The Point

The Point

The Point

Inspiring Dancers at Heart

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Leo Shon (left) and Chris Rieger (right)

 

Many of you may know them as fellow students…but few may know of their ability to groove to the music. Christopher Rieger and Leo Shon are impressive breakdancers.

“I started to dance when I was six. No classes or anything, but I found a love for moving around whenever I heard music.” stated Rieger, who is currently a junior.

“I started breakdancing in the beginning of eighth grade,” stated Shon, also a junior.

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They both have unique stories on how they became attracted to breakdancing.

“I was really motivated and inspired to start [hip hop and break] dancing from watching the movie Step Up when I was ten. Once America’s Best Dance Crew hosted the Jabbawockeez, I was completely hooked.” exclaimed Rieger.

Shon, on the other hand, became interested in breakdancing from watching his friends do it.

The two joined together when in eighth grade, Rieger and Shon formed a dance crew for the talent show. Since then, they have performed together in a music video called Detention. This video portrays Rieger and Shon daydreaming about breakdancing while in Detention. In the video they dance to classical music remixed with a hip hop beat. Rieger and Shon have such a passion for dancing, but different reasons for why they dance.

“I just hope that I can inspire others to dance around and be themselves,” stated Rieger.

“I like dancing because it acts as a stress reliever and makes me become a unique individual,” stated Shon.

Joined by a common hobby, they are good friends. Both like to hang out and dance casually. Both also enjoy playing soccer and are on the Palos Verdes Soccer Team. Chris and Leo just dance in their spare time and they feel it will stay that way.

“I have never been and unfortunately, will probably never be on a school, studio, or professional dance team because of my other passion…soccer,” stated Rieger.

“I do not plan to become a professional dancer but I do not plan to quit either. I always want to get better and better,” states Shon.

In breakdancing there are many different styles like popping (a technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer’s body), downrock (is performed with the hands and feet on the floor), and powermoves (which rely on speed, momentum, and acrobatic elements for performance).

“My favorite dance style is Popping (a.k.a. the Robot) where it’s all about total muscle control and isolation,” stated Rieger.

“I do not have a favorite dance move because I like to focus on all aspects of the dance,” stated Shon.

Overall, Chris and Leo have come a long way since they started dancing, even though neither of them have taken formal classes. They are an inspiration for people to be who they want to be, and their passion is overwhelming.

Chris has a message for all of the guys interested in breakdancing, “My message for young guys out there is that one, don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love; two, if you like to dance, by all means dance; and three, girls like guys who can dance.”

 Click here to check out Rieger and Shon in “Detention.”Leo Shon dancing