Fusion Dance Co. just finished up their super competitive tryouts and announced its newest recruits. If you don’t know what Fusion is, you’re missing out on one of the most talented student groups on campus. Fusion is a premier hip-hop dance company at Northwestern. They were founded in 2003 and haven’t stopped dancing ever since.This group of people are all super passionate and excited about dance. They even hold a spring showcase annually which over 700 people came out to see last year. Imagine what it takes to make this well-rounded and rhythmic group. The new members give the scoop on dance and other random facts about themselves below. Meet the new faces of Fusion Dance Co.!
Cassie Cancela
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
I would probably say any Beyoncé song, probably “Partition.”
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I broke my ankle snow tubing when I was about 13 and I still have two screws in my ankle.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I’ve been dancing since I was about 3 in studio, but then after I broke my ankle in fifth grade, I just danced in the school program from 5th grade to 12th grade with some hip hop cardio classes on the side.
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
My favorite TV show is probably Parks and Recreation!
Elina Kim
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
There really isn’t just one song that inspires me to dance. Personally, anything with a good beat or groove that puts me in the mood to dance can be titled as a song that inspires me. Because many times, as I dance to these songs, I improve and grow as a dancer!
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I lived in Spain for 4 years!
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I have only received studio training for 2 years during my junior high years. But I have been dancing hip hop since 7th grade (so this is my 7th year dancing) and have been on the Varsity Dance Team at my high school for all 4 years, competing at various competitions including the UDA Hip Hop National Dance Competition!
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
To be completely honest, I don’t watch that much TV, but I would enjoy Grey’s Anatomy once in a while! After all, I am a math major on the pre-med track.
Abbey Schubert
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
‘‘Partition” by Beyoncé/actually anything by Beyoncé!
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
Despite being a dancer, I’m a total klutz and I slipped and fell in the shower and broke my tailbone in 7th grade.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I started taking classes when I was 3, mostly in jazz and hip hop. Starting in high school I focused almost entirely on hip hop and I began competing in hip hop with my school’s dance team and with a crew from a studio.
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
I am currently bingeing on The Office!
Grant Hou
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
I really like “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire because when you hear it, you just gotta get up and dance.
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I taught myself how to play the ukulele.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I’ve been hip hop dancing for five years now in which I’ve never had any formal training, I learned all my craft from watching others online or on TV.
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
My favorite TV show at the moment would have to be either Sherlock on BBC or Game of Thrones.
Caroline Spikner
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
My favorite song changes on a regular basis, but at the moment my favorite song to dance to is “Back to the Earth” by Jason Mraz.
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I like making funny faces at strangers.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I have been dancing for as long as I can remember. I’m pretty sure I was put into a “movement” class at three, and joined my first dance company around eight. Most of my training has been in modern, ballet, tap and jazz.
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
My favorite TV show is either Arrow or White Collar.
Kitty Liu
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
My favorite song to dance to is “Home” by Gabrielle Aplin.
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I stayed with a host family in France for 2 weeks the summer before my senior year in high school and my host mom was a ballet dancer, so she gave me a lesson and that was a really memorable experience.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
I’ve been dancing for probably 10 years and I’ve had training in mostly ballet, contemporary and jazz. I’ve only take a few hip hop classes but they’ve always been super fun!
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
I love the show Suits!
Sam Riese
1) What’s one song that really inspires you to dance?
“Singing in the Rain!”
2) What’s one interesting/random fact about yourself?
I’m ambidextrous.
3) How long have you been dancing/have you had formal training?
10 years of hip hop competition.
4) What’s your favorite TV show at the moment?
Game of Thrones.