The Profound Bandits host workshop for South Korea dance trip

From dancing outside the Marianas Business Plaza to hoping to learn new moves at the 1MILLION Dance Studio in Seoul, South Korea, The Profound Bandits are looking to take their passion for dance from Saipan to the international stage. The Saipan-based hip-hop dance group is putting together fundraisers to help send 13 of its members to immerse themselves in the International Dance League on Saturday, Aug. 1, where they will also attend workshops.

Along with their GoFundMe page and an upcoming car wash, The Profound Bandits’ founder and director Jeroen “Jiro” Montenejo hosted a dance workshop on Friday, July 17, at the Marianas Business Plaza to help raise funds for the trip.

The International Dance League brings together some of the world’s top dance crews for a season-long competition, with teams traveling to different cities and earning points toward an overall championship.

Although The Profound Bandits will not be competing, members will have the chance to learn from experienced dancers, explore new styles, and experience a side of dance they usually only see online.

For Montenejo, who has been dancing since he was five years old, the opportunity to be surrounded by some of the world’s top dancers would be a dream come true. “Growing up, I’ve watched these dancers on TikTok, YouTube and anywhere, and just to be able to be there in the same place as everyone, it would be such a big dream come true as a dancer,” he said.

The group also hopes to bring those experiences back home. Montenejo said they plan to host two free workshops after the trip, sharing some of what they learned during their time at the 1MILLION Dance Studio with local dancers.

“Once we come back, we’re going to try and host two free workshops based off the workshops at the 1MILLION Dance Studio, so we’ll be able to bring it out here for the people that want to learn to dance, who’ve danced before, and dancers that are just trying to get started,” he said.

Montenejo then thanked the families and friends of the group’s members, along with local businesses and organizations including Marianas Press, Marianas Variety, Gold’s Gym, Latte Built, Panda House Waffles, and others for supporting their journey. “I really appreciate all that you’re doing for the dance community here on island,” he said.

Founded in 2017 by Montenejo, The Profound Bandits has become a familiar name in the CNMI dance community, performing at school events, cultural festivals, community celebrations, and other public gatherings over the years.

Those who would like to support The Profound Bandits’ trip can visit their GoFundMe page: https://gofund.me/c3a36f7b3