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Amsterdam | 11 January 2024

Shaker: ‘Heb aandacht voor elk kind’

Dance teacher, coach, and choreographer Nicholas Singer (also known as Shaker) has been an ambassador for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture Amsterdam since November 2023. He was born in Liberia at the age of 6.^and He came to the Netherlands with his mother. Shaker: "I've always felt like a second chance to make the most of life every day." And that's what he does: as the owner of Global Dance Centre, one of the largest dance schools in Amsterdam, he inspires many young people every day to follow their passion and develop their talents.

Passion

Shaker learned to play piano and guitar, but he always really just wanted to dance. His mother wasn't allowed to make dancing her profession because, in African culture, dancing is seen by some as something done for fun, or to seduce, Shaker says. But once in the Netherlands, his mother introduced him to the dance and music school: "I see it this way: my mother put me on the first step of the stairs and gave me the impetus to walk up." Finally, at 16, he got^and his mother's permission to fully pursue his passion, he put everything aside for dancing.

Raising awareness for the Youth Fund

This year, Shaker is coaching a new television program: Project Dance, in which unknown people showcase their dance talents, and 10 participants are selected and coached to the finals. "I immediately thought: this is the moment I have to become an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture. I want to raise awareness for the fund and inspire children to explore the art forms of dance and music. I hope parents and children think: maybe I can achieve something through dancing too!"

Shaker continues: "I want to make my voice heard because children get far too little exercise, and I speak the language of parents who have too much on their minds due to all sorts of problems. Financially, but also with other concerns." As an ambassador, Shaker hopes to reach children who sit in their rooms thinking, "I can't do it, I don't dare, it's not for me," and that they will finally try and take that first step. Even if it's just one.

It takes a village to raise a child

This African proverb is the basic idea behind the concept of Global Dance Centre, Shaker: “We have to do it together: listen to the voice of the school, the parents, the members, the teachers and everyone who cares about the school. There are clear rules, together we look after each other, together we form a kind of community“The school's DNA is passed on, as many alumni return to teach,” he says.

Dance school with a global character: everyone welcome

Shaker chose the name Global for his dance school because everyone, regardless of culture or country, should be able to dance at the school: hip-hop/street dance, African dance, dancehall, jazz, and ballet. "It's a dance school for children and young adults, but I also have a 79-year-old woman who does African dance," Shaker says. He adds that the first final performance at the Bijlmer Parktheater was one of the highlights of his life so far: "All those waving children on stage with all those parents in their Sunday best with flowers. That connection with parents and children—I really managed to create that."

Shaker's dream: a breeding ground for talent

"My dream is to transform a building somewhere in Amsterdam Zuidoost into a home where young people can engage in activities like dancing, singing, presenting, and so on," says Shaker, "a breeding ground for talent. An open house where the established order comes in to scout talent. Let the meeting happen; we need to find each other; come and see all that talent." His final message is: "Young people, if you want to achieve something: work hard, be yourself, show individuality, willpower, and your good intentions," says Shaker.