Echoes Amplified

Creators: Leonardo Flores and Travis Lim

Cast: Leonardo Flores, Travis Lim, Ismael Castorena, Jovahna Solalindez, Lilah Horton, Juliette Martinez, Shin Wang, Simon Chernow

Call To Action

Acknowledge Hip Hop as a dance form originating from POC culture. Hip Hop can and should hold space in western theaters. Destigmatize Hip Hop and prevent its exploitation in existing systems of oppression.

Learn Hip Hop Dance Culture and History

Bio.

Hello! My name is Travis Lim and I’m a 3rd year dance major, and I’m Leo, a 4th year dance and history major. Our piece challenges the presence of authentic Hip Hop dance on a predominantly western and minority-excluding theater stage. Hip Hop as an art form was created out of the need for expression amongst the Black and Brown community. Our piece aims to uphold Hip Hop and Street Style integrity as well as provide space for our cast members to share their experiences through their movement. We now challenge this space, as a minority speaking out through Hip Hop to show that our culture is more than a trend. It is the glue that brings our communities together, and it is meant to amplify our unheard and silenced voices.

  • Leo Flores

    Leo is an LA native, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. He has trained extensively in Street Style dance forms such as Popping, House, Locking, and Hip Hop. Leo is a teaching artist with Versa Style Dance Company and currently functions as the co-captain of Versa-Style Next Generation. Leo is dedicated to bringing authentic Street Style representation and education in all spaces and demographics. Leo’s work is primarily based with underserved POC communities including high school and middle school students across Los Angeles as well as doing some work with incarcerated youth with Arts for Healing and Justice. Leo has choreographed and participated in numerous dance pieces, always stressing the importance of Hip Hop inclusion, quality, and foundation. In collaboration with Travis Lim, he is excited to share Street Style dance and culture in Kaufman hall and emphasize Street Dance in concert spaces.

  • Travis Lim

    Starting his journey in 2007, Travis started his training in his hometown of Vancouver, Canada, beginning his journey as a competitive dancer. His travels around the world has exposed him to the various street styles at a young age and instilled a passion for Hip Hop. Travis continued his training in street styles and through this lens and became a choreographer for competitive and performance teams in Canada. His time spent as a choreographer for these teams gave him the opportunity to share his passion on the international stage appearing on NBC’s World of Dance and Canada’s Got Talent. Since then, Travis’ training in Hip Hop freestyle and choreography has allowed him to blend both styles into his work as he continues to hone in on his unique choreographic approach. As a student and practitioner of Hip Hop, Travis is continuing his journey as an educator to share the knowledge of his mentors to the next generation of dancers. Now attending UCLA, Travis hopes to use Hip Hop as an outlet for creativity and change, as he continues his journey as a choreographer.