EXILE Professional Gym trains young street dance performers and singers, and has now studios in nine locations including Okinawa.

EXILE Professional Gym, EXPG for short, was the first and only dance studio in the world to focus exclusively on various styles of street dance. Hiro, a founding member of the highly successful 19-member Japanese boy group EXILE started the first EXPG studio in Tokyo in 2003, and it has since branched out to nine locations, including Okinawa. The studio has also branches in Taiwan and New York.

EX SHOW is a chance for young performers to join professionals on stage to gain experience.

The Okinawa branch of EXPG is now looking for students who aspire to become professional dancers or singers. The studio is organizing an audition on Mar. 6th at their Okinawa school at Asahibashi Kafu-na 2F, 1-9 Asahi Town in Naha. Their telephone number is 098-862-3578. Applications are accepted through noon on Mar. 3. Young people born between Apr. 2, 1991 and Apr. 1, 2007 are eligible. Those under 18 of age must have a written permission from his or her parents when they apply. They also must not have a contract with any recording or entertainment company. For more information, visit the EXPG Japanese language website.

Being on stage with professionals is said to be less stressing to aspiring young entertainers.

Teachers at the EXPG schools are expert instructors who are dedicated to supporting young people. Many professional entertainers in Japan are graduates of EXPG schools, which also organize an annual contest for amateur entertainers called EX SHOW. Participation to the show is free, and the winner is awarded a free six-month tuition at the school. The show gives young entertainers a chance to talk with graduates of the school about their experiences. It also gives them an opportunity to perform with professionals. No prior experience is necessary, just a dream and desire to perform.

• 
• NO DATA