curriculum.

Jennifer has been involved in dance and the performing arts her entire life and has extensive training in gymnastics, ballet, flamenco, Argentine tango and, of course, salsa. To keep progressive, she continues to travel extensively to learn from the world’s best dancers and instructors, and has attended dozens of salsa congresses in Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, New York, Colombia, Ecuador, Miami, Zurich, Amsterdam, Washington, Boston, Detroit, Ottawa and Montreal. Jennifer also teaches salsa workshops internationally and has taught in Puerto Rico, Holland, Ecuador, Washington, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Detroit, Montreal and Ottawa.

Bio provided by Jennifer

Steps Dance Studio

Canada Salsa Congress

Find out what Jennifer had to say in this week's shout out...

Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?

Jennifer: I first started dancing with my sister and cousins when I was really young - 4 or 5 years old.  I then did gymnastics for 10 years then ballet for 10 years.  The first time I ever danced Salsa was on vacation in the Dominican Republic - and that got me hooked to a lifetime career of teaching Latin Dance.

Nikki: Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your 
earliest memory)

Jennifer: Actually first song I remember choreographing to was Help Me Rhonda by the Beach Boys with my cousin when I was probably 6 years old.  First salsa song I remember choreographing to for a group routine was Ran Kan Kan in 1999.

Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free 
styling/Improv? 

Jennifer: I think the best advice I can give to other dancers for free styling is to let your love and enjoyment of the dance show in your free styling.  Let your inhibitions go and remember why dancing brings you joy and that no one is judging you more harshly than you judge yourself so have fun!

Nikki: Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you? 

Jennifer: I need a song that I really like and I usually prefer to choreograph with another person so that we can bounce ideas off one another.

Nikki: Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry? 

Jennifer: In the Dance industry, Alvin Ailey and their amazing choreographies and in the Salsa industry - Tito Ortos and Tamara Livolsi and Billy Fajardo and Katie Marlowe for their professionalism and integrity and creativity.

Nikki: Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?

Jennifer: I love choreographing with Angelo De Torres who works for Steps Dance Studio because we magically are able to choreograph really quickly and painlessly together.

Nikki: Are you currently working on any projects? 

Jennifer: Working on organizing the 10 year anniversary of the Canada Salsa Congress coming up this October as well as teaching more workshops in elementary and high schools through Discover Dance Canada

Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?


Jennifer: I think Toronto dancers have a great ability to use and reference techniques and movements from all different genres of dance because we are such a culturally diverse city.


THANK YOU JENNIFER FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE & PASSION WITH T.D.O.T. XO


CHECK OUT THE TRAILER FOR THE UPCOMING CANADA SALSA CONGRESS...

LINEEN DOUNG

This week's Dancer/ Choreographer shout out goes to Lineen Doung. Lineen began dancing in high school taking a high school dance course where he studied the basics of ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop.  In high school he grew an interest in hip hop self taught himself how to isolate his body, wave and pop by looking up tutorials on the internet.  Freestyling was his first form of dance in the field of hip hop.  In 2005 he really began to take interest in hip hop choreography where he auditioned for the McMaster dance company.  He was named assistant artistic director in his second year of being in the company and choreographed many award winning routines and placed top 3 at many competitions throughout his university career.

Lineen has come a long way since university, he has worked with many choreographers; Leon Blackwood, Shavar Blackwood, Lenny Dela Pena, Romeo Cassellas, Natalie Nesterenko, Tre Armstrong and many more.  He has done work for Rogers, Sony, shops at don mills, and many conventions!  Lineen has danced for Kreesha Turner, the General, EOS, Troy, Lights, and most recently Trish; where he performed at the America’s Next Top Model fashion show as a backup dancer. He has choreographed the TB show, Rich Bride Poor Bride and was also highlighted on So You Think You Can Dance Canada where he made finals week!  He has also choreographed for a contestant in the Miss Perfect 10 pageant and is a featured dancer in Kreesha Turner’s music video Bounce with Me and in the video Toes by Lights.

Currently, Lineen is part of the Original Gentlemen all male dance crew which has competed all over Toronto and is now going to UK to represent Toronto and Canada at the UK's hip hop championships!  The O.G is taking the industry by storm and performing everywhere, becoming a crowd favorite.  Lineen also has a dance events company called DARK (Dance and Rhythm Konnexxions) where he hosts charity events, dance training programs, and much more.

Lineen is also an aspired choreographer and is an emerging artist showing his vision on stage and allowing his imagination become reality by training the dancers more than just how to dance.  He is growing everyday and is all about bringing the community together!

Company Page  

Smile 4 The Cause Charity showcase 
Lineen on You Tube
Follow him on Twitter @DarkxDance

Nikki: Do you remember the first time you started dancing?

Lineen: The first time I ever danced was when I was three years old, and my uncle recorded me and my sisters jamming out to a song by Abba. But that was just some jamming out; however I really began dancing in high school, Westview Centennial Secondary School, where I took basics in ballet, jazz, hip hop, African, ballroom and contemporary. I was mainly a freestyle dancer with a group of my fellow class mates. High school is where my dance really began, it saved my life.

Nikki: Do you remember the first song you choreographed to? (Or your earliest memory)

Lineen: The first song I ever choreographed to was Rage Against the Machine - Renegades of Funk, as my earliest memory for the first. And I got such positive feedback and it was put on stage at a festival where it won a choreography award.

Nikki: Your personal advice for dancers when it comes to free styling?

Lineen: Freestyling is using the vocabulary of dance that you have in your library. It is a concept where you use the dance vocabulary you have in your own personal way and allow the music to move you. It is your own story and that's exactly what a dancer should do while freestyling. It's not just meaningless movement, the best way to freestyle is to tell a story while you freestyle. I learned this from a Moon Runner named Snapp Jan. I started out as a freestyler but went into hip hop choreography religiously and I am currently trying to get back into it. My personal advice is to practice to any song you would hear while you are walking around, at a store or even if you are in your room. Just think about what they are saying and determine different ways to express the same word. It is your story, it is your zone, you do it the way you feel best fits the music. Freestyling is definitely part of mastering your craft and is always good to have the art of improvisation.

Nikki: Getting in the zone to choreograph, what does it take for you?

Lineen: For me, choreography is me knowing the music inside and out. From the treble to the base to the added dings and bings. I listen to the music for days on repeat until I am finally ready to start choreographing. Figuring out which note to hit, which musicality to use, which verse to use, how I want to movement to go. It also depends on whether I am choreographing for a workshops/class or if I'm choreographing for a routine to put on stage. Regardless, in both situations I would put the song on repeat and determine what part of the song, what instrumental beat I would like to use. While I choreograph, I repeat the same 8 count in different ways until I move in a way where I say to myself "That's the one" and just keep adding it on. Every dance should be like a roller coaster ride, a concept I learned from Gregory Villarico while having a conversation with him in the car to rehearsal one day. Also, I make sure that when I choreograph, I can envision the dance and see the music; meaning if I were to watch someone do a routine with no music, I should see the song they are dancing to.

Nikki: Who are some of your biggest influences in the Dance industry?

Lineen: My biggest influence in the industry is definitely Luther Brown and his DoDat family; Mark Samuels, Kojo "Tuch" Mayne, Ron, Kwame Mensah, and much more. They have influenced me in ways no one else has. I have watched them and learned from them very much by taking their classes, their workshops and studying the way they interpret the music and how they used the music as well. However I do take a lot of influence from Shaun Evaristo from the Bay Area, Ian Eastwood, and Lyle Beniga. There are so many role models in the industry and so much influence around me that it's tough to just state a few. I also take a lot of influence from choreographers and dancers outside of the hip hop scene, Mia Micheals, Linda Garneau, and many more. I take what I can from everyone and try to mold them together to best produce the style that fits me.

Nikki: Name a Toronto Choreographer you enjoy working with and why?

Lineen: I have worked with many choreographers, but my best experiences in working with a Toronto Choreographer would be with Leon Blackwood, Shavar Blackwood and Kwame Mensah. Leon is organized and really knows how to get his stuff done, and done right. He's a visionary and a perfectionist and only wants the best when putting his work on stage and it has taught me a lot seeing how he works and the way he gets things done. Shavar is amazing at pushing his dancers that allows his dancers to go beyond their tolerated physical capabilities. Shavar pushes them and allows us to create energy on stage when we are dying from exhaustion and this allows us to move stronger and sharper, and hit harder for much longer. Kwame Mensah is one of DoDats original members, and its great working with him mainly because of his knowledge, his wisdom and what he has taught me in a short 3 months. The history, the foundation, the in betweens; Kwame has allowed me and my fellow dance colleagues to engage in a new dance that is actually from the old school era. His flow, his funk, and his flavor are amazing to watch and feel good when done right.

Nikki: Name one of your favorite artists to work with and why? (Could be another Dancer, choreographer, musician etc. Doesn't have to be from Toronto)

Lineen: The most amazing artists that I have worked with would be with Lights and Trish. Lights is an amazing artists and I worked with her on set of her videos Toes, it was absolutely amazing, very chill atmosphere and everything was shot and done in sequence, scheduled and very organized. They treated us very well and it was just pleasant and smooth. Trish was amazing, and very talented! She took care of us and allowed us to be ourselves on and off the stage; she was one of us (The Original Gentlemen) and trusted us to deliver for her on stage.

Nikki: Are you currently working on any projects?

Lineen: There are many projects that I am working on at the moment, a couple of dance video projects that have already been implemented and almost finished producing. I also have a charity showcase on July 20th; this will be the second year! Smile 4 The Cause, which is fund raising money for two foundations this year; Blessings in a Backpack and the Sunny Brook Foundation. There is also training program that I am currently having auditions for May 20! This program is going to allow the dancers selected to learn in the genres of hip hop choreography, popping, locking, breakdance, house, jazz funk, and an optional technique class, it is called the Right1. Another event that is currently in discussion is the CrewSpect dance battle, where it is crew vs crew. It is called CrewSpect because we need to respect eachother at the end of the battle, no tolerance for disrespecting someone elses dance form and style. There are also many more concepts and ideas that everyone should be watching out for!

Nikki: Qualities you think Toronto Dancers possess?

Lineen: Toronto dancers all possess flavor, I have always said this and will always believe it. Toronto has the most soul, flavor and style in the world when it comes to dancing. We are all very unique and also have a sense of diversity in our dancing. A unique trait for a dancer in Toronto is the way we move and is always noticed when a Toronto dancer ventures outside to train elsewhere.

Nikki: Any advice for emerging dancers and choreographers working/training in Toronto?

Lineen: My advice to all emerging dancers is to train, work hard and take your time. You know when you are ready and don't let anyone tell you that you are not ready. If you feel ready that you are ready. Also to learn as much as possible from as many different genres from as many different teachers/choreographers as you possibly can. It's very important to learn different styles of teaching, choreographing and moving as it makes it easier to learn how to pick up a choreographers way of movement. It also makes it easier to allow yourself to come out and "smash" the routine and "kill it." For choreographers, I suggest choreographing as much as possible and show friends and allow them to give you constructive criticism, don't rush into putting your choreography out there wait til you feel it is absolutely at its best, and from there choreography will become easier. Practice makes improvement! So don't stop. "The day you stop learning, is the day you get left behind," never stop learning. Learn from your students, from your teachers, from strangers, from EVERYONE!

THANK YOU LINEEN FOR SHARING YOUR LOVE & PASSION WITH T.D.O.T. XO

CHECK OUT SOME OF LINEEN'S WORK...