‘Dancing takes
away my sorrow’
By CYNTHIA ELEBURU
Friday, March 21, 2008
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Ihmordu
Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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With the influx of dancing competitions in the country especially
at the instance of corporate sponsorship, more dance professionals
are now emerging among the youth.
One of them is pretty and talented Halle-Grace Ihmordu, who
came to limelight at the Maltina Family Dance Competition
last year. The young dancer is currently making waves in the
dance profession.
Ihmordu, who was one of the viewers’ favourite during
the competition, recalled: “ My mum represented my family
and I think she did well in that competition. But I didn’t
know what the judges were looking for. We did every thing
we could but they weren’t satisfied. I was not impressed
by the judges but my parents impressed me.”
The dancer, who has also represented Nigeria outside the country,
spoke with Daily Sun about how she started
dancing and how she has gained popularly through dance.
Background
I am Halle-Grace Ihmodu. I am 22 years old and the last born
of a family of six. I have my ‘O’level GCE certificate
and I am at present studying English at the National Open
University.
Winning Maltina competiton
The competition made me more confident, outspoken aside boosting
my energy in dancing and I learnt various techniques and steps
particularly on African contemporary dance more in dancing
through Maltina Dancing Competition, dance, sharp-saha, the
pantomime. In the competition, I was second to the last girl
standing.
I also learnt a few things from the Maltina Dancing Competition
including friendship, love, and caring for others. I also
went through a lot of difficulties which the people outside
are not aware of, but all these also brought all the participating
families together. Above all, my family which was not all
that united before the show is now united through the Maltina
competition.
After the competition, I have represented Nigeria in the another
competition called Dance-Africa where I made the country proud.
Hobbies
I love dancing, singing, rapping and sports.
How I started dancing
I started dancing when I was in Jss1. I am a young dancer
and I have won the Milo Dancing Competition on three occassions.
Challenges in dancing
Dancing is quite challenging. For instance, when another dancer
is performing, you will like to learn the steps and the most
challenging part of this is that when you suffer various forms
of injury, this could limit the potentiality of the dancer.
I have been nursing a knee injury but now I am getting better.
Ladies dancing in the public
Most Nigerian ladies who dance in the public are just doing
it to flaunt their bodies on TV. This is not to say that some
of them do not do it well, for example, I find it interesting
when Kaffy of Nokia Danceathon fame dances, particularly because
she is good at choreography.
For me, anywhere I go, I always do my best because I have
confidence in myself and I know that I dance well.
Managing attention from the public and guys
I am not yet a star but I have friends and anywhere I go people
always admire me. But for the guys, I don’t know because
somehow I am a boy too. Sometimes, I dress like Weird MC and
sometimes I dress like a lady, meaning that I have two personalities.
Ambitions
I run a dancers’ school right now in Festac Town in
conjuction with Don k studio, which is situated at Studio
206 in Festac Town. We are working on many projects and apart
from these, I also sing as an artist but I want to be a dancer
for now and people to know me for it. I want to have a school
of dance and I want to get a bigger place like an academy,
where people will come and dance and acquire their certificates.
For the public, I would like to have a charity home and help
the poor.
Reaction of parents
My dad is a stone-hearted person and when anyone goes against
his will, he always deals with such a fellow. I learnt he
was once a boxer. He didn’t want me to be a dancer and
when I was also into sports, he was not in support of it.
He wanted me to get married early but when I insisted on dancing,
he beat me brutally but now, he is in support because he has
seen my aim and my goal, but my mum has always supported me.
Challenges
Every one believes that as TV personality, I should have money
but I am still the same girl I used to be and some guys always
try to take advantage of me whenever I need their help.
Regrets
I have never regretted being a dancer because it has always
been my dream and I enjoy it. Dance takes my sorrows away,
my pains and my worries and when I dance, I feel free, and
feel very light. Also whenever I am sick and in bed, it is
dance that heals me.
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