NYCDA Nationals 2012

August 2012

It's hard to believe the summer is almost over! Many dance friends have already returned to school and started their new dance year! I am home after a summer filled with amazing opportunities to learn from and dance with the most talented and inspiring dancers and choreographers in the industry. I can't wait to share everything I've done this summer with you. I broke my posts into five separate posts to make sure I could share everything with you. I hope you feel as inspired to start the new dance season as I am! :)

My first stop was New York City Dance Alliance Nationals. 112 talented teen Out-standing dancers from Canada and the United States arrived in New York City on June 26th to compete for the title of representing NYCDA for the 2012-2013 tour season.

I decided to challenge myself for my first Nationals as a teen dancer, and choreographed my own contemporary solo. It was to "Christina's World" and I called it "Rue's Lullaby" in honor of my love of The Hunger Games! I finished in the Top 8 and am proud of my accomplishment.

New this year to the Outstanding Dancer process was an additional ballet/jazz audition with a guest choreographer. So instead of one ballet and one jazz audition, there was a third combined ballet & jazz audition to test the dancers. I love the audition process so I didn't mind at all!

As usual, the Faculty at NYCDA is amazing. Classes were taught by Joe Lanteri, Andy Pellick, Joey Dowling, Scott Jovovich, Kim Craven, Suzi Taylor, Dana Wilson, Chloe Arnold, Taja Riley, Tony Testa, Mike Schulster and AC Ciulla. New to the NYCDA faculty are Melissa Hough, Duncan Cooper, Kenny Easter, Jared Grimes, Martha Nichols, Troy Powell and Cindy Salgado. All the classes were amazing and I loved the live musician in Troy Powell's class - the new Director at Alvin Ailey!

NYCDA is known for the Special Opportunities they offer in addition to the workshops. This year opportunities included "SMASH" Audition Workshop, "Matilda" Audition Workshop, "Flashdance" Broadway workshop, Ballroom workshop with Tony Dovolani, Kidd Pivot Workshop, Cirque de Soliel Audition Workshop, Radio City Music Hall Audition and a Mark Stewart Partnering class. There was also a question and answer class with Joe and College Scholarship Audition Classes too! It was an action packed week and I loved every minute of it!

One of my favorite classes was with Cindy Salgado from Kidd Pivot. I loved her improv workshop utilizing Kidd Pivot techniques...I did contact improv with Tasha Hamilton, Dana Wilson and Tony Testa! 

While in New York, I saw "Bring It On" the Musical in previews at St. James Theatre off Times Square. Congratulations to NYCDA Faculty member, Director/Choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and the amazing Cast for an awesome performance. I really enjoyed watching Taylor Louderman (Campbell), Adrienne Warren (Danielle), Ryann Redmond (Bridget) and Neil Haskell (Steven)....yes Neil from SYTYCD fame!

I also attended the Lunge Dance Collective "You'll Never Be Alone" performance at Alvin Ailey Theatre. The show starred Billy Bell, Kate Harpootlian, Shelby Colona, Allison Ulrich and Daniel Howerton. It was a great show and I was happy to see Billy before the curtain went up!

"There is always a need for improvement, a need for development and a need for progress. But where is the line drawn? What will we sacrifice? our relationships? our rationality? Through contemporary dance..and mutlimedia installation, watch and react as you discover that down in the depths of your mind, where you keep your darkest thoughts and personas, You'll Never Be Alone" - excerpt from the show programme.

NYCDA Nationals was a fun-filled week. I learned so much and met so many amazing new friends! Shout out to James DuChateau, Jessica Feretti and Jenna Kulacz! Love you.

2012 Dance Awards

My next stop was "The Dance Awards", also held in New York City. This year, I opted to participate in the workshop classes only instead of both the VIP/Break Out Artist Solo competition and the convention. It allowed for more free time to enjoy the city and spend time with my bestie Jacqueline from Massachusetts.

The classes and faculty at the Dance Awards were amazing. It was a packed week with classes with Katy Spreadbury, Mandy Moore, Nick Lazzarini, Ivan Koumaev, Misha Gabriel, Peter Chu, Stacey Tookey, Jason Parsons, Lauren Adams, Mike Minery, Ray Leeper, Anthony Morigerato, Cody Green, Bobby Newberry, Teddy Forance, Sonya Tayeh, Travis Wall, Benoit Swan, Mia Micheals and Melanie Moore! It was amazing!

When convention classes were done, I was able to take evening Master Classes with Peter Chu, Contemporary with Billy Bell and a "Midnight Madness" party with Bobby, Misha and Ivan with Live DJ. There were also classes with Cody Green (Musical Theatre) and Acting and Singing Class for Dancers.

With all the amazing faculty in New York for the convention, guest classes were also offered at Broadway Dance Centre. I took classes with Misha Gabriel and Bobby Newberry! I had so much fun seeing my friend Joanna and facebook friends from Mexico!!!!

After Bobby Newberry's class

"Buttons", Bobby and "Boston"... the 3B's.

With JoJo and her new birthday shirt! Happy 18th JoJo

With Teddy and Misha after class

When I wasn't dancing...I had soooo much fun with Jacqueline in Times Square, at Forever 21, Magnolia Bakery and John's Pizzeria. We had a sleepover and watched the Hunger Games movie...it was the best night!!!

In Times Square, we waited to catch the new "All the Right Moves" billboard. The premiere was just three weeks away at the time! Congrats to Kyle, Teddy, Nick and Travis on their new show :)

New to the Dance Awards this year, were video highlights of each days events. Each segment was hosted by Will Loftis and he did an amazing job. You can catch me doing Bobby's combo in Day 4 the recap below starting at 1:50.

I always love attending Jump Nationals...this was my third consecutive year and it is always a fun, action-packed week of dance. Thank you to Gil, Ray, Sam, Stephanie and all the faculty for an amazing tour and Nationals event.

The Pulse Nationals 2012

My next stop was "The Pulse" Nationals event in New York City. It was an exciting week of full-out dance, with classes and rehearsals alongside so many amazingly talented dancers. And...the choreographers were off the chart! My week culminated with the announcement of Elite Proteges for the 2012-2013 tour where I was named one of four Intermediate Elite proteges! It is a huge honor and I am so proud of this accomplishment. It is going to be such an exciting year ahead...I cannot wait to work alongside the Pulse staff, faculty and proteges! 

THANK YOU TO THE PULSE FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Video of Brian Friedman's Intermediate-Advanced Level Class featuring Proteges. Wow....



This is the opening number at the Gala featuring all proteges, choreographed by the talented Tricia Miranda. You can catch me with the red shirt /white jacket at 2:46. It was a lot of fun to dance!

Each Protege was selected at the beginning of the week to be in a piece for the Gala and work with one of the Pulse Faculty in rehearsals. I was selected to be in Tessandra Chavez's piece, Tessandra is a new Pulse Faculty member....I. love. her.

With my friend Maycee Steele before the Gala

The Gala featured performances by Pulse Faculty, danced by proteges, Stand-out routines from various Performance Showcases, Guest performances by Tessandra's Unity LA, Tyce Diorio danced in a trio and the 2011-2012 Pulse Elite Proteges. It was an awesome night of dance and culminated with the announcement of Elite Proteges!

After the Gala, the new Proteges met to recieve their paperwork, Elite protege hats and custom jackets, compliments of Cindy from Nappy Tabs! Thanks Cindy...I can't wait to proudly wear it!

With Kristen...still in disbelief

Taylor, Jordan and I goofing it up after all the excitement!

The Pulse is a convention like no other. It feels like a big supportive family and the faculty/elites are mentors to all the dancers. I am honored to have been selected from amongst the many, many talented proteges and am so excited to begin the tour. It's going to be an amazing year ahead and I can't wait to share my experiences on the road with the Pulse with you!

*******************

The day after the Pulse, I took part in the ivviva "So Good to C u Again" dance video shoot, choreographed by Dave Scott. It was an all-day shoot, filmed at a high-school in Brooklyn - we had sooo much fun. The video is now posted so check it out below! It was a fun day...thank you to ivivva for the new clothes, ice cream treats and to Allie and Kellie for the opportunity to work on such a great project!

In the hotel lobby, en route to the shoot

At the shoot, having a great time

<

Thank you ivviva for the opportunity...I had an amazing time!

Generation IV Dance Intensive 2012

In July, I attended the 3rd annual Generation IV dance intensive in Southampton, Massachusetts. It was my second year and is always one of my favorite events to attend!

The Faculty this year consisted of Teddy Forance, Nick Lazzarini, Kyle Robinson, Dha' Sean Serrano, Randi Kemper, Will Wingfield, Moe Borromeo, Chantel Aguirre, Noel Bajandas, Jeff Lapes, Alicia Monaco, Alexa Anderson, Devin Jamieson, Jenn Hackworth, Jennifer Pinard, Channing Cooke and Jamie Goodwin.

Each day, classes in four levels, mini, junior, teen/senior and advanced/pro were offered at the beautiful Smith College campus. Many dancers like myself stayed in the dorms adjacent to the dance facilities.

With  friends Scott, Morgan, Jacqueline and Logan!

With Mia DiLina...a fellow Canadian! and with everyone's "Nana"...Teddy, Nick and Jacquelines' Grandma.

                                     
                                          Check out some video highlights from the classes!

To showcase all the hard work over the course of the week-long intensive, there were two performances held at the Academy of Music in downtown Southampton. There were performances by students and faculty...it was an inspiring night of dance. The academy was bursting with talent!

Generation IV is always an intimate intensive. You work hard but Teddys' whole family and network of amazing family and friends make the week a rewarding experience. I highly recommend this workshop if you are looking for a new summer event. It gets bigger and better every year. Thank you so much to Nick Anthony, Alison Forance and Lisa Anthony for all that you do for the kids and faculty to make this such a great event.

The last day of the workshop involves a Question, Answer and Photograph session with the faculty. I was fortunate enough to pull Teddy, Kyle and Nick away for a quick interview regarding their new reality TV show, All the Right Moves, on Oxygen Network!

One of buses in New York City featuring All the Right Moves.

Congratulations to the boys and thank you to my Gen IV family for another amazing event! Love you!

NYCDA SDI

The last stop on my whirlwind summer tour was the New York City Dance Alliance Intensive.

In the spring I submitted an audition package consisting of a resume, headshot and video package showing ballet, jazz and contemporary dance for entry consideration. This program is limited to 100 dancers each year, 82 dancers attended the 2012 intensive. Many dancers stayed at the host accommodation, the YMCA on 8th and 63rd in New York City.

The event began with a summer picnic as a chance for the dancers to meet Joe, their chaperones and each other. I loved meeting up with my friends from Nationals and a few other familiar faces!

With James DuChateau

With Jessica Ferretti

With Alessandra DePaoloantonio

Each day we had ballet class with either Kim Craven or Scott Jovovich; followed by classes in tap, jazz, musical theatre, contemporary, hip hop and vocal training! Classes were taught by NYCDA Faculty members and guests: Jeff Lapes, Chloe Arnold, Jared Grimes, Troy Powell, Joe Lanteri, Claudia MacPherson, Jessica Lang, Rhonda Miller, Joey Dowling, Grace Buckley, Corey Snide, Cindy Salgado, Dana Wilson, Suzi Taylor, Andy Pellick, Rachel Kreiling, Jo Lynn Burks, Lauren Lattaro and Rommy Sandhu.

Each dancer was selected to be in a minimum of two pieces for the Closing Performance Showcase on the final day of the intensive. Both classes and the show were held at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts on Amsterdam and 65th, behind the Lincoln Centre and Fordham University.

I was cast in three dance pieces and one vocal performance. Andy Pellick's piece was called "Gulag", Suzi Taylor's piece "Autumn Day" and Modern by Jessica Lang and Claudia MacPherson was called "Lines Cubed".

Andy's number "Gulag"

With Andy Pellick after the show

With Jenna....our third intensive together!

With the amazing Joe Lantieri

With Justice after the show

Getting big hugs from Suzi Taylor after the show

Below are two highlight reels provided by NYCDA.

I loved my two weeks with NYCDA. I loved dancing in Andy and Suzi's performance pieces and hanging with friends at "Bring it On" the Musical and the chat with cast members following the performance. The dance on the final night was so much fun. Every dancer recieved a special award unique to them compliments of the chaperones. My award was called the "Flying Trapeze" Award...they said I light up the stage when I dance and you can't take your eyes off me. Something I thing every dancer aspires to when they perform!

Check out the promo for the 2012-2013 season....I know I'll be at a few cities...hope to see you there!

Thank you NYCDA for a great season and summer intensive!