focusinterview.
Las Vegas is a place that has the bestthe entertainers in t to world, and I ge t mingle amongs e them. It is a plac full of fantasies.”
“
CHAD
Homan
FROM COFFS HARBOUR TO LAS VEGAS
AS A TEENAGER, CHAD HOMAN DISCOVERED A LOVE FOR BREAKDANCING. WITH THE SUPPORT OF HIS FAMILY AND SOME GREAT TEACHERS, HE WENT ON TO PERFORM AROUND AUSTRALIA AND THE WORLD. CHAD TELLS FOCUS MORE ABOUT HIS ADVENTURES AND HOW HE HAS FOUND HIMSELF IN LAS VEGAS PERFORMING AND MINGLING WITH THE BEST ENTERTAINERS IN THE WORLD.
W
hat is your connection to the Coffs Coast? I grew up in Coffs. I spent some of my best years
there. What was the best thing about growing up in Coffs Harbour? The relaxed atmosphere around Coffs was definitely the best. I loved the beaches a lot, but grew up on a property with enough space to ride motorbikes, and the freedom for life was great. When and how did you know you wanted to be a professional dancer/performer? I started breaking when I was about 12, under a guy called Travers Ross. I was definitely hooked from my first class and trained every day. There was even a time I wanted to go to a breaking class, but the river was flooding and if I went, there would be no way possible to get home. Mum had to stay home to care for my siblings, so I asked her drop me on the other side of the river, and I found my own way there! Breaking had definitely consumed me, but it wasn't until about 15 that I thought maybe I could make it a career. From then on, it was full steam ahead. Can you tell us a bit more about your breakdancing and hip hop adventures? I began teaching with Travers in Coffs around the age of 15 and at 17, encouraged by my ballet teacher, I moved to Queensland to study dance. This was the beginning of my training with some of Australia’s best breakdancers. While I was teaching and performing full6 Coffs Coast focus
time with Team Cream Studios, I got to travel around Australia and the world, performing and competing in events such as Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and the Australian Hip Hop Championships. I then moved to Melbourne to experience a bigger city and for a bit of change, where I was performing plus teaching dance until I moved to Las Vegas. You have been part of So You Think You Can Dance and a finalist in Australia’s Got Talent. What was this experience like? Australia’s Got Talent was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had. I was there with my crew, "Instant Bun", and we were like one big CRAZY family. We each lived in different states, so when we got together to film the show it was like a reunion. We got up to a lot of cheeky mischief. It was my first time on TV and some parts were nerve-racking, but the amount of fun we had dancing for the show over shadowed that. So You Think You Can Dance was a solo competition and a little more nerve-racking, I guess, because I was doing it alone. But my mates from Instant Bun were also competing individually, so that took a few nerves away. In fact, SYTYCD threw a surprise challenge at us and gave us a couple of minutes to put a routine together as a crew. It was amazing, spontaneous fun and of course, we were up to the challenge. So how did you end up in Las Vegas? I received a call from Darren Sutton from Aussie All Star Productions, saying he was putting a show together for Las Vegas and wanted me to be part of it. I thought that it would never happen. Las Vegas is an extremely
hard place to get into, especially for a brand new show. I said yes, thinking if it happens, great, if not, I’ve lost nothing. We put our all into making the show and somehow, Darren got us into Las Vegas, and not only Vegas but right in the middle of the strip at Planet Hollywood. So if you ever go to Las Vegas, check out the guys of Aussie Heat. What do you enjoy most about living and performing there? Las Vegas is a place that also has the best entertainers in the world, and I get to mingle amongst them. It is a place full of fantasies. People come here from all over the world to fulfil whatever outrageous visions they have in their mind. Because of this, generally everyone that comes here is happy and loving life, always in a good mood and having a great time. Where else in the world has your career taken you? I have been to many countries for dance, including New Zealand, Europe, United States, Japan and the Philippines. Travelling is one of the greatest things that a person can do, and to get to travel so much doing something I love is a blessing. What do you like to do when you come home to Coffs? When I come back home, it’s chill time. I love just kicking it with my family and friends and being in full relax mode. I certainly try to make use of the beaches and rivers. Las Vegas is a desert, and the nearest beach is 400 km away! Your mum, Berni, is a big supporter. What does this mean to you? She certainly is, and it means the world to me. I was very lucky that both my parents were extremely supportive of what I wanted
to do. They said, "Do whatever you want and do it well". If they weren't the way they were and didn't teach me to follow my dreams, I definitely wouldn't be having the same life right now. What are your plans for the future? Right now, having already trialled Puerto Rico, our company, Aussie Heat, is working on setting up a tour in different countries around the world, so keep an eye out for it. Do you have any advice for others who dream of a career in dancing/performing? Always just go for it! There will be many times in life where it may feel easier to take the normal road. If you have a dream of what you want, don't stop until you get it. Thanks Chad.