‘Dance Crews’ performers teach, inspire APA students through success

The crowd waits with bated breath. The gymnasium-like floor gleams under the bright spotlights. On it, three remaining groups stand, hoping to continue their journey on America’s Best Dance Crew.

Mario Lopez’s ringing voice carries the verdict: “But sadly, it’s time for you to take a final walk off our stage and have your banner fall.” He’s referring to the only all-Asian crew, Fr3sh, the first to be voted off the fourth season’s show.

The popular MTV series frequently displays crews of color, including the Asian Pacific American community. Season one winners were the Jabbawockeez, a mostly Asian crew, who narrowly beat the all-Asian crew, Kaba Modern. Season two saw So Real Cru make it to second place, and season three continued the trend of prominent Asian dancers when Quest Crew won the coveted title. In all, there have been nine predominately Asian crews.

“I think it’s great,” said Priscilla Tiglao about the rising trend of Asian dancers gaining celebrity. “I feel like Asians are always seen as smart at math … But this is a new spin. It gives a new perspective,” she said.

Tiglao, a junior biochemistry major, is the modern dance coordinator for the Filipino Cultural Association. She performed jazz for a year before moving to her high school’s hip-hop team.

“I’ve always been interested in dancing,” she said. “But it wasn’t until college, and the FCA, when I got really involved.” Now director of between 15–20 modern dance students, Tiglao said she has seen the number of APA dancers increase over the past few semesters.

Although there is only one official FCA group, many members are involved with other groups of their own, most notably, Culture Shock. A non-profit hip-hop group that began in San Diego, Calif., Culture Shock is now a worldwide program going into its 16th year.

“I think it’s good to get [APAs] out in the media — it’s a good way to recognize their talent,” said junior biology major Jamie Lee. “And I don’t think they have enough face time on television.”

Former America’s Best Dance Crew contestant and Boogie Bots member Miguel Almario received his start by dancing for Culture Shock’s Washington, D.C., chapter, where he met his current teammates.

“It’s a popular [one],” said Tiglao of Culture Shock. “And a lot have more than one group they dance in.”

The number of crews with FCA members also has to do with the large number of dancers in the region. Many span across more than one campus. College Park students often perform alongside University of Maryland, Baltimore County, students at local events.

Other APA students choose to dance independently, on their own, as a personal hobby.

“I’ve been dancing since I was five,” said Elizabeth Cheung, a freshman undecided about her major. “I did ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and traditional Chinese dance.” Cheung continued to dance up through high school, where she joined the cheerleading squad. “My parents were also very supportive of every type of dance.”

Tiglao also has fond memories of her dance experiences. “My most powerful experience came when I first started co-directing … There was so much closeness. It was such a good time to be up onstage with everyone.”