A new dance trend is taking root in Yellowknife.
Korean-pop (or K-pop) enthusiast Michelle Chui decided to make some waves in the city, recognizing a niche that was missing locally.
Bella Dance Academy has brought Chui aboard as a contractor to teach this specific artform, and a K-pop dance program sprang into action last weekend. Eight participants started out by learning a series of postures.
“You hear BTS, Blackpink on the radio, these songs are very famous,” she said.
She noticed that almost every K-pop song has a hook and a signature dance to go with it.
She decided to start a hobby K-pop club last November to welcome anyone interested to get some exposure to the dance form. The club gained more and more interest from the multicultural community and the devotees formed a K-pop performance group. They held their first show at the snow castle, separate from Bella Dance.
Lesson were also offered at the City of Yellowknife’s March break camp for kids, and the kids loved it too, according to Chui.
Phoenix Smith, the owner and artistic director of Bella Dance Academy and who comes from a ballet background, is thrilled with the addition of the K-pop class.
“It was really good for people of all ages,” she said. “I loved that this class was for adults and that we were able to offer more options for adults to get active and get dancing here in the city.”