Huff ‘n Puff in Jacksonville is home to Jacksonville Dance Company, Jacksonville Cheer Company and Jacksonville Gymnastics USAG Junior Olympic Competitive team. Over two hundred performers, three years old to adults, entertained the audience for over two hours. Director of the recital was Dance Department Head and Lead Instructor, Laurel Spears and she was assisted by the other very talented instructors, Naomi Bratton, Lois Bryan, Kimberly Holladay and Chris Williams.
The Tap ‘n Tumble Preschool Dance Department was represented by 41 three-four and five-year-old dancers from six different classes. They danced in colorful costumes to lively music with different themes. Dancing to “I Enjoy Being A Girl” were Grace Bowerman, Amber Cadie, Ahlana Gibbs, Dena Hallum, Savannah Harper, Shelby Haver, Lora Jackson and Alyssa Warren. Dancing to “Hey, Good Lookin’” were Trinity Dole, Megan Drause, Anna Holley, Jordan Nelson and Kacie Smith. Dancing to “The Candy Man” were Olivia Hall, Elizabeth Handy, Madeline Houben, Anna Marie Lucas, Claudia Ritchey, McCall Walker, Carson White and Lexi Wilkerson.
Other preschool dancers who were also the highlight of the evening were Grace Davis, Skylar Kreps, Lauren Portillo, Keie’ra Smith, Allie Taylor, and Mattie Taylor who danced to “Hakuna Matata.” Dancing to “Little Red Riding Hood” were Dee Dee Baxter, Morgan Blanchard, Emily Horn, Hannah Jones, Chloe Lay, Jordan Oliver, Presley Wintz and Eden Young. Dancing to “Baby Love” were Madison Baugh, Devyn Britt, Savannah Hogue, Julia Johnson, Alexandria Leirer and Emily Sundermeier. The last group of preschoolers, who danced to “Trot the Fox” were Carson Alvarez, Jillian Bratton, Miranda Chambers, Alyssa Hagewood, Naje’Harper, DeShauna Lemmons, Emily Snell and Katie Turner.
Other students, ages five to adults (mothers of students), performed more difficult routines of tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and hiphop. Additionally, four different groups--who ranged in age from five and six, seven to ten, and eleven to nineteen--performed routines of cheer and cheer dance.
Also, the Jacksonville Dance Company Dancers, ages six to sixteen, performed their thirteen dances that had been performed at various competitions in January and April, adding their taste of near professionalism to the excitement.
Also adding to the professionalism of the evening, were the solo and duet numbers that were performed. Lindsey Sweet, a senior company dancer, performed a beautiful lyrical dance to “Cellophane.” Bailey Jo Rhodes, a junior company dancer, appearing delightfully n her first solo, tapped to “Mockingbird.” Instructor Lois Bryan performed an exciting and perfectly executed hiphop-jazz dance to “Rumors.” “Lois Bryan and Hiphop Instructor, Chris Williams, performed a humorous and beautifully executed partner jazz dance with a latin flavor to “Johnny Mambo.” Taylor Canfield, a senior company dancer, performed a fast-paced, wonderfully entertaining tap dance with a country flavor to “Cowboy Troy.” The last performance of the evening was a fun-filled hiphop dance to “One, Two Step” performed by Jennifer and Kimberly Holladay. The twins who have been students and instructors at Huff ‘n Puff since they were in the second grade, were performing in their fourteenth recital with Huff ‘n Puff, and have been a focal point of every Huff ‘n Puff recital for the past ten years.
There were many highlights during the recital – several being the fast-paced hiphop performances. Just one of the exciting performances was the guest appearance of the Price Crew and their eight backup dancers, five from Jacksonville Dance Company. The Price Crew consists of four brothers who are well known in the area for their Michael Jackson-style of dance; the boys are eight-year old Caleb, nine-year old Jacob, fifteen-year-old Zachary and eighteen-year-old Philip. The five backup dancers from Jacksonville Dance Company are Kelsea Bruce, Lois Bryan, Brittany Everett, Camille Holliday, and Lindsey Sweet. This is the second year that the Price Crew has made a guest appearance at the Huff ‘n Puff Recital. The older boys, Zach and Philip, also dance with the eleven Jacksonville Senior Dance Company Hiphop dancers to “Destiny’s Rhythm,” choreographed and taught by Chris Williams.
Always a crowd pleaser, was “Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up” the Senior Company Tap music that was choreographed last year by Laurel Spears for a recital finale. The choreography was greatly changed and expanded last fall by Laurel for the Senior Tap Company to take to competitions. This dance, along with many other Company dances, won gold and first places at the competitions attended this year.
Receiving some of the loudest encouragement and loudest applause were the gymnastic feats and skills demonstrated and performed by the Jacksonville Gymnastics Competitive Team gymnasts. Level Four and Level Five gymnasts, who ranged in age from only six to eleven years old, all performed such skills as front and back walkovers and double back handsprings to “Super Model.”
The ever-increasingly difficult feats and skills demonstrated by the Level Six, Seven and Eight gymnasts highlighted the beginning of the Second Act. These talented athletes performed on stage such difficult feats as front and back tucks, front and back handsprings and half-twists. Especially breathtaking were the basket tosses as Coaches Kelly Adams and Daniel Allen tossed several gymnasts in the air. The gymnasts, who flew at least fifteen feet up in the air before coming down to land safely in the arms of the coaches, were Courtney Ellis, Stephanie York and Taylor Rai Johnson. Kimberly Holladay back spotted the gymnasts for safety purposes. A hiphop number performed by the nine of the gymnasts also showed how multi-talented these athletes are.
The evening culminated in the exhilarating and moving finale, choreographed by Laurel, and performed by the 43 Jacksonville Dance Company members to “I Believe.” It was especially moving for the Company parents and grandparents as they all knew what it took, especially for those youngest dancers, to be able to learn in about four sessions and to be able to perform some of the same routines with the older dancers. This grandmother could not hide the emotional tears that came with such feelings of pride for the children, for the instructors and for the twenty-five years that went into the recital.
Sheryl Zimmerman began Huff ‘n Puff over 26 years ago when she began teaching Rhythmic Aerobics, a type of aerobic program based on dance. The business soon branched out into dance and then into gymnastics a few years later. The business especially began to expand and grow when daughter Laurel returned to Jacksonville in 1996 to teach and to take over the programs in the business two years later. Laurel established the Jacksonville Gymnastics Competitive team almost seven years ago and the team has grown from eleven Level Four gymnasts to over 90 to 100 gymnasts, ranging in age from six to fifteen and competing at Levels Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight and above. Two years ago, Laurel formed the Jacksonville Dance Company that began winning top awards even in its first year and continued to win first and gold awards this year. Jacksonville Cheer Company is in its infancy as five coaches take over the helm – Kelly Adams, Lois Bryan, Jennifer Holladay, Kimberly Holladay and Chris Williams. The coaches have over 158 years of combined experience and three of the coaches have seven national championship titles among them.
Huff ‘n Puff holds Silver Anniversary Dance Recital to Celebrate 25 years of dance and business in Jacksonville. Some of the dancers who performed in the recital are shown here as they practice Curtain Call at Robinson Auditorium. Other performers in the recital were Jacksonville Dance Company dancers and the Jacksonville Gymnastics Competitive Team members. Over 200 students performed in this recital.
Taylor Canfield Samantha Martin
Jenna Cummings Ashley McCutcheon
Brittany Everett Jessica Raines
Kelsey Lerner Nichole Tackett
Amber Cadie Shelby Haver
Ahlana Gibbs Lora Jackson
Dena Hallum Alyssa Warren
Sarah Chesser Briyana Isaac
Megan Drause Jordan Nelson
Photograph Temporarily Unavailable
Kira Jinkins Jazmin Square
Jessica McCauley Emily West
Bailey Jo Rhodes Bria Wiggins
Kaitlyn Ford Kristina Martin
Stephanie Hamilton Taylor Mays
Lisa Kent Alexus Smith
Taylor Canfield Jessica Raines
(No Photo Available)
“the candy man”
Elizabeth Handy McCall Walker
Madeline Houben Carson White
Anna Marie Lucas Lexi Wilkerson
Danielle Leal Joi Smith
Jenna Cummings Lauren Payer
Kelsie Hite Mandy Sellars
Ashley McCutcheon Kari Williams
Rebecca Johnson Kendall Redwood
Meagan Kelly Hannah Reynolds
Haleigh McDonald Katie Warner
Jessica Holeman Bailey Jo Rhodes
“some where over the rainbow”
Sarah Kielty Lauren Shillcutt
Darby Lottner Sarah Shillcutt
Skylar Kreps Allie Taylor
Lauren Portillo Mattie Taylor
Photo temporarily unavailable
MISSY’S JAM
Brittany Everett Lindsey Sweet
Whitney Holeman Tori Underwood
“LITTLE RED HIDING HOOD”
Emily Horn Presley Wintz
Hannah Jones Eden Young
“MY BOYFRIEND’S BACK”
Hannah Moler Madi Spears
“opposites attract”
Cassidy Eberle Terionna Stewart
Bailey Gibson Amy Threat
Samantha Gray Erica West
“britney’s jam”
“rumors”
“cold-hearted snake”
Tinthy Harper Kendra Leirer
Anna Haver Kimberly Holladay
“super Model”
Haley Edgin Shelby Matney
Mackenzie Ellis Tiffany Maxwell
Kelsy Founds Lauren McKibben
Samantha Gray Kaitlin Soderlund
Lara Beth Green-Bunch Madi Spears
Bethany Gunnell Tori Spears
Terra Johnson Meagan Trotter
Sarah Jane Womack
Morgan Colvert Bailea Jones
Caitlyn Dillon Mackenzie Powers
Cassidy Eberle Stephanie Scroggins
Marisa Grissom Samantha Sobba
Tori Hanley Carol Walters
Sydney Hickerson Erica West
Act II
Morgan Bussard Kelsey Lerner
Kierra Daniel Sarah McAlister
Kayla Edgin Bria Wiggins
Courtney Ellis Hannah Womack
Madison Ellis Stephanie York
Non-Performing Level Six, Seven and Eight Gymnasts
Sissy Ghormley Audrey Nettles
Alison Guthrie Brooke Nevins
Elise Guthrie Emily West
Rene’e LaFort Missy Whittecar
Shannon Mavity Jessica Wilde
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Mallory Harris Shayla McPherson
Devyn Britt Alexandria Leirer
Savannah Hogue Emily Sundermeier
“100% Pure love”
Jessica Holeman Tori Spears
Hannah Moler Madi Spears
photo unavailable
“dangerous”
Jacob Price Zachary Price
“dangerous”
and Dancers
Lois Bryan Brittany Miller
Brittany Everett Sara Rettstatt
“trot the fox”
Jillian Bratton DeShauna Lemmons
Miranda Chambers Emily Snell
Alyssa Hagewood Katie Turner
Sarah Chesser Kaitlin Soderlund
Tinthy Harper Kendra Leirer
Anna Haver Kimberly Holladay
Kira Jinkins Jazmin Square
Danielle Leal Joi Smith
Bethany Grant Jessica McCauley
Christina Hensley Jordan Morgan
Terra Johnson Maddy Shirley
Tessa Johnson Madi Spears
“ain’t goin’ down
‘til the sun comes up”
Taylor Canfield Jessica Raines
Brittany Everett Elizabeth Shepard
DeAnna Johnson Lindsey Sweet
Kelsey Lerner Stephanie York
Kaitlyn Ford Kristina Martin
Stephanie Hamilton Taylor Mays
Lisa Kent Alexus Smith
Megan Threat
Jessica Holeman Tori Spears
“real cool”
Kailee Ayers Jordan Kucksdorf
Alexis Boyle Hannah Moler
Kinley Burrows Micah Perry
Elizabeth Clark Chloe Risher
Kaitlynn Coleman Tatum Stanley
JieNa Funk Paige Watlington
Lauren Hagewood Katie Wilson
PHOTO UNAVAILABLE
“hamster dance”
Sarah Chesser Kaitlin Soderlund
“yeah”
Madison Ellis Emily West
Taylor Rai Johnson Missy Whittecar
Kimmie Raymond Bria Wiggins
“destiny’s rhythm”
Taylor Canfield Ashley McCutcheon
Brittany Everett Brittany Oliger
Kelsie Hite Brittany Rodgers
Whitney Holeman Lindsey Sweet
"BRAVE NEW WORLD"
Cassidy Eberle Terionna Stewart
Bailey Gibson Amy Threat
Samantha Gray Erica West
Rebecca Johnson Kendall Redwood
Meagan Kelly Hannah Reynolds
Haleigh McDonald Katie Warner
“one, two step”
Mackenzie Blanchard Ashley McCutcheon
Lauren Boatman Hannah Moler
Kelsea Bruce Brittany Oliger
Sarah Chesser Jessica Raines
Kaitlynn Coleman Bailey Jo Rhodes
Amanda Cross Brittany Rodgers
Jenna Cummings Mandy Sellars
Brittany Everett Elizabeth Shepard
Bailey Gibson Kaitlin Soderlund
Kelsie Hite Madi Spears
Jessica Holeman Tori Spears
Whitney Holeman Lindsey Sweet
Camille Holliday Nichole Tackett
Briyana Isaac Tori Underwood
DeAnna Johnson Emily West
Kelsey Lerner Bria Wiggins
Dani Mann Kari Williams
Samantha Martin Megan Williams
Competitive Teams, Levels Four, Five, Six, Seven and Eight
Lois Bryan Chris Williams
Kelly Adams Tiffany Fikes
Daniel Allen Amanda Heflin
Lois Bryan Kimberly Holladay
Bobby Churches Stacy Holloman
Elizabeth Dillard Nittara Lauland
Naomi Bratton Lois Bryan Chris Williams
The entire staff at Huff ‘n Puff and I wish to thank all students, parents and friends who have helped to make this year and the past twenty-five years such a growing, rewarding, and fun-filled experience.
Some of my letters over the years have been very short and others quite lengthy because like now, I sometimes have more gratitude than a paragraph can convey. And I have some thoughts from earlier letters that I would like to repeat. Hopefully these thoughts will remind all of us of the gratitude we have for being able to perform here tonight and a thank-you for how hard all of us--your children, you parents, and our staff -- have worked for this accomplishment.
We could never have imagined that we would be where we are today. Our programs and enrollment have grown immeasurably over the years. Also, we are still trying to take a breath and catch up from all the changes that came about because of our addition and renovation; and more changes are in the works.
We are so grateful to all of you for your support of us and of our programs. We also hope you have as much pride in us as we have in your children and their accomplishments.
Not only have our recreational programs expanded, but our competitive programs have grown more also. We now have a boy’s competitive gymnastics team. We will have about 80 gymnasts on the girl’s team. We will also have a Level Three team this year in addition to our higher levels. Not only do we have the successful gymnastics teams, but you can see from tonight that our dance program is equally successful and of which we can all be equally proud. And what a season it has been for accomplishments and awards. We even topped our own records from last year. Additionally, our cheerleading squads will begin competing this fall, too. We are looking forward to next season for all our programs—recreational and competitive--with much anticipation and excitement.
Other accomplishments that we cannot overlook are the Fun Nights at the Gym and those fun-filled birthday parties put on by Mr. Bobby. We also became licensed by the State last year for our summer daycamp, and we are expecting this year’s camp to be even more successful. (Note: we are still taking registrations for this summer’s camp.)
Parents, I know that you each are as proud of your children as we are but I also hope you are proud of our teachers and coaches. Our staff is awesome and we feel they are playing such a big part in your child’s life. Our Goal, from the very first year has been “We want your child to enjoy the pleasure of learning the art of dance or the skills of gymnastics while also experiencing the joy of achievement.” It is our sincere hope that when grown, your children will remember the fun and the achievements gained from their years at Huff ‘n Puff.
We acknowledge that we have a very good reputation in Jacksonville and our surrounding communities and we know that it is because of our staff and the fact that we all strive to better Huff ‘n Puff and our service to you and to the teaching of your children.
I cannot thank our entire staff—teaching, coaching and office—for all that they do every day for us and for your children.
I wish to once again thank my mother, Helen Earnest, for her years of support and all that she has contributed over the years to Huff ‘n Puff – in the beginning and still to this day. If she had not been here to assist me, when I started the business, and at different times along the way, we would not have Huff ‘n Puff today.
“And again, I would like to honor my daughter. As I said to you last year, my pride lies not only in Laurel’s ability to dance or teach but in her ability to see things as they are, to relate to people and to care for the students. Her creative talents, combined with dedication, and her courage to set higher goals, and to help the students attain those goals, have made Huff ‘n Puff an even better training facility for dance, gymnastics and cheerleading.
Your continued support of Laurel and our staff is sincerely appreciated. Without your support, we would be nothing.
Sheryl Lynn Zimmerman
Huff ‘n Puff 25th Dance Recital
May 20, 2005
Kailee Ayers Dena Hallum
Amber Bajorek Stephanie Hamilton
Kristin Baker Elizabeth Handy
Jennifer Barton Savannah Harper
Madison Baugh Tinthy Harper
Dee Dee Baxter Mallory Harris
Emiley Bee Anna Haver
Grace Bowerman Christina Hensley
Alexis Boyle Savannah Hogue
Kinley Burrows Camille Holliday
Miranda Chambers Madeline Houben
Elizabeth Clark Taylor Houben
Amanda Crews Stevie Hughes
Amanda Cross Lora Jackson
Kierra Daniel Terra Johnson
Grace Davis Tessa Johnson
Jessica DeViney Hannah Jones
Nichole DeViney Skylar Kreps
Christy Dodds Jordan Kucksdorf
Trinity Dole Chloe Lay
Megan Drause Kendra Leirer
Emily Duke DeShauna Lemmons
Caitlin Ellis Anna Marie Lucas
Mackenzie Ellis Kendra Lytch
Paige Ferry Victoria Maness
Kaitlyn Ford Shelby Matney
Kelsy Founds Taylor Mays
Jie Na Funk Jessica McCauley
Ahlana Gibbs Shayla McPherson
Chase Goffe Jordan Morgan
Bethany Grant Jordan Nelson
Samantha Gray Brittany Oliger
Bethany Gunnell Jordan Oliver
Lauren Portillo Nichole Tackett
Kimmie Raymond Allie Taylor
Chloe Risher Tori Underwood
Lauren Shillcutt Alyssa Warren
Sarah Shillcutt Paige Watlington
Maddy Shirley Carson White
Kacie Smith Lexi Wilkerson
Keia’ra Smith Emily Williamson
Tatum Stanley Presley Wintz
Mikaela Stoll Sara Jane Womack
Emily Sundermeier Cami Wright
Eden Young
Carson Alvarez Sarah Kielty
Reagan Bennett Danielle Leal
Jillian Bratton Alexandria Leirer
Morgan Bussard Megan Lewis
Victoria Clark Chelsea Livingston
Kayla Edgin Tiffany Maxwell
Courtney Ellis Lauren McKibben
Madison Ellis Mackenzie Powers
Lara Beth Green-Bunch Hannah Reynolds
Alyssa Hagewood Mandy Sellars
Naje’ Harper Emily Snell
Madalyn Hogue Terionna Stewart
Briyana Isaac Meagan Trotter
Kira Jinkins Katie Turner
Julia Johnson Emily West
Taylor Rai Johnson Erica West
Ashley Jones Missy Whittecar
Meagan Kelly Megan Williams
Two Years
Guest Dancers
Caleb Price Philip Price
Jacob Price Zachary Price
Three Years
Mackenzie Blanchard Janey’a Hutton
Morgan Blanchard Sarah McAlister
Jenna Cummings Haleigh McDonald
Bailey Gibson McKenzie Oliver
Shelby Haver Madi Spears
Kara Hutchinson Katie Warner
Ryann Young
Four Years
Kaitlynn Coleman Samantha Martin
Brittany Everett Hannah Moler
Maurie Gangluff Micah Perry
Lauren Hagewood Joi Smith
Lianna Harkenreader Bria Wiggins
Rebecca Johnson Stephanie York
Five Years
Kelsie Hite Tatiana Serianni
Betty Jones Priscilla Webb
Hannah Womack
Six Years
Tiarrah Brown Kassie Shepard
Cassidy Eberle Alexus Smith
Jessica Raines Amy Threat
Kari Williams
SEVEN YEARS
Taylor Canfield Bailey Jo Rhodes
Sarah Chesser Brittany Rodgers
Elizabeth Shepard
EIGHT YEARS
Whitney Holeman Lindsey Sweet
Dani Mann Megan Threat
NINE YEARS
TEN YEARS
DeAnna Johnson
FOURTEEN YEARS
autographs
Huff ‘n Puff
Presents
Dance, Dance, Dance
25th Annual
Dance Recital
Robinson Auditorium
Music Center
May 20, 2005
613 Stonewall Square
Jacksonville, AR 72076
9 8 5 1 8 1 8
www.huffnpuffgym.com
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