Break dancing to the beat of boys

by Christi Marsico
Thursday, February 28, 2008 10:06 AM MST

Eight boys, ages 6 to 14, line up with a few playful high fives and pushes.

Some are dressed in hip hop attire while others are just glad to be there in jeans and a T-shirt.

"Get in line guys," dance instructor Ross Lopez said.

As the beats from the music begin, Lopez began the warm-up.

"Spread out guys," Ross instructed.

The boys listened intently, and as they stretched, Lopez observed their efforts.

"Why you doing the splits, Skyler?" Lopez asked.

"My feet are just sliding," Skyler said.

"Well get planted then," Lopez said.

The class continues stretching as two more boys enter the dance room.

"We wanna be stretched, but not over-stretched," Lopez instructed.

Lopez's voice controlled the environment with an authoritative big brother tone as the 10 boys glued their eyes on their teacher.

The boys’ eagerness was apparent as they went over dance moves they have learned from previous classes.

The names of the hip hop and break dancing moves are as enjoyable to hear as to see.

Lopez called out and demonstrated the "hood," as the class focused in the mirror.

"Remember to flex up with your head back and swing your arms back and come down. OK, let's start with the prayer position," Lopez said.

As they discussed the "hustle, hustle" move and the "running man," Lopez divided the class into three groups.

"When the beats come, spin, but spin once and stop," he said.

The 23-year-old instructor is a Casper native who has been dancing for many years.

Enthralled with hip hop and break dancing, it's only natural that Lopez would enjoy teaching his tricks/moves and abilities to other aspiring youngsters.

"Dancing is a release for me,” Lopez explained, “and it helps me make a connection with younger guys."

Slowing down moments in the dance to clarify moves, the boys watched and repeated.

"After we do the fight moves, we are going to do the helicopter and from the James Brown, we're going to switch feet and hands," Lopez said.

Shall we dance?

Mitch McCain is a 14-year-old dance veteran.

This CY seventh-grader likes break dancing because it's fun, and he took a hip hop dance class last year, as well.

Break dancing makes Mitch feel accomplished, and he thinks Ross is awesome.

The teen explained that he had to take his time in this class, not doing all the moves, because he hurt his arm in basketball and got fouled in the face.

"I get aggressive," Mitch said.

Lopez's class also is fun for 10-year-old Issac Mora.He has been dancing for two years; his advice to a beginner in the hip hop world is to "just do your best."

Six-year-old Jessie Dosin was first exposed to break dancing by his father.

This Sagewood first-grader's favorite move is the helicopter, even though it's the hardest to learn.

Jessie explained that when it comes to learning the dance moves, "my brain just does it." His advice to beginners is to learn the helicopter.

As the class members practiced their routine one more time, Lopez counted the moves.

He has danced as much as the boys, observing where they are and where they need to be for their upcoming recital on May 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the NCHS auditorium.

As the hip hop/break dancing class ends, five little be-boppin' fellers still hung around to practice and show Lopez their hand springs and new improvisation moves.

Lopez smiled and gave advice regarding where each could make their moves cleaner.

These boys got a beat that goes beyond the music.

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