Quest Dance Crew recently had an interview with May Pang’s Asian Media Internet News. It doesn’t seem like everyone was present to answer the questions but it’s great to see Lydia back in the mix! Read on to find out more about this group who has been working hard since winning ABDC a couple seasons ago.
You can catch the entire script after the break or head on over to AMIN.
Who are they you say? Some of you may know the members of Quest Crew from various cultural events, stage shows like Kollaboration, and TV shows such as So You Think You Can Dance, and America’s Best Dance Crew. The members consist of Dominic “D-Trix” Sandoval, Hokuto “Hok” Konishi, Ryan “Ryanimay” Conferido, Ryan Feng, Steve Terada, Brian “Hirano” Hirano, Victor “Vic” Kim, Andy “Rocket Man” Luo, Lydia Paek, and Aris Paracuelles
Let’s face it, Quest Crew is becoming known worldwide! Ever since their winning victory on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, they’re in high demand. From members traveling to different parts of the country and the world, to performing in front of thousands in various award shows and sports games; they’re gaining more popularity wherever they go.
With hectic schedules going underway, May Pang’s AMIN had the opportunity to interview some of the members of Quest Crew.
(1) How do you think the election of Asian Americans to the White House and the Cabinet will affect your life as an Asian American?
I believe the election of Asian Americans to the White House Cabinet will help direct American political focus slightly more towards issues in Asia. Conversely I think young Asian Americans might start showing more political awareness. Growing up with few prominent Asian American political figures, I never developed much political interest. However, as the American political picture becomes progressively more diverse, I believe young Americans, not just Asians Americans, will become more proactive in the political scene as a larger population of role models from different ethnic backgrounds becomes available. – Andy Luo
It would definitely be a milestone for the advancement of Asian Americans in American culture. How it would affect me in daily life will depend on the stances the certain individual takes, but it does raise the status of Asian Americans in the eyes of the population. – Ryan Feng
(2) Who is the person that most influenced you in your life?
The person who has influenced my life the most would definitely be my older brother. As healthy competition, our sibling rivalry has always drove me to compete and perform at my best. At the very least, I’ve always tried to emulate his positive traits. – Andy Luo
My mom. – Aris Paracuelles
Salvador Dali, Itou Naoki. – Hokuto Konishi
The person that most influenced my life is my mom. She has supported me in everything that I do. – Steve Terada
My parents, their hard work allowed me to do what I am doing now. – Ryan Feng
(3) What are your favorite kinds of video games to play and why?
Favorite video games huh? Well I love/hate anything with a compelling story. I love them because they keep you in the game, you have to keep playing to get the whole story because the stories are really good. I hate them because they keep you in the game, you HAVE to keep playing to get the whole story because the stories are THAT good haha. Also, a lot of them are single player and it’s just more fun to play with a buddy. – Andy Luo
Fighting games because it’s really fun bashing on my friends.. and tower defense games because I’m really good. – Aris Paracuelles
Strategy RPG, puzzle, and TOWER DEFENSE!!!… if u play them you’ll understand why. – Hokuto Konishi
Fighting games. They tap into my competitiveness when I play my friends! – Steve Terada
Shooting games. A great way to deal with aggression. – Ryan Feng
(4) What got everyone into dancing? What was the trigger?
I’m not sure if everyone means any dancer on earth or just the ones in Quest, but in general I think the reason anyone starts dancing is because it just feels good. Being in rhythmic motion is completely different from your everyday standard movements. It’s almost a separate state of mind, one in which you can express yourself and interpret the world in your own little way. – Andy Luo
The power dance has to move someone’s heart… I was infected by the dance bug! – Hokuto Konishi
I got into dancing because my sister starting dancing in the collegiate dance scene in college. I saw how much fun it looked and it was a good way to meet people socially. – Steve Terada
Curiosity was my trigger, I always thought it was cool and something I might be able to do, so I tried. – Ryan Feng
(5) State one secret fact about a Quest Crew member that people don’t know about (The catch: Another member from the group has to be the one to state the fact. e.g: Victor has to say one fact about Hok, and Hok has to say one about D-Trix, etc)
Did you know…Lydia started dancing with us when she was 15. (before Quest was started) – Andy Luo
Conferido just bought a new hair straightener and I’m pretty jealous cuz its a really good one. – Aris Paracuelles
Victor used to eat buffets every week as a kid. – Hokuto Konishi
Aris can catch anything you throw at him! It’s amazing! – Steve Terada
(6) Random Question: Cinnamon Toast Crunch: With or Without Milk?
Cinnamon Toast Crunch with milk of course. All cereal needs milk. CTC could actually go both ways but with milk is nicer. Side note…Lucky Charms all the way. – Andy Luo
W/ MILK BABY! – Aris Paracuelles
WITH!! ahhh I’m craving milk now… mmmmm – Hokuto Konishi
With milk. – Brian Hirano
With milk of course! – Steve Terada
With, how else do you get cinnamon milk? – Ryan Feng
(7) What was it like being in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel?
I wasn’t in the movie, but it was pretty funny seeing my real good friends on a huge screen. – Aris Paracuelles
It was amazing to do a movie with the guys… but I wish we were in avatar too… I could’ve rocked my hair. – Hokuto Konishi
We slept and chilled in our trailers till it was night time almost and we would do multiple takes of our routine. We had long but relatively low stress shoot days. – Steve Terada
Very cool to be in a movie. It was my first. – Ryan Feng
(8) If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be doing now?
If I wasn’t a dancer I’d be doing exactly what I am doing right now. Working as an Aerospace Engineer by day and hitting the gym at night. – Andy Luo
I would be handling a lot of computer stuff.. building, fixing and what not. As if i don’t do that already. I would be a nurse I suppose haha. – Aris Paracuelles
An artist. – Hokuto Konishi
If I wasn’t dancing right now I’d probably be in business school or working in finance. – Brian Hirano
I would be working on a martial arts company with my best friends and furthering my career as a stunt man. – Steve Terada
I’d like to think I’d be doing photography. – Ryan Feng
(9) Who are some known artists the group would want to work with?
Well I know we really wanted to work with Black Eyed Peas. I loved doing ISA show with Far East Movement. – Andy Luo
Jonas Brothers! BEP! – Aris Paracuelles
BUSTA RHYMES!!!! … it would be such an honour. LMFAO… fun guys. Melody Gardot… amazingly sexy. – Hokuto Konishi
Personally I would like to work with artists like Usher, Justin Timberlake, Black Eyed Peas, or Ryan Leslie. – Brian Hirano
We would definitely love to work with Black Eyed Peas. I think their energy and style would be a good match for Quest. – Steve Terada
JUSTIN, JANET JACKSON. – Ryan Feng
To Quest Crew and their wonderful staff, thank you again VERY much for an awesome interview! We looking forward to working with you again in the future.
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