MINI SHOCK
Mini Shock San Diego is currently under the direction of Monica Arellano. This troupe of dancers, ages 6-9, studies the core values of the Hip Hop community, including self-worth and respect for others. These mini dancers are here to show you that you are never too young to be innovative and hard working.
Rehearsals
Mini Shock rehearses every Saturday and Sunday 3:00pm-6:00pm. These rehearsals prepare the dancers for community performances and competitions, freestyle events and battles. Most importantly, these rehearsals educate our dancers about Hip Hop Culture and how to be a valuable community member. This program is tuition based. Culture Shock’s goal is to provide accessible dance training For All People, so we offer 50% Tuition Assistance to dancers who qualify. We break up our year into two different seasons. The Spring season runs from January through June. The Fall season runs from August through December. Dancers must participate in an audition to become a Mini Shock Troupe Member.
Rehearsal hours are for team building and performance preparation. Dancers are expected to come into rehearsal with focus and a positive attitude. The goal is to create the best performance possible utilizing a Troupe mentality. Big picture mind set.
Dance Training should happen in classes. Mini Shock Troupe Members are expected to train in classes each week. We suggest taking Hip Hop Foundations/Grooves, and Art Form classes such as Whacking and Popping. Taking class is an opportunity for dancers to practice pick up and retention of choreography. Class is also an opportunity for dancers to challenge their range of motion, discover new ways to move their bodies, and study movement styles.
Mini Shock Director: Marco Herrera began his dance journey in High School when he discovered Lindy Hop in a PE class. This sparked a love for dance and he made his way onto Hop Star, a professional dance team that travels across the US to perform for fortune 500 companies. In 2010 he joined Afta Shock and became the Director for Mini Shock. During his six years as Mini Shock Director, he found success in the competition scene. In 2015 Mini Shock took 1st place in their division and 3rd place overall at Showstoppers. Marco took a seven year break from the Shock fam, but feels excited to be performing with Afta Shock and Directing Mini Shock again.
Mini Shock Supporting Director: Monica Arellano: Miss. Mo is an advocate for finding inner happiness, confidence, and sense of belonging through dance education and purpose driven art. Miss. Mo has achieved her associates degree in dance at Grossmont College. In doing so she trained in various styles such as tap, ballet, jazz, contemporary and her favorite Hip Hop. She has been on the Culture Shock San Diego dance team and has also been on the Mini Shock directors team since 2021. Aside from training in the studios, Miss. Mo is also active in the freestyle battle community. Her goal with teaching dance is not all about building strong dancers with solid technique and foundation; but to also build up her students as people to have a positive impact on the world. She hopes to spark a flame in dancers that encourages them to be their happiest self.