Audition Information
Introduction
The Urban Company as founded in September 2000. We just finished year 10! The company has performed at the American College Dance Festival (ACDF) and our ACDF 2005 entry mixing Hip Hop with Modern Dance was selected for the Gala and given the honor of closing the show. The company has a creative focus and often performs in hybrid pieces with dancers from the other company. The company won the Ontario Universities Competition for Hip Hop (OUCH) 2004. It also contributed several dancers to the Mac 2006-2009 OUCH winning teams (see You tube videos). In 2008-2009 the company received Judges Choreographic Awards at both Ontario University dance competitions, Terpsichore-Guelph (from 47 entries) and Rhythm-Brantford (from 121 entries). Past dancer Jordan Settaci had a dance role in the urban film 'Honey'. Markwell Ottolino-Perry was cast in 'Dawn of the Dead' and recently toured Europe as a dancer. Choreographer/teacher Mike Rhodes has danced for Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga. Other guest teachers/choreographers have included Jeff Reyes, Apolonia Velasquez, David Norsworthy, Michelle Daniel, Miss Prissy, Blaze, Lenny Len. The company will carry 12-14 dancers.
Current Dancers
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Kelsey AllenHometown: Chatham, Ontario Kelsey has been dancing for essentially her entire life. She moved around quite a bit in her childhood, and as a result, learned from a wide variety of instructors. At the age of 12, she began competing in jazz and lyrical at various competitions across Ontario. During her final year of high school, Kelsey won first place in two different competitions for her lyrical solos, and was the highest scoring soloist in the professional category at the Let’s Get Loud competition in Niagara Falls. Her passion for hip hop, however, is relatively new. She developed a love for the style when she began taking classes at Erin’s Dance Club in Blenheim in 2009. Kelsey has also had experience as the assistant coach and choreographer of the competitive team at Alexandria’s Dance Studio in Chatham. |
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Jeffrey Appiah-BediakoHometown: Toronto, Ontario Jeffrey has been dancing recreationally ever since he can remember; from dancing at family gatherings at the tender age of four to choreographing pieces for his elementary school spring concert. He has always enjoyed dance and has expressed keen interest in hip-hop, reggae, and African music, however enjoying any style of music that has a unique beat. In high school, he led his school dance team as head choreographer and made various pieces for school talent shows and events. He also went on to win the first ever catholic school dance competition with his team in his grade 12 year. Upon arriving at McMaster University, Jeffrey joined the McMaster Urban Dance Company as well as the OUCH team. Since his first year, Jeffrey has choreographed various sections as a part of both teams. He is currently the president of this year's OUCH executive committee, as well as the head choreographer for the OUCH dance team. Through the company Jeffrey has had the opportunity to learn from many choreographers through guest workshops and has been able to grow to new heights as a creative dancer. Moreover, he has also been able to link his passion for dance with the world of academia. By developing a thesis project through the department of kinesiology, Jeffrey was able to perform a study with creativity and dance as the central focus. Jeffrey hopes to further develop as a creative individual as he continues his journey through the world of dance. |
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Sam BongHometown: Hamilton, Ontario As a kid, Samuel has always been intrigued by the slick dance movements of the late Michael Jackson, and there was always a signature move that he dreamt of being able to do himself: the Moonwalk. Though forced into tap dancing at the tender age of ten, Samuel developed the passion for dance almost immediately. He could not stop tapping his feet during his classes and always jumped off his feet and started dancing once the music was switched on. After a couple of years in tap dancing and jazz, Samuel finally enrolled in Hip Hop. He fell in love with it almost immediately and is always looking out to not only learn, but also master new moves, his first being the wave. Today, it is a little over ten years since Samuel first started dancing. He has taught dance the past few years and is always eager to share his knowledge and passion for dance with others. He is currently one of the assistant directors of the Urban Dance Company. |
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Cicero BugashHometown- Hamilton, ON In high school, Cicero was inspired by his friends who went to hip hop dance competitions, did performances, in the middle of the street. Eventually, he decided to take drop-in classes during university. Though he was terrible, he fell in love with dance and was eager to improve. He never had any prior experience in dance, martial arts, or any related activities but believed in focus and dedication. His foundation comes countless hours of self-practice and studying choreographies. Cicero’s two favourite choreographers are Lyle Beniga and JP San Pedro and tries to draw influence from them. Even though he dances recreationally, he is equally passionate about it as any member in the company. You can always see him lost listening to his mp3, thinking of dance. His motivation, “Not a dancer, I just like dancing”. |
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Cheryl ChanHometown: Oakville, ON When I was a little girl, I used to walk around the house on my tippy-toes wearing my sister’s tutu – I thought that I was destined to become a prima ballerina. I spent nine years training in ballet at the Oakville School of Dance before I realized that jazz and hip-hop were more suitable styles for me. I continued to dance recreationally at the Oakville Academy for the Arts until the end of my senior high school year. It was then I truly realized my passion for dance. At McMaster, I embraced the opportunities available for dance such as the classes in DBAC and the Mac Dance Club. Over my undergraduate years, I have taken dance more seriously and have pushed myself to develop as a dancer. This past summer I attended various drop-in classes at Street Dance Academy in Downtown Toronto and I am currently teaching a Beginner Hip-Hop class at McMaster. I look forward to experiencing the world of competitive dancing and to continue to improve as a stronger and more versatile dancer! |
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Lisa Chan
Hometown: Markham, Ontario To be honest, growing up as a child I was not interested in dancing. I was very timid and reserved, so expressing myself through movement never crossed my mind. But once shows like SYTYCD, ABDC, and dancing with the stars became popular on TV, I started to grow an interest in dancing but never had the nerve to try it myself. It wasn’t until I reached my second year of university where I had the courage to take a class at Vybe Dance Studios in Markham. I continued to go to Vybe for a couple months over the summer, but once the school year started up I found myself back at McMaster searching for dance opportunities there. At McMaster I joined the Breakdancing Club and learned how to top rock and 6-step, but then later transitioned into popping and some tutting. I also joined the McMaster Dance Club and did my very first stage performance. I am continuing to search for more opportunities to dance, which is why I am so grateful to be a part of the company. I hope to learn a lot from my teammates and improve my skills as a dance |
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Jonathan D'MelloHometown: Mississauga, Ontario Jonathan grew up in a single parent household to soon realize his love for dance was his sole outlet for expression. The igniting of his passion for dance began with a simple Michael Jackson VHS of all his music videos and from then on Jonathan slowly carried himself to high school where he finally expressed this passion in front of others on his high school hip hop team. From being a timid and nervous young boy he grew to lead the high school team as head choreographer and created his own crew named New Skool, and would soon continue reaching new heights by gaining acceptance into McMaster University. While in his first year, even though overwhelmed with fear, he became a member of the extremely competitive OUCH Team and later joined the Urban Dance Company and the fear alongside his passion further pushed him to grow as a dancer and performer. He currently is among the team of leading choreographers for both the OUCH Team and Urban Dance Company with New Skool competing at National (while aiming for International) levels. His attitude is reflected in his work ethic; he believes one must be proud of who and where they are but one must humble themselves to continue on the path of achievement. With this carrying him and the support of his small but loving family Jonathan is driven to become the best dancer and choreographer he can be and to be able to share it with the world as an example of how determination maintained by passion breeds excitement in its humblest yet greatest form. Jonathan's dance is his craft and he will not stop until he can sculpt his craft into something of immense greatness. |
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Danny NguyenHometown: Woodbridge, Ontario To be quite honest, dance wasn't really something Danny would ever imagine doing... Until the first season of the So You Think You Can Dance premiered in the US, something sparked an interest inside of him. He'd follow the first 3 seasons throughout and a thought that always lingered in the back of his head was "I wish I can dance like that." As the 4th season was about to start, and along with his final year in high school, he'd finally decided that he should pursue this lingering passion and took a few drop-in hip-hop classes in Toronto. He is a product of drop-in classes and occasional self-taught material and is entering the 3rd year since he started to boogie down. He hopes to further grow and learn from like-minded individuals in the company. |
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Shyla VigHometown: Mississauga, Ontario Shyla has had a passion for the fine arts since the tender age of 5, when her father played jazz classics on a record player. She grew up surrounded by music through her father’s influence and started dance at 4 and vocal at 10. Since then she’s been immersed in art and brought it to her education. She attended Queen Elizabeth, a fine arts middle school where she was able to develop her artistic nature alongside her academics. Her high school education was completed at the prestigious Etobicoke School of the Arts in music theatre. The study of theatre allowed her to build upon her dance and vocal foundation and develop into a strong performer. For the last 2 years Shyla has discovered her real passion for dance in Hip Hop, beginning her journey at the Byfield Dance Experience studio in Toronto. She has learnt all the styles from house to contemporary to krumping and has developed a real love for krump because of the aggressive passion it’s composed of. Shyla is thrilled to be dancing with the talents of the Urban Company at McMaster in anticipation of learning from the dancers around her and maturing as an artist to further fuel her fire for dance. |
