INSTEAD of a tutu, Lim Sin En, 6, was in a bright orange T-shirt and funky pink tights for her dance class.

Silver pom-poms in hand, the pre-schooler listened intently to her teacher and then, a minute later, busted a move to "I Don't Dance" from High School Musical 2.

She is one of the youngest students in her Hip Hop Kids class at Dancepointe at the Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre.

Hip hop has evolved with big moves, "pops" and "breaks"and proponents say it encourages free style and expression.

For kids, teachers use "slower and cuter music" and simplified steps, explained local teachers The New Paper on Sunday spoke to.

There are hip-hop dance classes now for children as young as four years oldand industry players say classes specifically for kids have "increased significantly".

Jitterbugs Singapore director Lim Sing Yuen, who is in her 40s, said that from 2003 to 2011, the dance studio increased its weekly classes from two to five.

Up to 15 children participate in each class.

Mr Jackie Lim, 29, head coach of hip hop at Dancepointe, agreed.

"In three years, the number of children between five and 12 learning hip hop at Dancepointe has increased from six to just below a hundred," he said.

Why the interest?

Mr Lim said: "Hip hop once had an undesirable image - it was associated with bad boys - now it is treated as another form of dance."

He added: "Movies have improved the image of hip hop and now it is seen as an avenue for students to find freedom and expression."

Positive

Ms Lim jokingly called it the "High School Musical" effect.
She may not be too far off the truth: At Sin En's class, the kids all said that they loved Camp Rock.

(The movie, a 2008 musical by Disney Channel, starred teenage icons the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato.)

Ms Lim said: "Hip hop is bright and energetic, it attracts a lot of children."

It's not only the movies, however. TV shows play a part too.

Hip-hop dance teacher Priscillia Tan, 19, said: "Children these days love shows like Hi-5 which encourage them to be active and to enjoy the dance steps and music."

She added: "The best part of hip hop is that any child can take part, even boys!"

Priscillia, who has been teaching children's hip hop for more than a year, noticed firsthand the increase in young students.

She had started off with one class of 13 kids. She now has four classes with over 50 students aged three to 13 at Dancepointe.

What makes hip hop special is the space it gives for the freedom of expression.

Hip-hop teacher Valentina Tan, 19, from The Ballet & Music Company noted that hip hop is much less conventional than ballet.

She added: "There's no strict syllabus and children are encouraged to express themselves.

"This helps the shy ones open up too."

Said Mrs Rosemary Thamil, an operations executive in her 40s who signed her five-year-old nephew Rooben Shan up for hip-hop classes: "He loves imitating Michael Jackson!
 
He has even tried the moonwalk a few times at home.

"This is one of those classes he doesn't miss," she said.

*****

Dance classes for children

STUDIO WU

What: Wu Kidz Hip Hop
Age: 4 to 6
When: Saturdays, 2.30pm to 3.15pm
Cost: $220 for 10 weekly sessions
Where: Singapore Management University, Lee Ka Shing Library Building, #B1-07
Website: www.studiowu.com
Call: 62234722

DANCEPOINTE

What: Hip Hop Kids
Age: 5 to 9
When: Tuesdays, 6.30pm to 7.15pm, or Saturdays, 7.30pm to 8.30pm
Cost: $160 for 11 weekly sessions
Where: Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre, #02-10
Website:  www.dancepointe.com.sg
Call: 65156151

RECOGNIZE!

What: Kids Beginner Hip Hop
Age: 4 to 7
When: Saturdays, 3pm to 4pm
Cost: $10 for a trial class; $17 per class for non-members, $13 for members. Otherwise, $120 for 11 weekly sessions
Where: Orchard Central, #05-31
Website: www.recognizestudios.com
Call: 65090650

JITTERBUGS SWINGAPORE

What: Hip Hop Kids Intro
Age: 4 to 6
When: Saturdays, 12.30pm to 1.15pm or 4.15pm to 5pm
Cost: $160 (inclusive of membership) for 9 weekly sessions
Where: The Cathay, #B1-08
Website:  www.swingapore.com
Call: 68870383

THE BALLET & MUSIC COMPANY

What: Hip Hop for Kids
Age: 7 to 12
When: Wednesdays, 5.30pm to 6.30pm
Cost: $190 for 10 weekly classes
Where: United Square, #04-26/28
Website: www.balletandmusic.com
Call:: 6254 1068

This article was first published in The New Paper.