Meghan Graham photo Cheechoo busts a move in the basement of C-Building.

He calls himself The Popper of Algonquin.

Chev Cheechoo, a pre-media and communications student said of all the dancers he knows of at Algonquin, nobody dances like he does.

“Popping is my specialty,” said Cheechoo.

His choice style of dance incorporates intricate muscle contractions and pantomimed movements.

“It’s basically muscle tensing,” said Cheechoo.

Cheechoo is a self taught dancer. He free-styles, which means he takes a specific style of dance and creates his own choreography. The 19-year-old, who likes to be called Boogieman Chev, started dancing at the age of 12, after seeing such artists as Usher and Michael Jackson on television. He now wants to pursue it as his career.

“It’s my ultimate passion. Dance is a part of who I am, and what I do. It purifies my soul,” said Cheechoo.

Dance is number one in Cheechoo’s life, it even comes before school.

When he was 17 years old, Cheechoo auditioned for a dance troupe called Culture Shock. This non-profit troupe originated in San Diego in 1993 and now has troupes representing the organization from all over the world. Cheechoo made it into the group in 2004 and is now one of the 20 people who perform with the troupe.

Ivan Ndikuriyo, friend and fellow member of Culture Shock thinks Cheechoo is the “true essence of a dancer.” He met Cheechoo at an audition in 2004. “He is one of the best dancers I’ve seen in Ottawa. He is versatile, and unique,” said Ndikuriyo. “He has an unlimited bag of tricks.”

Another member of Culture Shock gave his thoughts on his friend’s talent.

Henry Tran met Cheechoo two years ago when they were recruited for a group called Mad Vibes. He is a part of Culture Shock and another group Cheechoo dances for, called Motion Sickness.

“His dancing is phenomenal, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Tran.

He looks up to Cheechoo and said, “He is a major influence for me; he inspires me.” He believes that Cheechoo could go anywhere he wants. “The sky is the limit for Chev. I think he can take it far.”

Chev Cheechoo was un-trained before he entered Culture Shock.

When he started training with them he said, “It was very difficult for me.” “I didn’t think I would last two years.”

But he has pulled through, and said he has improved a great deal.

The young man is very mature for his age. He is confident in his abilities. He believes he has a strong chance in making it in the professional world of dance.

“I want to go full front with my dancing; get connected with major choreographers, studios and go professional with it,” he said.

Cheechoo is currently part of three dance groups that include: Motion Sickness Gentleman, Funky Fellaz and Culture Shock.

Practice is of the essence for Cheechoo. “I practice every day, whether it be five minutes or eight hours; I practice,” he said.

Chev Cheechoo feels that dance defines him as a person. He couldn’t function without it.

“Dance keeps me in control of what I do in life and who I am as a person. It makes me realize things.”

It makes him appreciate how everyone is different and everyone is capable of something; for him, it’s dance.

At the age of 19 he could be on his way to something big. For Cheechoo, it’s all about persistence. If he keeps at it, he believes things will work out for him.