Meru youth beats odds to become a star dancer

Elvis Kubania watches his friends dance for three minutes.

Like the group, he slowly starts snapping his fingers and nodding to the beat.

He counts one, two, three in his head.

He shifts his weight to one leg and raises the other.

And, as the rest of Alpha Dancers Crew, he breaks into freestyle dance—throwing his hands in the air and shaking his torso and bottom in perfect synchrony.

For over 20 minutes of the musical action, nothing makes Elvis different from the rest of the dancers practising new dance moves at Nteere Park in Meru Town.

It is during break that we realize the 19-year-old from Muringombugi Village in Meru is talented differently: He can neither hear nor understand the sound of music but he is a very good dancer.

VICTIM OF BEDBUGS

Elvis is mute too.

“I realized my son had hearing impairment when he was three years old. I was informed by the house help who noticed that when she tried calling him he did not respond and did not even act as if he heard any sound,” says Delfine Kananu, Elvis’ mother.

Elvis attended Kaaga Primary School for the Deaf and later joined Murang’a School for the Deaf for his secondary education.

His studies were, however, cut short after bedbugs infested the school in 2005.

“The students were sent home when he was in Form Two. Afterwards, he did not want to go back, probably from the trauma and the fear that it would happen again,” says Delfine, who is also a teacher in Meru.

To avoid boredom, Elvis spent most of his time with other deaf friends in Meru Town.

This is where he met Alpha Dancers Crew and joined them.

“We were part of a promotion campaign that involved dancing. When we made a stop in front of Uchumi Supermarket, the MC called upon willing members of the crowd to join in a dance and get awards. Elvis got up to the podium and danced very well,” says Ronnie Mutethia, the founder of Alpha Dancers Crew based in Meru.

After the performance, Ronnie says Elvis followed them but they could not understand what he wanted.

He showed up for all their training sessions at Nteere Park until they admitted him to the group.

COMMUNICATION HITCH

“We tried talking to him and asking him questions but he did not respond to any of them. That is when we realized he is deaf and cannot talk. We just took his phone number and sent him messages about the group requirements,” says Ronnie.

He complied and since then, he turns up early for training and practice

“I come to the park every day to wait for the time when the other dancers will arrive for us to train,” writes Elvis.

Collins Mugambi, 15, says although Elvis cannot talk and hear, he is one of the best dancers in their group.

The group members mostly communicate to him in writing and SMSs.

“He understands some things when we text him, but sometimes we do not understand his replies due to his English,” says Collins.

Besides dancing, Elvis has been instrumental in helping Alpha Dancers come up with novel dancing styles.

“He is very creative when it comes to giving new moves. Once he shows us a new move, we simply fit it to the beat by giving it the correct pace,” says Ronnie.

Elvis also learns other members’ dance moves very fast, something that impresses the group.

GREAT ASSET

During practice sessions, he watches other members dance and joins in.

He ensures he moves at the same pace as the group because he cannot know when the tune changes.

“When we are called to perform at functions, people can barely notice his disability. When we tell them after the performance that Elvis cannot hear, they are shocked. It’s unbelievable to many,” Ronnie, who wishes they could learn some sign language to improve their communication with Elvis, says.

Elvis is a great asset to the team as his (dis) ability sells the crew.

Most people invite them to perform, especially at churches, simply because they are amazed by the sight of someone dancing without hearing the music.

“My parents are happy with my dancing. They know it is my talent and they are ready to help me become a professional dancer,”  he writes.

Elvis’s parents are currently looking for a school that help their son achieve his dream.

“It is my joy to see my son dancing. I am looking for other avenues to help him exploit his talent better,” says Charles Kathurima, his father.

The couple is ready to pay for the training.

“I know I will make it as a dancer despite my hearing impairment. I did not choose to be deaf. It cannot prevent me from achieving my dream,” says Elvis.