Written by Taylor Anderson

From Congo to D.C., the desire to dance is felt deep within. In WBL’s latest Groove Junkies Collective video, All Around The World, we see kids and their mentors poppin’ and lockin’ in all corners of the world. When asked why dance has become such a vital aspect of their daily lives, the responses were one and the same: To dance is to express themselves. 

Shanna Lim aka Shae, WBL’s resident dance and performance instructor as well as the video’s producer, developed her own personal style of dance and theatrical expression on the streets. 

“I started dancing in middle school but it was in high school where I got deep into the hip-hop, reggae and Latino dance scenes,” Lim said. “By the time I graduated, I was just getting into the house music scene. I practically grew up on the streets of dance.”

As an adult, Lim began to train professionally in modern dance. Her freestyle movement is inspired by her research into traditional Thai and Japanese culture and her own background as a  second-generation Asian-American. Her love for teaching youth is driven by the need to share her talents and knowledge with students who wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise. Most importantly, Shae says that being able to enhance a child’s creative drive and abilities through dance gives them the confidence to achieve other things in life. 

Her work on the latest video highlights the joy she gets out of sharing her passion with others.

“I loved coming together in one space and being able to film our hard work out in the streets,” said Lim. “You get to see each person shine and put action into their creativity.”

Putting kids at the forefront of their occupation is nothing new to co-founder of Dream House Uganda, Bogere Allan. 

Having grown up poor in the Namatala settlement of Mbale, Uganda, Allan has gone on to serve the same community he grew up in. Through Dream House Uganda, he is able to support the underprivileged people of Namatala with life skill workshops, youth engagement programs, community events, and even a neighborhood food store. 

His drive for dancing blossomed after seeing a music video by fellow Uganda artist, KS Alpha.

“I watched the video a few times and copied all of the moves until I felt that I got them right,” said Allan. “I requested to showcase the dance at my primary school’s graduation party and people really enjoyed it. I haven't stopped dancing since then.”

Not only has dancing kept him fit and healthy, but it also allows him to show all the kids in his community that dance can be used to cultivate a healthy way of living. 

For Peter Arizmendi aka BAM, Founder of the Fresh Academicz troupe, dance was the one thing keeping him in line. 

“Dance helped me escape the craziness of the hood and stay positive,” Arizmendi said.

“Having a hobby helped me cope with stress and life problems in a positive way.”

Born and raised in Manhattan’s Lower East Side by Puerto Rican parents, Arizmendi grabs his inspiration from New York’s disco and salsa scenes of his childhood. He also grew up watching and admiring the work of famous dancers such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Sammy Davis Jr. These childhood influences are what push him to pass on his own dance knowledge to younger generations.

“It’s important to teach dance to the youth because it shows them how to work hard and build good character. They should be willing to give it their all.”

Dance can also open up your world to plenty of new opportunities. Co-founder of Invisible Kids Academy of Congo, Bush Sebar, says that dance is what exposed him to all the gifts that life has to offer. And the meaning behind what makes the kids of his group “invisible” is even more inspirational. 

“To be invisible is to not be seen. Kids are out on the streets of Congo with no one to take care of them and the government doesn't bat an eye,” said Sebar “Our mission is to use dance in order to make them visible again.”

Sebar’s traditional style of Ndombolo dancing is heavily-rooted in Congolese culture. Although it involves different types of dance, the style is all about knowing how to move your waist and your legs at the same time. Sebar was able to develop his skills thanks to the free dance classes that were offered to him as a child. In order to share this privilege with the kids in his community, he opened up his own dance academy in 2021. Through teaching, he wants to be able to travel the world and have the opportunity to attend different festivals and events. 

“All my dreams can and have been accomplished through dance. I teach today because I know these kids will be teaching someone else tomorrow.” 

Daquan Williams aka D.Q., an instructor at The Lab D.C., is more than enough evidence that dance can propel you to other parts of the world. 

“Dancing helped me make friends and connections all over the world,” Williams said. “It allowed me an avenue to give back to the youth and my community.”

Inspired by the break-dancing he saw in movies like “You Got Served” and “Beat Street,” his own style takes moves from these classic films and blends them with current, trendy dances. 

For D.Q., dancing helped him overcome his own issues with social anxiety. Through his teaching, he hopes that he can help kids cut that same learning curve in order to become the best version of themselves possible.  

“When you hear music, your first instinct is to dance. It’s embedded in everyone.” said D.Q. “Learn as much as you can, always be yourself, and remember to have fun.

There’s nothing better than seeing people come from all parts of the world to create and share their collective passion to showcase that dancing is truly universal. To see the magic for yourself, watch the latest Groove Junkies video at ~link.~

Taylor Anderson is a writer currently pursuing a bachelor’s in media/communication studies with a minor in art history from Florida State University.