I Am Dance: This is not a light statement – Profile: Omar Iwuah of IMD, Nation’s Best Dance School Winner 2016

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I Am Dance 14248779_10154000049638667_555027710_n

What inspires me is watching people who work hard in their crafts. Films and visuals and music, is where I draw a lot of inspiration from.

 
Omar is well recognised in the UK not only for his exciting crews, but also for the support he openly gives to others. We are happy to have him tell his story on our Profile series, brought to you by MindLife, healthy in Body, Healthy in Mind, Healthy in Life.
 

How Long Have You Been Dancing?

I’ve been dancing since I was 7, to artists like Michael Jackson and old school 80’s and 90’s music. My life was always about music and dance and entertaining

HOW MANY DANCERS DO YOU WORK WITH?

I work with now 80 dancers in my own squad But overall, I work with over 100 kids , in dance and music, from creating the choreography, to creating the music and soundtrack.

HOW MANY DANCE CREWS/COMPANIES DO YOU RUN?

I work with 6 crews, directly.

ARE THERE STYLES OTHER THAN STREETDANCE THAT YOU TEACH?10336622_10153013689723667_1223107326371515132_n

I can teach Popping, Breaking, Tutting, Krump, and can dabble and teach the foundations, in Locking, House, as well as Teach a lil commercial, dance hall,  waacking, contemporary and more. Hip Hop and Street choreography are my passions, but I tend to concentrate teaching more street choreography, and use hip hop as a foundation educational class.

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU PERSONALLY?

What inspires me is watching people who work hard in their crafts. Films and visuals and music, is where I draw a lot of inspiration from.015-5d3_6711

 

 

WHO, WOULD YOU SAY, ARE YOUR HEROES IN OR OUT OF DANCE?

As you get older, your heroes tend to become a fewer to the of point none. As I grew, I stopped watching Heroes. Most of mine died too. But I can say I draw inspiration and energy from work ethics I see, from the likes of Michael Jackson, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Skrillex, Hanz Zimmer, John Williams, Steven Spielberg , Spike Lee, Michelle Obama , PHARELL, Timbaland , Timberlake, Richard Branson , Bill Gates , Steve Jobs, 50 cent, Vin Diesel , Kevin Hart, Mr and Mrs Madrid, Matt Steffanina , Wildabeast , Parris [Goebel] , and ‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson. 
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WHAT SPECIAL MORNING ROUTINES DO YOU PERSONALLY FOLLOW (BREAKFAST, WORKOUT, MEDITATION, WHATEVER)?

I train more now, coz you have to, to gain a better body I run, I hit the gym, and I push it to the point of ultimate power and pain. Pain is but a moment, failure is forever, So I overlook the pain.

What books do regularly gift to other people?

I love the book the [easyazon_link identifier=”1537245597″ locale=”UK” tag=”idanceorg-21″]Art of War by Sun Tzu[/easyazon_link]. I draw on its words to strategize, and share it with others.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO THAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL?

Most important thing I do that is important and successful is, I can arrange and compose art well.

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?

Proudest moment is the growth of the YOUTH in taking my ethos , and using it to fight for their goals when they hit the stage.13700195_10153871191908667_5392440217508811321_n

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU EVER HAD TO OVERCOME?

Lowest point has to be recently, at UDO. It was hard to go from 1st to 4th and be so close to winning 12,000 and feeling like rubbish. I was drained emotionally and physically. I wanted the kids to have so much more. But it wasn’t to be.

You never overcome a failure; you can only learn from it. All success in life comes with pain. No road is as straight as some see it. You look at me, and I know some wish they were in my shoes, but it didn’t come with ease, I’ve had money not paid, taken, I’ve been taken advantage of and hated, and for no reason, or for misunderstandings. But it comes with the title, and you just get on with it.

Best way to overcome low moments is plan for the next path ahead.

WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD SURPRISE THEM?

I hate dancing in clubs lol, that’s what most people would be surprised about.

WHO DO YOU MOST WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH AND WHY?

Would love to collaborate with Everyone if I had the time.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?

I want to have a building where I run my own business from in the next 5 years. A hub full of talent and inspiration.

What is something you would want people to know?

1558513_10152096789593667_7938108289501240039_nLife don’t give you what you want, and it don’t even come when you go for it. But if there is one thing I’ve learnt is, you never give up, never, always keep pushing. Fight for success as much as you need to [breathe]. The journey is long, and the path is hard, but the reason for the walk to success, will be worth it once you get there.