Young hip-hoppers join the (Justice) Crew

OPENING for Justice Crew was a dream come true for up-and-coming Roma hip hop sensations.

OPENING ACT: Opening for Justice Crew at its Roma performance on Saturday were Dance wEST03 hip hoppers (from left) Madi Hewitt, Isla Core, Charlee Shepherd, Phoebe Knight and Ada Jones. Picture: Ellen Ransley

OPENING for Justice Crew was a dream come true for up-and-coming Roma hip hop sensations.

At just 11 years of age, Charlee Shepherd has been dancing since she was three, and cites hip hop as her favourite genre style of dance.

"It was pretty exciting to open for Justice Crew, it would be one of the biggest things we've done,” she said. "I think they wanted us to get involved 'cause we're from the west and want to give us the chance to get up on stage.”

Riley Bryen, Kirri Wright, Bronwyn Wright, Kira Collie, Reyna Core and Demmi Yates (front). Picture: Ellen Ransley

Dance wEST03 principal Jodie Noon said the chance for two of her hip hop groups to dance was an incredible opportunity the girls wouldn't forget any time soon.

"We don't get these kinds of opportunities very often - to open and perform for a headlining band - so that was incredible,” she said.

"As a school we do work hard to give our kids lots of opportunities. It's easy to fall into the mentality of 'it's all a bit too hard' because of distance, so we work hard to take our competition crews away.

"But Saturday night it was great to see all the kids in the community get involved and, for our two dance crews, they loved getting to meet Justice Crew and it was an incred- ible opportunity for them.”

Justice Crew's Lukas Wildrock said it was important for the group to support budding dancers.

"Just local acts in general, if we can supply a platform for them to get a bit of exposure, whether it's singing or dancing,” he said. "If we can provide it, we're more than happy to give them a chance to give their 100 per cent.”

Originally published as Young hip-hoppers join the (Justice) Crew