Ally Vega

Meet our super talented Kpop Dance Party instructor Ally. She became so enthusiastic about Kpop music and dance that she created her own class and we’re so thankful that she did! Let’s get to know her a little bit, shall we?

What age did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was about 6. My dad was a professional ballroom dancer so he put my sister and I in classes. Eventually I grew rebellious and decided to quit. I came back to it when I was 14 when I joined my dance drill team in junior high.

What got you back into dance?

When I joined my dance team in junior high, I realized I was good at it and I loved the adrenaline rush I felt when I performed. I continued dancing throughout high school, where I became captain of my varsity song team and I also trained at local dance studios in Orange County. At the end of the day, I have to thank my dad for getting me into dance. If it wasn’t for him throwing me into dance classes at a young age, I wouldn’t have been exposed to this world.

Tell us about Kpop Dance Party

I started listening to Kpop back in 2008 when I discovered Wonder Girls. (My first Kpop dance I memorized for fun was their “Tell Me” piece!) Then last year in 2015, I initially created a dance workshop called Jpop Dance Party. I went to different anime conventions and events in the Southern California area and taught dance workshops to Japanese pop music. A couple months later, I started teaching at a dance studio in Torrance, CA called Boogiezone Utopia. I centered my class in those music genres because I have a strong love for the Kpop AND Jpop fandoms.

What do you love about Kpop?

Kpop is so catchy! And it’s pretty diverse in sound. You can find a super cutesy pop song and on the other hand, you can also find a hard hitting, thug life feel, hip hop song. I love the variations and the catchy beats. It’s hard not to dance to it.

Your dancer role model

I owe a lot to my mentor Gigi Torres. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be pursuing dance professionally. https://www.instagram.com/p/BKCHYgTjLCT/?taken-by=_allyvega

What is your favorite part about dancing?

I love being able to create a story through movement. There’s something intrinsically beautiful about merging different styles to convey a message you want to share with your audience.

There’s something intrinsically beautiful about merging different styles to convey a message you want to share with your audience.

Have you had any challenging moments in dance you can share?

My most challenging moments are definitely happening now. 2015 was the year I decided to pursue dance professionally. I actually just moved to LA a couple months ago. I’m learning a lot about self worth and how to represent yourself in business transactions.

Talk about your choreography process

I have to listen to a lot of music. Most of the time, I’m just casually listening to music and once I hear a song I resonate with, I start to visualize a concept to go along with the song. Then I start to freestyle to it and eventually it becomes choreography. Lyrics and beats are important to me. I love a lot of electro pop and alternative R&B.

Many young dancers worry about their body type, any advice?

The pressure to look a certain way is pretty intensified in the dance world. What’s helped me overcome insecurities and body dysmorphia is having a strong support system of friends and family that help keep you grounded. It’s important to remember that physical traits do not define who you are, so as long as you remember to be authentic, loving, and real, that will reflect outwardly in your physical state of being.

What is your favorite thing to do on a “day off” from dance?

I love going to coffee shops, hiking, reading, going to live music/art events, and watching documentaries! I’m an arts nerd.

Your perfect pizza, go

The perfect pepperoni pizza! Definitely has to be New York style because I need something filling. A large surface area on a pizza is super important to me, haha.

Kpop Dance Party on Hip Shake Fitness

Get a one of a kind kpop dance workout only on Hip Shake Fitness. It’s super fun and will definitely make you sweat. You’ll be part of this Kpop Krew in no time!