DEBBIE FRIEDMANN - DIMEMOND OF THE WEEK - JULY 27th 2015

NAME: Debora Friedmann

AGE: 23 

BACKGROUND: Born in Mexico City, raised in Vancouver BC. Currently residing in Montreal, Quebec.

OCCUPATION: Masters Student in McGill University's Department in Integrated Studies in Education. Research Assistant.

Debbie was approached by Dimemond Mentality, with high interest of who she is as a young individual, literally making moves, locally, and globally.

Debbie was born in Mexico City, (speaks Spanish fluently) and has always had an major appreciation for the culture that was born into, and how her family has always made sure, to never forget where they come from. However, being able to be raised in Vancouver BC, allowed her to not only to infuse herself into the vast muliticural spectrum that Vancouver has been able to create, but to also infuse herself more into the micro-cultures; who she wanted to become and what she wanted to become a young age.

Debbie has always had a deep interest in the arts culture, particularly theatre. She always made sure she was some how apart of the mini plays and theatrical events that took place during her high school years, and it eventually became an interest that she wanted to take to a higher level with her, in post secondary. She attended Langara College, majoring with a focus in Anthropology, as well as Peace and Conflict. During this time, she managed to begin taking a high interest into the Hip Hop culture as well. It coincidently became a topic within her Peace and Conflict focus. However, as she began to study more about people, she also made sure to continue infusing herself by jumping in on more theatrical opportunities as well. She was quite the ambitious, busy bee. Although, she naturally had a great voice, that could be further developed for more theatre based experiences and opportunities, but one major skill she needed to work on, was her dancing.

Looking into dancing based classes at Harbour Dance in Vancouver, she attempted to take on ballet. As Debbie slowly began to realize, ballet wasn't fitting her quite well, she decided to try and take on a Hip Hop class, that coincidently yet again, happened right after a ballet class she had. From then on, she fell in love with not only the hip hop dance culture, but as well as the hip hop culture and the impact(s) it has been able to make within the world, as well as communities around the world.

As she continued to tackle her Hip Hop moves, she not only studied at Langara full time, but also began taking classes with Souldiers Dance Company. There she was led by Kim Sato, who was able to further expand Debbie's abilities in Hip Hop dance, and eventually Debbie specialized in "locking". Although for her first 5 years of dancing, she admits that she was probably the worst dancer in the classes she attended and took, she still found a deep passion, persistance, and confidence in becoming a better dancer, a better locker, and best of all, a better individual who wanted to understand the impact of street dance culture!

Debbie currently attends McGill Unversity in Montreal, Quebec. There she just completed her undergraduate degree in Anthropology, this past spring, and now is heading directly into her Masters, to further study Education, and potentially further studying the Urban Arts Culture. She also dances with a street dance crew in Montreal, Lock Unity. But Debbie still misses one big thing, from her stomping grounds in Vancouver, and that's the vibes she was used to being apart of in the Robson Square environment. Whenever she does visit Vancouver now, she does make sure to throw down in the square, with some of her close friends and crew(s).

What does Dimemond Mentality mean to you? Do you think it will be successful?

"I think Dimemond Mentality represents the importance of building a strong community. I believe that our generation of artists, young professionals and academics alike are recognizing the value of connecting with one another towards success and fulfillment. I am quite sure that Dimemond Mentality has a future full of great individuals coming together and am excited to be one of them!"

What do you enjoy about Vancouver?

"I love the dance communities here, both the studio and the street dance community. It is also one of the most stunning cities ever to exist: mountains, rivers, oceans, forests and beaches. Honestly, I even love the rain."

Why do you feel dancing is one of your greatest outlets of expression? How has it effected the way you are a young individual?

"Dance is an incredible means of expression because it reaches beyond the limitations of spoken word. It has not only become a focus of my studies in University, but also the means by which I have made many of the most incredible friends. I have learned a great deal from the teachers, mentors, and students I have met through my experience in the dance community."

Do you believe that it is important to understand the culture, before the art form or taking on a craft? Why is it important?

"I personally feel that art has a powerful connection to the culture in which it exists and from which it derives. Street dance for example is impacted not only by its history in Black and Latino American neighborhoods in the 1970s, but also by the many contemporary cultures in which it is currently being practiced. Although two street dance groups in Montreal and Vancouver may learn the same history of a dance style, which connects the two communities in really vital ways, the dance will develop in each place in a unique way. Recognizing the history as well as the context then is important to understanding the deeper meaning of why we dance and what that dance expresses to the world around us."

Do you have any aspiring role models you look up to? Why?

"I am blessed to have many incredible role models in my life. I would have to say I look up to my mom Reg, and my dance mama Kim Sato a lot though because they not only lead inspiring lives but have invested so much into building me up. I'm inspired by them not only to push myself, but also to turn that support towards others in my life and community."

If you could potentially choose any career (if you were given the opportunityhanded to you), what would it be?

"I honestly believe that figuring that out as you go along is half the fun, you can set out to be a famous actress, end up an academic, and be happy the whole way along. I would just chose to always be able to follow my passion."

DEBBIES ASPIRING AFFIRMATION:

"Don't forget to let yourself be human from time to time, mistakes are the building blocks of success."

Follow Debbie on Social Media:

Debbie on Instagram