R-Jeneration: Young dancers learn life lessons, become family while putting motions to music

F ive ... six ... seven ... eight ...

As soon as the count is called, the dancers of High Profile Company Class connect to the music with the fluency of their bodies, like swans gracefully flapping their wings, fluid movement that seems almost effortless, quick feet that glide across the wooden floor.

The music comes from a small sound system with ground speakers that enable you to feel the rhythm, rather than just hear it. Dancers focus in the mirrors with a look of determination to complete every step correctly.

This Las Vegas dance experience is part of the company's effort to teach valuable dance skills in stretching, body mechanics, choreography, pickup, retention, performance and much more. Anyone is welcome to come to the class, no matter what their skill level.

"We focus on the entire dance community; that's why we give opportunities with dance classes for people that are learning to dance," says Felix Robinson, a member of High Profile.

"I like that it's a lot of people that come together for one purpose, for the same passion: dance," the 17-year-old says. "I also like that there are a lot of hardworking people, we all have fun and we're all a family at the end of the day."

Classes are offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays at Studio 702, 3105 Coleman St., North Las Vegas. They start off with a beginning class that instructs basic hip-hop for new and seasoned dancers and is followed by an intermediate hip-hop class for dancers with more experience.

Alyssa Sarti, 17, a casual attendee, says High Profile is energizing and fun. "The class taught me a lot about hip-hop and urban dancing."

High Profile dance crew was established in 2010, when two dance crews saw the potential in its members and decided to form their own team. Participants, ages 17 and older, are directed by Troy Corrales and Aldrin Angeles.

"It all started with about 24 members and has grown up to 40-plus," Angeles says. "All we want to do is spread our love of dance."

High Profile has made its name in the Las Vegas Valley by working with other well-known dance teams, such as Meccamee and A-team, and by winning awards.

"We're a family first before a dance team," says High Profile member Savannah Hooks, 19. "We're competitive, but we want people to gain individual growth to gain experience and to make a platform for their dance career in the future."

Aside from providing dance classes, High Profile members also do charity work in the community. The dance crew performed at an elementary school and at the YMCA to inspire children to reach for their dreams. They also had a Japan relief dance class to raise money after this year's deadly earthquake.

The company mentors younger dancers through Ground Zero, a junior dance team directed by members of High Profile including Ramey Rovere, Orion Macayan and Peter Hundley. Ages range from 12 to 16.

"They're basically like our parents, like family. We all have one thing in common, which is dance," says 15-year-old Bernie Tompong, a member of Ground Zero. "They teach us life lessons and teach us how to care for each other."

Katrina Episioco, 14, also likes the Ground Zero program. "Were basically a crew in training, and we all just want to get better at it."

Different members from High Profile teach the Groove dance classes every week, and Dannie Boston of Artistry in Motion recently stopped by to instruct the intermediate class.

"Dance. I love it because it's the universal language," the 22-year-old dancer says. "It's in our blood. We can't help but to dance."

"It makes you feel good," Boston says. "It's relatable, and that's cliche because everyone says it, but it's true. It's just great and it's a part of my soul."

High Profile members and occasional choreographers Mike Perez and Kim "Toshi" Davidson agree.

"To us, High Profile is a family, we've grown up to be leaders," Davidson says.