Check Out Harry “fullout” Weston’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Harry “fullout” Weston

Hi Harry “Fullout” , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Santa Cruz, California, where I was exposed to b-boying, popping and locking by one of my first teachers, Harold McCord, who inspired me to devote my life to building community through Hip Hop and Street Dance culture. In 2008, I moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance, as well as a Minor in Civic Engagement. While at UCLA, I was invited to dance professionally with the internationally renowned Hip Hop and Street Dance company, Versa-Style, by the globally recognized Jackie “Miss Funk” Lopez and Leigh “Breeze-Lee” Foaad, who have become two of my most valued friends, colleagues and mentors. I also inherited and directed an after school Hip Hop dance program at Abraham Lincoln High School in East LA and I served as Head Counselor for the UCLA Summer Intensive. Upon graduating, I continued my work as a professional artist, touring with Versa-Style and taking on administrative responsibilities for the organization, which today have evolved into an leadership position as Artistic Director of Fundraising and Development. I also developed a b-boying curriculum for the award-winning after school dance program, Everybody Dance LA! from 2013-2019, and continued my work with the UCLA Intensive, taking on the role of Director in 2022 and shifting the program’s focus to become the Hip Hop/Street Dance Summer Institute. Also in 2022, I served as a cultural envoy for the U.S. State Department’s “Next Level” program in Ghana, teaching Hip Hop and Street Dance. Today, I continue to participate in the global Street Dance community, battling at numerous competitions around the world in styles such as Hip Hop, House and Open Styles, and continue to work with Versa-Style and other organizations worldwide to use Hip Hop and Street Dance culture to build community and affect the lives of young people in LA and beyond. I am humbled and grateful for the experiences and opportunities Hip Hop and Street Dance culture have provided me, and pay respect and homage to all the dancers and culture creators from the communities of color who created the dance and music I love so much. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In all honesty, I have been incredibly blessed with the opportunities I’ve received. I have worked HARD to balance being a full time artist, administrator and educator, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. When Miss Funk and Breeze-Lee gave me my nickname, “Fullout,” I took it to heart and have done my best to give back to the communities who have supported me throughout my professional and artistic journey. My personal struggle has mostly been with losing those closest to me, having lost two parents to cancer, first my father when I was two years old and then my mother’s partner when I was eighteen, whom had raised me since the passing of my father. But the losses have taught me to live life passionately, to love without fear and use my art to tell my story. I have had MUCH help and support along the way, and will continue to work hard to earn the life I live.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I bring a creative fire and passion to everything I do. My first love was teaching dance, which I started at the young age of 15, and has been my greatest joy ever since. As an educator, I take pride in modeling the energy, joy and attention to detail I strive for in my students. It’s been my life’s greatest joy to walk alongside many of my students from middle school, to high school, to college and into adulthood. Hip Hop and Street Dance culture are incredible vehicles that can support a healthy, sustainable life in many ways, as a creative outlet, a career or both.

Administratively, I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve done with Versa-Style. When I first joined in 2009, they were a small dance company who had just received their 501c3 non-profit status. Due to incredible leadership from Miss Funk and Breeze-Lee, a professional and person friendship/relationship between the three of us built on trust, transparency and a passion for Hip Hop and Street Dance culture, and a LOT of help, support and dedication from the other members of VS, our organization has now grown to a cultural institution with national influence that has affected the lives of thousands of young artists of color worldwide. And we are still going, celebrating our 20 year anniversary in 2025.

Finally, artistically, I also continue to grow. At 35, I NEVER thought I would be dancing this long, especially not professionally. My style and approach has grown and developed over the year, due to guidance from a host of mentors, but again, most importantly Miss Funk and Breeze-Lee. But I’ve also grown within the Los Angeles Street Dance community, from battles, to house clubs, to community sessions and more. I’m so grateful to this community that has been so welcoming to me, and I have developed a style and approach to floorwork that combines house, Hip Hop and b-boying. Each time I dance, I aim to tell my life story, as a young kid from Santa Cruz with a passion for Hip Hop, community and the youth.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was so similar to who I am now! I was everywhere. I was in sports, music AND dance, in addition to traveling with family and spending time with multiple groups of friends. I was social, friendly and outgoing, but also loved being alone, as an only child in a small family. I was incredibly close to my mother’s partner Brindle, who raised me since the early passing of my father. We had a habit of spending time in nature together, often camping in the wilderness and going on road trips. I attribute my work ethic to her parenting.

I attribute my creativity and passion for dance to my mother, Marian, who during college fell in love with West African dance. Brindle was a drummer (which is how they met), and together the dancer and the drummer raised a kid who loved dance and music. I grew up in dance class, going to festivals and dance camps, and the male teachers from Senegal who would come to our town were my first male role models. These experiences shaped the artist and person that I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fullout89

Image Credits
George Simian
Jaimar Viray