Singapore Varsity Funk Club
est. 2008
NTU SOUL FUNKY
About Us
NTU's premier locking & popping club.
Founded in August 2008 by Fabian Wong, then a Year 2 student, Soul Funky first started as a sub-club under the NTU Breakers, and achieved club independence in 2011.
Soul Funky is a place to spread the love for popping and locking in NTU, and also to give back to the dance community.
We are a family of dancers who are passionate about popping, locking, waacking and house styles. Most of all, we love to dance♥
Past Committees and Instructors
AY08/09 – Founding Year 1
The first trial class was held on 22nd August, which is also known as SF Founding Day.
Led by Fabian (Year 2), recognised as Vice-Chairperson of NTU Breakers (official as of Sem 2)
First JDC performance as sub-club under NTU Breakers
Taught by Student Instructors
Ft. Guest Instructors Yunning, Loretta and Limin for Locking, Marcus Marzipan, Michael Sim, Rachel and Robin Teh for Popping)
AY09/10 – Founding Year 2
Led by Tee Wee (Year 4), recognised Vice-Chairperson of NTU Breakers
Instructor: Funkstyle KS
Strawberry Stretch (Hall 16) was founded by Fabian as part of contract for the use of studio space.
NTU Funk Jam was started as a form of handover system for the committee.
AY10/11 – Founding Year 3
Club headed by Yen Leong (Year 2), recognised Vice-Chairperson of NTU Breakers
and Jianwei (Year 2), recognised Logistics Officer of NTU Breakers
Instructor: Funkstyle KS
Annual General Meeting was started
Soul Funky Freshmen Orientation Camp was started
By end of academic year, Soul Funky was granted independent status and separated from NTU Breakers.AY11/12 – Founding Year 4, Independent Year 1
Officially 1st year of club under the name of Soul Funky Pop & Lock
Club headed by April Tan (Year 2), Chairperson of Soul Funky 1st Executive Committee
and Alford Yu(Year 2), Vice-Chairperson
Instructors: Ian (Chunky) and Marcus (Marzipan) was invited because Funkstyle KS went to the army
First official JDC as our own club (Involve both NUS and SMU)AY12/13 – Founding Year 5, Independent Year 2
Club headed by Jon Heng (Year 2), Chairperson of Soul Funky 2nd Executive Committee
and Li Ying (Year 2), Vice-Chairperson
Instructors: Ian (Chunky) and Marcus (Marzipan)
Li Ying (Vice Chairperson)
Kai Lin (Secretary)
Li Rong (Treasurer)
Trinda (Welfare)
Tri Nguyen (Logistics)
Seeting (Publicity)
Lucas (Popping Dance Captain)
Aizah (Locking Dance Captain)
FOC Senior Battle started
Separation of Junior and Senior
Post JDC Party started
AY13/14 – Founding Year 6, Independent Year 3
Club headed by Gabriel, Chairperson of Soul Funky 3rd Executive Committee
and Chan Yen, Vice-Chairperson
Instructors: Ian (Chunky) and Marcus (Marzipan)
Junior Senior Progression System started
Junior-Senior (JuSe) Battle started
Store Lockers for the club in NYH
AY14/15 - Founding Year 7, Independent Year 4
Club headed by Zi Ang, Chairperson of Soul Funky 4th Executive Committee
Hillary Koh (Vice Chairperson)
Trinda (Secretary)
Lennard Foo (Treasurer)
Jasper Chua (Welfare)
Robin Neo (Logistics)
Charmaine Tan (Popping Captain)
Lim Li Rong (Locking Captain)
Sharina Yap (Publicity)
Li Xu (Publicity)
Nicholine (Special Project Officer - FOC Chairperson)
Instructors: Ian (Chunky) and Marcus (Marzipan)
Started Freshmen Induction Program (FIP)
First Guest item for Natasha Studio Recita
AY15/16 – Foundation Year 8, Independent Year 5
Club headed by Tse Chen Hao, Chairperson of Soul Funky 5th Executive Committee
Ong Zi Yan (Vice Chairperson)
Ng Wei Ting (Secretary)
Bryden Ko (Treasurer)
Ashley Teo (Welfare)
Lim Jun Wei (Logistics)
Tan Jun Wei (Popping Captain)
Joseph Koo (Locking Captain)
Nicholine Neo (Publicity)
Elaine Wong (Special Project Officer - Dance Fiesta Chairperson)
Instructors: Ian (Chunky) and Marcus (Marzipan)
SF Website started by Yeong Zi Ang, Lim Jun Wei and Nicholine NeoAY16/17 – Foundation Year 9, Independent Year 6
Club headed by Nicholas Yeo, Chairperson of Soul Funky 6th Executive Committee
Iris Seah (Vice President)
Amanda Yeo (Secretary)
Ruo Ting (Treasurer)
Yolanda Lim (Welfare)
Chen Kai Jun (Logistics)
Sim Long Xiang (Popping Captain)
Choi Jun Tong (Locking Captain)
Bao Ru (Publicity)
Cheryl Lee (Publicity)
AY17/18 – Foundation Year 10, Independent Year 7
Club headed by Sim Long Xiang, Chairperson of Soul Funky 7th Executive Committee
Elaine Wong (Vice President)
Sean Yu Jie (Secretary)
Jia Jun Jay (Treasurer)
Ding Ming (Welfare)
Chua Kai Min (Logistics)
Ming Yang (Popping Captain)
Mun Jun (Locking Captain)
Nicholine Neo (Publicity)
AY18/19– Foundation Year 11, Independent Year 8
Club headed by Amanda Yeo, Chairperson of Soul Funky 8th Executive Committee
Ngooi Zhi Cheng (Vice President)
Toh Jia Min (Secretary)
Wong Xin Lei(Treasurer)
Huang Ruo Cheng (Welfare)
Tan Di Sheng (Logistics)
Ronnie Gao (Popping Captain)
Palash Jain (Locking Captain)
Megan Koh (Publicity)
Sng Shee Jie (Publicity)
AY19/20– Foundation Year 12, Independent Year 9
Club headed by Trevor Ng, Chairperson of Soul Funky 9th Executive Committee
Shi Ru En (Vice President)
Jamie Sze (Secretary)
Fong King Ian (Treasurer)
Jay (Welfare)
Lucas Lawrence (Logistics)
Yao Minhui (Popping Captain)
Jodie Gan (Locking Captain)
Zhang Jia En (Publicity)
Ram (Publicity)
AY20/21– Foundation Year 13, Independent Year 10
Club headed by Jia Xiaochen, Chairperson of Soul Funky 10th Executive Committee
Kiara Ann Gomes (Vice President)
Cao Yufei (Secretary)
Li Muyun (Treasurer)Felicia Choy Jia Yi (Welfare)
Chee Yi Heng (Logistics)
Toh Fu Hao (Popping Captain)
Shaun Tan Chong Xun (Locking Captain)
Hou Li Xin (Publicity)Events
Soul Funky Internal and External Events
SF Freshmen Induction Programme
-ENDED-
The SF Freshmen Induction Programme is conducted to inaugurate the incoming batch of Soul Funky members. Through dance workshops and activities, this event aims to help new Soul Funky members get to know one another as well as gel Soul Funky together as a whole.
NTU Back-2-School (B2S) All Styles Battle VOL 2
-ENDED-
Watch the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnidc01Oepyv1IvHU83hLYCPR_QoiIZNp
What better way to celebrate the start of a new semester than with a dance battle?
B2S All Styles Battle is a platform for all dancers in NTU to battle it out on the dance floor no matter which genre of dance you specialise in.
SF Indepen-dance Day
1st October 2017 (Sunday)
10AM-10PM
SF Indepen-dance Day is an internal event that includes the Soul Funky Annual General Meeting, dance workshops and a 2v2 Senior Battle.
The Annual General Meeting aims to formally introduce the 6th Main Committee and share with members and alumni the objectives for the committee.
Dance workshops, conducted by external instructors, aim to increase members' exposure to different genres outside of popping and locking.
Finally, the 2v2 Senior Battle provides SF seniors the opportunity to showcase what they have learnt. It also aims to encourage more seniors to step up and free style.
JU-SE Battle
-UPCOMING-
The annual Junior-Senior (Ju-Se) Battle is an internal event where juniors and seniors pair up to participate. Under the mentorship of seniors, newer dancers have the opportunity to learn more about freestyle and participate in their first funk styles battle.
Christmas Event
-UPCOMING-
ALUMNITE Vol. 1
-ENDED-
Stay Tuned for Alumnite Vol. 2
https://www.facebook.com/events/116661395414322/131444497269345/
A new initiative by the 6th committee, Alumnite is a platform for all Soul Funky alumni to come back for a gathering and for us to show appreciation for all their past contributions. It is also a chance for current SF members to get to know our alumni and gain exposure to their dance styles by participating in the 2v2 Alumni-member battle.
NTU Funk Jam Vol.7
-ENDED-
Stay Tuned for NTU Funk Jam 2018
https://www.facebook.com/events/212745102537356/
NTU Funk Jam is an annual funk styles battle organised by the main committee of Soul Funky. It aims to give back to the dance community in Singapore and provide a platform for all dancers to get together. Another key purpose is to connect Soul Funky members to the local dance scene.
Dance History
4 MUST-KNOW Terms
- STREET DANCE
A street dance is a dance style—regardless of country of origin—that evolved outside dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs.
The term is used to describe vernacular dances in urban context. Vernacular dances are often improvisational and social in nature, encouraging interaction and contact with spectators and other dancers. Vernacular dances are dances which have developed 'naturally' as a part of 'everyday' culture within a particular community.
- OG (Original Gangster)
OG stands for original gangster. It is a term which originates from gangs and is used nowadays as a term to describe founding and pioneer members of specific dance genres.
- THE SOUL TRAIN
The soul train is a television programme series created by Don Cornelius. The show featured various performances by different artists and it helped to spread locking and popping to the rest of the world when the groups, The Lockers and Electric Boogaloo performed on it.
- UNDERSTANDING THE MUSIC
These are some explanation of the different types of music. Not all genres of music are included here, only those that might be relevant to the styles that we do. Credits go to Zi Ang (Alumni) for breaking this down and explaining.
Funk Music
- Funk Song [ Identify by the funky rhythm and arrangement. The main instruments are the bass, guitar, snare, piano and TRUMPETS]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB5KgOXHcxc
- Popping/Instrumental Music [ Generally, for popping you can use Funk Song also, but nowadays peopl like to use intrumental music like this, utilising the heavy beats and music layering to create different effects]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJdv3D82u54&list=PL9EADFA2431E98328
- Disco Music [Usually for waacking. It's usually arranged with soaring vocals, electric bass, high hats, strings, horns, electric pianos. It's a very diva kind of feel]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKQc8REIyQo
- House Music [ music characterized by repetitive 4/4 beats! It's an electronic dance music, arranged with kick drums, off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and synthesized basslines! Generally it has a faster tempo than the rest, and repetitive on the house rythm!]
https://youtu.be/IW3ghh2u4OI?list=PL235DBC9499F4E270
- Soul Music [ It is the base and foundation of Funk Music! It combines the elements of jazz, blues and gospel music. Hence, instruments also a mix of instruments use for the other elements.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJbETMGDeDo
Locking History
Locking (originally Campbellocking) is a street dance and part of the original funk style. The name is based on the concept of locking movements, which basically means freezing from a fast movement and "locking" in a certain position, holding that position for a short while and then continuing in the same speed as before. It relies on fast and distinct arm and hand movements combined with more relaxed hips and legs. The movements are generally large and exaggerated, and often very rhythmic and tightly synced with the music. Locking is quite performance oriented, often interacting with the audience by smiling or giving them a high five, and some moves are quite comical in nature. A dancer who performs locking is called a locker. Lockers commonly use a distinctive dress style, such as colorful clothing with stripes and suspenders.
Locking was founded by Don Campbell in the late 1960s. The original lock was created by accident: Don Campbell couldn't do a move called the 'The Funky Chicken' and stopped at a particular point whilst moving his arms, creating a 'locking' effect He wasn't able to perform it fluently, for he couldn't remember which step to take next. (Even the acting towards the audience was spontaneous: when people started laughing at Don because of his unfamiliar moves, he responded by pointing at them.)
These steps were created by Don Campbell in the nightclubs of Los Angeles in the early 1970s. These halts soon became popular as Don added them into his performances. The resulting dance was called Campbellocking, which was later shortened to Locking. In the early 1970s this set off a movement of Locking dance groups, notably Campbell's group The Lockers.
Locking OG
The Lockers
The Lockers (originally named The Campbell Lockers) were a dance group formed by Toni Basil and Don "Campbellock" Campbell in 1971. Active throughout the 1970s, they were pioneers of street dance. Don Campbell is the founder of the locking dance style and originally, Locking was called The Campbellock - a style that was based on the dance and song that Don Campbell created. Toni Basil met Campbell at a club in 1971 and together they formed The Lockers as a dance group. Toni Basil also served as The Lockers' manager, and was responsible for staging the act. All the dancers contributed steps and choreography with their unique and individual styles. By 1975 they were "Dancing their way to stardom" on their own. Individual members' contributions (as soloist performers) to the dance style and group image coupled with their unique presentation in staging and concept broke down many barriers. It has been said on the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance that "The Lockers emergence on the dance scene changed the face of dance not only for street dancers but for dance in general and has made street dance a true American art form.”
Members of The Lockers:
Greg "Campbellock Jr" Pope
Adolfo "Shabba-Doo" Quinones
Bill "Slim the Robot" Williams
Leo "Fluky Luke" Williamson
Tony "GO GO" Lewis Foster
Popping History
Popping is a street dance and one of the original funk style. It is based on the technique of quickly contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerk in the dancer's body, referred to as a pop or a hit. This is done continuously to the rhythm of a song in combination with various movements and poses. Closely related illusionary dance styles and techniques are often integrated with popping to create a more varied performance.
Popping is founded by Sam Solomon (Boogaloo Sam) in Fresno, California in 1977. The dance was named as popping because Boogaloo Sam would mouth off the word ‘pop’ when he is doing the technique of contracting and relaxing of muscles.
Popping OG
The Electric Boogaloos are a street dance crew responsible for the spread of popping and electric boogaloo. They were founded by Boogaloo Sam in Fresno, California in 1977. Their original name was the Electric Boogaloo Lockers but "Lockers" was dropped the following year.
Members of Electric Boogaloo
Boogaloo Sam
Popin’ Pete
Skeeter Rabbit
Suga Pop
Mr Wiggles
Links
Get connected to the latest dance events and videos :)
Dance meets
Dancemeets is a one-stop portal that provide information and knowledge about street dance and hip hop culture in Singapore and beyond. Check out their website to find out more about the ongoings of our street dance community.
RPProductions
RPProductions captures the ongoings of the street dance scene in Singapore. It features videos of events such as battles, competitions, performances and even concept videos! Do check them out if you missed out on an event!
SG Poppers
SG Poppers is the community group for all poppers in Singapore.
Lion City Lockers
Lion City Lockers is the community group for all lockers in Singapore.
Singapore Varsity Funk Unit:
SVFU was set up with the aim of gathering funk dancers in the universities together and to encourage more university students to take up and share their passion for dance by providing them platforms and a family to bond with. It is made up of students from a university, alumni, instructors of the various clubs as well as key advisors during the setting up phase of this group.
Recognise! Studios
Recognize! Studios is a dance studios that offer open classes and course for various dance styles.
All current members of Soul Funky are members of Recognize! Studios and hence enjoy membership privileges. Do get your friends to sign up for classes and grow together!
University Funk Clubs
NUS: NUS Funkstyles
SMU: SMU Funk Movement
SUTD:
Polytechnic Dance Clubs
NYP: Foreign Bodies (FB)
SP: Strictly Dance Zone (SDZ)
TP: Temasek Polytechnic Dance Ensemble (TPDE)
NP: New Revolving Age (NRA)
The Blog
Thoughts, musings, and ruminations. (Updating in progress ^^)
There are no published blog posts yet.This website was founded and started by Soul Funky members, Nicholine Neo, Yeong Zi Ang and Lim Jun Wei with the following aims:
- Providing knowledge to members
- Platform for members to share experiences
- Connecting members to the ongoings of both the club and the local scene
© 2016