Mav One - Motor City Street Dance Academy


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Artist Bio

Native to Southwest Detroit, Benito “Mav One” Vasquez came up at a time when hip-hop was a cultural norm. In the late ’90s, breakin’ crews practiced all over Southwest Detroit. Existing in the cultural in-between, hip-hop was taught person-to-person. For Mav, it was the one constant amidst many changes in his early life and city. By 2004 all of the local practice spaces had closed off hip-hop programming. Reverting back to garages and basements Mav continued practicing his craft & creating as many spaces to try and revive the scene. Between the local work and traveling to competitions on his own across the country, Mav rallied as many allies as he could to begin the real work of building the scene back in Detroit. In 2008 he began teaching in small spaces throughout the neighborhood but even that seemed like it wasn’t enough and Mav began looking for stronger engagement with the youth of the city.  By 2016 Mav had built Motor City Street Dance Academy from the ground up and to create a home for Hip Hop culture in Detroit. Out of this work, Mav also created Fresh Classics our top tier crew that travels and performs all over the city and country. Mav has earned a space nationally as an ambassador for Detroit’s style of hip hop. Carrying the legacy and traditions of a strong and resilient city with him wherever he travels.


Achievments & Highlights

Training and Skills

Eastern Michigan University – Bright Futures Program

Ypsilanti, MI.

-Youth Intervention Certification

-Social-Emotional Learning Training Certification

 

Awards & Recognitions

Knights Art Challenge 2017 – $35,000

Partnership For Youth Grantee

Congress of Communities – Outstanding Citizen Award

We Are Culture Creators – Most Valuable Mentor  

Max M. Fisher Foundation 2018 – $100,000

Ford Fund Community Connections – $35,000

Max M. Fisher Foundation 2020 – $100,000

Instructor Experience

  • Cesar Chavez High School – 2016 – Present
  • Evancemos Summer Program 2016
  • Motor City Street Dance Academy – 2015 – Present
  • Romulus High School – 2015 – Present
  • Grace in Action – 2015 – Present
  • Phoenix Academy – 2014-2016
  • Western International High School – 2012 – Present
  • 5e Gallery Breakin’ Element – 2012-2014
  • Dance Ave – 2011-2013
  • Detroit Dance Studio Studio Manager & Instructor – 2009-2011
  • YOUTHVILLE DETROIT – 2008-2010 Summers
  • C.O.M.P.A.S. – 2008-PRESENT
  • Southwest Detroit Community School – 2017-PRESENT
  • Voyage College Prep High School – 2017-PRESENT

 

Workshops: 

    • Eastern Michigan University Summer youth dance camp
    • 61syx Street Dance Academy Summer youth dance camp
    • Michigan State University “Breakdance club”
    • Wayne State University – Warrior Mode Breakin’ Club
    • Schoolcraft College –  Hip Hop Dance Club
    • University of Michigan – Element 1 Breakin’ Club
    • Allied Media Conference – Breakin History and Dance Workshop
    • University of Illinois – Breakin’ club
    • University of Iowa – Break Dance Club

 

Groups involvement

  • PFY (Skillman Foundation)

Group of organizations whose focus is youth development through the arts.

  • El Colectivo

A collective whose focus is capacity building for organizations to be more involved with social justice issues throughout the community.

  • Fresh Classics – Performance Group
  • AIR (Alliance for Immigrants Rights)

Participated in working with youth and their families to determine their eligibility for the 2012 Dream Act workshops for undocumented youth at ACCESS

 

Performances and Notable Artists

  • Fiesta Del Rio 
  • Flint Water Emergency Fundraiser
  • Allied Media Conference Opening Ceremonies 
  • NAIAS Opening Party 2015
  • The Filmore New Years Eve Bash 2015/2016
  • Warren G 
  • Flo-rida
  • Lauryn Hill
  • Elzhi
  • DJ Dez & DJ LOS
  • Motor City Casino Sound Board
  • Greek Town Street Series
  • Detroit Greenway Dequindre Opening
  • Uniquely Detroit WDIV
  • “Pangea” at Lydia Mendelssohn Theater
  • DTL Sorority “Phenomenal Women” Showcase
  • Wahlburgers Opening Launch
  • Dilla Day 2012-2014
  • DillaTroit 2016
  • Dilla Youth Day 2014-Present
  • Mos Def
  • Booker T and the MG’S
  • People Under The Stairs
  • Mega Ran
  • Macklemore
  • Chass Clinic Summer Market Festival Series
  • Winter In Detroit Downtown Series
  • Campus Marius

 

Events & Competitions Organized or Partnered:

  • Deepest Yellows – 2016
  • Awkward Theory Cyphers – 2016
  • MCSDA FUNDRAISER JAM – 2016
  • Diggs Deeper – 2015
  • Forever Famicom Tour – 2015
  • Youmacon 2015 All Element Youth Performance
  • Cold Chillin Christmas – 2015 – Present
  • Dancers Delight – 2014 – Present
  • Superstitious Steez – 2014 – 2017
  • Southwest Summer Series: Hip Hop  – 2014-2016
  • Universole – 2014 – 2015
  • OHIO vs MI Cypher Battle (Thrown in Detroit and Cleveland) – 2014
  • Master the Art 12 – 2014
  • Timeless Battle – 2013 – Present
  • Ride The boogie – 2013 – 2015
  • Diamond In The Rough – 2013
  • Sin Fronteras – 2013
  • Quality: The Prequel – 2013
  • Castle Clark Cyphers – 2012 – Present
  • Who Got Da Props – 2012-Present Semi-annually
  • Breaking The Ballot – 2010
  • King MI. 1-4 2008-2012
  • D’Cyphered (Detroit Institute of Arts Hip Hop Showcase)