Four young men are rapidly rising to heights on the hip hop dance scene, displaying such energy and talent that they are being referred to as unforgettable.
The Euphoria Dance Crew is new and came about through a chance encounter.
Euphoria comprises Kevon Caleb, Carlus Persaud, Jemal Ellis and Ceon Douglas.
Kevon, who is also known as ‘Stewey’ or ‘Fresh’ is an 18-year-old student at the Government Technical Institute in Georgetown,
where he is majoring in welding.
Carlus is the youngest member of the troupe at age 15, but he certainly does not act or look it. He is a fourth-year student at the Bishops’ High School with an interest in Art.
Jemal, 23, is a dance choreographer who works with several dance companies, including Let’s Dance and Classique. He has done choreography for Timeka Marshall and Don Gialiani performances. He is mostly committed to teaching gospel dances in two schools in Essequibo. He was also a finalist at the Feel the Beat competition in 2012.
Ceon is a 20-year-old sales representative at a Georgetown store.
How it all began
Ceon is the common thread that linked the dancers as he knew them all. As it happened, Ceon and his friend Carlus were in the Botanical Gardens practicing capoeira one day. According to information available on the Princeton University website: “Capoeira is a Brazilian art form which combines fight, dance, rhythm and movement. Capoeira is a dialog between players – a conversation through movement which can take on many shades of meaning. The details of capoeira’s origins and early history are still a matter of debate among historians, but it is clear that African slaves played a crucial role in the development of the art form. Some historians claim that slaves used capoeira’s dance-like appearance as a way to hide their training of combat and self-defence.”
As they were going through one of their routines, Jemal, who had already set up a dance crew inclusive of himself, Kevon and Ceon, arrived. They were there to meet Ceon.
Jemal then began to do a dance routine which captured the attention of Carlus. He then began to emulate the moves that intrigued him and before you know it his capoeira moves had launched his appeal to the dance troupe. Ceon began teaching him the moves and they built from there.
After practicing breakdancing for a while, the crew became one under the name “Euphoria Dance Crew”. According to the de facto leader Jemal, he was looking for a name that represented a feeling that brings happiness, and Euphoria was the name he found, after all dancing as a group made the guys feel fulfilled.
After the announcement of Season Two of the Feel the Beat Reality Dance Competition in late August/early September the group signed up in and went into the contest with high hopes. But after several postponements they lost hope in the competition and by the point of cancellation, they were not surprised or even disappointed.
The main ambition of the Euphoria Dance Crew is to entertain and bring joy to the people; well that is according to Jemal. He said, “It is to give people the same joy we have as a group while dancing.”
Carlus said it is to show people what they are capable of, what dancing is and basically showing that the things people think cannot be done, are proven possible by them. “Each of us has our own special style of dance,” he said, “and we give it our all.”
Kevon notes the group’s ambition to make people happy, “They should be euphoric to see us dance. They should love to see us so much that they wouldn’t want to miss a presentation,” he said.
When asked what they would describe the dance crew to be like, Carlus answered without hesitation: “A family.” He continued to say that what makes them a brotherhood is the mere fact that they practice hard together, laugh together and help each other out through everything, “We push each other and keep encouraging ourselves to aim high at all times.”
Jemal said the group strives to inspire young people to continue doing what they are doing. “If you have a talent pursue it,” he said.
Inspiration for them comes from other dancers. “A little competition is good and seeing others with our passion for dance drives us,” Kevon said.
Carlus accredits inspiration from the fans. “We really try to perfect our moves and when people encourage us – that motivation pushes the group further. We will reach a high limit and when we’re there we will work to go beyond.”
