The Monitor
At Harlingen South High School, Derrick Garcia founded the Blaze Step Unit, a dance group.
During his four years there, he organized practices, coordinated performances and danced. When he left the school, the group died, but Garcia's passion for dance burned brighter than ever. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of dancing on tour with a major musician and eventually transitioning to Broadway in New York City.
But he's back in the Valley for a little while to spread his love of dance. Garcia will be teaching four classes at the Danzar dance school in Mission and McAllen. And on June 18 he'll give a one-time performance at the McAllen Civic Center, bringing his style of hip hop dance to local audiences. But first, he sat down with Festiva to answer some questions.
All About DERRICK GARCIA
Age: 20
Hometown: Harlingen
Current town: Los Angeles
What he does: Dancer
High school class: Harlingen High School South 2007
What is he up to lately?
Working with the DDO Artist Agency, where he has danced with the same performers who tour with Beyonce and Janet Jackson.
Biggest dance thrill?
Last year he danced during half time of an NBA game between the Phoenix Suns and the Sacramento Kings.
Favorite style of dance?
Hip hop
Career goals?
Becoming a back up dancer for Missy Elliot, Beyonce or Justin Timberlake. He would also like to one day choreograph his own routines and transition to Broadway in New York City.
Advice for aspiring dancers?
"You only have one life to live and in that life, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."
