The Challenge of Training

Los Angeles is ripe with opportunities for dancers to train in street styles of hip hop. It's no secret that you can pursue open sessions, private lessons, and classes whether they're at Homeland, Open House, Debbie Reynolds, J.u.i.c.e, Cal State Long Beach, or at other venues. And since there are regular contests being held throughout the year, that's motivation to train and to get better for the next time you battle or step into a cypher. But where does a student who's serious about training begin when they enter the LA scene?

Like many other artistic pursuits, there's no one proven path to becoming a highly skilled hip hop dancer. There may be similarities between people's paths, but we all came into the culture via different means. Perseverance, commitment, and determination are all part of the experience. Patience is a virtue. And humility above all else - the willingness to see others as better than yourself - combined with a desire to improve can make for a healthy frame of mind when training.

Perhaps one thing that can be recommended is for a student to find a mentor. Having someone to guide you along the way is instrumental because that mentor becomes your coach. A mentor brings a second opinion to your journey as you develop as a dancer. A new student can draw on a mentor's wealth of knowledge, personal history, and approach to the dance. We need someone with whom we can bounce ideas off of as we search through the creative wilderness.

So for a new dancer who comes into the LA scene, take heart that you're not alone. There are people out there who are available to help. It just takes a little initiative to get out there. Stay hungry and don't be shy.