Saipan dance group competes in Las Vegas

Saipan Music and Dance Studio dancers in action during a recent performance at the Saipan World Resort. (Contributed Photo)

Saipan Music and Dance Studio dancers are competing in the 2016 Hip Hop International competitions in Last Vegas, Nevada that started yesterday and will last until Aug. 13, 2016.

According to Kevin John Razon, head choreographer/director of the dance troupe, “The Hip Hop International Dance Competition is a seven-day, three-round competition that leads up to the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in four different group categories—junior (7-12 years old), varsity (13-17 years old), adults (18 and above), and MegaCrew division which could make up to 15-40 members.”

Razon says that the SMADS dancers belong to the varsity division and would have a preliminary competition on Aug. 9-10, 2016. If the dance troupe wins, they advance to the semifinals on Aug. 11, 2016 and then to the World Hip Hop Dance championship finals on Aug. 13, 2016.

The dancers are: Carl Marquez, 17; John Cavinta, 16; Lance Elayda, 16; Catherine Castro, 16; Carl Lambat, 15; Jenalyn Tinio, 15; Mary Sablan, 15; and Donna Galvez, 15. The dancers are accompanied by Angelica Chong-Valencia, assistant head choreographer/team leader; Prajan Panthi-Sunar, choreographer; and Ester Sablan, SMADS owner.

Razon explains that they have been raising money for about a year and a half for this competition.

“We started training about four months ago when we were informed that we had been accepted. Thousands of crews in numerous countries all auditioned but only a selected few were invited to compete. Surprisingly, we were selected this year and we are very proud to even be presented this type of opportunity.”

What the SMADS dancers accomplished was not an easy feat. Razon said, “Hip Hop international is like the Olympics of dance. I strongly believe that our team has something new and unique to bring on stage. Where we come from, we don’t have big cities and an urban hip-hop environment. We’re more relaxed with an island vibe, so that’s what our team wanted to show in our dance piece. Along with illusions and showcasing various styles of hip hop with power, intensity acrobatics and a taste of our personalities. We just want to leave a lasting impression to the judges and audience in attendance, especially coming from a small island in the middle of the Pacific.”

Asked how the dance troupe would fare against other groups, Razon said, “Win or lose, we’re happy to be out there surrounded by those who all speak the language of dance. We are all very passionate; it’s more than just dance, it’s our lifestyle and to be around everyone else who also shares the same love is rewarding enough.”