[Interview] Joey Antonio of StereoJunkies Crew

Are you a fan of American Best Dance Crew? Yes?
Then you might have seen this awesome crew A.S.I.I.D  consisting of several talented dancers especially this very special guy, Joey Antonio!

I have contacted the very guy for a written interview by email and it is really inspiring!

 

 

SteoreoJunkies in dance competition 2010

Can you intro yourself and your group as well as what are you doing currently?

My name is Joey Antonio and I’m one of the co-founders along with my brother Justin, and Jig Hart of StereoJunkies crew. We basically are trying to establish a community for dancers here in Detroit, Michigan, and to share our talents, love, and support with everyone. We perform here and there for many different things ie: charities, party events, and stuff like that.. As for myself, I’m currently enrolled in Marygrove College which is based at Detroit, Michigan. I’m majoring in dance! I’m also teaching at different studios around Michigan along with my brother Justin.

How did you start to learn to dance?

Ever since I was a baby. My family used to throw parties every weekend, so I had to join in! One day, when I was about 4-5 years old and somehow I was following the steps and had it down! LOL I even got a video to prove it! Maybe I can get it posted! LOL it was a love at first sight experience for me.. I couldn’t not dance at any party..

Joey is the guy on the right with his brother

Why do you love dance?

I’ve truly embraced it while watching my family dance, and I mean, danced like no one’s watching. They were having so much fun and I had a sudden urge that I wanted to join in. As life went on, I’ve really developed a love for dance, becoming more passionate, and allowed me to have a positive outlet for me to express whatever I’m feeling, and it’s always been there for me. The next thing I know I’m watching Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Missy Elliot and many more, learning the moves from videos, performing with my brothers and cousins at family parties, with the step team from high school, my crews, and local artists.. I just couldn’t refrain from dancing. It’s just one of those moments when you just know, for instance when you find someone that you want to spend the rest of your life with. So in that case, dance is my lover. LOL

How do you hear the music?

I don’t normally hear music like everyone else, and because I have hearing aids, it gives me an opportunity to catch on the beats even though all I hear are noises but with everyone’s timing and movements, it helps me to get familiar with different kinds of sounds. I just basically feel what comes naturally.. It’s a lot more complicated than what people think but when you really let go of all the thoughts in your head, it’ll come to you naturally. You just have to believe in yourself, practice, practice, practice and work hard. Before I teach a class, I would have to get my huge headphones and have the volume all the up so I can hear the beats and memorize the tempo of the song and learn the lyrics by heart so I can follow the beats, the words, and everything that goes along with it, and then I’ll make up some choreography while memorized with all the tempo and words from the song.

Your group are all deaf or a mixture? How are practices like?

I’m the only one who’s hearing impaired.. Practice are awesome! I feel that I’m treated the way that everyone treats each other. We work hard, support, and help each other out.

How do people generally react when they first found out that you are a dancer?

I get a mixture of reactions from everyone when they find out that I’m a dancer but most of the time people would be surprised to find out that I’m deaf and because of going through an oral program which is for deaf/hard of hearing people to learn how to talk, some people couldn’t tell that I’m deaf. I worked hard to get to where I am today but it keeps me motivated, and working hard because I know that I could do it.

So how do you “hear” the music if you are deaf?

Due to having hearing aids, it helps me to get familiar with the sounds, and tempos of the song.

As a parting note, what final thoughts would you like to share with fellow deaf dancers all over the world?

Never, ever, ever stop believing in yourself because it all starts with your head. It’s up to you to put into effort for the things that you want to do. Go for it, nothing is impossible. If I could do it, why couldn’t you? Many blessings to you all!

Thank you Joey for the inspiring interview and we hope that your crew will inspire the world out there as well as the deaf community!

For more information on StereoJunkies Crew, check it out here

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