Today we’d like to introduce you to Billy and Bobby McClain.
Billy and Bobby started dancing at the age of 8. The childhood beginnings started as they would imitate a weekly dance show called “Soul Train” and by 9 years old they were doing their “WonderTwins show” for family events such as cookouts and barbecues. At 10 years old, they won their first dance competition which was judged by the legendary rapper KURTIS BLOW. Later that year, Billy and Bobby were recruited to join the Boston’s first professional street dance crew “The Funk Affects”. A group that influenced and were very inspirational to the early success of new edition and new kids on the block. They spent 7 yrs. with the company gaining recognition by opening up concerts for big names like Run Dmc, LL Cool jay to name a few. In their early teens, they were giving monthly hour long shows for the community with opening acts such as new kids on the block who they would later co/choreograph elements of their Magic Summer Tour and produce a song for their album.
Today, the award-winning duo street dance pioneers from Boston have headlined at Jacob’s Pillow “Unreal Hip Hop” & Inside/Out Dance Festival, Brooklyn Dance Fest, Rochester University, Southern Vermont, Dance Festival, Colby College, UraGano Italy, Concepto Vimen Mexico, TedX talks Boston, David White’s Tap The Yard, DanceNOW Boston, DanceNOW NYCJoes Pub, Dixon Place, The Dance Hall, The Music Hall Loft and The Lincoln Center. They are also Six-time winners of Showtime at The Apollo Theater and performed a record 16 appearances on the Apollo Stage.
The Wondertwins have also appeared with Maurice Hines’ “Club Harlem” at the Apollo Theater and toured internationally with Bobby Brown’s “Don’t Be Cruel” world tour and Purple Rain’s Apollonia’s “Since I Fell For You” tour in Singapore. They received the “Pioneers of Dance” award in 2013 by Origination (other recipients of this prestigious award are Complexions Co/founding artistic directors Desmond Richardson & Dwight Rhoden of Complexions, former principal dancer of Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Renee Robinson, bestselling author/scholar Dr Eric Michael Dyson and Actor Terrance Howard.
Wondertwins are now touring their self produced, directed and choreographed show “To Hip-Hop, with Love”. The show is made up of three separate pieces: “Broadway to Hip-Hop,” “Sounds of Movement,” and “L.OV.E.” With an eclectic soundtrack of music ranging from legendary rappers Busta Rhymes and KRS One, to the classic voice of Sammy Davis Jr., and even poetry from Maya Angelou, “To Hip-Hop, with Love” offers a kaleidoscopic view of African-American entertainment traditions.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been a beautiful struggle. Being artists and educators has always made us struggle with time management. We are also our own agents, choreographers, costume designers, sound editors and stage managers so we are doing everything on our own.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Wondertwins story. Tell us more about the business.
We specialize in hip hop street dance and primarily known for our stage shows. We are not street dance battlers. Our most proud work includes 16 appearances at the world famous Apollo theater. I think what sets us apart is our brotherhood and natural response as twins.
I feel we are only a pair of eyes from Off Broadway and/or Vegas but for now, we bring that same feel to our audience no matter what venue or audience size. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.creativeground.org/profile/wondertwins
- Phone: 857-399-5181
- Email: robopop13@gmail.com
- Instagram: WondertwinsBB
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/The-WonderTwins-138134989561676/
Image Credit:
Sophie Browne
Billy McClain
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
