G-Girls and Wasabi Boyz: A Dancing Sensation

The dance troupe was established in 2011. Here, they are performing for the ΚΦΛ’s 8th Annual Dedicated Show on Friday, December 2nd.

Juddy Fan, left, is a senior at UMD and is the current leader of the group, Ginger Girls and Wasabi Boyz. For short, G-Girls and Wasabi Boyz.

"As a leader, I love watching everyone grow," says Juddy. On December 8th, they had a rehearsal in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

One dancer, Mimi, recently joined G-Girls and Wasabi Boyz this semester.

Juddy said that she originally didn't like doing covers of dances, and liked to create original choreography. 

Rachel Samelson, a sophomore Art History and Japanese Double major (front) says the group was her 2nd family away from home.

The group is casual and invites people of all skill levels to join. You don't need any experience to be a part of the organization, and if someone wants to learn, they're open to teaching.

UMD students Ben and Gerardo help Erin to stretch for a split during practice.

The group dances to a variety of music in the Eastern world, ranging from Chinese, to Japanese to Korean. However, they try to match their song choice to the audience they will be performing for. 

The group practices for 2-3 hours a week. Their practice locations migrate all around campus, depending on what is available.

                     "I really enjoy performing, and I just feel really free and able to express myself." says Juddy, who has been dancing for 6 and a half years now.

"I really like freestyling, cause i can just do what I want and feel the music!"

Rachel says she always wanted to get into dancing, but never had the chance to until she got to college. 

Ethan Farka, a freshman at the University of Maryland, joined as a Wasabi Boy, just this year. 

Hayes, a sophomore Wasabi Boy, intensely practices as he listens to the music.

The group is unique compared to other groups, as they do NOT do auditions to be a general member. As long as you work hard, memorize your choreography, and do your best, the group accepts you.

Rachel Samelson says, "I've always liked music and it's a fun way to combine the physical with the auditory!"

This is Rachel's second year in G-Girls and Wasabi Boyz. She believes "it helps one personally become more in sync with their body, like connecting the mental with the physical."

Many of the dancers in G-Girls and Wasabi Boyz are first time dancers, but have grown and progressed since their initial join date. 

Juddy generally chooses songs based on what she likes and based on what the members of that semester like. She like to choose a variety that are fun to learn and perform.

Sophomore Mimi dances to Bad Apple, a Vocaloid song and one of her personal favorites. 

Rachel poses in the Clarice Smith Perfoming Arts Center, a location where the group frequently rehearses.

 Rachel says, "It's another way to show appreciation/support for the artists who made the music or choreographed the piece." Many of the dancers in the group joined the group for the particular genre and type of music that they perform.

Rachel strikes one of her favorite poses from the show.

Dancing helps Rachel to unwind after a long week of work, and says that being around people who are kind and welcoming and love to dance brightens her week every time she comes to practice.