Arnel Calvario
Dr. Arnel Calvario grew up in the era of the 70's/80's when Hip Hop street dance was born and has since been passionate about constantly educating himself on the history of Hip Hop dance culture through talking to and working with Hip Hop dance pioneers and progressors in our dance community. Believing in using his talents to promote community outreach, positivity, "respect for all people," artistic expression, and education, Arnel has dedicated himself to the CA dance scene since his college days. In 1992, he founded U.C.I. Kaba Modern (the 1st collegiate dance crew in Southern CA). Arnel created Kaba Modern on the principles of cutting edge artistic expression, personal growth, and a family crew mentality. To this day, he continues to be the advisor for Kreative Movement and Kaba Modern, and is the manager for the six Kaba Modern dancers on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew, Kaba Modern Legacy, Fanny Pak, the Beat Freaks, and Syrenz crew.
He formerly danced/choreographed for DVS and Chill Factor and also joined Culture ShockŪ Los Angeles (a non-profit 501(3)c organization that utilizes Hip Hop dance and music for community outreach events and dance education programs in schools and community centers throughout Southern California). He also founded Kaba Modern Legacy in 2002 to commemorate the 10 year anniversary of Kaba Modern. In 2003, he became the Executive Company Director for Culture Shock LA and January 2008, Arnel has transitioned to the role of President of the Board of Directors for Culture Shock LA. He also sits on the National Board of Directors for Culture Shock and is one of the directors of the Hip Hop Dance Association. Arnel continues to teach Locking and commercial Hip Hop dance classes for Culture Shock LA and has taught for other dance communities such as Studio 808 in Oahu, HI, DREAM Dance Studio in Vancouver, Culture Shock Oakland, Culture Shock San Diego, Culture Shock Washington D.C., Formality Company Class, Boogiezone.com Community Class in California and New Jersey, BoogieZone University, and Mayvn's Spotlight dance workshop. He has also judged for various dance events such as Vibe dance competition, Fusion dance competition, Mavyn's In the Spotlight battle, All Cal dance competition, East Coast Dance Competition 2008 & 2009, Summer Melee Battle in Maui, HI and Hip Hop South Africa "Dance to Las Vegas" 2009 Competition.
Committed to using Hip Hop dance for outreach as well as the promotion and preservation of Hip Hop dance culture, Arnel is proud and grateful to be Board President of Culture Shock L.A., a dancer/choreographer for Kaba Modern Legacy, and director of Kallusive Dance team. His dedication to the dance community has been recognized by his One Cypher.com and Jalan Productions community leader award as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award for the 2008 V.E.N.T. Dance Awards and his recent award for "Innovative Leadership" by the National Association of Asian-American Professionals. In addition to his passion for the dance community, Arnel is dedicated to his career as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy working per diem on the rehab unit of Childrens Hospital LA and full-time for the department of Related Services for the Long Beach Unified School District. For more information on Arnel, you can check out www.CultureShockLA.com, www.kmlegacy.com, www.kabamodern.com , www.myspace.com/arnelcalvario , www.facebook.com/arnelcalvario or twitter him.
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