Behind every talented individual is a community of supporters poised to provide mentorship, advice, and encouragement. At Pollen we know no person succeeds alone, so we went in search of those who took up the call to help the next generation thrive. Who are the faces behind Twin Cities’ talent? We ask Jason Noer to introduce us to the individuals who’ve helped shape him into the person he is today.
When it comes to local hip-hop culture and breakdancing, Jason Noer (aka J-Sun) takes his love to an academic level. Knee-deep in a Master’s program, the B-boy is currently developing hip-hop pedagogy for practitioners in academia. But Jason doesn’t want to stop there. Next up he has his eyes set on a PhD program in the hopes of becoming one of the few professors who actually practice what they study.
It’s a long way from where twelve-year-old Jason got his start, dancing new jack swing with friends just for the fun of it. But now, dance has taken on a new meaning for the breaker, teacher, and choreographer. He uses his craft as a way to connect with youth in the community, tell stories about his life (even his love for sci-fi), and offer social commentary on issues such as power, legislation, and police brutality.
As a leader in the Twin Cities breakdancing community—the largest of its kind in the nation—Jason has made it a point to put the breakdancing scene on the map within the local dance community. He was the first choreographer to have a hip-hop show at the Cowles Center. He also helped organize and host the annual Groundbreaker Battle, the largest hip-hop event in Minnesota, now in its seventh year. Here are six people who inspired the B-boy along his journey.
Jason’s Six Can’t-Live-Without Mentors
Ananya Chatterjea
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Activist; Ananya Dance Theater
Ananya is truly one of the most amazing people I have ever encountered. I knew as soon as I heard her speak that I wanted to talk about dance like her. She is still the person I look to most as an example of success in my area of study.
Damian “Daylight” Day
Breakdancer, Visual Artist, Member of Battlecats Breaking Crew; Owner, DayLight Enterprises and DayLight Apparel
Daylight constantly challenges me to look at things without a filter. His critical viewpoints helped to foster a sense of being authentic to one’s self.
Micheal “Eyedea” Larsen
Breakdancer, Rapper, Musician, Member of Battlecats Breaking Crew
Mikey constantly looked to the next challenge and was one of the smartest people I ever met. His work ethic was beyond impressive—from becoming one of the most well-known battle rappers, to producing his own music, to teaching himself how to play instruments—his influence on me goes deep.
Rick and Nancy Noer
Rick, Agent for the Federal Aviation Administration, Retired; Nancy, Data Analyst and Programmer, Retired
My mother has a quiet and patient strength that has surfaced in most of my endeavors. My father has an unrelenting sense of perseverance and an unstoppable will that informs my work and career. Both have always supported my path.
Joseph Schloss
Professor, Author, Breakdancer; Baruch College of the City University of New York
Professor Schloss wrote the first and only book about breakdancing, and it opened a whole new world for me. “Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York” is used so much in my writing that I should pay Schloss royalties. He was also generous enough to evaluate one of my projects in my undergraduate program.
Elijah Smith
Student and Skateboarder
As a teacher, I understand how students can educate me. The same goes for parenting. Elijah often teaches me. Losing friends, family, and getting a divorce was difficult, but my son was always the best reason to never give up on my goals.
Good mentors make all the difference when you take the leap into professional life. Every so often it’s great to give them a shout out to let them know just how much they mean to you. From dishing out helpful advice to offering up a listening ear, who would make your list?