For Bernard Jones (photographed, far right), sr. finance manager for Facilities Services, there are many benefits to his hobby of hip hop dancing. He enjoys the music, exercise, and comradery that comes with dancing but, more importantly, he enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of children as they are introduced to the art.
Jones and his wife, Tracey (photographed, second from right), started a dance program called E-dance (Exceptional children) for kids with special and typical needs. “The goal of the program is to provide a safe place for children to enjoy dancing without judgement,” he said.
Hip hop dance evolved in the 1970s and became popular as it was featured on television shows such as Soul Train and in movies like Breakin’, Beat Street, and Wild Style. Through popular media, hip hop dance gained mainstream exposure.
“I’ve been dancing since I was five,” Jones said. “I loved watching Michael Jackson dance and would mimic his moves daily. As I grew, hip hop and breaking became my choice of dance.” In the ‘90s, Jones and his friends began organizing dance competitions in the neighborhood to show off their moves.
While Jones primarily enjoys hip hop dancing, he also watches modern, jazz, breaking, and Latin dancing.
To be a good hip hop dancer, Jones said you have to feel the music. “It’s important that the body movement flows with the music. Your movement makes the music come to life.”
Through dancing, children can learn about body coordination and control as they use a variety of muscles. This also helps build strength, endurance and motor skills. “For hip hop, you need to feel the beat, and let the beat create the movement,” Jones said. “This can be difficult for some people who have a hard time catching the rhythm.”
But Tracey Jones said something special happens when they participate in E-Dance and play music for the kids, even their own kids. “What is most important is that they move, feel the music, and just have fun,” she said. “Dance can be based on following choreography and specified moves but you can also move with your heart.”
Sr. Finance Manager for Facilities Services, Bernard Jones, and his wife, Tracey, provide a safe place for children to enjoy dancing without judgement through a dance program called E-dance.
