In Focus | Janessa Worsfold of Rhythm Ground

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Janessa Worsfold.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Oh my goodness, it would definitely be between, “Do you know what I mean?” (Apparently I have this constant suspicion that I’m not speaking the right language) and “five, six, seven, eight” (sounds typical, but seriously. I have not said one, two, three, go in years). Both of these habits drive me crazy. One time I refereed a group of children about to race and yelled five, six, seven, eight.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
OH! Surprise me. I love a good excuse to get to know someone new.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I am going to be ambitious and say the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. It was founded the year I was born and has yet to recognize any urban dance choreography!

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
A whole day? I’d probably pick Jesus because there would be a lot to talk about. Who wouldn’t love to fire some questions at the most controversial man in history?

Who inspires you?
Most humans under five years olds. They are brilliant.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1. Dream in another language.
2a. Move to the jungle.
2b. Vine surf that jungle like Tarzan.
3. Learn to drum like a boss.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
No name, so I could sell it before becoming too attached.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
Oh man, I don’t think I’d want to see a day in my future otherwise I’d be consumed in getting there. I would love however to see a day of my childhood that I was too young to remember. It would be cool to witness myself before I knew the world was watching.

What are you passionate about?
Creating and pushing the limits of movement.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Absolutely my wedding day (once I took my heels off). I seriously won the most amazing man. I was astonished and so blessed by the incredible community that supported and celebrated with us. It’s weird to have everyone you know in one place at one time.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Managing to live off my creativity

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Does Mad Mango count as fine dining? Because that place is bumping! You can get a massive bowl of spicy goodness for $5. It’s tiny, fast paced, consistent, and I’ve convinced them my name is NASA for years.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
I love Tribehouse’s event Ten-Ten-Ten. There is some wild talent here and it promotes local performing artists.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Rhythm Ground.

What does your business/organization do?
Rhythm Ground is a Hip Hop Crew consisting of dancers ages nine to 19. We instruct, train, choreograph, perform and compete!

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.creatorsarts.com and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47gwNoerxPk

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Nessa Joy.

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
#rhythmground via Creators Arts Centre

What is your Twitter account?
Instagram and Twitter: @nessahjoy

What is your mission?
Our goal is to train Kelowna youth and children to be both athletes and artists, initiate positive mentorship, encourage authentic identities, and stimulate creativity in the form of urban movement.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
If I could achieve one thing it would be teaching the next generation of choreographers/dancers/artists to create out of fullness, rather than emptiness.
…And choreograph some seriously awesome dances in the process.
…And standardize wages for dancers/choreographers so they can go farther in their craft.

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I’d love my current students to be teaching and to explore more into movement therapy.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Mari and Keone Madrid. These two are creative, bold, and work with integrity. I’ve been lucky enough to do a mentorship with them this past year.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Diligence, creativity, and community.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you to all the parents who supported Rhythm Ground this year, and to Creators Arts Centre for being our parent-studio!

How does your business/organization impact the community?
Rhythm Ground provides an opportunity for positive mentorship. It brings to life a relatively unexposed area of art in Kelowna and stimulates physical and mental work ethic. It helps to build positive self-concept and self-determination in our youth and children.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
Arts and culture, community development, and business. I guess it depends on how many floors they were going, but I’d start with let’s collaborate.

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
FREE PARKING FOR EVERYONE!!!!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It’s big enough for creative chaos and small enough for genuine community.

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Nico Boesten of Tribehouse.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
If you have a child or youth who is interested in hip hop training or being considered for Rhythm Ground’s 2015/2016 competitive season, we are running a summer intensive on July 22-24. See creatorsarts.com for details.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!