Dancing is in their DNA

MJ Dance duo headed to Sydney dance school

Espoir Alpha and Anton Gabutina are fast approaching the end of a pivotal chapter in their lives. They have an end of year concert and a trip to Queensland to compete at National Showcase and then their time at Mount Gambier’s MJ Dance Studio will be over.

Their lives started thousands of kilometres apart but when they both ended up living in Mount Gambier and attending school at Mount Gambier High School a friendship grew and it wasn’t long before they both realised dancing, which is clearly in their cultural DNA, was a shared passion.

For Espoir, Anton was the one who made him feel welcome at Mount Gambier High School, when he felt isolated and for Anton, Espoir started out as a potential rival and became a creative collaborator and the duo’s next chapter sees them following a parallel path – together.

Both were inspired by their family heritage, both coming from homes where dancing was front and centre as part of celebrations, and both found American dance movies in the style of Step It Up equally inspiring.

Hip hop is their first and current love but they have both enjoyed expanding their repertoire, taking ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and acro classes along the way.

Initially Hype Dance was their home but they both decided to head to MJ Dance to expand their dance education. That dance education is set to be further expanded as both head to Sydney having won a place in the prestigious Brent Street performing arts program, following in the footsteps of many MJ alumni. Having got through the audition process and secured a coveted position in the acclaimed program, their biggest challenge now is finding somewhere to live.

For Espoir, who migrated to Australia six years ago from the Congo, dancing has been an influential part of his life since he was a child. “I started dancing when I was five years old. When you go outside, there are people dancing (in the street). You get into little groups and just start dancing,” he said. Over the years, Espoir’s dancing evolved into a mixture of culturally-infused hip-hop.

Anton relocated to Australia in 2011 as an 11 year old boy from the Philippines, and has vivid memories of dancing with his brother and cousins in the living room of his Quezon City home. “All my cousins and relatives are into the arts – they sing and dance, so I was brought up in a dance culture,” Anton said. “When you look out onto the streets, you always see kids dancing, and I always thought it was a normal thing, until I came here (to Mount Gambier).”

Of course, for the duo, dancing is still normal and they spend almost every waking moment at the MJ Dance studios. Although since finishing school they have found time for jobs, Anton at Zambrero Mount Gambier and Espoir at

a mill. “We are both just trying to earn as much money as we can before we move to Sydney,” Anton said Both are looking forward to the next chapter of their dance journey and how time at Brent Street will open up new opportunities going forward.

“I am looking forward to expanding my skill set and seeing where I can take it,” Anton said. “I would like to earn a place in a dance company, teach full time or work on a cruise ship.”

Espoir has similar hopes for his big move to Sydney. “I am looking forward to meeting new people, learn more techniques and dancing styles and hopefully end up with a job on a cruise ship or something like that,” he said.

Given Espoir and Anton both had such strong dance heritage in their families, it was not only natural that they would pursue a dance career but that even before they have stepped into the professional sphere, they have put together their own dance production, telling that very personal story.

It was back in May that the production, Dancing with Lolo and Pap hit the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre stage – a production more than 12 months in the making as they worked side by side with professional choreographer Anya McKee developing a contemporary dance referencing Anton’s lolo (grandfather) and Espoir’s papa (father). The production included snippets of family interviews and a short film exploring the relationship between a father and daughter through a dancing lens.

It was in 2020 the duo started working with Anya, a member of Sydney-based company Dance Makers Collective, to perform in the production Dancing with Dads.

After COVID thwarted the show at the Helpmann, the pair continued their mentorship with Anya to produce the off-shoot production Dancing with Lolo and Papa. “Anya is very intricate with her movements. It definitely made me learn that the littlest things can be very big,” Anton said. “She really opened my eyes to the whole contemporary world.”

Embodying the essence of their paternal figures, Dancing with Lolo and Papa was an intimate portrayal of two men they admire deeply. “Growing up, (my grandfather) was my idol, and now it’s kind of cool that through my passion in dance… the person I look up to, I get to project him on stage,” Anton said.

For several months, Espoir and Anton studiously observed the mannerisms, quirks and characteristics of their muses. “It’s emotional how you have to act like your dad and reflect him… everything he does, you have to act it out,” Espoir said. “I never looked at how my dad walked or talked, but then I started to investigate how he moved and spoke and acted, so it would come in my mind when I was on stage.”

Interlaced throughout the dance were audio snippets of lolo and papa from interviews conducted by Espoir and Anton. Both view dancing as an expressive language intrinsic to their lives. “I dance because it’s in my body, it’s in my blood,” Espoir said. “I feel it – I like to dance when I’m happy, sad, anytime.”

For Anton, dancing is an emotional release. “If you’re dancing; not to impress, but just from what you feel, they can see inside your soul how you’re feeling. It’s the rawest way to see someone’s emotions,” Anton said. “If you have no one to talk to, you can talk to yourself through dance.”

The Dancing with Lolo and Papa was part of the Local and Live program that saw the young dancers receive access to the Helpmann stage and technical expertise. The Country Arts SA program supports local artists with professional opportunities, resources and a platform to showcase their talents.

“…I am excited about this weekend’s concerts but it is also sad that it is the last time we will perform with MJ..” Espoir Alpha

Helpmann Theatre manager Frank Morello said supporting a production that meant so much to the dancers was deeply rewarding.

“Coming from a migrant background, the dance certainly struck a chord with me,” Mr Morello said. “It’s great to see two young artists working hard and committing time and energy to further their passions and careers.” And they are now set to take a significant step in that career. You can see Anton and Espoir in action at this weekend’s annual MJ Dance Studio concerts at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre with performances this Saturday at 2pm and 7pm.

Both boys are looking forward to their farewell local performance alongside their fellow MJ dancers.

“MJ is like family to me,” Espoir said. “I am excited about this weekend’s concerts but it is also sad that it is the last time we will perform with MJ.”

Both Anton and Espoir have not just been star students at MJ but also have taken on teaching roles.