“Dance is Inherently Vulnerable,”: My Latest Interview with AYB Member Max!

For my next AYB member interview, I was mega excited to interview Max. He joined the fam in November 2017, and fitted right in. I’ve always admired the fact that he’ll throw himself into twerking and StrutBEAT classes, though I simply can’t understand why he doesn’t share all his videos on Insta cos I think his dancing and progression is amazing to watch!

I headed round the the flat he shares with AYB teachers Lucie and Windy, alongside their shy black cat Luna, who graced me with a few interested sniffs while I sipped tea from a Harry Potter mug and quizzed a slightly reluctant Max…

R: How did you find out about AYB?

M: I had tried a couple of dance studios in London – there aren’t that many – and I don’t know, the moment I started the class, it felt natural and it felt like this was the right place. Even though it was probably entirely the wrong class for me, because it was Madonna’s Vogue with Viv, which if you’ve heard the song is full of confidence and sexiness…

R: Viv’s is probably a great one to start with! She’s so open. So do you have dance experience?

M: I danced a little bit in uni during my Masters…

R: Are you doing the Max thing, where you say you danced a little bit but actually you were doing competitions and were in a troupe…

M: *Looks sheepish*

R: ^Laughs really unnecessarily loudly?^

M: There was a bit of both…I do remember that we did one show and I was in that. It was hip hop kind of style and I had a massive hoodie on.

I came to dance because I get annoyed by the fact that I cannot properly control my body.

R: Did you feel like I do, like you’re too long and lanky to control it all?

M: Yes! To an extent. And to an extent that kind of creates a separation between the mind and the rest of the body, where you don’t quite feel as connected because you can’t control it properly. Like I get annoyed with the fact that I can’t write with my left hand.

R: And has dance led you to now write with your left hand…?

M: No! But I feel much more comfortable in my own body now.

R: Believe me, I do know what you mean, but it’s not just that. You’re quite a cerebral person. It bugs me that you don’t put your videos up! [I genuinely can’t believe how bossy I am in this interview – R].

M: It’s because I cannot watch them without shuddering. It makes me feel uncomfortable to watch myself dance.

R: That’s something that you need to work on because you should be proud.

M: Well you know. Your critique helps…

R: Oh god I wish I hadn’t said you have floppy hands! It was only because I do, too!

M: No you encourage me a lot and it is helpful, because I realise it’s a problem I need to work on.

R: What do you think has caused it? Where do you think that instinct to shudder when you see yourself dancing comes from?

M: I just…I find it hard to watch myself not be as good as I want to be. I know where I’m going wrong already and if I watch the video it’ll distract from the experience. Cos I leave the classroom very happy, and that’s the feeling that keeps me going, so videos will detract from that.

R: So who’s classes do you often go to?

M: Rhian. Rhian has this amazing thing whereby her dances are never sexy and I love that because it brings back the sort of innocence in dance for me. It’s just pure joy of dancing. It’s like my Monday therapy; it’s great. And then a lot of Kelsey cos I really like his style. I think with Kelsey, he’s so unique in his style of dancing. It’s so fluid. You can’t aspire to it. You try to imitate and learn but just appreciate that he’s one-of-a-kind!

R: Well as an outsider giving you critique, I can see the Kelsey flow. You make everything very smooth and fluid.

M: Keiram was my first dance love. I used to go to his classes religiously. He’s very smart about the way he dances, like it’ll be 3 counts to get down and the same to get back up.

R: Yes as a fellow tall person I definitely appreciate that! Marta is my teacher where I feel like I see the move and understand it rather than trying to translate it to my body.

M: I went to one of Marta’s classes…it was ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. It was so good! I was living my best life!

R: Yes! I love the fact that you’re not afraid to go to super feminine classes like StrutBEAT…

M: Yeah, when I see Joelle and Keiram dance, they aren’t afraid of moves like twerking and getting down on the floor, and that’s how they make the choreo look good: doubling down on the efforts rather than shying away! And looking at them I had really good role models.

R: Yes! Because I’ve messaged you before about the fact that you’re not afraid to go to any class is so anti-toxic masculinity.

M: It wasn’t always the case: there were times I’d shy away from certain moves, but you realise it comes from a sort of…cowardly place of not wanting to look unmanly to other people and I think that, in itself, is quite unmanly.

I’m supported by really amazing people, and AYB is amazing in that respect, in that you don’t divide the room along the gender lines. When you’re up there you’re just all together.

R: Also, for any guys who feel a bit afraid of coming, didn’t the teachers give you and Taylor alternative sort of moves?

M: Yeah but actually I don’t want to be set apart in that respect. Sometimes I would do it cos I think it looks cool, or because it’s more natural for me but most of the times I want to do ‘that’ move.

I’ve been to Jess’ Bashment class and there was a moment when I was humping the floor and punching it and as I caught my reflection I was like…That’s probably not the move for me! But that was the only time. Do you find yourself dancing around places?

R: No, I think I’m scared now cos I’m not copying a teacher! Do you? 

M: Yes! I find myself dancing around places like the bus stop.

R: You’re probably amazing at freestyle then! What’re your dance goals this year?

M: I want to be cleaner. Like each move needs a purpose and an end point. Then I also want to try and make my movements smaller, cos I love seeing dance styles where they do that.

R: It’s amazing the immediacy at which everyone becomes a family, isn’t it.

M: It’s because dance is a bit inherently vulnerable: you’re learning with others, you’re showing them what you can do and it’s so much easier in that environment to embrace other people and be generous with other people.

Thank you Max! To find out more head to atyourbeat.com

Rebecca x

If you enjoyed this, then check out previous interviews…