LIFESTYLE: Hip hop hooray

Just Dance studio’s most popular class features phat and funky moves.

By: Melissa Morgan
   The hip-hop protégées in Debbie Contillo’s recent intermediate dance class took huge leaps across the studio, stomped their feet to the beat and gave plenty of hip action — all to the pulse of pop star Christina Aguilera’s hit "Dirty."
   The girls executed their moves with ease, but hip-hop dance instructor Ms. Contillo, of Just Dance in the Kingston Mall on Route 27, said there was still a slight problem.
   "You’ve gotta give it some attitude," she instructed her students. "Let’s do it! Drama, drama drama."
   Ms. Contillo said attitude and individuality are two of the most important components of hip-hop dance.
   "You need to have energy, determination and a love for it," she said. "I encourage them to work more on their individual style as we get closer to our recital."
   In a few weeks, Ms. Contillo said she hopes her students will be ready to give the audience their all during the annual recital — to be held June 7 at Montgomery High School. The recital features dance performances by each class.
   Just Dance, which Ms. Contillo runs with her sister and co-owner, Laurie Contillo, offers several classes in hip-hop dance, including beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and an all-male class. Other types of dance instruction offered include ballet, competition teams, jazz, tap and pointe, all with different classes for ages ranging from preschool to adult.
   Though her studio has offered many types of dance since its opening four years ago, Debbie Contillo said hip-hop dance has remained the favorite. She attributes the class’s success to the popularity of hip-hop and pop music.
   "They (her students) want to get into it because it’s fun," she said. "When they watch music videos and their favorite singers, that is the type of dance they see."
   But before trying to become the next member of pop group ‘N Sync, Debbie Contillo said it’s important to learn some hip-hop basics. She spends a couple months at the beginning of each class year concentrating on rhythmic moves, turns and form.
   "I believe they need a solid base," she said.
   After they develop a base, advanced hip-hop dancers can perfect a variety of styles. According to an article in the April 20 issue of the Los Angeles Times, styles of hip-hop dance include popping and locking, which use a series of start and stop maneuvers; freestyle or "house," club dancing that is a looser type of popping and locking; and b-boying, defined by intricate footwork, spins and handstands.
   Debbie Contillo said the level of style a hip-hop dancer can achieve depends on a number of factors.
   "Some kids are just naturally good dancers," she said. "Hard work and a natural ability are both important."
   While some students are better than others, Debbie Contillo said her favorite part of being an instructor is watching a student turn from novice to pro.
   "I absolutely love my job," she said. "I love when a student comes in fresh, not really knowing what they are doing, and becomes really great at the end of two years. It’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment."
   Laurie Contillo said she and her sister grew up dancing, and she also appreciates teaching the joy of something she loves.
   "We wanted to be rich a famous, but it doesn’t always work out that way," she said. "Then we opened the studio because we realized it (dance) was still our passion, and we wanted to keep doing it. We love it."
   Just Dance offers dance instruction Monday to Saturday. For more information about hip-hop dance classes or any of the other class offerings, contact Laurie or Debbie Contillo at (609) 924-5446.