Breaking 101: Can I Kick It?

Breaking 101 instructor B-Boy Young One preaches what he’s already practiced. Here it’s the kickout.

Young explains the move – a stylish scissor kick manuver, demonstrates it, and then shows the students how to incorporate the new technique into their growing repertoire.

Their impressionable faces light up when Young executes a demo. Once he’s finished it’s their turn.

Each student tries, one at a time, watching their peers while awaiting their turn.

Once everyone’s sampled it, they’ll do together.

Can they kick it? Yes, they can! | AOTA

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Mr. Joe Walker

About AOTA 2021

Our good friends at Uno Duece showed us a ton of love this year by capturing the AOTA mojo!

Peep!

Featuring Ozay Moore, Alexis Rosado, Devin "Jonez" Jones, and more AOTA participants!

Music By: Juice

B.A.R.S.: Class is in Session!

There’s genius in the air over here!

We’re excited to rock with this talented group over the next 8 weeks.

Our Fall 2021 Beats and Rhymes Sessions have begun! | AOTA

Photo by Carla Brooks

Check The Method: Episode 2 with Young Heat & Lost Atsuki

This, the second episode Check The Method with Young Heat featuring Lost Atsuki, is a continuation of the debut entry where 5am discussed his processes for coming up with melodies.

Here in episode 2 Lost Atsuki talks about how he came up with the drums for their collaboration.

Check The Method: Episode 1 with 5am & Mahogany Jones

Welcome to Check The Method where you will experience conversations about the creative process!

Here in the first episode, B.A.R.S. participant 5am chops it up with the incomparable Mahogony Jones.

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Yo Joe Photo

Breaking 101: Simon Says

Breaking 101 instructor B-Boy Young One makes learning fun.

Teaching and refining breaking skills requires attention to detail, practice, focus, and, of course, trial and error.

While mistakes and missteps happen, most often the students are too busy having a good time to care.

One of the ways Young ensures they get in reps and rehearsal without worrying about whether they’re doing a move right or wrong is by playing Simon Says. |AOTA

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Yo Joe Photo

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Mr. Joe Walker

Above & Beyond: AOTA August 2021 Recap

And just like that … summer is over!

August was full of some incredible moments. Here’s a quick highlight real.

Shout outs to Afterglow Market, ELAF, Reach Studio Art Center, our program alumni/participants, and community partners for creating spaces for magic to happen. | AOTA

Clips Courtesy of: Ozay Moore, Rayshawn Grissom, and Carla Brooks

Music Courtesy of: B.A.R.S. participants and Stro Elliot / Ozay Moore

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Mr. Joe Walker

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Mr. Joe Walker

Breaking 101: The Power

Let’s create some momentum!

Here is a sneak peak at our BREAKING 101: FOUNDATION & POWER MOVEMENT BREAKING class.

In this session the students were learning how to create momentum to execute their power moves.

All of our programming involves these three important components:

1. Instruction.

2. Application.

3. Unpacking the purpose.

Feel free to contact us if you want to learn more about our programs! | AOTA

AOTA Photo Friday

Photo by Mr. Joe Walker

Breaking 101: You Must Learn

Part of the art of breaking is having fun, being confident, and showcasing skills and techniques to a thumping soundtrack of Hip Hop music.

Our Breaking 101 students get to experience all of that, especially the vibrant energy, audio, and moves.

A critical element of the class, however, comes during the quieter, still moments.

It’s those times when the students are sitting and listening (Here to B-Boy Young One) that their skills are really developing. Their minds - those devices of theirs that are far more important than their cells, PCs, or tablets - are drafting, recording, and saving.

Before they can break, they must be built.

First, they must listen and learn. | AOTA

Above & Beyond: Flava In Ya Ear

Sitting in a session with Y’z and his protégés is a treat for the eyes and ears.

Being there allows you to hear creativity at work. You get a taste of all the sounds being poured together into a gumbo of melodies, drum patterns, breaks, and bass.

Y’z is there to stir their ingredients. His spoon is words of encouragement and direction. It’s wonderful to hear. | AOTA

'73 'til Infinity: It's Hip Hop Celebration Day

Breaking 101: Reflection Eternal

While our breaking instructors (Here it’s Sungmok) are instilling wisdom to the listening ears of our Breaking 101 students, the young breakers are building self-confidence by seeing themselves in the mirror while it’s happening.

Each person gets a glimpse of what the environment looks like with them in it.

They can also see that they’re welcomed and that they belong. | AOTA

Breaking 101: Behind the Music

The mind of a young breaker is more than a sponge. It’s a blank canvas, a brand-new recording device, a fresh memory card.

Their mind is an opportunity.

When an enthusiastic young person attends our Breaking 101 program, they’re presented the chance to learn as much as they want about the art of breaking.

An important part of the art is having fun, gaining confidence, acquiring skill and technique, and, of course, jamming to a balanced breakfast of Hip Hop music. | AOTA