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Collins College and KISS-FM Set Stage for Valley’s Best Dance Crews to Battle it Out
Submitted by Lisa Aguilar, advertising manager for Collins College

There's a reason that television show producers have talent searches in Arizona, and that Arizonans have made it to the finals of reality shows like "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance." The fact is, Arizona’s got talent. Recently those with remarkable dance moves gathered for the Valley’s Best Dance Crew competition, sponsored by KISS-FM and Collins College. At stake was the coveted title, a cash prize of $1000, iPhones for the winning dancers and tickets to the Britney Spears concert including a meet-and-greet with opening act, The Pussycat Dolls.

Anyone standing in the Collins College parking lot in southeast Phoenix could feel the energy flowing from urban-clad dancers prepared to impress the audience with precise moves and acrobatic feats. But upon closer examination, there was much more at play.

"My crew is my family – this is my life," said Marvin Parulan, a member of top-performing crew Motion Theory. "What we’re doing on stage isn’t just about dance. It’s a reflection of what’s happening in our lives and the stage is just a place for us to express that."

Those in attendance may have felt like they were getting an up-close glimpse of acclaimed show "So You Think You Can Dance." And in a way they were. Parulan was one of the top 25 male dancers on the show’s first season.

Parulan, a resident of Apache Junction, has been dancing since he was 11 years old, and recognizes his gift is worth sharing – something he does on stages across the state with his crew, and on his own at four dance studios around the Valley. And when the beat of the music begins and Parulan and his crew take the stage, it’s hard to deny the urge to move along with them.

"There are many art forms that unite people, but in my opinion, nothing brings people together like dance," said Parulan. "My goal is to really elevate the dance scene here in Phoenix and dispel the notion that you have to go to Los Angeles to find the really good dancers."

He may be on to something judging by the breadth and depth of talent that was prevalent for the Best Dance Crew contest. More than 60 dancers took the Collins College stage, and the passion emanating from each and every dancer was palpable – even by the college’s president.

"What’s nice about my job is that I get to be surrounded by creative individuals every day,” said Collins College President Dr. Joshua Padron. "Watching those incredibly talented kids pour their hearts into every step enforced how much I love being part of an arts-related educational institution."

While Parulan’s crew took second place in the final round at Glendale Arena the following day, it doesn’t mean they won’t be popping and locking their way in quest of the title again. And for anyone who has seen Parulan perform, there’s no doubt that we’ll be seeing more from him in the future.

"Dance is in my blood – it’s just what I do," said Parulan. "I can’t imagine ever wanting to do anything else."

And lucky for us, we get to watch him do just that.

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