Category: Featured

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Gavin Morales: 10-year-old dancing sensation

“Keep trying harder and harder, and never, ever, ever give up!“
- Gavin Morales

Gavin profile 2015Watching a dancer is a spiritual experience. It can be life changing to see another human being with flesh and bones like our own (well, almost!) defying our assumptions of what we thought was physically possible while communicating through every fibre of their being. Watching Californian dancing prodigy, Gavin Morales, perform was one such experience. I have never seen such power and intensity of communication coming from a 10-year-old boy. It was both challenging and incredibly moving.

Born to Dance 

gavin split leap showbiz14Some people are born to dance and I do not say that lightly. I strongly believe that I was born to sing, simply because I know my life would feel empty and meaningless without it. Having spoken to Gavin and his father though the wonders of Skype, I am convinced Gavin is born to dance. Not least because he never stopped moving for the entire conversation! But more so because of the way his face lit up every time he spoke about his dancing. As eloquent as he was, I believe Gavin’s mother-tongue is movement. 

For me, this raises some interesting points on the established education system in the Western world which still considers education to be a static activity – bad news for those who need to move to think. But that is definitely another blog! On with our featured artist…

A world-class performer

Let’s establish before we go any further, that Gavin Morales is a world-class dancer and almost certainly one of the most competent boy dancers performing now. He has won multiple awards for his talent which have resulted in opportunities that most professionals could only dream of. As much as Gavin has had some amazing opportunities and clearly is blessed with an incredible natural talent, much of his success is down to a level of hard work and dedication which is staggering to see in such a young boy.

Gavin and JadeFurthermore, Gavin is coached by some of the top professionals including Jade Hale-Christofi – a graduate of the Royal Ballet School in the UK and choreographer of Take Me To Church performed by Sergei Polunin. Jade is currently Gavin’s ballet and technique coach, helping fine tune Gavin’s incredible talent. Gavin says that Jade is ‘an amazing male role model’.

The Take Me to Church music video has propelled the lyrical, expressive form of dance in which Gavin excels into the mainstream media. Coincidentally, my fiancée sent me a link to the video a few days before I interviewed Gavin while I was still unaware of the connection. I am sure her thoughts express the feelings of many when they see such a powerful performance:

“Seeing someone else express feelings we all hold inside somehow makes it feel as if he’s released them on our behalf. I wish I could go and dance the angst out sometimes! 

But at the same time, it just makes my heart burst with joy and gratitude that such beauty exists.” 

Though Gavin has never met Sergei Polunin, he is his biggest professional inspiration, not only for Sergei’s strength and incredible technique, but because Gavin has been described by many as a ‘young Sergei’. One of Gavin’s dreams is to meet Sergei and perform Take Me To Church with him.

Boys don’t dance…

turn2dust2Gavin is competent in many dance genre’s including ballet, lyrical, contemporary, open, and jazz. As a rare, left footed dancer, Gavin has had to work extra hard on his right side but, as a result, is now equally at home on both sides. You could say he now has two right feet as opposed to two left feet!

His earliest and greatest inspiration is his older sister MacKenzie who also dances to an extremely high standard. Gavin says:

“My biggest influence is my sister because I learned how to dance from her. I watched her all the time and thought ‘oh that looks fun’ and I just tried it!”

So we might say that if there had been no Mackenzie Morales, there would be no Gavin Morales! It is very rare to have two such competent dancers from the same family, especially considering that neither of the dancing siblings’ parents are dancers.  

Gavin’s father told me:

“At first I wanted Gavin to be a wrestler, football player because, you know it’s ‘not cool’ to have a boy dancer. But now I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. I started to appreciate Gavin and MacKenzie’s passion. That’s them, I mean they were born to do that and it’s beautiful to be able to see them express themselves in that way.”

 

Gavin and FamilyGavin with Family

Without the support that they enjoy from their family, it would never have been possible for Gavin and MacKenzie to come so far. Having danced as a boy myself, I was saddened though by no means surprised to hear that Gavin endures a lot of bullying. Most of this is through social media where he has to put up with a lot of unsolicited criticism at best and at worst some cruel remarks from envious haters. As always, I would strongly encourage you to take a moment to encourage Gavin through positive comments as much as possible. Please don’t underestimate the difference it can make!

Gavin’s Instagram

Gavin’s Facebook Page

Gavin’s Twitter

However, I am quite sure that it will take a lot more than a few haters to pull Gavin down. I asked him what advice he would give to other young people trying to achieve their dreams. He answered:

“Keep trying harder and harder and never, ever, ever give up.”

Gavin emphasised some of the people that have inspired him to be a better dancer.

Gavin with Dance Trophys
Gavin proudly displays his much earned awards!

Christina Lyon is founder of Gala de Danza. She invited Gavin and his sister McKenzie to perform at Gala de Danza in Cabo San Lucas Mexico in 2014 with these amazing professionals: Misty Copeland, Hee Seo, Maxim Beloserkovsky, Marlon Dino, Irina Dvorovenko, Qi Huan, Lucia Lacarra, Brooklyn Mack, and Gillian Murphy to name a few. They were just asked to come back in 2015 to perform again.

Chris Todar was Gavin’s first lyrical teacher and huge influence on his success.  Last year Chris had an accident that left him unable to teach and a large temporary void in Gavin’s growth.  He has since latched on to others for that needed training and inspiration.  Chris choreographed the solo The Face that went viral when Gavin was 8 years old.

Gavin Turn To Dust 2015

 

Derek Piquette is in Gavin’s eyes one of the best male teachers/dancers he knows. Derek choreographed an amazing solo for Gavin this year Turn To Dust and will soon be known by the world for being on this years So You Think You Can Dance.

Tiffany Burton Rojas is Gavin’s current dance teacher. She has played an amazing role in taking Gavin’s talent to the next level, not only through her training, but with her life experiences as an amazing young dancer/actor.

One final question…

I was keen to ask Gavin the ‘Billy Elliot’ question, sure that he would give an interesting answer: ‘how do you feel when you dance?’

“I feel like… I don’t know… it’s just a very good feeling. I feel like I’m expressing myself and I get to be free when I dance.”

And so I conclude that here is a boy who was surely born to dance. It is clear that to deprive him of dance would be a cruel prison for Gavin as well as a crime against the future of dance! I am sure you would like to join me in wishing Gavin all the very best in his career. We will hopefully be hearing much more from him as he continues his exciting journey in the world of dance.

JoJo Rocks: rapping to end child poverty

 

“You can make a difference, I know it’s true
You can change the world – it all starts with you!”
                                           – JoJo Rock; ‘Amazing Grace’
 

JoJo singing carolsMany people have inspirational qualities but some simply are ‘an inspiration’: a living reminder of what it means to be challenged out of our preconceptions and propelled out of our apathy. JoJo is one such inspiration.

The Foundations for Success

JoJo rapping to end child povertyWhen he was only seven years old, JoJo from Sydney, Australia, started rapping to raise money for children living in extreme poverty. Almost four years later, the adventure continues and JoJo not only raises money himself but spends much of his time encouraging others to do the same.
 
Toby Mac was JoJo’s earliest influence along with groups such as the Krosswerdz who he was able to work with in person. JoJo says:
“They helped me develop a passion for rapping and gave me lots of opportunities to perform live and learn to freestyle. From Krosswerdz I met a mentor called The Profit . The Profit taught me a lot about performing and writing rap and helped me write Amazing Grace.
I also listen to a US rapper called Sevin and have toured with him in Australia. He has also had a big influence on my musical style.”
 

The Music

I asked JoJo how he would describe his music and he answered:
“I try to write songs that are inspirational, talk about my faith in Jesus and can be listened to by people of all ages.
My songs are recorded in my garage but Amazing Grace was recorded in a full studio with over 10 musicians. That was a big production.”
It was Amazing Grace that first caught my attention, with JoJo’s heartfelt rapping combined with the wonderful African vocals of The Sowers. The International Christmas Child team agreed early on that this song would open the charity album as it so perfectly encapsulated the sentiments of the project. Furthermore, it should be acknowledged – at the risk of embarrassing JoJo! – that he was the primary inspiration for the album. The concept of children helping children was very powerful and continues to challenge and inspire people.
 

 

httpvh://youtu.be/ysT9oNjtVYU

Check out JoJo’s Music Video ‘Amazing Grace’

 
JoJo performing
 
 
JoJo’s most recent song and music video ‘Reach for the Stars’ was the theme song for his ‘make a difference’ tour and it encourages people not to give up on their attempts to help others. Like much of JoJo’s songs, it has some very profound lyrics:
“If you reach for the stars and you bring back the moon
Then you’re almost there, so don’t give up”
 
In a world where so much is measured by success and failure, I believe this is an important message for would be philanthropists to take on board. I think we are often afraid to ‘reach for the stars’ in our aspirations because we are afraid that we might never reach them and will be deemed – by others or by ourselves – to be a failure. JoJo’s point is that even if you don’t reach your goal, the act of trying can make all the difference:
“Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day
And you just might only make it halfway
But the change you make just might save the day
For someone in need so don’t back away”
 
 
 

 

 httpvh://youtu.be/l5II1EUWbL0

 Watch JoJo’s inspirational music video, ‘Reach for the Stars’:

Fighting Giants

JoJo chilling

“The last few years I have had problems with two boys at school. Some would describe them as bully’s. It has made my life very difficult and I have started to enjoy school less and less.  I am being coached by my parents on how to deal with these difficult people but it is a journey. I am working on dealing with difficult people in my life and how to become stronger and more resilient. I believe I will overcome these issues with time and will be stronger through the journey. 

I have just written a new song called GIANT. I have not recorded it yet. It is about overcoming the giants in your life. The song is based on the story of David and Goliath and is based on my experience trying to overcome my giants. Everyone has a different giant they have to overcome. For some it is poverty, health problems, learning difficulties, racism and at the moment mine are bullies. I believe we can all overcome our giants just like David defeated Goliath.”

 
JoJo’s story touched me deeply as I know too well what it is to suffer prolonged bullying at a young age. The tragedy is that of the many incredible, talented young people I have either worked with or interviewed, a huge amount have to put up with this kind of harassment, usually from other children but often from adults too. In the case of boys, my experience shows that almost all will experience bullying of the kind that JoJo describes. There are various reasons for this, but that is another article! For now, suffice to say that boys like JoJo are on the front line in the struggle against bullying of many kinds, but we can help. Please don’t underestimate the effect that a positive comment or unconditional compliment can have for someone in JoJo’s position. Negative comments and insults are very strong and often need three of four positive comments to counter them. 
 
I know most of you reading this will think that what JoJo is doing is simply amazing – so tell him! Send him an encouragement; regularly remind him that he is in your thoughts or prayers; tell him that you are 100% behind him as he fights his giants. You can comment on JoJo’s videos or get in touch through his social media:
 
 

The Journey Continues

JoJo 2014JoJo told me where he draws his inspiration from:
 
“My sponsored child Charles in Uganda is what has inspired me in the past to write, record and perform my music. I have been encouraged by many people in my life including my parents, the rappers at Krosswerdz and many other musicians, teachers and friends. Also the people who follow me on social media and write comments of support on my Youtube and Facebook pages have inspired me to keep going.”
 
I asked JoJo if he had dreams or aspirations for the future and what advice he would give to other young people trying to achieve their dreams:

“I have spent some time speaking to school students over the years and I would like to do a lot more this type of thing. I also would like to be a doctor and a lego designer, so I could be a children’s doctor who cheers the sick kids up with my lego designs. That would be cool.

If you want to achieve your musical dreams, then you need to work very hard and never give up. I remember travelling for hours to a venue to perform for 5 people when I was 8 years old. Some would say that was a waste, but these events taught me how to perform and I did my best. I have now performed to very large crowds and have done very well because I practiced with the small crowds. The bible says in Matthew 25:23:”
 
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
 
 JoJo would like to thank the people who have helped him most on his musical journey:
  • Titus MacLaren – Titus directed and edited the music videos BIG and Reach for the stars
  • Raj Dhatt – Raj directed and edited the music video Amazing Grace and Oh Holy Night
  • Brenton Smith – Brenton worked on all the videos and was an amazing support
  • Angus Steventon – Angus wrote and produced the music for Oh Holy night and Amazing Grace
Everyone helped JoJo for free because they believed in the cause.
 
Make sure you support JoJo by subscribing to his social media and buying his music. You can find links to this on his Official website:
Also, you can donate to Charles, JoJo’s sponsored child in Uganda:
 
I leave you with some final lyrics from ‘Reach for the Stars’:
JoJo, Ozzi rapping to end child poverty“And let’s pretend that this story’s true
That what I just said, we can surely do
If we reach for the stars but don’t get through
We’re still changing a life if we’re touchin the moon”