Interview with Avex Dance Master students who appeared in "Da-iCE 10th Anniversary Instore Event 2024 -MUSi-aM-"!

Interviews were conducted with three Avex Dance Master students who appeared at “Da-iCE 10th Anniversary Instore Event 2024 -MUSi-aM-” held at Makuhari Toyosuna Park in Chiba on Sunday, October 6, 2024. .

We asked them to look back on everything from the studio rehearsal, which lasted only two days, to the day of the performance.

Profile below.

・MIHO (3rd year of high school): Avex Dance Master student (enrolled at Sports Club Renaissance Sengawa store)

・miwa (2nd year high school student): Avex Dance Master student (at Oaks Best Fitness Kamishizu store)

・Runa (2nd year high school student): Avex Dance Master student (enrolled at studio METRO)

──What did you think when you heard about this role?

miwa:

To be honest, I was asked to represent the students on the occasion of Da-iCE’s 10th anniversary event, and I thought, “I’m so lucky!”

At first, I didn’t really feel it at all, and I was like, “Really? That Da-iCE?” But when I told my friends, they were like, “Huh? Seriously?!” They were really surprised, and I realized once again, “This is really amazing!” At the same time, I think I was given the responsibility of having to do my best as a student representative.

Runa:

When I first heard about the role, I was surprised, but at the same time I was also worried about whether I would be able to do it. However, I often heard Da-iCE’s theme song for dramas, so I gradually started to feel that it was amazing to be able to interact with the famous artist that I usually watch through the screen.

I was really excited, but I was also really nervous.

──Please tell us your honest impressions after appearing on the show.

MIHO:

It was my first time to stand on stage as a representative of the students at an event other than the avex dance master recital, and it was also Da-iCE’s 10th anniversary event. I had no idea what it would be like, but as I rehearsed, I started to realize it more and more. At avex recitals, there are a lot of people in the audience that we know, but at this event, there were a lot of people who didn’t know us at all, such as Da-iCE’s fans, so we had to figure out how to deliver our dance to those people. I was thinking about a lot of things right before the actual performance.

However, the moment the song started playing, I was completely blown away! My honest impression is, “It was really fun!”

Runa:

With a limited practice period, how can you make the dance you learned your own? Or how can I come up with my own way of dancing? I was really nervous until rehearsals started. However, Hayate-san started talking to everyone during rehearsals and created a really good atmosphere, so we were able to enjoy the practice period. On the actual stage, of course I want to show off what I’ve done, but I also enjoy myself first! I worked hard with that goal in mind.

──Are you conscious of anything before the actual performance?

miwa:

I was conscious of understanding the choreography, organizing it, and imagining it in my head until the actual performance.

Specifically, while I was commuting to school on the train, I listened to the music, watched the video, checked where I wasn’t doing it right, and where I was off, and then corrected my dancing.

Not only did I practice dance, but in my spare time, I organized myself in this way and worked hard to finish it with what I had in mind.

Runa：

Me too! When I was commuting to school, I would listen to music and analyze what sounds were being used in certain movements, and I would try to come up with ways to apply them to my dancing.

Also, since my house is too small to practice, I made a special effort to rent a studio with a mirror and practice by looking at my silhouette.

──Did you get any reaction from the people around you? What was your reaction?

MIHO：

A child who I usually take lessons with came to see me, and it seemed like I was able to show him how much I had grown during this period on stage, and he said to me, “That was really good!” I did it! I thought that the powerful dance that I am good at was also appealing, and one of the challenges was not just dance, but also expressiveness and how to entertain the audience, so I received it. I was happy to hear the impressions from my friends and realize that Takana is true!

miwa：

A friend of mine from elementary school came to see it, and first of all, he said how happy he was to see Da-iCE’s free live show! He even brought out binoculars (lol). It was the first time he saw me dancing, and it was also a place where I realized that I was being supported by all kinds of people. I was so glad that I had worked so hard and was so proud! Such a precious opportunity doesn’t come very often, and I was truly grateful to receive praise from so many people.

Runa：

My mom and dad came to see me, and they’ve watched me grow since I was little, so when they saw this performance, they said, “It was so much fun from beginning to end!” ! She also said, “I can feel Runa’s growth!” which made me really happy. Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to receive feedback from many people.

──Have you learned anything or noticed any changes through this experience?

MIHO：

It’s “expressiveness.” Usually, I was only focused on dancing, but through this experience, I became more conscious of how I could convey my message to the audience.

Since it was a large outdoor stage, I thought about how I could express myself and how powerful my dancing could be, and I also worked on the solo part. Also, I think I was able to grow not only in the dance part, but also in that part because I was able to pay attention to my facial expressions in accordance with the lyrics.

miwa:

Up until now, I had only attended avex dance master recitals, so I felt like I was getting used to it. . However, this time was different from usual, as there were many Da-iCE members and related people there, so I felt a great sense of responsibility as a dance master student. So, not only during practice, but also on the day of the actual performance, I think I’ve become more aware of things like greeting others with a smile, and looking at my surroundings to make sure I’m not in the way.

──Finally, please tell us the appeal of being a dance master!

MIHO:

I originally did cheer dancing, but when I saw my friends dancing at Avex Dance Master, I thought, “I want to be like this too!” so I joined. Now, I feel truly honored to be in a position where I can be admired.

Also, the teachers UTAKO and Satch-A, who I always take care of, not only taught me dance skills, but also taught me things other than dance, such as greetings and etiquette. I didn’t have a lot of things like that when I was a cheer dancer, so I feel like I’ve grown as a person since I started dancing as a dance master.

miwa:

I happened to have a Dance Master store near my house, so I started going there when I was in second grade. At Dance Master, there are many opportunities to see your progress, so I had a lot of fun practicing.

At the recital held once a year, I get to dance on a stage the size of an artist, and I look forward to it every year, saying, “Even though I’m not an artist, I can dance on a place like this! Opportunities like this don’t come very often!” I’m doing it. Not only that, but it’s also an opportunity to see works from other stores that you wouldn’t normally see, so it’s very stimulating.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to perform on various stages as a representative of the students, and I am amazed that there are so many staff supporting me behind the stage. I think being a dance master is a special place where you can grow, or rather, learn things you don’t understand and become an adult.

■What is Avex Dance Master?

It is one of the largest dance schools in Japan, focusing on hip-hop and jazz, with 230 locations nationwide and 15,000 students enrolled. Avex’s unique step-up system, which has cultivated many artists, allows students to attend a wide range of classes, from beginners and those with no experience to those who dream of dancing as a career in the future.

▼Avex Dance Master Official HP

https://dancemaster.avex.jp

▼Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/avexdancemaster/?hl=ja

▼Click here for corporate inquiries and requests for information

https://dancemaster.avex.jp/tobusiness/contact

■Da-iCE performance schedule (opening time/starting time)

Wednesday, January 15, 2025[Kanagawa]K Arena Yokohama 17:30/18:30

Thursday, January 16, 2025[Kanagawa]K Arena Yokohama 17:30/18:30

〈ai contact Five-sided rhinoceros fooling around in a big venue〉

Friday, January 17, 2025[Kanagawa]K Arena Yokohama 17:30/18:30 *SOLD OUT!!

*There are no plans to sing at the performance. Thank you for your understanding.