Movement Lifestyle artists:
Shaun Evaristo x Amanda Suk x Agnes Loyola x Vinh Nguyen x Jason Rillera x Pat Cruz x Jaffar Smith x Nick Demoura x Jerome Anthony x Kyle Hanagami x Paul Ross
Experience: Workshops / Random Encounters / Movement Lifestyle Studio - North Hollywood
Description:
Interesting idea this mL experience blog. So here i am doing my first and/or last ever blog. This blog concerns my experience at Movement Lifestyle Studio. I didn’t have the intention of writting this, but keeping this to myself would have been a waste…so I’ll try and make it the best i can hoping this helps reach others to come ( I’m not good with blogging ). So prepare yourself.
Ever since i missed out taking Shaun’s class in montreal in 2008 i’ve been following/supporting Shaun/Gen2/TheCo ; a style i was searching on my movements for the longest time; that had the ability to draw me in and which i think my dance crew and me, as a solo artist, needed. I had on my mind the will to come and take classes with these dancers to build my craft one of these days, or at least take one of Shaun’s class. Years passed, in the end, a trip to California was necessary, i needed more to choregraph & inspire myself. The mL Studio opened up, and it couldn’t have been at a better time. Screw group travel… I decided to go by myself to Cali and experience workshops with the artists that inspire so many. Time goes by so fast…you want something? Go get it! And This - was- the- best- Week
I land in cali, first thing i do is drive straight up to the mL studio to take Shaun’s Class. I arrived late but i met the lovely Amanda Suk who kindly brought me to watch Shaun’s class on the friendly couch. And no waste! I’ve learned from watching his class, on how he teaches, how to perceive movements with the lyrics and i got to watch an awesome choreo. And so i met Shaun Evaristo, say whaa? so quick! Awesome guy!
I left, it was my first step into my hotel… lucky me, i could take back the same class at Millennium on monday.
Shaun Evaristo’s workshop was exactly as I expected; AMAZING AND PACKED! class went well, choreo was dope, the learning process was awesome. It’s the feeling of the beat that goes on in his class + of course, his style. That’s what you got to inhale. I do hope he post the video for this routine. ( Even at hotel i kept on doing the routine! )
After the class was finished, I’ve bumped onto one of my montreal homegirl there, and Shaun introduced us to Mikefal* and as we went back to mL, we all had a sit-n-chat outside. We got to watch Gigi Torres’ class that had already begun. BOUM! Fiya! And just when i thought it would calm down, no! Paul Ross came in with a solid combo and sweat out the entire class! I would say it was a difficult class! I’ve met Kyle Hanagami and of course i had to give him a word on his work. ( here’s a shot from a video ).
The next day, I went down to SD ( 2hour drive without traffic ) to take Vinh Nguyen class, but unfortunately i missed it. It was his last one there too! I can’t lie, i was pissed lol! But i got to watch his piece ( Song: Never window shopping - Lloyd ), and i could understand how a packed class of students had it perfectly after almost 2 hours of practice! Aah i could’ve rocked to it!
Dancing is way more invigoring than watching. But i still love to watch when i have the opportunity, since it gives me a visual aspect of the choreo. I can’t say i missed it all. Seeing it in a positive way, i had the chance to give my support to this dope choreographer.
Next step was taking Nick Demoura’s class, so much people. Whoever was with me that day remember the ***clap clap clap clap…. jump SHOOULLLDEERRRS*** Haha! The explanations of the movements were very well taught & the class was Joyful! that’s the word that comes to mind and i’m sure a lot will agree. On this same day, I’ve met Jerome Anthony, Ellen Kim, Brandon Dumlao & Amanda Grind, shoutout to them!
Amanda Suk! Amanda this is your spot. Emotion, Lyrics & Letting yourself go; that was her class!! I noticed she’s going to Sydney Australia soon? Y’all have to come through!! I don’t know, there’s something about her style that makes the dance just flow within & outside. We had to come out feeling angry at the end of the class. I’d say more, but y’all have to discover it for yourself. I thank you for your class Amanda, the passion’s in you!
Didn’t i say it was the best week?
I really didn’t expect meeting this amount of mL artists there in just one week, ‘cause i knew there was HipDrop & Urban Dance Camp going on, so Keone & Mariel weren’t there, etc. but guess what? Roulette** - Pat Cruz. Not only him, but we got announced miss Aggie was teaching a class too . I came in a week where some of theCo members all went down to L.A., plus Aggie was there what a coincidence ( she knows what i mean ).
One of the choreos i really liked was Jason Rirella’s, the movements were slick and finished!
Agnes Loyola ‘s class was about precision, how to notice our body’s movement and being familiar with it. She’s an amazing dancer, has to teach more at mL, whenever she teaches at WSPA… take it ! Who couldn’t notice her being so on point & precise on Gen2 & the Company’s performances.
Jaffar Smith, you missed his class? Big mistake. We laughed, had fun, the groove & choreo was on point. If you want me to describe his class; FUN! What i liked the most was his way of teaching. I find it really interesting how it was fun to learn from him. Since after his class, there was only smiles through our faces.
My last mL workshop, Pat Cruz. The studio was packed again! i thought we were going to be taught an R&B piece, but here we are sweating, ”beasting” & ”doing it like beyonce” on a hot hip hop routine. His choreo class is way more technical and i came out of the class ”dead”… that was expected from him. ( this is a shot from my mp4 video ).
I did take classes at Millennium Dance Complex and Debbie Reynolds Studio as well, and from my trip there, i have to say Movement Lifestyle Studio is by far what i want from a studio. It’s exactly like what i have expected, very warm & friendly. It is for the community of this area, it has the value of it’s name. And meeting people there is a pleasure, dance partners…homies…your single and you dance? who knows you can also find a dance partner soulmate girlfriend/boyfriend there lol, i kid.
Why am i so positive? I praise modesty and inspiration in an artist. That’s what was given from all of them. It exceeded my expectations. From young to oldest generations, inspire and be inspired. I thank Amanda for her kind welcoming & words. And if it wasn’t for all this, i wouldn’t be coming back this upcoming months or even taking time to write this blog. I felt i had to, at least, post my experience. Hope this inspire people to come. My work will have more impact now, than ever. I can stop restraining myself from my potential, cause i got a package and the motivation i was searching for. @DimeFx -Fearless Xpression.
If you’ve been able to read this book through, well thank you, you’re courageous… lol… i can’t believe i wrote all this.
And we definitely have to thank Shaun Evaristo for making this possible.
I’m asking myself a question though…….did i even took time to even visit L.A ….. ?
