Class Descriptions

Hiphop

Hiphop in brief

Hiphop is a popular street dance style, that has its roots in 1970’s New York. Hiphop dance is an element of hiphop culture which has grown into a global and constantly evolving phenomenon. Hiphop dance is rhythmic and versatile and it can be practiced in multiple different ways. The so called 90s party steps like the Running Man, the Cabbage Patch and many other moves have become established as foundation steps in hiphop and are often practiced in hiphop classes. Besides the steps, hiphop technique includes also isolations, different floor work and to some extent dance moves and techniques from other dance styles.

In hip hop classes, dancers not only learn choreography but also engage in a variety of exercises. Depending on the class, the balance between choreography and freestyle varies, and each teacher’s personal dance style influences the content and focus of the class.

The history of hiphop

Hip hop culture emerged in the Bronx, New York, in the late 1970s. However, its roots can be traced much further back in history—to the period of slavery in the United States. Enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas beginning in 1619. Coming from different tribes and cultures, they were forced to form new kinds of communities, and New Orleans became a melting pot for diverse rhythms and dances. Jazz music was born from the blending of these rhythms, and jazz dance, in turn, has had a significant influence on hip hop dance. 

Breakdance

Breakdance is a physical and fast street dance style, that is known for its acrobatic moves. The style includes also so called Toprocks—moves performed while standing—and Footwork—moves that are danced squatted down or on all-fours. Breakdance might be the most known street dance style and nowadays it can be seen competed in even in the Olympics!

Breakdance was the first street dance style and it was born in the beginning of 1970’s in Bronx, New York within Afro-American and Puerto-Rican communities. The movement vocabulary of Breakdance is rooted in different African dance styles like Capoeira and it has been affected by the popular culture as well. Breakdance, and especially Toprocks, are the origins of the Hiphop-dance.

Our Breakdance teacher at VKTY is B-girl Taya, Taija Hinkkanen.

Minibreak

Minibreak classes are for the smallest ones in the family. On these classes children get to move, play and get to know breakdancing for example by moving on the floor. The teaching in Minibreak classes is child-oriented and the goal is to develop children’s motor and social skills. These classes provide a good base for a dance hobby and sports for the future. Dance is a communal hobby that helps children to make new friends. We have a supportive and positive athmosphere in the children’s dance classes at VKTY!

Commercial

On commercial classes you get to dance like they do in music videos! On these classes the focus is on practicing dance choreographies to songs from different genres, usually the freshest pop-music, hiphop and R&B.

The practices and choreographies on commercial classes are influenced by the teacher’s dance style. Commercial is not a dance style with its own specific technique, but instead it draws inspiration from other dance styles and trends including hiphop, dancehall, vogue and waacking. Commercial represents often sharp and high-energy movement language and strong performing presence.

The commercial classes at VKTY are taught by Emma Kovero.

House

House is a social dance born in the clubs of Chicago and New York. House combines influences from many different dance styles. House music is fast-paced, making the dance highly physical, yet also very expressive and musical. Characteristic elements of house dance include full-body movement, fast footwork and floorwork.

In class, dancers explore all aspects of house dance while also focusing on discovering their own natural, individual movement style.

At VKTY house is taught weekly by Ville Louhelainen and Anni Kärkkäinen.

Showjazz

Showjazz is a versatile performance dance style that combines influences from various dance styles such as contemporary and jazz dance. As the name suggests, showjazz emphasizes not only dance technique but also strong expression and musical interpretation. The choreographies can also be storytelling in nature.

In showjazz classes, dancers learn a wide range of fundamental dance techniques (including jumps, pirouettes, and step sequences) while also practicing emotional expression through movement.

Pauliina Kyttä is teaching showjazz weekly at VKTY.

Street

Street dance is an umbrella term that covers all street dance styles (for example hiphop, breakdance and popping). The terms street and hip hop are often used interchangeably, though street dance itself is not a single dance style but rather a collection of various street dance genres.

On our street dance classes, depending on the teacher, a few or more street dance styles are being explored during the semester. The classes focus on learning the techniques and choreographies of these different styles.

Ministreet

Ministreet dance classes are for the smallest ones in the family. On these classes the children get to move, play and get to know different street dance styles. The teaching in ministreet classes is child-oriented and the goal is to develop children’s motor and social skills. These classes provide an excellent foundation for exploring different dance styles and physical activities later on. Dance is a communal hobby that helps children to make new friends. We have a supportive and positive athmosphere in the children’s dance classes at VKTY!

Vogue

Vogue or Voguing is a versatile subculture –  not only a dance style – that was born in the New York. Emerging From the Harlem’s ballroom scene to a world-wide phenomenon set by Madonna, voguing has taken a lot of influence from for instance the fashion world.

There are multiple different voguing styles (for example old way, new way and femme) and each one of them has their characteristic techniques and movement vocabulary. On voguing classes either one or a few of these styles are being explored. Common to all of the voguing styles is their expressive hand and arm movements, different poses and confidence.

Due to the nature of the style, voguing classes are not recommended for children under the age of 12. If  under 12-year-old is interested to attend, it is possible to discuss this with the teacher.

Our Vogue teacher at VKTY is Kiia Vineyard.

About the history of voguing

Voguing originated within the Black and Latin LGBTQI communities of Harlem. At a time when expressing one’s identity in daily life was often restricted, Vogue balls offered a space to express oneself freely and to celebrate one’s identity. So called houses were close-knit, family-like communities  led by the house’s “mothers” and “fathers”. The members of these houses, known as “children”, received the kind of support from the houses that they couldn’t necessarily find from the biological families as many were rejected by their families due to their gender and sexual identity.

The houses were competing against each other in balls in different categories. Additionally to dance categories, there were categories releated to beauty and fashion. Who had the most beautiful face, who was best dressed and who carried the items of the famous fashion brands the best.

All of this is still reflected in the voguing scene today. Houses are nowadays international collectives and the categories have become even more diverse. However, because of voguing’s origing, which was an subculture that was born to empower the ethnic and sexual minorities, the dancers who attend vogue dance classes should be sensitive about cultural appropriation.

Several documentaries have been made about the history of voguing, and we recommend them to anyone interested in the culture. ‘Paris is Burning’ must be the most famous one and in addition, a TV series ‘Pose’ offers a fairly accurate portrayal of the voguing world.