I just returned from New York City where I attended two National Competitions...New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) and The Dance Awards!! New York was amazing and I can't wait to share all the exciting things I did with you!
This was my first NYCDA Nationals and it was one of the best weeks of my life! The Faculty Joe Lanteri assembled for the workshops, the competition, and extra opportunities offered was unbelieveable. I competed in the Junior division "Outstanding Dancer" competition against 108 other girls! The calibre of the dancers was great and it was a fun week dancing alongside some of the best dancers in the United States. As part of the Outstanding Dancer Competition, I competed a solo and took part in a jazz and ballet audition over the course of the week. These scores were then tabulated and they announced the Top Ten on the evening of the Junior Gala. It was so exciting to see all the dancers on stage in their costumes in the hope of being called by Joe Lanteri as one of the top five, then top three dancers who would go on to re-compete their solos shortly thereafter.....I was one of the Top Three and placed 2nd Runner Up! I competed against Kalyn Berg and Sarah Pippin for the title - both amazing dancers and I was happy to be in the finals with them!
In addition to the Outstanding Dancer and Competition opportunities, NYCDA also offered casting auditions for girls for Annie on Broadway, Clara for the Nutcracker at Radio City, Peter Pan for boys and Broadway's Memphis for senior dancers! NYCDA also offered Girl Frenzy with Taja Riley and a Sea Monkeys class with Mother Monkey, Lauren Adams!! It was a very busy but fun-filled week! Check out the Girl Frenzy class where we learned Beyonce's choreography:
I also had the opportunity to interview Lauren Adams about Sea Monkey Enterprises following her class. Check out the video below for a sample of what Sea Monkeys is all about. For more information, check her website at www.seamonkeyenterprises.com.
Everything about NYCDA was amazing and it was an awesome opportunity to work with the talented faculty of NYCDA: Joe Lanteri, Suzi Taylor, A.C. Ciulla, Jason Parsons, Andy Blankenbuehler, Scott Jovovich, Joey Dowling, Danny Wallace, Chloe Arnold, Andy Pellick, Lauren Adams, Tony Testa, Dana Wilson, Kim Craven and Rachel Kreiling. The Junior class had workshops with EACH of these talented individuals! The atmosphere of the week was so supportive - Joe Lanteri is one of my favorite people...he was so kind to everyone, giving support and hugs all week long!
Below is a video by NYCDA that was shown as the introduction to the Junior Gala. You can catch me at 1:37, 1:50, 1:55 and 2:00!
Not only was the dancing great but on the evening of the Senior Gala, Joe handed out $2.8 million in college scholarships to graduating dancers. It was an amazing night of talent and hope for the future of education in dance. NYCDA is a great convention to attend at either the regional or national level. You will be inspired by such talented and supportive master teachers. Check out their website for 2011-2012 convention dates which are now available.
When I was not competing, I was able to attend some drop-in classes at New York City's famous dance training centres....Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Centre. I participated in a ballet class with Fabrice Herrault and a Hip Hop class with Caitlyn Gray. At BDC, I took class with Wes Veldink. It was exciting to be in both environments that support dancers of all levels, interests and ages! BDC is very close to Times Square...if you get the chance, check their website for up to date information on weekly classes! Steps on Broadway is in the Upper West Side...right across from The Beacon Theatre, home of the Closing Show of the Dance Awards and the 2011 Tony Awards!
I also attended the Dance Awards...the first National Competition combining Nuvo and JUMP conventions. The Dance Awards offered classes with Ray Leeper, Mandy Moore, Mark Meismer, Mike Minery, Doug Caldwell, Bobby Newberry, Nick Lazzarini, Stacey Tookey, Kim McSwain, Sonya Tayeh, Teddy Forance, Travis Wall, Ivan Koumaev, Misha Gabriel, Anthony Morigerato, Katy Spreadbury and Billy Bell. I loved every class....It was another amazing week with some of the best choreographers and dancers in the industry. Every teacher left me inspired to keep working hard and renewed my love of dance.
I competed in the VIP competition and placed in the Top Ten for the Junior Division. All VIP dancers competed a solo and did an audition at the Roseland Theatre that was a jazz/ballet combination. I also competed with my studio which was a "Top 5 Studio" and we re-performed five numbers at the closing night Awards Show for cash awards. Congratulations to my friends at JCSOD for winning Top Studio!
I had a great time in New York City. Thanks to the Dance Awards and NYCDA for creating such a great experience for all dancers :)
