papa J. says..

shifting gears

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 02:42:45 -0700

not letting you get in my way.

SuperGalacticBeatManipulators (SGBM) @ Body Rock...

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 00:32:48 -0700

SuperGalacticBeatManipulators (SGBM) @ Body Rock 2012.

“version 7.0” (Sigma Gamma Beta Mu). Song/Choreography Credits:

“Intro Step” by Mikey Mesina

The Team, “Hyphy Juice” - Cye Bongalos & Mikey Mesina

E-40, T-Pain, Juelz Santana, “U and Dat (remix)” - Cye Bongalos & Kevin Nguyen

“Partner Step” by Mikey Mesina & Cye Bongalos

Pink Dollaz, “Gucci Song” - Moana Rakanace & Mikey Mesina

Kevin McCall, “Jada Fire” - Vinh Nguyen

Sheek Louch, “Gettin’ Stronger” - Cye Bongalos, Mikey Mesina, Luis Soto, Sean Memije, (Clarence Bitun solo)

“Final Step” by Mikey Mesina & Cye Bongalos

*all blocking, edits, and production: Cye Bongalos, Mikey Mesina, Ryan “Suave” Estacio, J. Vaughn, Jazzy Adamos, Vinh Nguyen, Kevin Nguyen, Moana Rakanace, Luis Soto, Sean Memije.

“v. 7.0” mixed by Sean Memije.

Director’s Note:

This medley was the first produced by our newly promoted Primes (Captains) Cye & Mikey. They had a dope concept and strong vision, and pulled it off with ease. This medley also introduced two first-time choreographers for an SGBM medley: Kevin Nguyen, who collaborated with Cye, on the guys piece - and what a combination I might add! As well as Moana Rakanace, who collaborated with Mikey on the girls piece… YES a girls piece in an SGBM medley! Vinh’s “Jada Fire” fit really well with our song choices, and was a pleasure to perform.

I still think to myself, “wow, I can’t believe we did a ‘step’ medley.”.

It was very outside our comfort zone, and I don’t think we’ve pushed ourselves like that before. It was a real challenge.. and I’m so proud of how well we handled it. Watching Mikey & Cye step up as leaders has been a dream come true for me. Vinh and I selected them to be Primes because we knew they had the potential, but they went above and beyond what I thought we would achieve in our little time frame. I’m honored to have them and the rest of the Galactic Council (Jazzy & Suave) by my side. The dancers had such a great attitude every step of the way, and it really allowed us to enjoy the process, and motivated us to take on our challenges without frustration. As always, I’m a proud papa!

Thank you to everyone for the great positive and constructive feedback. I’m blessed to have leaders and figures in the community I can lean on without hesitation. Pat Cruz, Keone Madrid, Mari Martin, Emerson Aquino, Anna Sarao, and of course, FamRoyale!

I had so much fun with this one, I hope you all enjoy!

- J.

Get to know, Cye Bongalos. Captain of SGBM, “Gamma...

Thu, 31 May 2012 02:18:00 -0700

Get to know, Cye Bongalos.

Captain of SGBM, “Gamma Prime” (3rd). SGBM’s Generation 5 (June ‘10).

Credits: Hip-Hop Junkies, Future Shock SD, Co-Creator of Artofficial Dance Competition.

Stylistically, I can best describe him as a unique fusion of Culture Shock foundation - grooves, full extensions.. and Keone Madrid’s early techniques - speed, hand/foot textures (Keone was his Director on FSSD). It’s a crazy combination that works well with a variety of music. SGBM has definitely helped him evolve his texture work, as well as his musicality. I simply love his choreography, and I don’t think anyone else moves like him.

All (amazing) talent aside, Cye has always been one of my favorite people. He’s kind, considerate, has genuine passion for what he does, and a desire to pursue growth and opportunity. I’ll definitely add that he’s kind of a goofball, and regularly cracks me up over late-night Mexican food binges. =) Getting to know him the last two years, and watching and supporting him has not only been a blessing, but something I’m passionate about.

I knew Cye was destined for leadership from the beginning, and I’m proud to have him as one of my “Primes”. He’s well liked with anyone and everyone he meets, and the team respects his craft and the experience he brings at his young age. He will no doubt play a huge role in SGBM’s future, and have an even greater impact on our dance community. Did I mention he’s only 20 years old?!

This video is just a snippet of what he does. He was also one of the minds and choreographers behind our Body Rock 2012 medley too!

I’m so proud of this guy! His potential is limitless. I can’t wait to see where it takes him.

xavieruniversecity: BODY ROCK official commercial will come out...

Fri, 11 May 2012 03:22:10 -0700

xavieruniversecity:

BODY ROCK official commercial will come out this weekend. I directed and edited myself, and had Anna Sarao produce the commercial.

I don’t want to show any of the screencaps of the footage cause its a surprise. It will display a few tricks I’ve been training for that I haven’t yet showcase in video editing. I’m hopeful you will be blown away with the cinematography. It should remind you of a michael jordan commercial, cause thats where I got my inspiration from.

HEADS UP, IF YOUR READING THIS BLOG AND YOUR IN THE COMPANY FROM SF, YOU MIGHT BE IN THIS EPIC COMMERCIAL. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL BE AMAZED ON SATURDAY

be on the lookout youtube.com/officialbodyrocksd

You don’t want to miss this!

Luis Soto - Cold Rush I always get excited to see the...

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:33:00 -0700

Luis Soto - Cold Rush

I always get excited to see the choreographers on my team put the time and effort into sharing their work with each other. Luis is one of many talented, talented choreographers on SGBM. Supporting their craft is by far one of the best parts of my job.

proud

Wed, 09 May 2012 05:09:21 -0700

Im just getting home, and now I lay here at 5am, 2 hours away from my alarm clock and all I can do is smile.

I love my team. And not because of how talented they are, but because of who they are. When I think of them, I remember why I love my job, and why I can never complain about 2 hours of sleep before a 14 hour day.

The road to Body Rock has been great.. And while things are definitely going to get more intense, I’ll think back on nights like tonight and remember that we genuinely care for and support each other - and that we do this for each other as much as we do it for ourselves.

Thank you for that feeling.
I’m a proud papa.

and there you have it folks..

Sun, 06 May 2012 01:59:00 -0700

I decided to split my brain into two blogs..

something i’ve thought about doing since i first started with tumblr.

I’ve always wanted to start a blog about everything dance. Share my experiences and history in the last 10 years, express more of my thoughts behind directing SGBM, and maybe be a voice the dance community may want to listen to.

In any case, this will be that blog from now on.

If you give a rats-butt about the rest of me.. you know, the personal, crazy stuff, then you can follow me at www.thatjcray.tumblr.com

haha.

Thank you!

Director’s Note: As the director of this amazing team, I...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:48:00 -0700

Director’s Note:

As the director of this amazing team, I want everyone to know this before showing up to our audition: I don’t care how skilled, talented, or accomplished you are in dance. What I care about most is who you are, and how passionate you are about achieving your goals.

I wholeheartedly believe that SGBM is a great place to learn, grow, and be inspired. And this we do for, and from each other. But understand that I cannot teach you hard work. I cannot teach you humility, or how to have a great attitude.

I can teach you the value of these things, and even show you the best examples.. but it’s up to YOU the dancer to decide whether you embrace them, and how to embrace them.

I’m looking for hungry, passionate, community-minded, people who want to invest in what we stand for, and in who we represent. While I know the details may be unclear to many of you, know that it is those things, that have produced the amazing group of individuals on the team today.

And it’s because of who they are, I get to call SGBM my home.

God has given me much to do on this team, and I have been blessed many times over in my 6 years. I look forward to continuing my own passion for these people and hope that the future members of this team would find a passion for each other as well.

- J.

Photo

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:18:21 -0800

at 4am I received a bit of encouragement from an unlikely friend who happens to be on the other side...

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:50:25 -0800

at 4am I received a bit of encouragement from an unlikely friend who happens to be on the other side of the globe at the moment..

and it really meant a lot. i realized afterwards how much i needed it too.

***

this has been tough on me. but i’m never going to say it wasn’t worth it.

almost there.

strange

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:50:52 -0800

It’s been an interesting start to my year.

My day-in, day-outs have been pretty normal, but a lot of my emotions have been heightened lately. I’ve been overly expressive (though I’m dealing with most of it internally) and I’ve really had to hold back to ensure I don’t outwardly make a fool of myself or say something I’m going to regret.

Lot’s of scenarios playing in my head, lots of things I want to say but shouldn’t. I’m at a point now where I kind of want to explode - not in a negative way.. just release everything I’m feeling and just.. boom.

This is strange.

heh.

It’s clear that you chose not to listen - which makes me feel like all the concern I had for...

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 16:30:39 -0800

It’s clear that you chose not to listen - which makes me feel like all the concern I had for you and effort I put into trying to help was for nothing.

So the next time you’ve got drama.. I don’t want to hear about it.

You’re obviously just going to waste more of my time.

I didn’t get it at first.. but he was right. This is a lonely job.

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:47:38 -0800

I didn’t get it at first.. but he was right.

This is a lonely job.

poison.

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:24:19 -0700

disclaimer: these statements are not aimed at one particular person, but rather a number of individuals on a number of occasions from this past year. now that the competition season is over, I decided to reflect.

***

When I see your faces when you win, “less than first place”, or when I read your status updates about how you and your team are “taking over”, I’m reminded that there exists a poison in our dance community.

It’s true, there are directors and choreographers that believe that a first place trophy defines you. And I think that’s sad. I personally don’t see the correlation between the “love of dance”, and being the “best”. It’s one thing to help your dancers reach their potential, and to push them to be their personal best, but to teach them that winning a first place trophy is that definitive moment? Teaching your dancers that ‘second place isn’t good enough’?

Are you kidding me?

Do we realize the kind of animosity that can create between teams and their respective leaders? The kind of division that our community will suffer from? The kind of negativity that can generate?

It sucks to think that there are leaders who don’t see it that way, and it especially concerns me that some of the next generation is influenced by these teachings.

Good talent can be truly effective when raised with good values. I wholeheartedly believe that the future of our community depends on how well we raise them.

So let’s place our values in more than a trophy.

Know that as long as I am a figure of influence in this community, I will stand against this.

I ask you humbly, to consider doing the same.

Afterall, poison spreads.

choose

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:45:06 -0700

We complain about so much.

If we took even half of that energy into doing something about it, I think we’d realize that some of our problems aren’t as big as we make them out to be.

It’s true there are situations that are outside our control, but it’s how we choose to react to them that makes the difference.

Make the smart choice.

invested.

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:23:30 -0700

I learned a long time ago, the power of support - from people who were truly invested in me.

And I’m thankful they raised me to be the same. I’ll always remember where, when, and why.. and what it meant to me.

I believe that the small things count. And that my just “being there” or “showing up” consistently, might have the same impact on someone else someday.

My least favorite feeling: Disappointment. I’m still learning to cope with that particular...

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 05:31:37 -0700

My least favorite feeling: Disappointment.

I’m still learning to cope with that particular emotion.

sometimes the easiest way to understand one another is to put yourself in the other person’s...

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:14:51 -0700

sometimes the easiest way to understand one another is to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.

what a week can do.

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:00:23 -0700

I’m back.

I’m focused.

I’m ready.

realign

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:37:32 -0700

I feel like I’ve lost my grip on things lately..

I’ve let things slip, I’m being more forgetful, and I’ve really felt the weight of a lot of my responsibilities.

I rarely feel overwhelmed, and it’s important for me to take some time to relax, re-focus, and put thought into how to approach ‘what’s next’, before I get to that point.

Usually, I get a day or two to force that process… but this time?

I’m going to New York City.

Though this trip has been planned for months, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. With the way I’ve been feeling lately, I’m grateful to take some real time to get away from the familiar, and realign myself with God, my priorities, and what’s really important.

My best friend and his wife are along for the trip, and I couldn’t have asked for better companions.

No work. No dance. No directing. No business. No worries.

I’m excited for this.. and I can’t wait to come back stronger.