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SENIOR DANCERS ON SUNDAY
Senior dancers performed on Sunday, starting at noon. The hiphop "Boom" performers won an Elite Top First in Competitive, large group, average age thirteen-fourteen category. Those dancers gave it their all for a top performance. The dance was choreographed and taught by Ms. Lois and more recently the performers have been instructed by staff members, since Ms. Lois is taking care of small children at UAMS, with her new nursing career.
Dancing in this performance were Mackenzie Blanchard, Amanda Cross, Maitland Hurley, Bailea Jones, Niki Rodgers, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund, Tori Spears, Kayla Vasquez, Carol Walters and Rachel Wyrick.
Back row, l to r, are Maitland, Joi, Carol, Kayla, Bailea and Amanda. Front row are Rachel, Niki, Kaitlin, Tori and Mackenzie.
A back view was requested - the shorts were very special order and Staff wanted to be sure to have a picture of them. Good shot, Ladies!
After awards for large groups, the JDC senior dancers performed in either small group Intermediate or small group Competitive. The first performance for JDC in small group was lyrical in Intermediate Category and the dancers won an Elite Top First and Sixth in Top Ten Intermediate, age thirteen-fourteen. Performing in this dance were Amanda Cross, Allyson Ferren, Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Joi Smith, Tori Spears and Madison Winstead. The performance was choreographed and taught by Ms. Lois.
Left to right are Joi, Madison, Tori, Briyana, Amanda, Allyson and Jessica.
One of the JDC tap numbers "Hoodie" - the tap dance between the fashionistas and the nerds - was next and they won an Elite Top First and also won Fifth in Top Ten Intermediate Performances, ages thirteen-fourteen. This dance was choreographed and taught by Ms. Sara. Performers are Alexandria Adams, Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Hannah Moler, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Kassie Shepard, Kaitlin Soderlund and Tori Spears.
Nerds, left to right, are Jessica, Kaitlin, Alex and Hannah. Back row - those sophisticates, are Kassie, Bailey Jo, Tori and Briyana.
Taps were flying as the "Five Guys Named Moe" group performed in the Music Theater, Competitive Category and won a Diamond Elite Top First. Those dancers are Jessica Holeman, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Kassie Shepard, Kaitlin Soderlund and Tori Spears.
Left to right are Kassie, Jessica, Bailey Jo, Kaitlin and Tori
And soon after, JDC performed "Boom, Boom, Pow" another fast tap which was competed as Competitive, age thirteen-fourteen Category. The dancers won a Diamond Elite Top First and tied for eighth in the Top Ten. It was also awarded the Judges' Special "Perfect Polishing" award. Performing in this number were Kira Jinkins, Hannah Moler, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Kassie Shepard, Kaitlin Soderlund and Tori Spears. The performance was choreographed and originally taught by Ms. Emily before the birth of her daughter. Since then, the class has been taught by Ms. Sara and/or Staff.
From bottom to top - Kira, Hannah, Bailey Jo, Kaitlin, Tori and Kassie
Last, but not least was the jazz performance to "I Gotcha" which was awarded an Elite Top First. Dancers in this performance were Amanda Cross, Bailea Jones, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund, Tori Spears, Carol Walters and Madison Winstead. Ms. Sara was the choreographer and instructor.
Front left triangle - Joi, Tori and Kaitlin. Back angle row from top - Bailea, Madison, Amanda and Carol.
By the time we made it home on Sunday night, we were all exhausted, but it really was a fun and productive weekend, in spite of all the weather scares! Now all the dancers have to do is practice hard and perfect the dances so they will be ready for the Talent on Parade National Competition this summer in Branson, Missouri!
Jacksonville Dance Company also had several dancers perform solos and a duet. Amanda Cross performed her lyrical dance to "Soulmate" on Thursday night, and she won an Elite Top First.
Really Great Going, Amanda!
On Friday morning, Kira Jinkins performed her tap dance to "Say Hey I Love You." Kira was awarded an Elite Top First and won Second in Top Performances. Kira was also given an invitation to TOP Starz National Performance Team at Branson, where she will join other Top Starz to learn new choreography and perform as a group at the Talent on Parade National Competition this summer in Branson.
Kira has won several top prizes in her age bracket for her tap performance. The dance was originally choreographed and taught by Ms. Emily before the birth of the baby and Ms. Sara has been teaching her for the last several months.
Kaitlin Soderlund performed a tap dance to "Jungle Beat" and was awarded a Diamond Elite Top First for her performance. Kaitlin was also given the Top Starz invitation to learn new choreography and perform this summer at the Branson National Competition.
Kaitlin - in her unique costume for "Jungle Beat." Kaitlin is posing here in front of Robinson Auditorium. Ms. Sara choreographed and taught Kaitlin the dance.
Jessica Holeman performed a modern dance to "Danger Keep Away" and was awarded a Top First for her performance. Her dance was choreographed and taught by Ms. Sara.
Jessica also has a very unique costume which is quite appropriate to her dance.
Tori Spears and Stephanie York performed a lyrical duet to "Footprints." They were awarded a Top First for their performance. Ms. Lindsey and Ms. Sara, together, choreographed and taught the dance.
Stephanie and Tori - this costume was especially gorgeous on stage!
All five of these performers will compete at the National Competition in Branson this summer. We are proud of them for making the extra effort to represent JDC with their performances.
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