Back to Basics

3D started out as a proposal.
the objective was simple:
... to provide a fun way to learn and exercise by reinforcing academic skills in children between the ages of 7 to 13 through Double Dutch and project-based learning.

It was an idea that was born in Berkeley in September of 2007. The 3D program model required my meeting with a public school Superintendent, a Director of Health and Social Services, a director of a major local foundation promoting sustainable food culture, an internationally recognized chef, and long conversations with the man who founded the rules of competitive Double Dutch.

I am proud to say that I did all that- in 3 months. And in December I took my proposal, student work, and human resource to lend a hand in this past Winter Holiday Classic at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. It didn't take long...

but it was a long take.
My name is Byron, founder of 3D Double Dutch Jump Rope Arts.
My background is in urban art, dance, music, nutrition, and education.

Urban Art
My trip this past December to NY was not my first invitation by a major cultural figure (this being David Walker several months ago) My first invitation was dispatched by a pop artist by the name of Keith Haring. In 1988 I sent a letter to him on 'how a west coast graffiti artist perceives' his work. And it resulted in an invitation to visit the studio. That resulted in the premiere of my higher education at Wagner College on Staten Island.

Dance...Street Dance
But what preceded that meeting was my involvement in dance. I am delving into the archives of my experience because I feel it might lend some understanding of the depth of my belief in Double Dutch jump rope arts. Even my moniker: 'jump rope arts' suggests rope skipping as something more substantial; as it is. I was a break dancer in 1985. And before that, I popped and filled in with cousins in regional syncopated dance groups, circa 1977. What I'm spiraling towards is how my embodiment of the disciplines that comprise what we now understand to be hip-hop culture, is the cornerstone of my approach to jump rope.

Youth: 7 to 13
Although my father did his best to provide me with a thoroughly suburban experience, yet he could not wipe away the effect of navigating my survival of 13 different elementary schools and routine returns to the Contra Costa and Alameda counties public school experiences. My foundation is thoroughly East Bay- Oakland, Richmond, San Pablo...and South Bay- Milpitas and San Jose.

Music
Spoken word swept through San Franciso in it's recent incarnation in the mid 1990's giving birth to organizations like Youth Speaks. It was during this time that I founded Aphenomen Publishing, wrote and performed diatribes to anyone within earshot in cafes and nightclubs. I found the rhythm of the word most enchanting- inspiring lines like:
"Aerial views of natural setting painted meticulously bother one photographer
I know
This person thinks it's a waste of time to paint
Anything in likeness
just so
Without coming
Forward to the touch
It wouldn't show..."

That eventually resulting in musical investigations beyond vocals and syllabication. My imprint, d'oiseaux recordings was born in 2006. BPM's have everything to do with skipping rope- in every genre of music. You've been warned.

Nutrition
As one must work to support one's self, I did so by managing and receiving an education at some of the most respected specialty food services in the Bay Area: Berkeley Natural Food Company, Westbrae Natural Foods, Real Foods, Noah's Bagels, and Spinelli Coffee Company (eventually purchased by Tully's)

Education- The Formal Type
In 2004, I received my B.A. in Elementary Education from Cal State Hayward. I received my preliminary credential from San Francisco State University in 2006. Currently I am completing my 2nd year of instruction at a Berkeley public school. I taught preschool in 1991-1992 at Skytown and at Kensington Elementary School from 2002-2006.

So all this to say, I know a few things about a few things- no more, believe me! And that's a great place to begin, or should I say continue, along a path to greater understanding and the development of today's youth. Jump rope has it all. No, really. It does. It's the 'real deal' in a world that scrambles for solutions to acquiesce to an agenda of quick fixes. There are no substitutes for spending time performing real and relevant activities with children. There are no substitutes for investigations that challenge and inspire young people. There is no substitute for hard work.

My solution is simple,
I'm going back to basics:
add one part experienced, driven, and compassionate human being
add one part open call for assistants in support for our youth
add one part engagement and direction for self sustainability

and add one part watch them grow.

And I welcome you all along.

Sincerely,
-BD

stay tuned to the new website in progress for future organization offerings:
www.doubledutchjumpropearts.com