Taufiq
2nd Choreographer; Republic Polytechnic Hip Hop Interest Group
Biography
Taufiq began dancing in the year 2008 when he self enrolled in dance classes at a Youth Drop In Centre, RoundBox, under the mentorship of Danzpeople instructor Jootz See. During his time learning in the centre, he was exposed to a variety of street genres, such as urban, hip hop, bboy, popping and locking. He returned back to RoundBox in 2012 and 2018 respectively as an engaged external instructor for the centre.
Following his education path, Taufiq joined Republic Polytechnic’s Hip Hop Interest Group, Style Groovaz Crew, in 2013. He participated actively and was handpicked to be taken into the executive committee for the academy year of 2014/2015. In that year, he was appointed both the role as Vice President and Marketing Head of the CCA. He lead the CCA by creating opportunities and opening up the CCA’s social media accounts, which led to external organizations approaching the CCA for performances.
In his time in Republic Polytechnic, Taufiq was mentored under Mr. Zaini Tahir, the Artistic Director of Republic Polytechnic, Institute of Technical Education and NUS Dance Ensemble. With his mentorship, he was given countless opportunities to choreograph routines and learn more about choreographing. This was when he was exposed to contemporary dance. Taufiq is still given platforms to choreograph for Mr Zaini Tahir under NUS Dance Ensemble’s annual dance production, Evocation.
Having decided to go for a more nurturing role, in 2015, Taufiq started his own dance crew, PRIME, in which he gave platforms for those without opportunities to perform and compete. He choreographed and mentored the crew for 2 years before disbanding it to allow the members to grow on their own. Accomplishments that he has received from this period of time were Champions of NYP Groove, and multiple placings in competitions like Burnout, Blackout and Super 24.
His students are now part of crews like Faction, Mischiefs, Faculty of Elites and Slay Empire.
Taufiq was also approached to be a choreographer for external crews like SWAT Crew, whom represented Singapore in the United Kingdom for UDO in 2013, and Team MK.
Wanting to pursue a more holistic form of physical art, Taufiq has collaborated with Republic Polytechnic’s Acapella Group, Rhapsody, and Freestyle Football Crew, Urban Street Team, giving him the experience of working with multiple genres that are not completely related to street or contemporary dance.