The 13-year-old Fairfax native was a finalist recently on Disney Channel’s dance competition “Shake It Up: Make Your Mark Ultimate Dance Off.” How did you decide to do “Make Your Mark?”
I saw the commercial on TV. My friends and family all recommended I do it and I thought it was just perfect. So I just went into the backyard and shot a video.
How did you get involved in dance?
I caught on from my family. I learned from my uncle — he’s a professional dancer and we’re 10 years apart. He didn’t take classes, he just learned hip hop from friends in the neighborhood. He was also the director of Future Shock D.C., which I did for a year or two and that really changed me. But I had to stop it because dance was conflicting with basketball. My grandma is also a traditional Indonesian dancer.
Does your dance footwork help you with basketball, or vice versa?
I would say that my style in dance works with basketball. I add a little flavor of my crossover that ties into it.
What’s your highlight from the show?
My best experience was not even getting to be on TV, it was the time with the other dancers. The friendships that we built enhanced being on TV, they made it one of the best experiences. During the finals on TV we were all texting each other.
Do you think you’ll dance professionally?
I want to keep dance in my life no matter what, whether it’s teaching a class or my own kids later. This experience really opened the doors so much.
— Leigh Giangreco
