-winners to represent Guyana at US World Hip Hop Dance billed for August 4
WILLIAM ‘Sonic’ Thijs loved dancing as a kid growing up in Canada with his grandparents. So when he came to Guyana in the year 2000, he brought such love and passion with him. Always on a move to improve his dancing skills, he got in touch with Hip Hop International (HHI), known around the globe for its street dancing championships.

Eventually becoming the National Director for HHI in Guyana, William was able to bring the prestigious dance platform to these shores, adding to over 55 affiliated countries worldwide.

William, also a business entrepreneur in ICT development and first year online MIT student, reflected in an interview with Buzz this week on his rough days as a teenager and how the one thing that kept him out of trouble was dance.

“I know what benefits it brought to me. I know what dancing does for me; it’s a really deep connection and I really want to bring that to the Guyanese society,” he shared.

So he couldn’t be happier that he found HHI in 2006. Ever since then, he has been in talks with them and has been selling the brand locally, promoting HHI at various events.

The preliminary qualifying championship is on June 29 (tentative), at Queen’s College and the winners will then represent Guyana at the US World Hip Hop Dance billed for August 4.

Three national judges are on the panel for the event and international ones are expected to come in, in keeping with the rules of the competition.

Meanwhile, William has been putting in a lot of work to get the event organised, even reaching out to get schools involved.

So far, he said KFC has been on board providing support. Arrangements will have to be made to assist the winners to go overseas, so William is hoping to get additional sponsors on board to facilitate this opportunity.

Commenting on the quality of talent he has observed locally, William shared: “I have been around for a long time and I see amazing talent; the potential we have. It needs nourishment, guidance.”

And having held the World Battles successful on March 23 and seen the talent emanating from that, he is convinced that Guyanese dancers have what it takes to win in the international competitions.

Under the directorship of William, Guyana seeks to transcend its local dance industry and improve the standards of how all dancers are valued in society. Throughout the year, a series of dance battles will be held in open and national categories. Dancers from around the neighbouring countries will be invited to compete in the open dance events to aid in boosting the competitive standards in Guyana.