Dancer taps on and off stage

By Martha Ilboudo

ilbo0002@algonquincollege.com

With enough grit, ambition and stamina to last him a lifetime, former Algonquin graduate Sami Elkout rolled his lucky dice and danced his way onto the hugely popular television show So You Think you Can Dance Canada.

Elkout, whose dance style is B-Boying, a popular hip-hop dance style best known for its intricate footwork, fast moves and freezing techniques, auditioned for the show So You Think you Can Dance Canada this past May in Montreal, impressing both industry professionals and nabbing the few remaining coveted tickets to the Toronto auditions.

“I just wanted to see where my experience would take me,” said Elkout. “My style of dance is different from everyone else; it would be like a waste not to go on and show people.”

Elkout, who started B-Boying, (or break-dancing) in 2001, credits the style for opening him up to a whole new world of possibilities and allowing him to pursue dance as a true art form.

“With the show, I got to see where my standing was as a dancer and an artist,” said Elkout. “It definitely helped build my confidence. I’m at the point where I’m taking my dancing seriously. Having the opportunity to go through that, I know what to expect next year.”

 Elkout, who graduated from the business administration program, also credits the college for helping him prepare for the show.

“Algonquin gave me a chance to learn a lot about presenting and promoting myself. The reason why I was so comfortable talking on air was because I took a professional speaking class at Algonquin,” said Elkout. “It definitely helps you understand yourself and how to promote yourself and speak properly. A lot of people were nervous. I was just comfortable being myself.”

Although he didn’t make it past the Toronto auditions, Elkout still considers himself lucky, having made it through the various screening processes, early morning wake up calls, long days and long nights.

“It was a hard competition. It was definitely a different experience. There’s cameras everywhere. At first I didn’t know what to expect,” said Elkout. “Toronto was a whole week of choreography and intense dancing. I only made it to the first day of auditions. The choreography was really hard.”

 Despite not making it further in the competition, Elkout is optimistic about his chances of making it next year.