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Hip Hop approach to managing young lifestyles

EYE staff - October 2006

Photos: Faceless Productions (Burbage, Leics)

Amy Dalton.

There is much talk these days about young kids on the street. On the street, that is, without much inclination about what to do there. The talk is often in connection with calls for more youth facilities and the dire consequences of leaving young people to their own devices.

Recreational opportunities and facilities for young people could not be described as 'non-existent' in Enderby. There are the usual Scout, Guide and church affiliated organisations, as well as sports and gym facilities. The latter, it has to be said, carry slightly more 'street cred' among the younger generation in the 21st century.

A common denominator amongst recreational organisations running youth-oriented activities is the promotion of self-esteem, well-being and a stated or implied measure of teamwork and citizenship. However, not all the options carry the aforementioned 'street cred'.

Furthermore, in order to take advantage of some commercial entertainment facilities, young people are very often required to make a bus or taxi journey.

It was therefore interesting to note the introduction of an activity that encompasses the elements of physical fitness and teamwork, as well as individual improvement ...and importantly, appeals to those for whom 'street credibility' is an important issue. And it's right on the doorstep! 'Hip Hop' arrives in Enderby.

The music and dance...

The music genre itself is a style of popular music which came into existence around the mid 1970's. It became a large part of modern day pop culture in the late 1980s' and consists of two main components: rapping (MCing) and DJing (audio mixing and scratching).

Along with hip hop dance (notably breakdancing) and urban inspired art, (notably graffiti), these four elements comprise 'Hip Hop', a cultural movement initiated by inner-city youth, mostly African Americans in New York City. Currently, rap music is arguably the most popular form of music in the United States and enjoys an increasing approval rating amongst young people here in the U.K. Many contemporary pop stars incorporate the hip-hop 'beats' and 'rapping' within their songs.

The introduction at Enderby Civic Centre of two Tuesday class sessions for anyone wishing to master hip hop dancing is a good opportunity for youngsters, male and female, to participate and get maximum enjoyment from hip hop.

Hip Hop in Enderby

The two class sessions at Enderby (see: What's On page) take place on a Tuesday, at 7pm and 8pm. The sessions are led by Amy Dalton, who began her dance training at the age of 8 years at a local Leicestershire Performing Arts school, learning tap and jazz dance. As she continued her training through to her teenage years, she took examinations with RAD, ISTD and BTDA in ballet, tap, modern and lyrical.

Amy... passionate about dance

It wasn't until Amy (picture: left) took her GCSE qualification in Dance that she realised it was to be her life's passion. Under the direction of RAD dance teacher, Carla Walton, Amy gained an A grade at GCSE level, and, felt inspired to take A Level Dance. Her dance interest now established she explored other performance avenues which led her to take BTEC Performing Arts too.

As her performance credits started to grow, Amy performed in many annual dance shows, galas and festivals before breaking out into the performing arts genre. In 2001, she became a professional backing dancer for Indian hit Bollywood film "What shall I name this Love?" shot on location at Leicester University. At an amateur level and before she finished sixth form, Amy had performed in a children's play, co-ordinated a theatre in education project at Lutterworth High School, planned, managed and performed in a cabaret show and choreographed the pantomime Cinderella (2002). Her musical theatre credits from this time include assistant choreography for 'Little Shop of Horrors' (2002) and choreography for 'Sweet Charity' (2003).

Amy went on to gain a distinction profile for her BTEC and grade B for her A level. She went on to perform successfully with Leicestershire Arts in Education contemporary dance programme (under Judy Sealey) at De Montfort Hall and Leicester Haymarket Theatre (2003). After this, she secured a place at a leading institution for Dance studies, the University of Surrey in Guildford. During her time in Guildford, Amy performed with MaDSoc in 'A Slice of Saturday Night' (2004), and played the role of Judy in 'A Chorus Line' (2005), both performed at the popular Electric Theatre. Her studies became focused on technique and theory, and she took many inspirational ideas from her ballet tutor, Jennifer Jackson, formerly of The Royal Ballet. Amy was thrilled to be taught by such professionals and also took many classes at Pineapple Dance Studios in Covent Garden. Alongside her studies, she became choreographer, teacher and dancer for Surrey Dance Squad- an amateur professional dance troupe performing regularly in the Students union, at NUS conferences and galas or events.

She gained her IDTA Teaching Associate in Freestyle dance whilst at Surrey and went on to teach regularly on campus (in the styles of hip hop, jazz, ballet and contemporary). She also taught at two local dance schools in the styles of disco, jazz, freestyle and limbering.
 

Finishing her BA (hons) degree with a 2:1 classification, Amy gained invaluable experience in choreography, teaching, dance notation, dance culture and dance performance. Majoring in ballet and contemporary, she says she feels proud to bring her knowledge, skills and passion back to help enthuse the current young people in Enderby to enjoy the hip hop genre.

The music has from time to time been associated with some less desirable social impact. The sometimes egotistic attitudes often portrayed in the lyrics and videos of certain hip hop artists have repeatedly shown negative effects on some of their idolising fans.

Fortunately the mainstream devotees of the genre are able to distinguish between the genuine culture and those who try and cash-in on the culture to mask their anti-social attitudes.

Given the right understanding of the music and dance, hip hop can be a force for good and a useful avenue for engendering acceptable behaviour - and all within the context of enjoying dance.

Amy Dalton is currently a supply teacher at Longslade Community College, Birstall, Leicestershire, teaching GCSE dance, performing arts and PE as well as
A level performing arts.

See also: Eye What's On page

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