Local kids from Olinville, Gun Hill Houses and beyond faced off in the third, free, monthly “Mind Your Beat” dance battle at Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center on Saturday, March 4. Dancers ages 9 to 14 shared the spotlight for a series of knock-out, one-on-one dance battles throughout the evening, all with the aim of “releasing their inner beast,” having some fun, and the chance to take home some coveted cash prizes.

 

The monthly event is part of a dance battle series led by artist-in-residence and lead Hip Hop instructor, Joss [Jocelyn] Gutierrez, judges, “Nate the Great” and Dee Ross, with DJ Zappa mixing it up on the turntable. Gutierrez, a pro dancer who has toured professionally along with her colleagues, teaches beginners to intermediate advanced level on Saturdays at Mind-Builders.

The energetic instructor, who pulls no punches but clearly has a great rapport with her students, said she wants to hone the next group of freestylers and street dancers who jump into the spotlight when it’s their time to shine. She said the classes aim to enhance dancers’ musicality, precision, and confidence.

 

There were even a few brave newcomers who showed up on the night to bust out their dance moves all in a safe, supportive, fun atmosphere, with each contestant hugging it out after each battle.

Gutierrez told Norwood News, “I created ‘Mind Your Beat’ freestyle battles so that dancers ages 9-14 would have a safe space to showcase their individuality and get real-time feedback from industry professionals.” She has been an instructor at Mind-Builders for 17 years and is also one-third owner of Kultiv8studios in Harlem.

 

Some of Gutierrez’s former students from over the years returned on battle night to show their support and catch up with her. Past judges include Anthony “Klassic Kanec” Carr, who changed his flight out of New York to join the event, and District 12 City Council Member Kevin Riley.  A “special guest judge” is planned for April.

After the contest, the judges on the night, Matthew Pasterisa, Dee Ross, and Anandi Nesby, provided general feedback to the group, which included advice on listening to the music, telling a story, always dancing to the end of each battle, but remembering to conserve and build up energy as the night progresses, as well as not relying too much on what they see on Tik Tok, which they said can kill individual creativity.

 

Gabriela Jascombe, 11, has been attending Mind-Builders for three years and was one of the finalists. Asked what the best part of the night was, she said, “It’s just about having a good time with your friends.”

We asked what advice Gabriela would give to somebody who may be interested in attending. She replied, “The first time I came, I was scared, but I still went full out. Just don’t be too scared, and just push yourself. If you don’t win, it’s fine, because at least you had the courage to go out there and dance because it’s really a lot to build up that courage to do that.”

 

A nonprofit established in 1978 by educator and scholar Madaha Kinsey-Lamb, it is located at 3415 Olinville Avenue in the Olinville section of The Bronx. Program alumni include Alimi Ballard, Gilbert Glenn Brown, Ayodele Casel, Charles Malik Whitfield, and Victoria Gabrielle Platt, among others.

Shamiah Bess, aged 12, was the overall winner on the night, taking home the grand cash prize, and the runner-up was Camila. We asked him what he thought gave him the edge. “Definitely, the classes and the adrenaline,” he said before adding “also coffee.”

 

Asked if he felt like he had to up his tempo as the competition went on, he said, “Yes, it was really fun to me. Actually, my tempo opened up basically on how every judge was giving critiques, and you’re just taking that critique every single time.” He added, “So, they would say [feedback] to another person but it also applies to yourself. So, it’s like the mindset you have to have.”

We asked if the music mattered to his performance or if he had a preference for a certain type of beat. “I do, but at the end of the day, we’re all here to battle and freestyle. In the real world, you cannot do that [choose the music], so, I try to be open,” he said.

 

We also spoke to Dr. Lorraine Barnett, Shamiah’s grandmother, who accompanied him on the night and told us he’s been attending Mind-Builders since he was 7 years old. “He just turned 12,” he said. “He’s been doing competition dancing here in the street fair, and he went for an audition for the School of American Ballet, and next, he’s been going for Alvin Ailey Jr. Open House, so, I think he found his niche.”

 

Alvin Ailey Jr. was an American dancer, director, choreographer, and activist who founded the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT). He created AAADT and its affiliated Alvin Ailey American Dance Center as havens for nurturing Black artists and expressing the universality of the African-American experience through dance.

 

Barnett continued, “He [Shamiah] started coming here because they told me he had ADD.” Asked how that was going now, she replied, “He’s found his illumination! So, I’m glad to see he won $100 two months ago, and now he earned the grand prize, so I’m so proud of him. I bring him every Saturday.”

We asked Shamiah if he had any final thoughts on the night overall. He thanked his proud grandmother and encouraged others to participate in the program and event series. “Come to Mind-Builders! Take a class! It’s so good, and it’s also for free! Come down here, tell a friend of a friend of a friend – love you guys!”

 

Click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here to watch a selection of some of the battles that took place on the night, and to watch the announcement of the overall winner, click here.

Mind-Builders offered their congratulations recently to alum, Akira Armstrong, on being one of eight choreographers to feature on the Netflix show, Dance 100.

“Akira started her dance career at 80 years old at Mind-Builders and never looked back!” the group wrote in a recent Instagram post. “She was a principal dancer in Beyoncé’s “Greenlight” and “Get Me Bodied” music videos. She also forms the “Pretty Big Movement” in 2008 to highlight plus-size dancers, which also became the first plus-size dance company. Congrats @iamakiraarmstrong ! You are nothing short of magical!”

The next monthly dance battle will take place on April 1, and the following one on May 6, both from 6.45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at Mind-Builders. Register to battle here, for the chance to win $100-$200.

 

For those who wish to come and support and watch from the sidelines, there is a $5 entry fee, but the cost is free for participants, and all are welcome, though capacity is limited.