Kids flip for YMCA break dancing class

jan hogan/viewChyla Boranegra, 13, watches classmates attempt some break dancing moves during a class at the Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive. Lessons are offered from 4 to 5 p.m. Mondays. Advertisement

It's not your grandparents' idea of dance. The Summerlin-area YMCA now offers break dancing lessons every Monday.

The class, offered through Mikel's Dance Academy, purposely was initiated in late 2009 for the benefit of the YMCA's more youthful members. The Durango Hills Community Center YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, was the first to offer it. Soon after, the Centennial Hills-area YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, began offering it.

As many as 10 youngsters come to spin, flip and try the moves. Sometimes they use floor mats, sometimes not.

"We definitely have insurance waivers for the program," said Breezy Bolden, senior program director.

Leading the class is YMCA volunteer KJ Zedik, 19, a professional break dancer. His style of teaching is as free form as the dance is dynamic. He told the participants to show attitude by emulating a character and "act it out in your moves" and urged them to "put your game on."

He demonstrated what he meant with twists and turns and spins that defied gravity.

"Dancing is about showing off," he told the students. "You can never get around that."

Terms were tossed about, such as top rock, which is a combination of steps done while standing up, and flair, a power move that involves swinging the legs around in a circular motion while balancing on the hands.

Arms and legs were tossed about, too, as Zedik proved his athleticism with the variety of moves he demonstrated.

There are no hard-and-fast rules to the dance form, but attendees seemed to know when a move was fresh (good) or whack (lousy). Zedik's moves were anything but whack.

The attendees got the chance to show their stuff. When a roll ball, similar to a backward somersault, proved a little hard for one kid, Zedik held his legs for a slow-motion demonstration of how it should be done. By placing one elbow on the floor, it added a distinct edge to the move while protecting the head.

Another youngster got so into a move, his shoe fell off.

Joseph Boden, 13, said that before taking the class, he picked up most of his moves from television but liked that Zedik taught "cool new tricks to do."

Andre Meiers, 11, said hitting the floor could sometimes "sting a little, but it doesn't really hurt."

All the youngsters said they liked the class and that it was pretty strenuous. Most were taking it for fun, but Mason Leech, whose face has been seen in some print work, had an ulterior motive: He said he wants to add it to his acting portfolio.

Chyla Boranegra, 13, also had an ulterior motive. She said she'd like to make break dancing her profession.

The class is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. every Monday for four weeks. A new class starts every month. The monthly cost is $40.

For more information, call 240-9622 or visit www.lasvegasymca.org.

Contact Summerlin View rand South Summerlin reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.