1. What does dance mean to you?
Dance gives people the opportunity to express whatever they want through movements of the body and interaction with music. I find dancing to be creative, entertaining, and inspirational. I believe that anyone can dance and it is truly a universal art form.

2. When did you start dancing?
I started dancing with Undeclared back in the summer of 2007 before I began 8th grade. Yeah, I started late.

3. What got you to start dancing?
I wanted to dance after watching Undeclared dance at one of my school assemblies. I knew most of them, but seeing them on stage inspired me to dance also. They were recruiting for their new team, so my friends and I decided to check it out. I wanted to try something new, and who knew it would have been the best decisions I made.

4. What keeps you dancing today?
I still keep dancing because not only is it a great physical activity, but it also teaches me plenty about life. Being part of a dance team taught me the importance of cooperation, commitment, and humbleness. Dancing has also taught me to never stop learning and that there is always room for growth and improvement. I have also used dancing as a positive outlet to liberate me from any negative things that may be on my mind. I have also been lucky enough to make new friends through dancing.

5. Are there any people that have/are inspire(inspirations) to you?
After meeting so many people through dancing, I am honestly inspired by everyone. If I had to pick three, I would say Keone Madrid, Mariel Martin, and Kyle Hanagami. Their styles are captivating. My coach, Byron Bucao has also inspired me, and I thank him for all that he has done for us.

6. Can you name some achievements in dance that you are proud of?
I think that awards and achievements are great, but it’s never about them; rather it is about having fun and doing what you love to do. Nevertheless, I am proud of how far Undeclared/ Emanon/ Incognito dance teams have come. I’m blessed to have been a part of them and have gotten the World Of Dance Industry Youth Team of the Year award, and World of Dance LA 1st Place this year.

7. Do you have any words of wisdom for people that are reading this and for the youth?
You should always dance because you want to and have a passion for it. Dancing should not be about awards, attention, or any of that. There are going to be hurdles along the way, but do not let that get in the way of your goals. Hard work does pay off, and always have fun. Also, try to as much dancers as you can, and as much as you can from them because we all have something to learn from each other. Good luck, and remember to stay humble.

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Byron: Dance means everything to me. It more then just a hobby, it is a lifestyle.

Me: Do you see yourself having a future in dance?

Byron: I do see myself having a future in dance. I don’t plan on dancing forever but I do plan on running a dance studio and keeping the dance community alive here in my hometown.

Me: How and when did you start dancing?

Byron: I started dancing in 1999 when I was in the 8th grade. My sister was in the high school drill team so I would always go to her competitions and I noticed the All-Male hip hop dance team from her school. I remember the crowd going crazy every time they would performed. Ever since then i’ve always wanted to be a part of something like that. I joined a all boys dance group called Full Effect, which was taught by some alumni from Channel Islands All-Male.

Me: Are there any people that inspire you?

Byron: I’ve been inspired by many groups and choreographers. There were two groups that really inspired me when I was a kid, PAC Modern and The Original Non-Stop. Individually I was inspired by Shaun Evaristo. I was fortunate enough to have him and Pat Cruz choreograph pieces for my kids before they blew up.

Me: What motivates you to dance everyday?

Byron: I get motivated to dance by everyday life in general. It’s something that you can channel all your emotions through. I love it because when you’re dancing your mind is a completely different world and all your problem don’t come up to thought. I meet a lot of great people through dance. It’s like the universal language for the world.

Me: What tips or words of wisdom would you give to future dancers?

Byron: Keep dancing for yourself and not just to be cool or do it because it’s the in thing to do. Be humble and try to inspire to be inspired. The future of dance depends on what we do now as a community.