New 5678 freestyle video.

Gabe Padilla rocking the new 5678 shirt and freestyling.

As a few of my students have remarked in their exams for English class, “dancing is the best medicine in life.”  Each time, I have read this answer, or some form of it, I simply smile, reflect, and remind myself of how I came to develop such a passion for art movement.  It all begins with one word: KODACHROME.

It is quite rare and unique to be able to feel confident in knowing one of our passions.  As a part of the millennial generation, we all strive to find purpose, passion, mainly, ourselves in a world full of possibilities, opportunities, and paths.  In the fall of 2009, I recently moved to the DMV area to start a new chapter in my life working for the federal government, networking my way into foreign affairs, and acclimating to a world far removed from the amenities of higher education.  Proving to be an overwhelming challenge, I found myself in a rut, unable to make sense of why I felt like I just went through the motions and routine rigors, why life felt so tasteless and unexciting.  Like boiled tofu.

Yet something came so unexpectedly that, in a sense, saved me from myself, and has continued to influence my daily life.  After my brother and closest friend David Curameng dragged me to an Oven workshop, he informed me of an organization and group of people that he found was on the start-up and provided something unique in the form of a dance community and training. He invited me to my first KODACHROME and subsequently, first Coalescence.

To say, the least, it was inspiring, moving, and began my journey to include dance in the top priorities in life.  As the organization grew and I attended more workshops, I realized this group of people, this family, offered an experience that could not be replicated, duplicated, nor bitten.

My loyalty and involvement only increased upon a chance conversation with eventual teammate, David Curameng, as we discussed a possible expansion into our home turf of North Carolina. What started as a Skype meeting, informational session, interviews, and rigorous social media and personal connecting, evolved into year two of KCNC’s solidified role in building and maintaining not only the NC dance scene, but also the east coast (MTD, FFB, cUth, etc.). I could never have imagined my obsessive fan-boy tendencies of my TRL NSYNC days would lead me to helping expose an organization I care so deeply and has influenced the way I take dance classes, perform, and train.

Though I am physically removed from my larger dance family, I continue to advocate, represent, and show my unwavering support for KODACHROME whilst in my travels. From continuous washes of vintage apparel from 6x/week dance classes to maintaining an active role in KC social media, I believe this talented, unique group of individuals create an experience that goes beyond dance. It is untarnished positivity, through and through.

Whilst I’m separated by almost 6000 miles and an ocean from a group that means more than words, I have been fortunate to uncover dance throughout my adventures. During my stint in a 2000-person pueblo in Argentina where there were but 2 paved roads, I discovered and was allowed unlimited access to a dance studio where my homestay sisters took traditional dance. Furthermore, I was able to incorporate dance in lessons, conveying that gestures/movements can sometimes say more than words.

Jumping the pond to Japan, I have also been able to act as an emissary for my KC education to connect to both students and the community. The team rehearsals, in sometimes frigid weather and dimly lit from vending machine lights, reminds me that our passion for dance can be found anywhere and everywhere.

A studio and quality speakers are toppings on the cake; as I’ve witnessed from the friends I’ve made through dance internationally, all we need are a willingness to learn, to do our best, and enjoy the fact we’re able to dance when we want, how we want.  Fortunately, dance has allowed me to connect on levels that mere words could not.

I believe that each of us has something special to offer, a talent, an art, a way of thinking that makes us both an individual and part of something worthwhile. KODACHROME allows me and the people involved with it to just be.  No judgements. All support.  Quite apropos, a Japanese proverb states,

​“We’re all fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.”

I’m glad to be in foolish family. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thanks again to everyone who made it our to KCNC's Season II Workshop VI at UNC-Greensboro! The blend of an African class with live percussion, essential popping foundations and hip hop history, and a lesson in timing and musicality made this workshop one to remember. But, the opportunities for growth don't stop there!

​Our second to last workshop of Season IV will be hosted by Virginia Tech, home of Bamboom Dance Crew and Dancing's Our Poison. Bamboom's own Allie Frazier and Johnathan Byrant of the Bloc Agency in Atlanta, GA will be sharing their knowledge and passion with us. 

I am always nervous when it comes to meeting new people and traveling to a new place. I never imagined that I would be going to Utah to teach a workshop, but I have been blessed to be given this opportunity. Special thanks to Eirol Bernardino for inviting me. It was a rush to put stuff together, but it all came together in the end. This was definitely an experience that I will never forget, with friendships that will last a lifetime.

​

It was an honor representing the KODACHROME community (VA/NC) alongside some of my good friends Michael Cherry, Amy Connerley, Amy Gatewood, Cindy Lam, and Sam Kim. With the exception of Amy Connerley, who was my awesome collaborative partner and just recently moved to NYC, I have met everyone before through various dance functions. It was awesome seeing all of these great dancers and great people on this trip, working together. They definitely made me feel less nervous. It felt like home. Being alongside this dance family brought the trip a little closer to home.

When it comes to traveling, the teaching was always secondary to me; primary is building those relationships with fellow dancers. I was surprised that Utah had a big dance scene in the first place, but I was happily surprised that the dance scene was super dope! There is major talent out there in The Beehive State. To the two dance organizations I met down there: Mosaic and Urban Dance Organization (UDO), I must say God has huge plans for you guys. I cannot wait to see you guys again and I am glad to hear that the dance community is not separated as I have seen/heard in different areas. That is something rare and you guys already have that, something KODACHROME and More Than Dance strive for in their respective communities. We share the same values, which made it easy to assimilate.

I was learning from day one. Not only about their dance scene, not just about their dance organizations, not just about their dance history, but also about belief. One of my favorite moments was when Rebecca Burroughs, one of our amazing hosts, showed us around their Mormon Temple. As a Christian, I always find it really interesting learning about other faiths. Even attending a Sunday service, hearing testimonies from others was really encouraging and a huge blessing. The trip was an overall great learning experience. It was fun driving around with snow everywhere, getting some pho, driving up to the lookout at night, and trying our hardest finding letters on the side of the mountains.

I have to admit something: this is probably the most inspirational workshop I have ever been to. The most inspirational part was not even during the workshop itself. Don’t get me wrong, each class was great and brought a different feel. On Friday night I was able to teach a piece to Ashley Kimsey’s company, Mosaic. It was amazing seeing her again since she moved from D.C. and is also a Culture Shock DC alumnus. I want to personally thank you for allowing me to share with you all! The company picked up the choreography quick and it was humbling seeing dancers I have never met learn something that I made. Then, it was off to the workshops.

The first class between some of the nicest and finest gentlemen I know, Sam Kim and Michael Cherry, taught a really fun piece to Blackstreet’s “No Diggity”. It was cool seeing their individual styles fused into something that was both challenging and rewarding. Their floor combo always got me going! That night was concluded with Jerrica Quinton bringing sexy back with Usher’s “Nice and Slow”. Hip thrusts galore! The next day on Saturday, there were four more amazing classes. First, was a collaborative piece between Amy Connerley and me. For one, we never actually met so it was really interesting seeing how we were going to bring some chemistry into the mix. We decided on taking a little bit of my hip-hop style with a little bit of her contemporary background into an old school piece with “Candy Rain” by Soul For Real. It was an honor collaborating with her and watch out for her as she does amazing things in New York City! The second class brought up the energy with this amazing dancer, Micah Clark. He brought back one of my favorite old school jams of all time with “Whoop There It Is” by Tag Team. He is a great dancer and a great person, please look him up and take class from him if you ever can.

ABDC’s Riquel Olander of We Are Heroes kicked our butts with some popping fundamentals then gave us a really different feel with choreography to Jason Derulo’s “It Girl”. Then we finished off with two of the most swaggerific girls that I have ever met, Cindy Lam and Amy Gatewood. Not kidding, Amy’s nickname is “Swagwood,” but I call her “Lava Girl” (shoutout to my twin Andrew Ton!). They did something I never expected, and brought up the musicality with a sensual piece to SoMo’s “Ride”. Seriously, that song, along with "Suit and Tie," were the two songs stuck in my head for the longest time.

The classes were great, but as I mentioned, the most inspirational part of the weekend was what occurred after: the Soul Session. We had freestyles from some of the best dancers I have ever seen. Honestly, I was brought to tears multiple times; the energy of the room was something I have never felt before. After about an hour of individual freestyles/duo freestyles, we did this activity where we interacted together to a song. No talking, just sharing and feeling each other's energy, using only our bodies to communicate what we felt inside. It was amazing seeing even non-dancers get up from their seats to participate. It was truly a heartwarming moment and anyone involved that night share a very special bond. That is what dance is about, sharing the love and communicating without words, dance is something that just comes from the soul and you just need to let it out (shoutout to a great guy and amazing friend Jeffery Louizia!). In conclusion I would like to leave you all with a quote that I found that I believe sums up the trip. With all the emotion and energy and love and fellowship that was shared that weekend, I think this quote says it best:

by Chris Munar, @chrismunar

photos by Chris, Amy, Cindy, Rebecca, Sam, Mikey