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TALENT ON PARADE DANCE COMPETITION

ROBINSON AUDITORIUM - LITTLE ROCK

APRIL 24 - 26 - 2009

What Fun We Had!!!!

It was a large and really good competition, well run, easy- going and just lots of fun! 

And, Jacksonville Dance Company did GREAT!!!

Dancers from 41 Arkansas studios and two Mississippi Studios attended the large three-and-a-half-day Talent on Parade Competition, which was held at Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock.  Over 732 acts competed during these days, which began as early as 8:00 and ended after 10:00 at night.  The competition was run so smoothly that it often was ahead of schedule but no pressure was put on the groups if they weren't quite ready to perform.

The competition, as other competitions, was broken down by average age, genre of dance, and number of dancers in the performance--Solo; Duet; Trio; Small Groups (four to nine performers); Large Group (ten to sixteen performers); Line (seventeen or more performers); and Production (17 or more performers).  Talent on Parade was also divided between Novice performers, Intermediate performers and performers who have competed for more years and study for more hours per week.  After the competition was over, I asked our friend Ms. Kim who is with TOP if the judging was any different for the Novice or Intermediate than it was for the more experienced.  She assured me that the judges did not know in what category the groups were competing - and that it was the same judging criteria for all the groups, no matter the category.  That made me even prouder of our groups.

Adjudicated awards were given to each performance by a panel of four judges.  The scoring of each performance was based on technique, style and execution, showmanship, costume, choreography, degree of difficulty, and age appropriate performance, for a maximum of 100 points.  The Adjudicated awards, based on the point system were:  Third, Top Third, Second, Top Second, First, Top First, and Elite Top First.  Special Judges awards were made for each award ceremony.  Also top choreography and top costume were awarded.  Top Five or Top Ten were awarded for Novice, Intermediate or Experienced Division.  Then, High Point Top Ten awards were named for all genre performances in the age range, which could include Novice, Intermediate or Experienced performances.  Ribbons, trophies and plaques were awarded to groups and checks were awarded to the first-place performance for novice, intermediate, and experienced.  (That First Place High Score performance of all genre dances in the age group won a larger cash prize.)

Jacksonville Dance Company successfully competed eleven group dances, five solos, a duet and a trio and won two cash awards, seven Elite Top First-Place Awards, seven Top First-Place Awards and four First-Place Awards.

Our JDC group performances began Saturday at noon in the Small Group, Junior Dancers in the Hiphop category.  The younger Hiphop dancers performed to "When I Grow Up" and won a Top First.  They also won Fourth in the Intermediate Top Ten performances.  The performers in this group are Regan Campbell, Abbye Cody, Alexandria Pettus, Tegan Rea, Emily Snell, Mattie Taylor and Katie Turner.  The dancers looked great with the new additions to their costume.  This group of performers is instructed by Ms. Sara.

Winning a Top First for their hiphop performance to "When I Grow Up" are Abbye, Katie, Regan, Emily, Mattie and Tegan.  Love the new look, girls!!!!

Performing soon after were the older Junior dancers to "Shawty Get Loose."  These JDC Hiphop II dancers won an Elite Top First and placed Second in the Top Ten Intermediate Performances.  The dancers also placed Ninth in the Top Ten High Point Scores of all performances in the Small Group, Junior age dancers.  The dancers in this group are Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Ellis, Paris Fonseca, Tessa Johnson, Micah Perry, Madi Spears, Hannah Taylor and Michael York.

"Shawty Get Loose" dancers felt good about their performance, but little did they know it was an Elite Top First!!!!  Front row are Madi, Amber, Micah and Mackenzie.  Back row are Paris, Michael, Hannah and Tessa.  They are instructed by Ms. Lois.

Performing in Small Group, Junior age,  were the younger lyrical dancers who performed to "Walk You Home." The dancers, Katy Gorden, Christina Hensley, Bailea Jones, Kendra Lytch and Madi Spears, are instructed by Ms. Lindsey and won a Top First Place.  They also placed Ninth in the Top Ten Intermediate performances.

 Shown here in their beautiful lime green lyrical costumes are Bailea and Christina.  Back row are Katy, Madi and Kendra.  Ms. Lindsey and the dancers were very pleased to win their Top First Award.

The youngest tap  dancers, who performed to "Dr. Rhythm," were Amber Bajorek, Kira Jinkins, Micah Perry and Ryann Young.   These performers very proudly won an Elite Top First and placed Third in the Top Ten of the Intermediate performances.  They are taught by Ms. Emily.

An Elite Top First was won by Amber, Kira, Ryann and Micah.

Performing to "In My Arms" was this large group of lyrical dancers.  From left to right, front row, are Kira Jinkins, Micah Perry, Madi Spears, Amber Bajorek, Bailea Jones and Julia Johnson.  Back row, left to right, are Niki Rodgers, Jessica Holeman, Christina Hensley, Tori Spears, Jessica Gardner, Alexandria Adams, and Amanda Hicks.  The performers, who won a Top First Place, are instructed by Ms. Lois.

The Large Group Tap dancers, taught by Ms. Emily and Ms. Sara, performed to "Get Me Bodied" and won an Elite Top First.  They placed Second in the Top Five Intermediate performances and Seventh in the High Score, Top Ten, for their age (24 performances.)

These Tap Dancers, winners of an Elite Top First Award, front row, left to right, are Briyana Isaac, Micah Perry, Kira Jinkins, Ryann Young, Kaitlynn Coleman, Amber Bajorek, and Alexandria Adams.   Back row, left to right, are Hannah Moler, Jessica Holeman, Kassie Shepard, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Stephanie York, Kaitlin Soderlund and Carol Walters.  The dancers also won a Special Judges Award of "Future Beyonces."

Ending the JDC performances about 8:00 Saturday night were the Hiphop dancers who performed in the Line Group division to "Krazy."  The dancers won a Top First and also won Fourth in the Top Five Intermediate Line Performances.

Identifying everyone in this Line-size Group is going to be difficult and a little different.  From left to right, first two rows are Mattie Taylor, Emily Snell, Madi Spears, Kendra Lytch, Mackenzie Blanchard, Micah Perry, Regan Campbell, Tegan Rea, Katie Turner, Kaitlin Coleman, Michael York, Julia Johnson and Bailea Jones.  Back two rows, left to right, are Hannah Taylor, Alana Whatley, Rachel Wyrick, Joi Smith, Stephanie Singleton, Kayla Vasquez, Paris Fonseca, Jessica Holeman, Amanda Cross, Cassidy Eberle, Maitland Hurley and Carol Walters.

Sunday's Performances - Senior Dancers - Page Two

Waiting for the Award Announcements Saturday night after a tough day of competing.

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