Poppin' Jack / Jack Wardana

Artist biography

Poppin’ Jack has been dancing for as long as he can remember and has worked hard and passionately to get to where he is today. Through years of experience learning from some of the best in the world, Jack has gained knowledge, recognition and a deeper understanding of dance and how to teach. Jack has been involved in the street dance community since 2002. Running events to nurture and grow the Australian community Jack is seen as a major influence in building, shaping and guiding the new generation of dancers. Jack has represented Australia at competitions in America, New Zealand and across Asia.

In 2017 Jack and his Popping team competed in the KOD Street Dance World Cup Qualifier in Seoul South Korea where they gained entry into the 2018 KOD Street Dance World Cup.

Artforms used

Current work and inspiration

My current work titled "Popping Outreach" is focused on intertwining two major influences in my life: The Dance style of Popping and Traditional Indonesian Dance. Since working more closely with Suara Indonesia Dance I have been able to make a deeper connection with my Indonesian heritage on my Fathers side. I love all movement forms and am excited to be putting this show together with my students and giving them an insight into different cultures and movement in dance.

Popping Outreach, inspired by the powerful percussion of Indonesian "Randai" is a combination of my students who focus on the style of Popping with the students from Suara Indonesia Dance. Since learning more about the style of Randai I have wanted to make a connection between the raw power of creating our own rhythms on the traditional Galembong pants with our Popping style of tensing the muscles to the beat.

Through this show I aim to convey a sense of unity across different styles of movement by connecting that movement with a beat.

Website and social media links