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Victor Tran, photo Boris Khramtsov
Known in the underground as B.Boy Savage Rock, Victor Vân Tran is a prominent Vietnamese-Canadian dance artist specializing in street and social dance practices, and an emerging choreographer since 2021. With a dual creative base in the vibrant cities of Tiohtià:ke/Montreal and MST territories/Vancouver, Victor’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in breaking and hustle dance culture.
As a core member of the Now or Never Crew, Victor has left a lasting impact on multiple generations, helping establish the crew as a pioneering street dance force on the West Coast. He also played a key role in cultivating Hustle dance in Vancouver and currently serves as president of Hustle at RS Dance Society.
As an emerging choreographer, Victor premiered his first full-length production, GRAND SAUT [plastic orchid factory, Vancouver, 2024], consisting of three new works that reflect the culmination of his career as it expands into stage spaces.
Victor’s practice is shaped by his deep connections with dance elders and pioneers, guiding his commitment to mentorship across Canada and internationally. His mentors include Whacko, Poe One, Bounce, Eloquence, G, and Casper in Breaking, as well as Diane K Nardone, Alex Kim, John ‘Boots’ Merisier, Stephen Ward, and Domingo Cruz in Hustle.
Over the years, he has collaborated with fellow practitioners and organizers to produce battles, parties, socials, and workshops that feature local, national, and international artists.
In addition to his artistic work, Victor is the Executive Director of the Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists (CADA/West), an organization dedicated to empowering dance artists by promoting fairness, safety, and financial security. He has played a key role in updating the Fees & Rates Standards document and has been an advocate for its fair use across the industry.
As Festival Co-Director of the Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF), Victor works alongside Deanna Peters to program performances without aesthetic boundaries, blending a grassroots, DIY ethos scaled to a major festival, celebrating performances that are visceral, kinetic and exciting.
Victor is also a core member of aka, a collective of artists focused on supporting and elevating fellow creators, alongside Jeanette Kotowich and Deanna Peters.
Additionally, he co-produces the interplay_ festival of live online performance, further contributing to the growth of contemporary performance practices and experimentation.
Victor holds a BA in Fine Arts from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, with a focus on Public Policy and a minor in Language and Culture, and is certified in Community Capacity Building from Simon Fraser University. His academic pursuits complement his artistic career, equipping him to bridge his lived experiences with institutional efforts to improve the dance field through policy and advocacy.
Victor’s journey is defined by the fusion of his artistic passion, community activism, and ongoing learning in arts policy, which he brings to every aspect of his work.
