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.
