Name: PeiPei "B-Girl Peppa" Yuan
What: Female break dancer in Los Angeles, California
Has: A passion and love for the art of B-girling which has led her to travel to Europe and within the U.S
Won: Solo battles like Furious Styles B-girl Championship, Mighty 4 Supreme B-Girl Battle, Battle of the Belts, and the Queen B Battle
Where you may have seen her: Featured in the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Abc's Dance Machine, the Ricki Lake Show, various Music Videos, and stage shows like "the Groovaloos" and "Breaking the Cypher". Also soon to be seen in the upcoming STEP UP 3D, directed by Jon Chu.
How she got started: In the 80’s, inspired by the “New Jack” or “Party Dancing” styles of the Bay Area. During her time in NYC was where she was first introduced to "Breakin" while frequenting the clubs in NYC. Freestylin' became her passion and an ideal outlet for her emotional, spiritual and physical expression. She would go to community centers to learn from local bboys and bgirls.
Her dedication to BGirlin' has inspired her to keep her body clean of harmful substances so she can fully dedicate her energies to this dance form. Recognizing how Breakin can have a positive impact on keeping kids from using drugs, she became involved with Urban Impact, an organization that introduces the Hip Hop community to youth, and also founded B.A.D. (Breakers Against Drugs) in 2003. Peppa also brought together The Syrenz, an all female group who serve as positive role models for young women through their dance and passion for Hip Hop, which remains active in Los Angeles. A unique bond of the Syrenz Crew is the common desire to inspire as role models and artists through their passions for the Hip Hop Culture. (theSyrenz.com)
Peppa considers herself a life long student in Breakin and has found creative ways to break stereotypes and incorporate other dance forms into Breakin. She also enjoys the other original styles of hip hop dance like locking, popping, wacking/punking, as well as doing hip hop choreography.
Peppa's performance crew is called Outer Circle, seen busting in venues all over LA including night clubs, weddings, corporate parties, stage performances. (http://outercirclecrew.com)
Peppa finds ways to incorporate elements of other passions into her own unique dance style, such as the balance and serenity she finds in Yoga, the fluidity and strength of WuShu Martial Arts, or the rhythms and feeling of dance forms like House, Salsa and Swing. Peppa is also a professional Stuntwoman and Graphic Designer.
Peppa strives to spread her love for Breakin and break stereotypes of women in Hip Hop, through her dance, competitions all over the world, live performances, video work, and teaching workshops. She hopes to inspire others to put their energies in to dance and other positive actions rather than substance abuse, violence, and crime.
As part of her B.A.D. (Breakers Against Drugs) program, Peppa gives fun lessons every Sunday to anyone who wants to learn about hip-hop culture and Breakin'. Check her out on http://BREAKGIRL.COM
Other links:
www.peipeiYuan.com (stunts)
www.outerCircleCrew.com
www.theSyrenz.com
Thanks to the following for the Photos:
2 & 3- Amagraphix
4, 7 & 9 - Kevin Hahn
5 - Michael Higgins
6 - Theo Jemison
