Foundations First: Preserving the Culture and History of Hip-Hop: An Interview with Yella

 

Hip-Hop Foundations are the essential, original dance movements and techniques that form the center of Hip-Hop Dance. The moves originated in the streets of the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s, and over time, these moves have become recognized and appreciated in hip-hop culture. 

Some key foundational moves include the Two Step, the Reebok, Running Man, the Cabbage Patch, Robocop, the Bart Simpson, Happy Feet, Brooklyn Bounce, and many more moves. These dances were often referred to as "party dances" as many of them were social dances created in parties and clubs.

Learning Foundational moves has many purposes, such as groove, which encourages students to learn the bounce and rhythm of hip-hop music. Musicality which helps students understand how to connect with beats, basslines, and lyrics. Building character, which shows students how to carry personality, history, and the core attitude of hip-hop, and finally, building blocks that are used in more complex choreography and freestyle styles. 

Using and understanding these foundations is not only about technique, but it's also about respecting the history and culture of hip-hop, which includes the struggles of Black and Latino communities in New York. Dancers who study foundations are often taught about: The Pioneers (Buddha Stretch, Mr. Wiggles, and Popin' Pete), the connection to music (funk, breakbeats, and early hip-hop), and the ethos of hip-hop (Peace, Love, Unity, and having fun). 

Foundational moves in today's dance culture are used in clubs, the streets, and Hip-Hop Battles (1v1 or crew vs crew) to emphasize the foundational movement. Many of the moves are used in lots of choreography, often used to keep the choreography fun and exciting, or to inspire others to keep their dance journey going. Workshops and camps are often made to emphasize learning the original steps and their history, which is important to know for every beginner dancer. 

Today, I interviewed Daniella to talk about her passion and love for hip-hop, as well as how she creates an encouraging, confidence-building, and great learning environment for every dancer who is taking a dance class for the first time, and for experienced dancers who just want to expand their knowledge of foundations to a deeper level. She is one of my favorite teachers to learn from, so I hope you guys are excited to learn more about her with me.

Before we get into the questions, let's get to know her. 

I'm Daniella Guardado, but everyone has called me Yella since I was little, and I prefer so! I am a mom, dance teacher, and artist. 

Dance has always been my passion, and I specialize in hip-hop, helping my students grow in confidence and expression through movement. Being a mom has shaped me in the best ways, teaching me patience, creativity, and balance. 

Outside of the studio, I love creating through choreography, singing, and other artistic projects that let me share joy and inspiration with others.

Let's get into the questions!

1. What is your favorite thing about being a teacher at Elemental Studios?

Yella: "My favorite thing about being a teacher at Elemental Studios is helping people execute something they've always wanted to do, but didn't know how to. I love teaching new things and seeing the dots connect once they get it. I love meeting new people with the same passion as me, and being able to connect over it. I work with a lot of beginners; it's such an honor to be a part of the start or reconnection of someone's journey."

2. Do you have a favorite hip-hop dance style? (breaking, popping, locking, etc.), And why?

Yella: "My favorite style of hip-hop dance, hands down, is popping and locking, just right next to krumping. I learned these from people all over the world, especially my mentor in Hawaii, I, then drowned myself in the culture."

3. What do you hope that students take away from your foundations classes besides the moves?

Yella: "Something that I hope my students take from my Fundamentals class is confidence; it's a vulnerable thing to take a dance class as an adult. Especially if you have never done it before, or haven't done it in years. It's scary. I like being that barrier that brings you back to try again. I remember what it was like as a beginner, so I base my teaching on that. I hope that my students leave feeling like they've connected with their bodies more, learned something new about themselves, their musicality, and their tone of voice. Their "groove," which can only be taught through practice." 

4. How do you encourage your students in class when they are having a hard time understanding a move in the choreography or during No Choreo days?

Yella: "During my classes whether choreography or no choreo, if someone is having a hard time understanding, I slow it down. I am not in a rush to finish the choreo or plan. If someone needs a tempo change, I do so. Repetition is key along with slowing it down and explaining more. I purposely make my classes very beginner friendly so even someone who's never learned musicality has a good time. Even if they mess up. I explain growth is through mess ups, and this is a place FOR mistakes, to learn and grow. Only growth will come from being uncomfortable, they've already done the first step of growth by stepping into the studio." 

5. How did you start your journey with Hip-Hop Dance?

Yella: "I first started my journey with hip-hop when I was 13, my school offered an elective where I could take 2 dance classes for free each week. I chose to do Contemporary and Hip-Hop. I fell in love and trained within this style, I explored all styles that fall into hip-hop too. Especially Funk styles. I learned basic breaking, popping and locking, house, krump, tutting, etc. My training in other technical styles like contemporary and jazz also helped my journey with hip-hop too." 

6. What are some hobbies that you like to do outside of dance?

Yella: "I like to do a lot outside of dance! I dabble in almost everything, I love to do hair, I'm a barber and braider. For my kids, I love to make art projects and doing DIY projects. I love expressing my creativity in that way. I also am a part-time photographer, which start off as a hobby. I love spending time with family and friends. I also have a shopping addiction. Not really but I'd also say that's a hobby."

7. Are there any styles that you would like to incorporate more of into your classes, and why?

Yella: "I want to start incorporating more popping into my hip-hop classes, because it's one of the original funk styles that shaped hip-hop culture. A lot of dancers today don't realize how much popping influenced what we see in choreography, but it's becoming a lost art. I think it's important to keep those foundations alive while keeping class fun and current."

8. How would you explain the connection between hip-hop dance and hip-hop culture?

Yella: "As for the connection between dance and culture, Hip-Hop wasn't invented in the studio, it was created at parties with hip-hop music, in the streets, in battles, in the community. So every time we dance, we're carrying that history with us. We're not just learning the moves, we're a part of a culture that's about expression, creativity, and unity." 

9. What advice or encouraging words do you have for your current or new students who want to try out your class?

Yella: "Advice for my students or interested students. Growth always comes with mistakes. Every dancer you admire has messed up a thousand times to get where they are. If you stumble, if you forget a step, if someone else in the room picks it up faster, that doesn't mean you aren't good enough. It just means you're learning. There's always going to be someone better in the room, in the audition, or in the industry. Instead of letting that discourage you, use it a inspiration. Let it push you. Think, if they can do it, I can learn it. Don't compare to defeat yourself, compare to fuel yourself. That's how you grow."

10. Who are your biggest influences in your dance journey?

Yella: "My biggest influences that are famous are hands down, Ysabelle Capitule, she's been a huge inspiration of mine forever. I also love Jaja Vankova, she's a beast. I've looked up to her forever too. As for people in my personal life, the most beast dancers I've ever met were my friends in Hawaii where I grew up and did my training. There's a specific few from back in the day that always inspired me and still do to this day."

Thank you to Yella for taking the opportunity to interview with me. I really enjoyed getting to know you and your deep passion for Hip-Hop dance. If you would like to check our Yella's classes, she teaches Hip-Hop Fundamentals on Mondays at 5:15pm in Studio B, Intermediate Reggaeton Bi-weekly on Wedesdays at 6:15pm in Studio B, and Intermediate/Advanced Hip-Hop Fusion at 7:15pm in Studio A. You can also follow her on Instagram at @y.e.ll.a and @yellasphotography for her photography and to book an appointment with her for your photos! See y'all in the next staff interview!