Hip-Hop for ALL!!!

January 2013 - by Chloe Tagan

Are you afraid to try a Hip-Hop dance class, but secretly want to? You’ve made up excuses for years, saying you’ve never found the right class, you’re too busy or you don’t have enough “experience.” Well, if you find your alter ego tricking you out of trying new things, (like mine does regularly), come check out Hip-Hop 1 with Sean Bjerke. He just may convince you that you’ve been underestimating yourself.

I was apprehensive the first night I took Sean’s class. Even though I love the Hip-Hop dance style, I wondered if I’d be able to understand his choreography and keep up with the class. Entering the class, Sean immediately started his warm-up, which was an energetic, fun sequence of stretching, jumping and getting into each beat of the music. After we were fully warmed up, Sean took a few minutes to introduce himself and talk about what he would be teaching over the next hour and a half.

I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, this all sounds great, but I still don’t feel like I have enough experience to take the class.” Don’t let that stop you. Even if you think you can’t initially tackle the moves that Sean shows you, I guarantee that by the end of class, he’ll have you convinced otherwise.

Sean explains each 8-count of his choreography thoroughly, telling you exactly what to do with your arms and then their legs for each beat of the music. He takes away the intimidation factor by telling everyone not to take the moves so “seriously,” because Hip-Hop is supposed to be about each dancer’s individual and unique style. He also encourages his dancers to work on improving one move at a time, taking the stress of “not being perfect” out of the equation all together.

After taking my first class, I felt comfortable going back a second time. It was a great way for me, to get started down the Hip-Hop path in a new studio. Sean’s knowledge of various techniques, mixed with his easily understood breakdowns of dance choreography, make Hip-Hop accessible to anyone.

Sean’s class runs every Monday night at 6:00pm. I hope you’ll try this class, or one of the many other classes offered at JNDS, and I hope that it proves to you that anyone at any level can enjoy the art of Hip-Hop dance!