Everyone’s dance journey comes with a uniqueness that sets them apart from their peers. For some, it was passed down from a parent or sibling, while for others, there were inspirations from well-known names in the dance community. No matter where the path has come from, all roads lead to enriching and building further as the passion for artistry grows. While it was not always as attainable, college has become a segue from dance education in grade school into higher education. Hip hop dancer Travis Lim talks to Dance Informa about his early years in dance, and what led to him wanting more.
“My dance journey started when I was about six or seven watching videos on my home computer of Michael Jackson in my basement,” Lim recalls. “I wondered who was teaching him and thought to myself that that’s something I would love to do.”
It was his fascination with the choreography of a pop icon and wanting to be involved in the artform that sparked Lim to attend a hip hop studio in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada. Because of how much there was to learn within hip hop, the need to learn other styles did not appeal to Lim. Even so, the need to continue training led Lim to pursue a higher education in dance while attending UCLA. The start of this new chapter in dance proved to be a challenging yet fulfilling experience academically and professionally.
“University is such an incredible opportunity that everyone should have the chance to experience,” says Lim. “As an international student, it was somewhat difficult because I couldn’t work. However, I had the opportunity to compete on Canada’s Got Talent right when Covid was calming down. I learned our routines through Zoom all while writing essays on the side between takes. There was a lot of studying on planes and restless nights, but thankfully my team got the golden buzzer and made it to finals.”
Along with competing on TV, teaching and adjudicating with competitions and conventions and making sure that assignments got done, Lim centers making these things happen despite the difficulty around what further fueled his drive to balance the academic aspects with the professional parts of his dance career. Of course, in the academic realm, there is an introduction to practices and methods that are foreign to what we may be accustomed to. UCLA served as an introduction to what more could be brought out of each artist.
Lim says, “One of the biggest changes while attending UCLA was my change in mindset from dancer to artist. I went from studying mainly hip hop to studying West African, concert dance and many other styles. I had to ask myself, ‘What does my art do?’ from a global perspective. Through researching videos while diving into the cultural and social impact, I was elevated beyond aesthetics. My eyes were opened to what dance could do.
Keeping in mind the newfound perspectives that can come with pursuing a higher education in dance, there is no denying that there can also be uncertainties that follow as with any new endeavor. What classes will you be required to take? Are there adequate resources available to supplement where there is less experience? Is there versatility within the curriculum that can be all inclusive to students who are involved? With these questions in mind, Lim offers some advice from his personal experience for those who may be unsure of tackling dance at the collegiate level.
“From the moment I started my journey with hip hop, I faced prejudice for that style of dance,” Lim says. “Where courses and classes at other universities were taught with a more Eurocentric or specific approach, UCLA differed by offering a well-rounded approach to dance. Every class present has been petitioned to be there. You must be prepared for the long road ahead, and you can’t expect change if you don’t show up. I had to push for everything I wanted to achieve. Put your style on the map and fight.”
In the spirit of putting dance styles on the map and fighting to keep them alive, there are many feats that can be celebrated because of the efforts of those who paved the way. From celebrating the 51st anniversary of hip hop to being able to see breaking being presented in the most recent Olympics, these are the milestones that continue to push Lim to push for the artform that pulled him into the dance realm. The multi-faceted experience with UCLA and earning his degree in dance to being signed with MSA Agency in L.A. are steps on the ladder of awareness that Lim wants to share across the board with his artistry. The balance between the academic world and the professional world is something that Lim strives to maintain.
Lim says, “I am currently finding balance within myself. I spend my days teaching dance at K-12 schools as well as dance studios. It’s the constant push and pull while furthering continuation of this culture in the pro world. My biggest goal is advocating for hip hop pedagogy regarding higher education while including the history I’ve valued and learned from UCLA. For others with unconventional dance styles, yes, there is room for you.”
You can follow Travis Lim on Instagram: @travis_lim_ent.
By Monique Jackson of Dance Informa.
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