Eleanor Roosevelt’s Dem Raider Boyz were eliminated from NBC’s World of Dance in early August, but their appearance on the show was a success in itself for the top-ranked step team in the country. This summer, the all-male high school group became the first step team ever to appear on the World of Dance television show, making it as far as the Duels stage before being eliminated.
Despite their premature exit from the competition, Dem Raider Boyz still had a unique experience that was far different from their other performances. They have rarely traveled overnight to competitions, let alone fly across the country, so coach Richard Melvern said this trip helped them grow as dancers and as a team. “It was especially a great bonding experience to come together and spend that much time together as a team,” Melvern said. “Meeting all the teams, working with the producers and all the choreographers, it was an amazing experience the entire time out there.”
When NBC called the team earlier this year to express interest in having them on World of Dance, they jumped at the opportunity. After Melvern sent in a video, the team was notified that they made the cut for the show. Their appearance helped bring stepping to a wider audience, showing that it can be just as much a part of dance as ballet or hip-hop. They knew they were selected by the time they appeared at the National High School Stepping Championship in May. “Seeing stepping represented at World of Dance, we felt like we had to really bring it for nationals [this year],” said Vincent Lan, who joined Dem Raider Boyz in 2016. “We couldn’t rely on just that reputation to carry us; we had to keep innovating and getting better and better.”
The extra motivation paid off, as Dem Raider Boyz kicked off the summer with their third straight national championship. It continued a tradition of excellence that Melvern has been working to cultivate for more than 15 years. In 2001, Roosevelt had a girls step team but no all-male team, so Melvern and several others came together to form Dem Raider Boyz. After graduating high school, he returned as the team’s coach and choreographer, a role he has held ever since, helping the team to seven undefeated seasons, four national championships and a top ranking among D.C. area step teams. Melvern was named the 2018 National Coach of the Year in recognition of the team’s recent success. Now, with another national title and a World of Dance appearance under their belt, Dem Raider Boyz enter another school year with a new drive to succeed and improve.
“We really work hard to build a sense of brotherhood, dedication and teamwork,” Melvern said. “Going to World of Dance, it really was humbling, being around other teams with extraordinary talent. It really makes us want to push harder to make sure our choreography and technique and everything that we do keeps building. It was very inspiring.”