Exclusive Q&A with NBC World of Dance's MKAM
High school dance teams have really stepped it up this season on the NBC World of Dance stage and MKAM have proven themselves to be one of the best in the country. This crew came out strong in the Duels and battled it out in the Redemption roundbut was ultimately sent home. Learn more about this Alhambra-based crew in WOD Magazine's exclusive Q&A below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toatbsBuGys
WOD: How did it feel when you found out you’d be on Season 3?
MK: We always felt that our hard work would pay off one day but when we found out we were to appear on Season 3 our minds were blown! As the days passed the reality began to set in, and we realized that this is the stage we belong on. We are humbled to appear on this incredible platform, but we also know that this is where we belong.
WOD: How long have you been dancing, or dancing with your group?
MK: The dancers on MKAM must be enrolled at our high school and have to pass through auditions each spring in order to earn a spot on the team. Since there are no hip hop studios within a 3 mile radius, most of our dancers have zero experience when they first walk into our program. This means our dancers all have less than 4 years experience, maybe just one or two years of training. We rehearse for many hours a day after-school, often 5-6 days per week.
WOD: What do you think your fans would want to know about you?
MK: Something our fans should probably know about us is that we are always injured. We go through ice packs and band-aids like candy on a daily basis. We often practice more hours than our school’s varsity sports teams, especially since we consider what we do to be a year-round commitment.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBlhwZdW8-Y
WOD: Why do you think dance is important to the world?
MK: Dance is important to the world because it literally is its own language. Movement is a language that transcends verbal communication. You are able to tell stories and express ideas through the manipulation of shape, time, space, and the human body. The variety in movement styles is a reflection of the international community that we are all a part of each with its own unique experience and story to tell.
WOD: What are you most excited or nervous about being on the show?
MK: We are excited to appear on the show because we finally get to take our craft to a global platform where millions of people will get to see us do what we do. We also feel a huge sense of responsibility on our shoulders because we are going to be the first all-male high school dance team to appear on the show. We want to represent the high school community to the best standard possible and make them proud. World of Dance is more than just studio teams, and we are excited to show our side of the story.
WOD: What cause or organization do you care about and would like World of Dance to promote?
MK: We come from an area of Los Angeles that is socioeconomically disadvantaged. Our dance parents got together and established a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to help raise funds to assist with additional training, costumes, competition fees, and more. All donations to MKHS DANCE COMPANY BOOSTERS are tax-deductible. There are a lot of kids in our program, and any contributions to our non-profit booster organization benefit all our students.
