William Thijs, who describes himself as a former dancer, who is passionate about the growth and evolution of dance in Guyana, has secured the Hip Hop International franchise, which will allow Guyanese the opportunity to participate in the World Hip Hop Dance Competition (WHHDC).
Thijs, who had been trying to acquire the international dance franchise that brings dancers from across the globe together since 2006, finally gained it on March 27th, 2023. As part of the affiliation Thijs acn now host the local leg of the competition, the winner of which will go on to represent Guyana at the WHHDC usually hosted in Arizona or Los Angeles.
Thijs said this opportunity will enable Guyanese to network with talented dancers from around the world and listed several countries, including Germany, France and America that have been participating for years. It will enable Guyanese dancers to gain knowledge from some of the best dancers in the world, according Thijs. He expressed that his vision is needed because dancers’ skills and abilities are undermined and not appreciated in Guyana but with this competition dancers will have a goal to strive for.
While this competition will enable dancers to grow professionally, he hopes they can also have personal self-development on their journey. Thijs said he feels society has become less caring and more hostile. He believes that through dance and music people can unite and it can help to quell this behaviour in our society.
“For me [dance] is an escape from the harsh reality that we live in. It provides me with avenues to be creative and to channel a lot of my emotions into this creative artform,” Thijs said.
“When you lose yourself in music and dance it is like nothing matters in the world and you connect with God, the universe or whatever it is [people] like to call it.”
Thijs expressed that once he sees this development in dancers and they are successful in their craft then he feels successful as well because he played his part to aid them in their development and it is his way of sharing an artform which has shaped his own growth.
He said dance has enabled him to be physically fit and take care of his mental health. “[Dance] has helped me to find who I am as a person and it has also helped me to understand my weaknesses and strengths,” he said, while adding that it has also helped him to tame his ego. He does not look down on people anymore and has learnt to take accountability for the consequences of his decisions without blaming anyone else.
He also said that dance helps to keep a person on a positive path which can ultimately help them to realise their dreams and potential.
Thijs said he hopes dancers can find themselves through the artform and not cave to the pressures of society which he explained can give young people a narrow path that solely focuses on academia and minimises the importance of artistic expression to discover oneself.
He hopes that this platform can stimulate and allow people to find their spark in life and with each passing generation society will have better people.
“People will be much more loving and caring and happier at the end of the day and they are not always fighting down each other,” he said. “And it is just the beginning for something greater in the future to come.”
He hopes his organisation can become a foundation that creates equity for everyone who dances, and help Guyanese youths who aspire to be great dancers. He wants youths to know that they can become great through Hip Hop International Guyana. Thijs said he feels Hip Hop International Guyana will be a refuge for youths to be themselves without the fear of being judged for who they are or where they come from.
