My name is Vincent Vongvichith and I have been dancing for many years. I first learned about Culture Shock in 2014 when I took a Cardio Hip Hop Class and a Beginning Hip Hop Class for the first time from Anthony Rodriguez. Rather than learning from YouTube videos, this was my first in-person dance class experience. I fell in love with Culture Shock San Diego, but due to being in High School at the time. I had to take a break from dance. Graduated in High School in 2016. Tried SD City College in 2017 but felt it wasn't for me at the time. So I decided to take dance classes at Culture Shock. Then I realized, I wanted to be part of the CS Troupe. In 2018, I auditioned for Culture Shock San Diego but did not make the team. However, that didn't stop my drive. I just had to be on Culture Shock San Diego. As I trained in the following months as part of the Scholarship Program / Work Study. I'd get free classes in return for performing duties and chores around the Studio. When the next year rolled over, I auditioned again in 2019 and made the team! However, I made it to the trainee team which we called "A.P.P" which meant Apprentice Program. I had to learn a lot of Trials / Errors, understanding Patience / Discipline, and what Culture Shock is to the dance community.
First Ever Performance with CSSD, and when I got off the trainee team.
Culture Shock San Diego is my 2nd Home!
With Role Models who I look up too!
Earned Awards from the Team such as:
"Most Improved Dancer" & "Best Bubble Bath"
...I flooded the hotel bathroom w/ bubbles :D
Favorite Memories with Culture Shock San Diego was traveling to Chicago and traveling to Las Vegas, meeting other Culture Shock Teams from different States was amazing too.
@ Chicago
@ Las Vegas
Other Memorable Momments:
Performed at the Equality Awards and met Jason Mraz
@Shock in the Park 2019
@Cabaret Night 2019
@(Virtual) Culture Shock International Showcase 2022
I was on Culture Shock San Diego (2019 - 2022). I did take some breaks in between some season(s) to recollect myself on what I wanted to do. Then I decided, fast forward to the present, I became a Dance Instructor at Culture Shock Training Academy.
I first began teaching Cardio Hip Hop as a Sub. Then kept drilling and training myself by doing lots of homework to teach Beginning Hip Hop Choreography. Additionally, I'd take other Cardio Classes such as Cardio Burlesque / Cardio R&B / Cardio Dancehall / Cardio Latin Fusion simply just in case if they need a Sub. I've Subbed all of the Cardio Dance Classes in order to train my versatility and adaptation skillsets.
Photo by: Marilen Tran (MTran Photography)
My Instructor Certificate!
What you get from me when you take my Cardio Class is: "Who Cares if you mess up, You're not getting graded on this." "If you're busy singing the songs and you forget the choreo, who cares! Just have fun!" "People just want to Vibe and Shake their Butts!" I simply love all the encounters I run into when teaching my Cardio Classes. And it makes me feel joy when I see people smile and have fun. This is why I keep doing what I do. (I am known to Sub dance many classes, practically like Thanos with the Infinity Stones but each stone is a Cardio Class i've subbed!)
Packed Cardio Hip Hop Class
(SUB) Cardio Latin Fusion
(SUB) Cardio Burlesque
Cardio R&B
Cardio Hip Hop
A photo taken after My Cardio Class
Huge Kudos and Love to Angie Bunch, Sean Memije, & Troy Wilson!
Angie Bunch trained me to teach Cardio Hip Hop. Don't let that sweet adorable smile fool you. She is a Drill Sargent when it comes to instructing and guidance. I gladly thank her for kicking my butt.
Sean Memije was my Culture Shock Dance Troupe Director at the time. Who has guided me well. Whenever I'd overthink things and wasn't confident in myself. He'd definitely be the one to have uplift me when I felt lost. Especially when I wasn't sure about becoming a Cardio Hip Hop Instructor. He literally said: "Bro, you got this. Stay true to yourself!" He gave me the push to take that first step. For that, I can't owe him enough.
Troy Wilson was the one who accepted me to be part of Culture Shock's Scholarship Program. It's what we called it back then. Now it's called the "Work Study Program." It was a program for completing tasks around the Studio in return for free dance classes. It saved me lots of money because I come from a low-income household. He has also guided me through the steps on becoming a Dance Instructor at Culture Shock Training Academy. It wasn't easy, but I was extremely happy to get the training in. Can't thank Troy enough for letting me figure this path I'm still adventuring in!
As an Dancer and Instructor, it brings me joy when people that don't know each other in dance class become friends by doing what they love. This is what makes it unique to me, it doesn't matter what dance experience you have. Culture Shock welcomes all culture and diversity that continues building the connection with one another through Dance. It has made an impact on me and I'd like to share that impact with y'all.
So please Please PLEASE! Let's help Culture Shock San Diego keep the Legacy for many MANY years to come!
Donations are welcomed! Any amount is fine!
Thank you for taking the time to visit my page. Please it will be a huge help if you can share this to others. I'll take any support that I can get to help my CS Fam. Visit our main page to see other stories and how Culture Shock San Diego has made an impact and continues to impact our community.
And YOU. YES YOU! THE READER!
~ New to Dance?
~ Haven't Danced in a while?
~ Looking for a Safe Dance Space?
~ Have Kids that want to Dance?
~ Want to get better at remembering dance moves?
You are also welcomed to take my Cardio Hip Hop at 9:30am!
Every Saturdays! Hope to See you there ;)
