Why Lil Groovers Hip Hop?
Formed in 2016, Lil Groovers is the brain-child of dynamic duo Samson Smith and Chantal Curmi. They co-founded this program to teach the youngsters what they are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about: Hip Hop, Breaking and performing.
Lil Groovers is the only Street dance program that teaches the ever-evolving form of underground art - authentic hip hop and Breaking. Hip-hop is not just any other dance-form that can be learned from counting the steps. Authentic hip-hop dance requires the knowledge of its culture, expressions, understanding of beats, lyrical game, and ability to send a collective message through dance.
Hip-hop took birth in the streets of New York back in the 1970s. Started with Breaking, hip-hop has since grown out to be one of the most talked-about dance forms worldwide. Breaking is now officially an Olympic sport making it’s debut in the 2024 Paris Olympics giving light to it's popularity, sportsmanship and craft.
We don’t only teach hip-hop and breaking through our program though, we also teach students to be socially confident, resilient and bold leaders who embrace a growth mindset and positively develop skills to succeed in and outside of their studio. Dance and music plays a significant role in early social development and our program helps students to reach each milestone with confidence.
Our Lil Groovers program is designed for active, energetic and vibrant children who love to pop, lock and groove as soon as they hear the beat. Our program has been specially designed and is suitable for all boys and girls, inspiring these little leaders to make big moves.
Lil Groovers have some of the best mentors in the country who have a deep understanding of the street culture. Created by Studio Owners ( and teachers) for Studio owners, this program gives you unique and effective ways of training, empowering, and educating your team to deliver and implement fresh, funky and creative classes to have a positive growth in your business while impacting your students lives.
Samson Smith
Samson Smith is a dedicated artist who has worked as a youth worker for over two decades, assisting and mentoring young people from all walks of life though dance. Samson began his dance career at an early age, his movements and talents earned him the opportunity to represent New Zealand at Battle of the year in Germany at age 12. Since he has toured the world to represent Australia at the World Hip Hop Championships, finishing 13th overall.
Samson is a member of Justice Crew, an Australian hip hop music group that won the fourth season of Australia's Got Talent. Justice Crew rose to fame with great success as they launched their debut single "Boom Boom," which reached number one and was certified six-times platinum. They made Australian history by debuting "Que Sera" at #1 on the ARIA Singles Chart for 9 weeks in a row. Samson has traveled the world with Janet Jackson on her 'Number Ones Close & Personal Tour,' One Direction’s 'UP All Night Tour,' Chris Brown’s 'F.A.M.E Tour,' Pitbull’s 'Planet Pit World Tour' and Jay Sean’s ‘I'm All Yours Tour.’
Samson has always had a passion for teaching and sharing his love of dance, and he was motivated to share his expertise by founding Base181 Studios a highly successful hip hop studio, and now his own hip hop curriculum, Little Groovers. Samson created Little Groovers to give Studio Owners the support to grow their hip hop community with integrity, knowledge and ease. The first of it's kind, Samson acknowledged the importance of preserving the vibrant culture and technique of street dance.
Chantal Curmi
Chantal Curmi was a professional dancer who has performed on stage alongside greats like Kylie Minoque, Ricky Martin and Geri Halliwell, just to name a few.
Along with this incredible feat, Chantal was also a regular dancer on Australian TV shows such as The Voice, Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor. Dance allowed Chantal to travel, tour and perform on many stages worldwide. Being a Master Trainer from the Institute of Fitness Australia and having a certificate IV in performing arts from Urban Dance Centre, Chantal is highly qualified to teach others.
Chantal co founded, Base181 Studios with the intention of sharing her passion for helping others and building confidence in the community. Starting with three students in a little scout hall, Chantals administration skills skyrocketed the business to hundreds of students in no time, making it a highly profitable business within the first 3 years.
Understanding the many hats that studio owners wear and the lack of resources to assist her studio to excel she was determined to help others experiencing the same. This ignited the “Little Groovers Program”, giving studio owners the ability to have more freedom to work on the big ticket items and create more revenue for a thriving business.
Chantal truly believes in investing in the foundations of your studio from the ground up, your preschool program. This is why alongside Samson, she’s created a program not only to nurture your students each step of the journey but educate and give your teachers the tools to deliver with ease.
Find out more about Lil Groovers!
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