Ivan Koumaev Discusses The Importance of Dance Parent Support

You probably know Ivan Koumaev as one of the young stars and top ten finalists from season two of the hit dance series, "So You Think You Can Dance."  And you may know him as part of the SYTYCD national touring show that just crisscrossed the country.  But on Sunday, November 18, some 300 dance students who had traveled to Mahwah, NJ for the day got to know Ivan as "teacher."

Appearing along with SYTYCD winner, Benji Schwimmer, and fellow top ten contestants Heidi Groskreutz and Allison Holker for the Entyce Productions-sponsored workshop, Ivan and his colleagues thrilled the crowd with a series of high energy classes, an entertaining faculty show, an autograph and photo session, and -- perhaps the highlight of the day -- a post-lunch rap session.

For better than a half hour, the young celebrity dancers sat eye-to-eye with their audience, fielding questions about their SYTYCD experiences, their personal lives, their professional ambitions, and everything in between.  The dancers were remarkably candid, highly entertaining, humble in their success, and extremely encouraging of their young dancer fans.

But at the conclusion of the rap session, Ivan requested the microphone to address some unsolicited comments to the parent observers assembled in the room.  To that group he commented:

"One thing that’s really, really important for me to say, because I had a huge experience with it, goes to the parents.  I know you guys are all here supporting your kids, and that's great.  But know that they need you more than you could ever imagine if they’re going to do this.  My mom, honestly, sat me down before this all happened and said, 'I really don’t know if you’ll make it in dance.  I don’t.'

No one can really know, but she always tells me, 'Go to LA.  Go do your thing.  I’ll support you, I’ll always be there, and even if you fail, I’ll put you in dance class still, because if that’s what you want to do, that’s what you want to do, and I’ll keep helping you through it.'

It’s very, very important.  And I don’t know if you all remember when my dad called when I was in LA.  They made a big deal about it on the show, and I tried to ignore it like it’s not a big deal, but it really, really was because my dad finally started supporting me.  And to have both parents have your back – especially when you’re a guy dancer because some people say it’s not 'cool' to be a guy dancer when you’re younger – it’s very, very important.  So please continue to support your kids when they dance.  It's very important. So thank you all!"

Nice message.  Nice kid.