Renowned Hip Hop Kidz dance group, begins program for deaf middle ...

by suzy101

For almost two decades, the energetic Hip Hop Kidz dance group have been entertaining crowds at charity events, ballgames, music videos and almost every venue imaginable. Recently the dance program has begun special classes as part of an already established after-school recreation program that focuses on employability, social skills, positive leisure activities and cultural arts for deaf and hard of hearing students, ages 11-22 in Plantation, Florida.

Pembroke Pines, Fl. - Allyson Dudich is the Program Coordinator as well as teacher for the Deaf at the Center for Hearing and Communication in Fort Lauderdale, the only full service, non-profit in Broward County that serves the Deaf and hard of hearing population. Funded by a grant from Children’s Services Council of Broward County, Dudich currently has approximately 45 (22 middle, 23 high) students from S. Plantation High School and Seminole Middle School attending the weekly Thursday program, which is held at the high school in the cafeteria. High school classes run from 3:30-5:00 p.m. and middle school age is from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Dudich, a former dancer herself, recently contacted Hip Hop Kidz President, Suzy Stone about incorporating Hip Hop Kidz into her after-school program for the deaf and hard of hearing. Nahshon Blair, former Hip Hop Kid and choreographer assists Stone with the classes. According to Stone, the kids love Blair and the experience of teaching dance to deaf and hard of hearing students has been incredible.

“It is such an emotional experience,” says Stone. “These kids have learned so much from us and we learn from them. Some of the students are phenomenal hip hop dancers and they say they love to watch shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Americas Best Dance Crew. The kid’s physical limitations run the gamut from completely deaf since birth, a few with cochlear implants (very few have these expensive devices as these families have no money) and some with hearing aides. But that doesn’t stop them! In the short time that I have taught them they have been like sponges, they pick up choreography so fast.” ‘The workshop showed everyone why this program was and can be so powerful for the deaf students as well as the hearing students, emotionally physically and spiritually,” says Stone. At first both the hearing students and the deaf students were shy. By the end of the four hours they were laughing and have dance battles against each other. Over the holidays many of their newly formed friendships continued as students from both groups e-mailed each other and sent texts.” Most Hip Hop Kidz students take classes for fun and fitness, but some aspire to more advanced levels including several performance troupes and many have become famous entertainers such as Cassie Scerbo of ABC Family’s hit show “Make It Or Break It” and Brandon Bryant of “So You Think You Can Dance,” both who grew up in the Hip Hop Kidz program. These troupes have performed locally including as halftime entertainment for the Miami Heat and Miami Dolphins as well as numerous local charity events including the annual Humane Society Walk for the Animals. Best Buddies and the NSU Nova Heartwalk. They have also danced at the MACY’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City and appeared as featured performers on the Today Show and CBS Early Show. The group is scheduled to return to New York for the MACY’s parade in November 2010. The nation’s premier dance program, Hip Hop Kidz has also spawned its own full length movie, music CD and book series.

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