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Two local dancers were part of a world-beating hip hop group that took on teams from eight other countries at the Global Cheer and Dance Games in Hawaii recently.
Mahurangi College students Brandon Lewis, from Sandspit, and Jessie Chapman, of Algies Bay, trained and raised funds to get to the games for almost a year, and their efforts paid off when their Brigade crew took out first place in the senior hip hop category. Fundraising coordinator Sonya Lewis said Brigade, which is based at Dance Dimensions in Silverdale, had spent the entire year working on one three-minute routine, with hundreds of hours in the studio.
“We did everything from car washes to quiz nights,” Sonya said. “Brigade knew their routine was good and the dancers were hoping for a medal, but never actually imagined coming first.”
The dancers spent a week in Hawaii, participating in the competition, as well as doing workshops with internationally well-known choreographers.
“We’re so grateful to all the local businesses and people who supported us. We couldn’t have done it without them,” Sonya said.
