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Category Archives: Joel Tan’s Interviews
Breakdance School
Once banned in schools during the 80s, breakdancing is back – this time as an extreme sport where only the fitness will prevail.
At Urban Groove, you can learn how to breakdance and get a certificate for it. Joel Tan, the principal, set up the hip-hop academy last September and now has 250 students at branches in Bandar Sunway and Seremban.
The 26-year-old biochemistry graduate claims to be the first hip-hop teacher in Malaysia to be certified by the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing and Kindred Arts (UKA).
Joel has been breakdancing since he was a teenager, and he has the physique to show for it. What else can u expect from a guy who does handstands and one-hand balancing tricks fro a living?
“I only started teaching breakdance two years ago. Before that, I taught friends informally. My career path was not that clear then,” laughs the former model.
Nevertheless, Joel, who got this accreditation from the UKA last September, regards himself as a strict teacher. He insists that his students go through the proper training before attempting moves like the Headspin.
Joel, who is the Extreme Fitness Champion of 2002, also advocates clean living and physical fitness.
“We consider ourselves professional athletes. I may be a dancer but I do not believe in going to clubs because that’s a waste of time and money. We want to be a positive example. We want to impress on people that breakdancing is a healthy activity.
“In breakdance, the poses and spins require fitness and strength,” says Joel, who insists his students do weight training to improve their upper body strength. There is a mini gym in his studio for that purpose.
Joel reveals that he had to come up with a proper syllabus to cover every aspect of the hip-hop dance style.
“People feel that hip-hop cannot be structured. But I saw the need for a system of teaching,” explains Joel.
In his classes, he demonstrates dance routines and different technical styles.
“Students have to go through three levels – bronze, silver and gold. They have to sit for examinations before advancing to the next level.”
Beginners have to concentrate on basic body movement, rhythm and foot moves before advancing to the highly technical styles. Though the beginner will find his first session at the Urban Groove studio a sweaty and exhausting affair, there is no mistaking the high energy level here.
With graffiti-covered walls and hip-hop music blasting from the speakers, the dance floor is filled with action as students show off moves like the Turtle, Six Step and The Freeze.
“We have about 250 students and the place is full every night. Classes start from RM70 for four lessons and we encourage students to come in everyday to perfect their moves,” says Joel.
Student Raymond, 20, who is now chief instructor at the academy’s Seremban branch, recalls the time when he could not even do a simple handstand.
“When I first started two years ago, it was very hard, Joel would push me to perfect the moves until I got them right. I stuck to it because I loved the challenge. Going to the studio was also a good way to meet other people who shared the same interest,” says Raymond.
Raymond feels he has become physically tougher after taking up breakdancing and trains up to five hours a day to maintain his form.
It has also made him more conscious of his food intake. He takes carbohydrates before a dance session and limits himself to only fruit juice afterwards. He also cautions first-timers who think they can learn by just watching videos.
“It’s dangerous because there is no qualified instructor to watch over you. You can get injured this way,” says Raymond.
Tan, 23, another student, who has also become chief instructor for the Bandar Sunway branch says that in breakdancing, there is no gain without pain.
“I not had any broken bones but I have sprained my foot and my hand. It’s not easy especially when you are advancing from one level to the next,” he says.
It is no surprise that there are more boys than girls at the breakdance school.
“There ARE gilrs but the ratio of male students is higher. The boys take up the dance for many reasons. Some want to show off their new moves when they go clubbing and some just want to impress their girlfriends.”
Breakdance, which originated in New York in the 70s, is not a new fad. It was the rage in Malaysia in the late 80s when hip-hop movies like Beat Street and Wild Style came to the local cinemas.
Teenagers embraced this new and exciting dance the same way their parents took to the a-go-go and cha-cha. However, the extreme physical requirements did not find favour with the elders. Breakdancing was banned in school and the whole movement had to go “underground”. The popularity of the dance resurfaced five years ago, helped by MTV and hip-hop artistes like Usher, Missy Elliot and Too Phat.
Hip-hop is a cultural movement that began among urban African-American youth in New York. It includes graffiti art, deejaying, MC-ing(short for ‘moving the crowd’, a job for the master of ceremonies) and breakdancing.
“Contrary to what people think, the term ‘breakdancing’ does not have anything to do with breaking bones. It refers to the beats of hip-hop music which is known as ‘break beat’.
“To be a good breakdancer, you not only have to be able to do the movements but move to the rhythm of the music as well.”
Well, moving to the rhythm was what drove Joel to set up Urban Groove.
“I love the elements of hip-hop. And breakdancing is certainly a more exciting way to keep fit than just pumping iron. I view it as an art. I feel a sense of responsibility to expand the dance and instill the positive values associated with it,” Joel says.
He admits that his career path was a cause of some concern to his parents.
“They were worried because they felt that breakdance was dangerous. They didn’t say ‘no’ but they reminded me that a career in dance or sport was not something I could continue doing once I was old.”
“They also doubted whether I could earn money from this. But they also had confidence that I could do it if I set my mind to it.”
Today, Joel has six breakdance instructors and also provides hip-hop instructors to 10 dance schools in Kuala Lumpur.
Those who wants to persue hip-hop dance seriously can sit for exams and obtain accreditation from the UKA. In addition, Joel also organizes breakdance competitions and graffiti contest every six months.
“When an aerobic dance school asked us to teach in Seremban, we didn’t expect that the response would be so good. So I decided to set up a branch there,” says Joel.
“I don’t see myself as the next Clark Hatch of breakdance! It’s not about doing business. I’ve had a lot of offers to open branches. But I need to find people with the right attitude who will preserve the art, I believe that if we have integrity, business will grow.”
Joel also stresses that as a breakdance instructor, one must want the student to learn. He wants every instructor to have that attitude.
“That’s why I am very particular about who I choose (to be an instructor).”
As to whether Urban Groove will be in for the long run, only time will tell, says Joel
The best advice he received came from his church pastor:” Whatever you do, make sure you do it with integrity and for the right purpose – regardless of what other people think.” That’s certainly what he has done.
Terms
Six-step: crouch and swing one leg around in a circle. Only one hand touches the ground at any time. As his leg swings, the breakdancer switches hands while keeping his body from touching the ground.
Freeze: the breakdancer stops and freezes his body(for a few seconds) in an awkward position – doing a handstand with his legs crossed in front, for example.
Turtle: the breakdancer lies down facing the floor with only his palms touching the ground. He then moves around in a circle using only his hands, shifting the weight of his body from one arm to the other as the turns.
Call 012-3896588 to find out how you can
learn the moves, or pop into Urban Groove
Dance Network, 45-3, Jalan PJS11/28B, Bandar
Sunway, Petaling Jaya. It is open from 3pm-midnight.
新生活报 22.12.2004
虽然年纪轻轻，“舞功” 却一流，不但获得国际认同成为亚洲第一，
而今更拥有超过400名学生，率领他们一步步建立大马嘻哈王国。
亚洲嘻哈舞王
领400人创帝国
陈国梁(Joel Tan) 今年只有二十五岁，但若封他为大马嘻哈(Hip Hop，或称为街舞文化) 之父，却是不容置疑的。因为嘻哈与他，就犹如生命与灵魂，融合一体，不能分离。
至少年时期，他从电视中认识嘻哈后，从此欲罢不能，简直对这种从美国流传进来的文化，疯狂迷恋到了顶点。且，拼命从网络、相关的书籍和录影带等，自己观摩和摸索街舞的神髓、表情和风格。
此外，为了改变人们把嘻哈跟流氓联想一块的负面观念，为了得到别人的肯定，他四处以个人或团体名义参赛。并曾在多次街舞大赛中，赢得无数奖项，其中就包括2002年大马霹雳舞(其中一种嘻哈) 冠军。
最为耀眼的还是，Joel是我国唯一拥有传授街舞执照的教练，且，是全亚洲第一位考取荣誉国际， United Kingdom Alliance (UKA) 专业文凭的人。
家人反对行动证明
如今，他是雪隆一带十二间舞蹈学院、超过四百位学生的街舞教练。
同时，也在今年八月和十二月，分别在双威和芙蓉，独立创办舞蹈学院和研究出一套受英国承认的街舞课程，一步步地，誓要建立大马嘻哈王国！
前无古人，凭着他的努力和成就，大马嘻哈之父这个名堂，相信是当之无愧的！
而其实这一切荣誉，可都是在一片不被人看好的情况下，凭坚持和毅力，成功闯出来的一片蓝天。
“很多人，包括我的家人、朋友和前女友，都说跳街舞没有出息，是低级的玩意。那是因为他们不了解嘻哈，现在的我就是最好的例子，证明它是健康的活动，而且，热衷嘻哈也一样能有出头天。”
大家一定想像嘻哈人类的打扮都是古灵精怪，可是，眼前的Joel, 并没有穿大耳洞或纹身等“野” 装扮。相反，他的体格健硕，形象非常健康。
“起初，我只当嘻哈是一种兴趣，直到约两年前，巧遇两位分别来自土耳其和美国的专业嘻哈舞蹈员，我才恍然大悟。”
他认真的说：“他们启发了我很多东西，嘻哈不是一种来去匆匆的潮流，而是一种生活方式，唤醒了我应该用心去将街舞发扬光大！”
自此，他放下原有半工半教舞的生活，背负使命地，全心全意投入嘻哈事业。
想到国外开拓视野
谈及今年九月考取荣誉国际的UKA专业文凭时，他笑道：“来自英国的专家，看过我的学生表演后，非常惊讶的问‘他们都是你的学生吗？’ ，还不断称赞说，比英国教练出色得多。”
当时，还有其他来自新加坡、菲律宾等各地好手，可是，只有Joel脱颖而出，成为亚洲首位拥有此文凭的人。
无论如何，他表示这只是一个开始，距离嘻哈王国还遥远。
“我希望能到国外，和当地志同道合朋友互相交流，更加开拓自己对嘻哈的眼界。”
之最档案：
参赛者：陈国梁
之最事件：大马唯一拥有传授街舞执照的教练，
也是全亚洲第一位考取荣誉国际
UKA专业文凭的人。
Hip Hop Dance 即兴起舞热而爽
相信你一定在电影中看过一群在街上随着强劲音乐起舞的年轻人，那么你会想到什么呢？ 街舞，英文称为Hip Hop Dance，是一种起源于七十年代美国纽约的即兴舞蹈；她以其热情奔放、不拘一格的舞蹈风格深受年轻人的喜爱。现今，远渡重洋来到马来西亚的她，长成了什么模样？
相信各位对Hip Hop这个名词不会陌生吧，而Hip Hop又是什么呢？照字面来看Hip是臀部，Hop是跳跃的意思；印象中它是一种热闹的街头舞。
实际上，Hip Hop是一种生活文化的统称；它包含了霹雳舞蹈(Break Dance) 、唱片骑师 (DJ) 、说唱(MC) 及街头涂鸦(Graffiti Writing) ，还有很酷的黑人头、装扮等。如果我们以舞蹈的观点来看，Hip Hop是目前流行的街头舞；它可分为旧派和新派两大类。
拥有十多年街舞经验的陈国梁表示：「我第一次接触 Hip Hop Dance是在十四岁那年，当时对Hip Hop的概念并不清楚，只知道是一种黑人跳的舞蹈。开始学跳Hip Hop时觉得它很『酷』，后来才慢慢爱上它。
Hip Hop拥有很深的黑人生活文化精神，当中结合了黑人的语言、音乐、舞蹈、生活方式……等。而Hip Hop中的四大元素：舞蹈、唱片骑师、说唱及街头涂鸦都是各自发展的，并没有利益上的冲突。
其实街舞没有一定的局限，也没有设定一个最高的层次；她能与其它舞蹈相融合，如参杂机械操或是中国功夫时，将呈现出不一样的效果。此外，在马来西亚并没有区分爵士芭蕾及拉丁，而是一致将之成为Hip Hop。」
拟定完整教学课程
国梁表示，在马来西亚能够真正教导全套Hip Hop Dance的教练并不多；就是他自己也是从MTV偷师入门
「我们已开始计划拟定一套完整的教学课程，并安排专业的考试。其实在学习的过程中，舞步不是最难学的，通常学员会遇到困难是因为无法表现出黑人的风格，或是不能领悟出音乐的感情所在。」
所以想学好Hip Hop Dance的朋友，除了要紧记舞步外，还要酝酿出适合的情绪。
浑身是劲 无分年龄男女
Hip Hop Dance是「穷人的娱乐」，青少年对它的热情引发了从文化艺术到商业广告对街舞的大量运用。
我们看到在许多知名艺人，如周杰伦、陈小春、温岚的音乐录音带中，街舞少年的英姿频频出现；耐基、诺基亚等品牌的商业广告，就选择了街舞造型来轰炸年轻的视觉感官。因而许多年轻的朋友、热爱加劲舞蹈的朋友，在这片热闹中开始学习这种备受注目的舞蹈。
但是，这种浑身是劲的舞蹈，是否适合大家呢？国梁认为只要你有兴趣，准备为平淡的生活找一点乐趣，你都能走进 Hip Hop Dance的世界里。「这种舞蹈虽然源自于年轻的朋友，但我的学生中也不乏一些热爱劲舞的妈妈级或是可爱的小朋友。其实，只要你能从中获得快乐、放松及享受酷的感觉，你都能学，所以我的学生年龄介于九至四十岁之间。」这可是一个相当的层面噢，所以想学就行动吧！
舞蹈动作 随性热情奔放
Hip Hop文化起源于七十年代美国纽约的贫民区、哈林区，也就是美国一些黑人和南美洲人所住的布鲁克林区。当时，该处的住户多为低下层阶级；他们物质生活匮乏，每天无所事事，所以大都在街上打混，有的人打篮球、有的人就会在街上放着音乐尽情的「独唱」、有的人藉由喷昼、涂鸦、即兴演唱来发泄情绪，玩着玩着就玩出了 Hip Hop。所以说它是融合了黑人生活文化的精神；结合了黑人的语言、音色、舞蹈、生活方式……等，构成了 Hip Hop的全貌。
在强调「做自己，享受生命，勇于挑战」为中心思想的Hip Hop文化中，包含着许多不同的表达方式及活动，如众所周知的滑板、雪板、冲浪、特技直排轮、特技脚踏车等极限运动；以及表现在精神层面的音乐、MC、DJ、街舞、喷画、纹身……等，都属于Hip Hop文化的范畴。
如果我们以舞蹈的观点来看，Hip Hop Dance有著一种即兴的舞蹈动作，它以其热情奔放、不拘一格的舞蹈风格，深得年轻朋友的喜爱。
作为一种流行的街舞，Hip Hop Dance又可分为新派及旧派两大类。新派是我们一般所看到，身体扭曲变形、各种街舞大串连的风格。原地性的舞蹈加上身体奇怪的扭曲，与锁舞(Locking) 、机械舞(Popping) 、电流(Wave) 这些元素加在一起，我们不难想像它正是一种黑人的随性作风。
而旧派则延续了MC Hammer及巴布朗时期所流行的街舞；大动作和脚步的变化，都保有其劲爆的特性，其不同点只是在动作的变化上增加了许多新花样。
三点注意 避免弄伤自己
虽然Hip Hop Dance 适合各年龄层的人学习，但所有运动都有其需注意的地方；身为健身运动的一种，当然也不例外。
(一) 教练要了解学员的健康状况。那些曾经脱臼、患有哮喘毛病和体重不足或超重的人士不太适合练习街舞；但那些有武术底子的学生，则能达到事半功倍的效果。
(二) 学员要注意个人态度。学员在练习是要认真，不要嘻哈度日；要听从教练的指示，不要擅自做一些可能导致运动伤害的危险动作。
(三) 服装越简单越好。学员练习时的服装没有特别的要求，只需穿上平时的运动装；但运动鞋是较为重要的，因为一双好的运动鞋能保护脚部免受伤害。此外，女生不能穿短裙或太暴露的服装；同时也不鼓励穿戴颈饰、耳环等饰物，以免在练习时弄伤自己。
亚洲首个注册专业教练
25岁小子变街舞天王
(芙蓉讯) 一名年仅25岁的年轻人，在自修情况下学得于上一世纪末风靡全球的街舞Hip Hop(也称嘻哈) ，以及考取 United Kingdom Alliance(UKA) 的专业文凭后，拥有大马发出的首张传授街舞的执照的他，也于今年9月创办舞蹈学院教授街舞，以替我国培养街舞高手。
目前是大马唯一拥有传授街舞执照的陈国梁，不但是首位在亚洲注册的专业街舞教练，同时，他也曾于2002年获得大马霹雳舞(其中一种Hip Hop) 冠军。
他接受〈光明日报〉专访时披露，他14岁便迷上嘻哈，20岁时已到达欲罢不能的地步。
他早年是先通过录影带及互联网观摩及摸索街舞的神髓，然后再与美国及土耳其的专业霹雳舞蹈员交流舞艺。
当他取得UKA的专业文凭后，于今年9月在八打灵再也双威创办以教授街舞为主的 Urban Groove Dance Network 舞蹈学院，并担任总教练一职。
多虎头蛇尾
个子魁梧的他说，学院开办前，他就已在教授街舞，所以他也自创了一套分为3个阶段的训练课程，这3个阶段分别称为Bronze(铜) 、Silver(银) 及Gold(金) ，完成3个阶段估计需时约1年半，但实际情况却是视个人能力而定。
他披露，在他所设立的舞蹈学院学舞的学生，在每个阶段都必需进行一项由UKA准备的技巧测试与口试，学院将安排UKA监考老师前来监考，通过考试者将可获得UKA的文凭。他说，立志成为街舞教练者,可到Urban Groove Dance Network接受为期3个月的理论课程及1年的实习训练。
他披露，身为一个街舞教练，除了需掌握街舞的要领外，同时也需精通霹雳舞(Break Dance) 。
他笑言，许多年轻人会学习街舞，只是为了跟随潮流，所以初学者的人数通常很多，但能坚持学到高阶段的人，却是只有少数。
“学街舞要有很好的体力、技巧及毅力，很多人学到更高的阶层时，都会因为受不了艰辛的训练课程，而打退堂鼓，能一路学到最高阶层的人，通常是体操师、芭蕾舞师、武术师及Capoiera巴西民俗舞蹈师等。”
大马文化国情不同 街舞无法在街头舞
陈国梁说，由于我国的社会文化和先进的西方国家大不相同，所以，以户外作为主要活动及表演场地的街舞“入口” 我国后，也得入境随俗的移作室内活动，因此，我国大部份的街舞爱好者都是在舞台或室内场地表演街舞的。
我国民风较保守
他指出，虽然我国政府未明文禁止民众在街上表演街舞，但因我国民风较保守，故若表演者的行径影响公共秩序，或妨碍及干扰到其他人的话，那么，政府或会因为接到投报，而采取行动对付在街上表演的民众。
此外，他披露，世界各地都有街舞文化在流传，当街舞被引进不同的国家后，习舞者将会自行在街舞里加入当地的文化元素，所以每个国家的街舞节奏和动作都有点不一样。
他说，我国一些街舞爱好者更把街舞当作一种强身健体的运动。
嘻哈是街舞总称 霹雳舞只是一脉
陈国梁表示，许多人都以为Break Dance(霹雳舞) 就是嘻哈，因为嘻哈的风格与霹雳舞相似，都是舞蹈者自创，以及可表现自我的舞蹈，但事实上，嘻哈可说是各种街舞的总称，霹雳舞也只是其中一种。
他说，如Popping(机械舞) 、Locking(锁舞) 、Funk(劲爆舞) 、New School及Old School，也都被归纳为嘻哈。
他说，Old School可说是早期的舞蹈，New School则是承传Old School的内容，再注入新的舞蹈风格为成的现代舞蹈，但两种舞蹈的元素一样。现在，还是有人在学Old School舞蹈。
他解释，早期的Old School的音乐节拍非常快，偏向单一技巧动作，New School的音乐节拍较缓和，动作也较多变化及流畅。
风采(FEMININE)1.11.2006
嘻哈达人篇(Hip Hop)
嘻哈，是态度，是文化，是生活主张。自由随行不受拘束，
在有限的空间里，舞出无限活力。
姓名：陈国梁
年龄：27岁
全职：Urban Groove Dance Network
舞蹈学院负责人兼首席指导员
奖项：2002全国霹雳舞组合冠军
2002年极限健美比赛冠军
舞蹈资历：“英国专业舞蹈老师联盟” 文凭
(我国首个)
达致全方位健美
陈国梁在10年前开始认识嘻哈舞蹈时，根本没有任何老师可以求教，因此只能干看LA Boyz，Take That 和KRU 等团体的音乐录影带，自个儿练舞。“当时我还是中学生，我是在电视上看到明星跳舞后，心里也想像他们一样酷。很多时候都是Trial and error, 不断重复地练习后才捉准窍门。还好我过去有运动底子，有助我掌握嘻哈舞所需要的体力、柔软度和节奏感。”
Q：一般人对嘻哈舞蹈的印象，就是一些很高难度、在地上转来转去或是倒立的地板动作，可以简单介绍嘻哈文化的背景和嘻哈舞蹈的特色吗？
嘻哈是在1970年代兴起的一股年轻人文化，有四大元素：刮碟(deejaying) 、涂鸦(graffiti) 、饶舌(rapping)和霹雳舞(breakdance)。很多人也把嘻哈舞称为街舞，
主要有三种风格：机械舞蹈(popping) 、锁舞 (locking) 和霹雳舞 (breaking) 。
Q：那要学习这些动作会很难吗？难度在哪？
其实只要有人指导你正确的技巧，从基本功开始练习就能很快上手。不同的风格有不同的难度：霹雳舞需要很多的体力，许多舞步都得要有非常矫健的体能才能完成；机械舞则是难在需要利用肢体，生动地做出特定效果；至于锁舞，很大部分取决于节奏、音乐感和完美的手臂及下半身协调。
但是我觉得，真正的健美并不在于一个人的身材，而是在于身体的灵活度和功能。
嘻哈舞是一种很好的运动，因为你不只是在枯燥地重复单一动作，而是比较随性和自由的。它可以帮助你锻炼肌肉、有氧容量、柔软度、腹部和上半身力气以及整体的平衡，让你可以练就出全方位真正健美的体格。
Q：跳街舞时，要注意哪些事项？一般的嘻哈舞课程收费如何呢？
安全第一，很多初学者会急着想要做出一些高难度的霹雳动作而硬硬来，会很容易造成运动伤害。炼舞时，穿一些比较宽松的运动服就okay了， 最重要的是舒服。学费方面，每人一个月大约是RM75。
街舞不是炫耀途径
Joel Tan 是一位年轻的舞蹈学院 Urban Groove Dance Network 的创始人，
也是全马唯一拥有UKA注册证明的导师及学院。
街舞从开始的好玩到现在事业，他都认为街舞是一种艺术，一种与众不同的舞蹈，
如果你只想为了把妹或炫耀，他很诚实地告诉你，你将不会在街舞里获得成功。而他的成功，是因为他是真心喜欢街头舞蹈
什么时候开始跳舞？
中学时期吧，那时候在电视上看见MV里的舞蹈动作就觉得，呼！印象非常深刻，就想学习呀，就像一般的年轻人嘛，想学一些特别的去Party骗女孩子嘛！当时我只是想尝试，但之后却越来越感兴趣，最后更变成了我的职业。
是谁影响你学习跳舞？
没有一个特定的人，当时想要变成更酷嘛，然后越跳就越喜欢。只要你爱上了，你就会寻找更多的相关资料，你知道的越深入，就会越喜欢breakdance了，而且还会遇见许多志同道合的舞者一起交流。
为什么选择breakdance而不是其它的舞蹈呢？
有两个原因，第一就是breakdance没有限制性质，就是没有特定的动作，它有一种freestyle的元素，你可以create或recreate自己的style。当然还是会有一些基本动作，但是最高境界的breakdance就是创造自己的风格。它非常有挑战性，大多数的舞蹈主要是在脚步，但它却是上下都必需兼顾，这是非常不同的，节奏也要非常准确，这也是我选择breakdance的第二个原因，它是一种艺术。
创立了Urban Groove Dance Network以后，跟以前的生活有什么不一样？
变得非常忙碌，也变得比较商业化，现在很多商业因素必须要兼顾，很多的决定都要从商业的角度去考量，不像以前只是为了兴趣、好玩。
一个Break Dancer必须具备什么条件？
很多人不能成功的学习breakdance是因为他们不是真的对这舞蹈感到兴趣，有些只是视为运动，有些是因为新鲜的关系，有些只是想学习后到disco炫耀，但有些却是真心想要学习，他们就是会成功的一群。有些人认为学习breakdance一定要身材fit, 有gymnastics背景等，我不
相信天份是100% ，只要他真的有兴趣、专注并有好的学习态度，他将可以去到很远，正确的
学习态度是非常重要的。
本地的breakdance舞者与国外的相比有什么不同呢？
我们在后方，他们就在前方引领着，可能他们有很好的设备场地，很多本地的舞者依然在篮球场、草地等地方练习。而且我们的文化背景也有差异，哪里会有比较多breakdance的活动，而且有很多团体甚至政府都帮助推动发展。
在这里Hip Hop还是属于比较新的东西，对Breakdance还是存有疑惑，因此我们要宣传它的正
面意识，我鼓励我的导师形象只要干净、sporty就好了，不需要打扮得过火，更不需要学习美国的街头文化，我希望可以建立属于本地的Hip Hop文化。我们在电视上看到的Hip Hop文化都参杂了娱乐元素，这跟真正的Hip Hop艺术不一样。
你喜欢都到Disco吗？
我甚至不去disco ，我们花很多时间在教课及练习方面，所以非常的忙碌，就算是休息，都会安排比如说到
Langkawi享受悠闲式的旅游。现在已经没有兴趣到Disco了，比较喜欢安静的地方。
怎样才算是一个好的表演呢？
要看很多方面，首先是舞蹈员，breakdance可以五个人一起合作表演，但如果每位舞蹈员都不能表达自己，出来的舞蹈就会变得mechanical。另外就是creativity(创意) ，像如何编排整个舞蹈，简单的或者是特别的。但是我依然很注重个人的情绪表达，舞者都必须去感受音乐，配合音乐。
学习breakdance后，对你有什么改变吗？
变得更专注，我视我们为extreme athlete(极限运动员) ，所以在练习时精神纪律是非常重
要，必须非常专注。因为跳舞也商业化了，因此必须学习时间分配。我也变得更强悍及坚韧。
给予一些意见于想学习breakdance或hip hop
学习时尽量按步就班，从最基本的开始学起，你可以花很长的时间在基本动作上打好基础，但千万不要未学走先学飞，这是非常危险的，也千万不要当作是一种炫耀，很多人学习都是为了要炫耀。
未来的计划
希望拥有更多的分行，也希望会转到去Hip Hop及Sport的服装商店的行列。目前会专注在下一
间分行。
跳街舞热起来
结合霹雳舞机器舞锁舞
Hip Hop (嘻哈) 字面看来，Hip 即臀部而Hop则是跳跃的意思，嘻哈风在中港台新马风行
已久，至今仍是潮流先驱，甚至已侵入年轻人的生活，成为一种文化。
我国著名嘻哈舞蹈导师陈国梁(27岁) 表示，嘻哈文化是70年代美国纽约的贫民区哈林
区，以及美国一些穷苦黑人及南美洲人所住的布鲁克林区，为物质生活及社会不平等而衍生出来的文化。
“这文化里包含胡乱涂鸦、嘻哈音乐、嘻哈舞蹈及DJ。”
他透露，当时的黑人将他们在非洲原有的文化风俗，融入了嘻哈文化里。“比如非洲部落族人舞蹈是团圈圈跳，而嘻哈街舞里多惯以这样的方式呈现。”
POP与嘻哈不同
嘻哈街舞里主要有霹雳舞(Breaking) 、机器舞(Popping) 及锁舞(Locking) 这3个元素，
舞者可以自由及随性发挥创意，创造不同的题材加入上述3个元素，便发展成为各式各样的嘻哈舞蹈了。
他是接受“潮流新玩意” 专访时，这么指出。
同时，也是Urban Groove Dance Network 创办人的他说，我国早在90年代期间，就有
嘻哈文化存在，可是当时却不被接受，所以这股热潮无法热起来。
“本地华人当时大多数接受香港资讯，当时香港只掀起POP潮流，所以大部分华裔对HIP HOP 认识不深。”
他披露，目前虽然大家都对嘻哈有所认识，但有不少人将POP和嘻哈混淆。
“POP的音乐内容以情爱为主，音律也比嘻哈柔和，嘻哈音乐节奏强劲、饶舌内容讲述社会状况。”
他指出，直到近年来国外的华裔团体，将嘻哈音乐、街舞带入华人社会后，这热潮才在我国涌现。
各州都有代表
“我国真正全面热起学街舞的风气是在去年开始，我国街舞迅速成长，在短时间内几乎每州都有自己的街舞代表。”
他说，由于嘻哈和运动绝对分不开，所以系列类似篮球、棒球、冰球宽松的运动衣是最有代表性的，其他帽子、护挽、球鞋等也是不错的装饰。
“外国则很流行厚厚的长袖衣，但在我国这种大热天一点都不适合，而超粗金链、金手表也是艺人为求上镜的装扮。”
他表示，嘻哈装扮并非将所有嘻哈服饰特征都往身上挂，而是要穿出具有个人特色才对。
初学者须练体力 街舞多高难度动作
由于在跳街舞的过程中，必须做出许多高难度的动作，所以初学舞者都需经过一番体力训练，否则具有一定的危险！
街舞舞蹈老师陈国梁表示，自己在中学期间已是学校的运动好手，凡篮球、足球、健身等都会，所以锻炼出一身“舞功基础” 。
跳街舞可以只跟节拍跳，也可做出许多高难度的动作，如翻筋斗、头顶地转、单手撑起身体等，都需要很好的体力才可做到。”
他指出，根据本身多年来的观察，通常“舞功平平”又爱现的人最常受伤，没做好热身运动的人，受伤的机率也高。
“我记得我14岁那年，参加生活营时，没热身就想在众女生面前表演，结果就拉伤了，从此以后我再也不敢那么爱表现了。”
他透露，即使没有运动底子的初学者，也可通过他自创的系统慢慢锻炼，同样可以做出高难度的动作。
难度动作具挑战性
“我的学生从7岁至35岁，一样能够做出相同的动作，最重要是肯根据导师的指示按步就班的学。”
他指出，中学期间便喜欢跳街舞，因为街舞的高难度动作看起来很帅气、有型，而且各种高难度的动作很有挑战性。
“跳街舞时，仿佛能吸引所有女生的目光，感觉很有虚荣感，自然的便对这舞蹈产生兴趣。”
被问及如何练得一身好身手时，陈国梁表示，自己从未拜师学艺，完全靠自己上网、看书、看电视“自修”回来。
他指出，就读学院期间，学校也提供机会让他尽情发挥舞艺，所以造就了他今天的成绩。
“其实不论学习什么，最重要的是学者本身的努力，而非教者的本事，只要肯学、敢问就已向成功踏出好的一步。”
Hip Hop Guide For Dummies
How to achieve the look
An essential element of hip hop is the freedom to express oneself in fashion. The overall importance is to dance in something you can move freely in and in something you feel comfortable with. Here, Urban Groove instructor Zack sports:
1) Matching black cap – a personal preference but many dancers wear custom-made
beanies for head spins.
2) Track suits are part of the “old school” hip hop image but has a functional
purpose which is ease of movement.
3) Background graffiti is an essential element of hip hop related to gangs marking
their territory but also reflecting the freedom of expression contained in hip hop
culture.
4) Lightweight track pants that are easy to move in and flexible enough for fancy leg
movements in the air.
5) Comfortable sports shoes for dancing in, so u don’t get hurt.
About Joel Tan & Urban Groove
This 26-year-old claims to be the first hip hop instructor in Southeast Asia to be certified by the United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing (UKA) and is considered by many to be the leading authority on hip hop in Malaysia.
He is the chief instructor of a network of hip hop training centres called Urban Groove, the only professionally accredited hip hop instruction network in Malaysia.
For more information, call 012-3896588, visit them at their centres in Bandar Sunway, Seremban and Kuala Lumpur.
Classes cost RM75 per month for four 1-hour sessions and registered students are free to make use of the centre for practice or workout at the mini gym.
JUICE
BEAT STREET
JUICE points you in the direction of breakdance classes
URBAN GROOVE
45-3,Jalan PJS 11/28B, Bandar Sunway, PJ.
T: 012-389 6588 (Joel)
Open: 3pm-12mn
With the multitude of dance movies and the outbreak of hip hop into our not so primitive culture, trashing out moves like something out of a Missy E vid is almost the norm at hip hop nights these days. Be it learning the 4-step, 6-step or Moonwalk, if u want to bring it a step further and break out in spinning headstands, then there’s Urban Groove. It’s a place dedicated to teaching people how to breakdance-even those with two left feet. Accredited from the UK, founder, Joel Tan, has been sending good vibrations with his classes, which follow a module with standards set by the UK. With a mini gym-for basic strength training-and instructors that are certified professionals, you’ll be sliding and gliding on the dance floor in no time. Of course there is no gain without pain, and while you’ll have fun learning how to, say, do a headspin or cartwheel with one hand, you’ll have to brace yourself for injury. But then, nothing comes easy and discipline is key. With a package deal of RM135/month, you can master hip hop and b-boy moves, and endeavour to create your own routine. But if you’re aiming on becoming the next Rock Steady Crew hopeful and focus only on executing stunts, it’s RM75/month. Once you’re a pro, you’ll get a chance to perform and participate in b-boy competitions.
THE SUN 8.4.2005
Hip Hop school
It teaches you more than just the dance steps,
it also shows you how to cherish the history of
the Urban Groove.
MTV CULTURE IS alive and well in Kuala Lumpur.
Almost everywhere you go you can see dozens of teenagers and young people dressing up and imitating their favourite music artistes.
If you’ve ever wanted to get down and dance like Usher, Justin Tiemberlake or Ciara, the first thing you need to do is this – enrol in a good dance school.
The Urban Groove Dance Network (UGDN) is the only hip hop dance school in the country with an accredition system certified by the United Kingdom Alliance (UKA), the top UK dance body.
Joel Tan, 26, UGDN’s director and chief instructor, says his school’s training module, which he created himself, incorporates ‘true hip hop’, fusing elements of old and new school styles.
“Our syllabus is set so even people with no experience in dance can follow it,” he says.
“We teach from the most basic elements, so students can learn movement, how to follow simple beats, dance sequences and choreography.”
There are about 10 qualified instructors in UGDN, including five student-instructors undergoing a training course. Each instructor is able to teach both hip hop and breakdancing, a point Tan insists upon.
The modules also include programmes like weight training and diet management, so students can exercise their bodies to perform some of the complex moves required in breakdancing.
“We view ourselves as professional athletes,” Tan says.
“We don’t smoke or drink and we lead healthy lifestyles. We’re trying to make people view hip hop as a positive, disciplined sport.
“Most people misunderstand hip hop as part of a ‘gangsta’ culture, which might have been the case when it originated in the United States, but we are trying to educate youngsters that it doesn’t have to be that way now.”
He praised local rap artistes, whom we said were doing a good job making hip hop fun and clean and for keeping local hip hop culture alive.
“There are many hip hop and breakdancing groups out there who have been doing well in competitions overseas,” he adds.
“One group, Gila Battle, formerly dancers four our own Too Phat, recently won a dance competition in Japan. Groups like these are helping to bring up Malaysia’s name internationally, and they deserve our respect and recognition.”
Tan initially viewed dancing as a way to impress girls in high school. With a degree in biochemistry, he worked as an academic researcher and taught dance part-time.
Realising his heart lay in hip hop, he started UGDN last August with the help of fellow dancers whom he had known for years. The move paid off, and he now has over 600 students.
They have organized their own dance competition to promote the art – the annual Floor Masters Festival – where students and other dancers compete among themselves.
UGDN also has Junior Jamz, which caters to eight to 12 year-olds, as well as modern jazz, yoga and fitness classes.
Fees for their classes range from RM70-RM75 for four one-hour classes a month to RM130-RM200 for eight one-hour classes a month. There is a registration fee of RM35. UGDN studios are based in Bandar Sunway and Seremban, but they also teach classes at dance studios in Klang Valley.
Urban Groove Dance Network’s headquaters is located at
45-3, Jalan PJS11/28B, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya.
Call: 012-3896588
THE STAR 22.09.2004
What Urban Groove tries to show is that breakdancing is an
exclusive pastime, a shared activity that’s enjoyable and social.
Busting a move
Diehards of MTV’s The Wade Robson Project may have a Malaysian equivalent in Joel Tan, who is leading a revival of sorts for the once-popular breakdance style. IZUAN SHAH failed miserably to keep up with the groovy bunch, but got the word on the fluid street style.
BREAKDANCING was first introduced to the world in the 1970s as a style of dancing to fill in the “Break” during hip-hop songs. Coming straight out of the Bronx, New York, the term was coined after the fresh street style displayed by breakdancers who were bopping and grinding along to the coolest hip-hop and disco music that was out then.
Hip-hop legends like Grandmaster Flash were among the first to incorporate breakdancers in his act, and the style has been made even more popular by Run DMC and Missy Elliot.
These days, the drive to dance comes from ultra-slick music videos seen on MTV by the likes of megastar boy bands like ‘Nsync, pop vixens like Britney Spears and even hip-hop/rock upstarts like Linkin Park. Breakdancers, also known as “breakers”, take their cues evenly from hip-hop dance crews and fresh pop-styled choreographers like Wade Robson.
“Let’s do a little new school routine!” called Joel Tan to his crew and fellow breakdance instructors, Urban Groove, during a recent dance demonstration at The Dance Space in Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur on Sept 18.
Joel, 25, is the reigning Malaysian Breakdance Champion and is leading a revival of sorts for the hip-hop related dance style here in Malaysia.
“The best a new breakdancer can do is to develop his or her own style, with the fitness that he or she has developed because it’s not about how many moves you know or how many stunts you can do,” he said.
And it’s not about how cool you can be, reckons Joel. He and the other instructors have found that a lot of youngsters go into breakdancing for the “cool” factor.
“Of course it is a cool thing to watch and be able to do but there are no rules as to who can or cannot become involved and be a good breakdancer. It should be for anyone who would like a go at it and it shouldn’t matter what age or size they are, or whether or not they listen to hip-hop music.”
What Urban Groove tries to show is that it’s an inclusive pastime, a shared activity that’s enjoyable and social. Joel adds that his goal with the Urban Groove Dance Network and breakdancing in Malaysia is to take it in a more accessible direction.
“Breakdancing can be about more than just the hip-hop scene,” contends Joel.
Just Do It
There were curious spectators and a few avid enthusiasts of hip-hop, disco and pop music. They appreciated the high fitness required to become a fluid breakdancer.
After a brief warm-up, Joel herded his breaker troops into an eye-opening demonstration of moves ranging from standard handstands, frog stands and “L” stands(which are variations on the handstand) to basic floor, or “down-rock” moves like the “Superman” and various “Six Step” basics.
After more light scenes of would-be breakdancers getting used to the dance floor as well as the initial difficulty of attempting one’s first handstand, head breaker Joel called a time out to deliver a brief rundown about how fit aspiring breakers must be in order to truly master breakdancing.
Extreme “core” fitness is required for those wanting to master this funky street art, with extreme amounts of abdomen muscle usage and upper body strength required for breakdancing.
“Breakdancing is as much a dance as it is a sport, because it requires so much of our own sense of rhythm and personal style, just as much as it does a large amount of muscle activity and physical emphasis,” Joel told the attentive spectators during his brief talk.
Much emphasis is placed on what breakdancers call the “core fitness” that one develops while going through the process of learning the basics, developing their fitness and carving their own style.
“Core fitness in breakdancing is what allows you to do the more acrobatic moves that everyone loves to watch.
“The core – which is your abdomen, your stomach muscles and your back muscles combined with the muscles in your arms – is the foundation of a fit breakdancer.”
More questions followed later and then Urban Groove crew broke out into yet another series of moves, demonstrating their collective agility and mastery of the cool dance form , as the schizoid hip-hop beats of the Beastie Boys’ Ch-ch-check It Out filled the room.
Getting Some Urban Groove
“We are not part of the local hip-hop scene because our direction is different in that we want to show people that break dancing can be an inclusive activity for everyone,” said Joel.
The break dance revivalists in Urban Groove have a mission to reintroduce the street art to the Malaysia public in more positive and healthy ways.
“What we want to say is: “Hey, it doesn’t matter what age, size you are or whether even you like hip-hop music. Breakdancing should be for open to everyone,” he adds.
It was easy to see why Joel is Urban Groove’s chief instructor. A fitness champion and veteran of fitness pageants, he possesses a wealth of experience in the business of keeping fit. A former Malaysian breakdance champion – he was awarded the title in 2002 – and Extreme Fitness Malaysian Champion that same year, Joel wanted to bring the best of these worlds and put his energy into bringing breakdancing to the public, and revive it as a healthy, fun and cool pastime.
Believe it or not, modern, or “new school” breakdancers today have it easy, considering the dance in its heyday was commonly associated with the streets of New York and gang culture. Back then, breakers didn’t dance on soft surfaces, instead insisting on the street tradition of spinning and busting moves on rough, usually concrete surfaces.
Injuries were common when limbs got caught, and when breakers lost battles on the dance floor, real fights would break out between opposing gangs. Even more remarkable – the best breakdancer was often believed to be the best fighter or biggest gang member on the block in the original break dance city. This was due to the fact that the same muscles excerted in breakdancing were thought to be the same set used in street fighting.
There is no such baggage or negative energy needed to validate this new, localized form of “positive breakdancing” that Joel envisions for interested Malaysian youth(and their older siblings and parents as well).
“Music plays a big part in breakdancing and learning the basic steps and gaining a certain sense of moving with the beat is essential, but more than anything it’s a healthy way to express yourself,” says Joel.
观察家 2004年12月刊
霹雳舞 让你舞出个未来
(记者邹丽珊双威镇报导) 霹雳舞(Break Dance) 日渐在马来西亚成为一种潮流，更成为新一代年轻人所追崇的梦想。马来西亚 Urban Groove Studio 总教练陈国梁 (25岁) 表示，只要有决心，无论男女，都可以成为一个好的舞蹈员。
霹雳舞是嘻哈舞蹈(Hip Hop Dance) 内的其中一种舞蹈类型，而嘻哈舞蹈是一种生活文化的统称；它所包含的除了霹雳舞，还有唱片骑士(DJ) 、说唱 (MC) 及街头涂鸦 (Graffiti Writing) 。归类在霹雳舞里的，分别又包括了锁舞(Locking) 、机械舞、软骨舞(Popping) 和电流(Electric Boogie) 等。
陈国梁与霹雳舞的结缘他还是个14岁的黄毛小子的年代。当被问及为何会想到去学霹雳舞时，陈国梁说，当年的他觉得霹雳舞很“酷” ，而当时当红的舞蹈团体LA Boys又是女生所追崇的偶像。为了想让女生像喜欢LA Boys般喜欢他，他毅然选择学霹雳舞。至今已经学了将近10年，没有想到的是现在舞蹈已经成为了他的事业。
陈国梁叙诉当年学习霹雳舞时所遇到的种种挫折时表示，霹雳舞蹈里包含了许多高难度的动作，如果没有从舞蹈基础好好学起的话，学习者很容易就会因此而受伤，他笑言，虽然自己没有试过跌倒以致骨折，但身上多处还是难免“青一块，紫一块” 的。对于他来说，最大的挫折莫过于家人和好朋友都看不起他所学的舞蹈，认为学习霹雳舞是没有将来的。他也承认，毕竟他没有多少年还可以跳下去，但是最重要的是他在自己的一生中为自己做了自己想做的。至少不像一般行商，赚了很多钱，但是到头来却不知道一生中为自己做过什么。
陈国梁绝对不允许他的学生还没有学“走” ，就学“飞” ，他强调说无论如何要从基础学起，这是他教舞蹈的基本原则。
陈国梁说，霹雳舞学生条件不拘，唯糖尿病患者、曾经脱臼、哮喘病患者、体重不足和超重人士均不适宜学习。霹雳舞蹈员必须不利用霹雳舞蹈惹事生非，只要有决心、相信自己，一定会有成果。如果有运动底子的学生如篮球、武术、柔道等，学习进度将会事半功倍。
陈国梁要给予学生的劝告是身为霹雳舞蹈员不嚣张，应该谦虚，不要去做一些自己认为不能做的，不要放弃自己是让自己成为一个好的舞蹈员的基本条件。他们必须以对的方向去以霹雳舞纾发自己，贯以一个霹雳舞蹈团体去欺压别人就是一个错的方向，最主要的是要长加以研究霹雳舞和加以发展。
陈国梁其中一名学生刘嘉志(舞蹈团体Dream-X团员) 本身较擅长的是霹雳舞里的软骨舞(Popping)，有多次受邀表演和比赛经验，在被询及学习霹雳舞的感想时表示说：“JOEL (陈国梁) 非常用心栽培有决心学习霹雳舞的学生，并提拔和鼓励学生多参与公开的舞蹈比赛一增加舞台经验。”
