Ohio State Dance welcomed hip-hop and krumping legend Donald Isom as a guest lecturer to teach hip-hop and krumping this year. On November 22, he coordinated a dance battle in the Barnett Theatre with The Dxngeon, which he says “is a brand dedicated to the growth and enhancement of all styles of dance through the facilitation of competition. The Dxngeon was born as a community dance session inside of a garage in Cleveland, Ohio in June of 2006. It quickly became a critical outlet for local dancers to build community, train in a range of dance styles and express themselves.” Over 300 people packed the Barnett Theatre for an amazing evening of dance, battle and community.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Isom, AKA “Ice”, has been heavily active in the dance community for over 13 years teaching dance workshops, hosting events and showcasing/performing improvised and choreographed pieces. He started a dance group in high school that pushed clowning and krumping in Cleveland. This work motivated him to found and take on the role of CEO of the creative and performing arts company I AM D.A.N.C.E. LLC and the I AM DANCE podcast show. “My inspiration is conversation through dance,” says Isom. “My company spawned an underground movement and I became a pioneer. I used my influence to train youth in the community in garage parks to help develop them because they couldn’t afford dance classes.”
Isom studied abroad with some of the world’s top dance instructors for two years and danced for the Cleveland Cavaliers Scream Team. He continues to study and train in the dance styles of hip hop, krump, popping, locking, and house genres. With I Am D.A.N.C.E. LLC, he has been involved with TEDTalks/TEDx Youth 2012/2013, America’s Got Talent, NBC News, World of Dance, Pepsi, Radio Show Opener for Sevyn Streeter, and B.O.B. He travels all over the globe performing and teaching battling.
The Dxngeon Dance Battle
November 22, 2019
Photos by Chris Adams
