CJDA Youth Dance Crew Achieves Remarkable 4th Place at Feedback Kids & Youth 2026
In an inspiring display of creativity and talent, the junior dance crew CJDA achieved a remarkable 4th place at the highly competitive Feedback Kids & Youth 2026 dance contest held in South Korea on August 22, 2026. Competing in the Youth Division, CJDA stood out among over 50 participating teams, showcasing a performance that was entirely crafted by its members, all of whom are high school students or younger.
The performance was not a product of the crew’s director, Sota (of GANMI), but rather a testament to the leadership and creativity of the members themselves, with leader Mia guiding the project. They took charge of everything from theme development to choreography and overall structure, stepping into the spotlight on an international stage with their self-created work. Their piece featured Ed Sheeran’s hit song "Castle on the Hill," wonderfully capturing a narrative that contrasted their childhood selves with their present selves, embodying the theme "Never Forget Your Inner Child."
The song's lyrics served as a powerful backdrop as the members danced through the dichotomy of their youthful freedom—when they freely explored their passions—against the backdrop of their current lives as students slowly approaching adulthood. The performance poignantly illustrated the feelings of growth, change, and the nostalgia of wishing to return to simpler times, resonating deeply with the audience.
Mia, the crew leader, shared her thoughts stating, “When we were younger, we didn’t really care about what others thought; we were just absorbed in our play and passionate pursuits. But as we grow into students, we begin to think more, sometimes feeling scared about becoming adults or longing to return to who we used to be. No matter how much we grow, I want to hold onto that fervent joy and passion from our childhood. We wanted to express these feelings within our performance.”
Sota, the director of CJDA and also a notable figure in the dance community, decided to step back from the creative process for this competition, allowing the students to take full ownership of their work. He expressed pride in their accomplishment, stating, “At CJDA, we emphasize not only improving dance skills and performance but also nurturing our members’ ability to think critically and produce their own expressions. Their initiative to challenge themselves at a Korean dance competition ignited this creative journey—from conception to synchronized practice, through decisions about rehearsal dates and costumes, it was all led by the students. While I gave Mia some advice, the final piece was entirely their creation. I’m proud of the results they achieved and hopeful that they can learn from this experience, including the disappointment of not winning first place.”
The Feedback Kids & Youth 2026 competition provided a robust platform for young dancers to showcase their artistry. Following the event, Sota reflected on the valuable experience it gave CJDA, encouraging continued growth and dedication in their future endeavors.
CJDA (Creative Junior Dance Artists) represents a youth dance crew founded under the direction of Sota Kawashima from GANMI, with an aim to enhance not only their dance skills but also their independence and creativity. By allowing students to drive the creation of performances, CJDA fosters an environment where the next generation of artists can thrive creatively.
You can follow CJDA's journey and view their performances through their official social accounts: YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@CJDAOFFICIAL and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cjda_official/. They embody the essence of growth through dance, encouraging each member to become a self-driven artist. Their official website is https://www.cjda.tokyo, where you can learn more about their upcoming projects and events.
The future looks bright for CJDA as they embrace the challenges and joys of dance, continuously pushing the boundaries of their creativity and expression, leaving us excited for what’s next.
The performance was not a product of the crew’s director, Sota (of GANMI), but rather a testament to the leadership and creativity of the members themselves, with leader Mia guiding the project. They took charge of everything from theme development to choreography and overall structure, stepping into the spotlight on an international stage with their self-created work. Their piece featured Ed Sheeran’s hit song "Castle on the Hill," wonderfully capturing a narrative that contrasted their childhood selves with their present selves, embodying the theme "Never Forget Your Inner Child."
The song's lyrics served as a powerful backdrop as the members danced through the dichotomy of their youthful freedom—when they freely explored their passions—against the backdrop of their current lives as students slowly approaching adulthood. The performance poignantly illustrated the feelings of growth, change, and the nostalgia of wishing to return to simpler times, resonating deeply with the audience.
Mia, the crew leader, shared her thoughts stating, “When we were younger, we didn’t really care about what others thought; we were just absorbed in our play and passionate pursuits. But as we grow into students, we begin to think more, sometimes feeling scared about becoming adults or longing to return to who we used to be. No matter how much we grow, I want to hold onto that fervent joy and passion from our childhood. We wanted to express these feelings within our performance.”
Sota, the director of CJDA and also a notable figure in the dance community, decided to step back from the creative process for this competition, allowing the students to take full ownership of their work. He expressed pride in their accomplishment, stating, “At CJDA, we emphasize not only improving dance skills and performance but also nurturing our members’ ability to think critically and produce their own expressions. Their initiative to challenge themselves at a Korean dance competition ignited this creative journey—from conception to synchronized practice, through decisions about rehearsal dates and costumes, it was all led by the students. While I gave Mia some advice, the final piece was entirely their creation. I’m proud of the results they achieved and hopeful that they can learn from this experience, including the disappointment of not winning first place.”
The Feedback Kids & Youth 2026 competition provided a robust platform for young dancers to showcase their artistry. Following the event, Sota reflected on the valuable experience it gave CJDA, encouraging continued growth and dedication in their future endeavors.
CJDA (Creative Junior Dance Artists) represents a youth dance crew founded under the direction of Sota Kawashima from GANMI, with an aim to enhance not only their dance skills but also their independence and creativity. By allowing students to drive the creation of performances, CJDA fosters an environment where the next generation of artists can thrive creatively.
You can follow CJDA's journey and view their performances through their official social accounts: YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@CJDAOFFICIAL and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cjda_official/. They embody the essence of growth through dance, encouraging each member to become a self-driven artist. Their official website is https://www.cjda.tokyo, where you can learn more about their upcoming projects and events.
The future looks bright for CJDA as they embrace the challenges and joys of dance, continuously pushing the boundaries of their creativity and expression, leaving us excited for what’s next.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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