Hip hop in Holland
A group of young people from the Imperious Dance Company depart for Leiden, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands on Saturday night.
These talented young dancers will be representing New Zealand at the Hip Hop Unite World Championships.
Dance teacher and owner of Imperious Dance Company Leeza Vincent is thrilled with her students’ success.
Having qualified earlier in the year at the Wellington Hip Hop United Competition, Leeza is pleased to be able to take two crews this year — a varsity crew (RUSTIC) and for the first time a junior crew (SPOKEN).
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the world stage,” she said.
“We need to show that New Zealand kids have got their own unique style.”
Last year the dancers were placed eighth at the Netherlands competition.
“We’re definitely looking to improve on our last placing,” Leeza said.
Each crew will perform and be judged on their dance before progressing to the next round.
Judges assess technique and complexity; music expression and interpretation; variety and creativity; formations and visual image and team performance and presentation.
Competition starts on Thursday next week and winds up on the Saturday.
This year the dancers have worked hard to fund their trip individually although Waipa Plumbing and Gas has sponsored the travelling uniform.
Leeza also thanks the local community for its continued encouragement and support.
She also wished X-HALE from Hamilton-based Street Dance Sessions well in the competition.
Some of the dancers are former students of Imperious Dance Company.
“Hip Hop is Uniting” is the catch phrase of Hip Hop United.
It refers to the coming together, sharing, respecting each other and learning from one another in order to grow and create better results.
■ You can follow Imperious Dance Company’s achievements on Facebook.