When one walks into Tiny Toones for the first time, they may see several kids running in every direction, kids listening attentively in one of the small classrooms, or, just maybe, they may see the daily cipher crowded with children of all ages waiting to take their turn in the circle. Now, many of these kids are capable of performing basic top rock, the six-step, and even the windmill. But for many, the styles seem similar. How can you make yourself stand out amongst such talent? What are you capable of that others may not yet possess? What is it that defines YOU as an individual bboy or bgirl?
Style- simply style. And then, there it is. Rather, there HE is. The Tiny Toones crowd refers to him as Bboy Flip - a master of top rock, stylized footwork, and (hence the name) a variety of flips. Now why is he so different from the others that dance on the white, tiled floor at the center? Well, let me try to explain. Flip - in his fashion jeans, wife-beater, baggy zip-up hoody, and a bandana or funky hat topping off his unique look - has developed a dance style of his own. He doesn't try to imitate the others that dance before him; rather, he practices moves that the others may not even think of. He hits every beat with his top rock until he spins down into his footwork. Once on the floor he threads his feet through his hands with ease all while spinning from his back to his stomach and then hitting a solid freeze. Or maybe he'll throw in a back flip followed by a variety of power moves. Each set includes all that defines a bboy- top rock, footwork, power, and style. He is everything that you would hope a dedicated student would become.
Even more so, the dedicated student has transformed into a dedicated teacher working hours daily to train the younger bboys that now look up to him as he once looked up to those who taught him. He shows his thanks to KK - his teacher and role model - by serving as a breakdancing instructor at Tiny Toones. Without the support of KK and Tiny Toones, Flip doesn't know where he would be today.
For one, people would not refer to him as Flip. His given name is Chean Vannara, a boy born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Now eighteen years old and the brother of four boys, he is a changed person. He was once a disobedient juvenile who spent his time hanging out with the wrong crowd instead of with his family. Introduced to Tiny Toones by a friend named Sambo, he now appreciates the family Tiny Toones has created for him. No longer does he have to hear his mother cry everyday, nor does he have to interact with his unloving father and his father's second wife. His mother has long passed away due to an illness, yet his father remains. He remains absent, however, dedicating his time to his new wife and daughter. The love and guidance that a young boy should receive from a father is not and has never been there. Would unconditional family love have changed his past behavior? It's possible, yes.
The unconditional love and guidance that Chean has found at Tiny Toones has made a huge impact on this young man's life. He is now a full-time staff member with a fair salary. This opportunity for change is all he needed. This helping hand is all he wanted. Chean - Bboy Flip - is now content with supporting himself. He is proud to call himself a bboy. He is grateful to serve as a teacher to the other deserving children of Phnom Penh and to be studying English at the center. Furthermore, he is thankful for the second chance given to him.
Once rebellious, Chean is now ambitious. His dream is to become a famous Cambodian singer. And after hearing his playful karaoke renditions of popular songs, I wouldn't call this a dream. I see it as a worthwhile goal - a possible reality. Music is like water running through his veins. Each beat pumps rhythmically with his soul. Whether it's time to dance, time to sing, or time to DJ - it's always the right time for Flip.
-Written by Darcie Dieman
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