Before he was invited to run Dubbo Dance Camp at the weekend, Maurice June didn’t know where Dubbo was.
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But now the Justice Crew founder has seen the raw talent of the city’s dancers, and he’ll be back.
“I’m a guy who develops artists … man, looking at the potential and the talent that they have up here in Dubbo is crazy and I’m not even saying that. I know talent, this is my job,” said Mr June, who has recently returned from working with international acts in Los Angeles.
“If people only knew what was here, you wouldn’t have to invite people [from Sydney to run workshops], people would be lining up to come to these places.
“I work with talent half of this, to be honest. Half of their skill level, they’re so young. It’s crazy!”
The weekend’s camp also featured hip hop impresario Marco Andre Selorio and choreographer Joey Patterson.
Dancers had the chance to learn a variety of styles including hip hop, popping, locking, isolation, breaking and urban choreography.
While it was rewarding to have worked with artists like Justice Crew and 2013 X-Factor contestant Jai Waetford, Mr June said it was important for him to give back.
“I started from my bedroom, and outside on my lawn,” he said.
“That’s everything, if you’re in my industry and if you lose sight of that part you’ll lose yourself.
“I believe we were created with two hands – one to take and one to give – and that’s been my motto forever. The whole idea of creating Justice was for that motto; to not just take but to really encourage, inspire, give back.”
Mr June is the creative director at Sydney talent agency JMA Entertainment, and said he was already talking to Mr Selorio about the next initiative.
He urged any aspiring artists to go to workshops, get outside their comfort zone and network.
“Networking is key; meeting new people and seeing what they can bring to your life and what you can bring to theirs,” Mr June said.
“Today we’re really lucky, you don’t have to be in certain place now to go and make it … the internet has given us a tool to be able to take what you've got to the world now.
“For me if you have the dream, go for it!”