Members of the Jacksonville Dance Company competed in Memphis this weekend in the International Dance Challenge Competition. The competition was held in the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in the Cook Convention Center, a location unlike any other where JDC has competed. The Cannon Center had a large stage, had cushioned seats rising in rows toward the back for the main audience area. It also has balcony seats in three tiers rising to a height of 100 feet circling around the main area - with individual personal areas similar to opera boxes. It was impressive to be there and more impressive to know that the Cook Center was built by corporate and individual donations of five million dollars each, down to a half million dollars and less.
The doors opened at 9:00 and the competition began at 10:00. Competing in the first half of the competition—the Junior Division were dancers, ages five and six, seven and eight, nine and ten, and eleven and twelve, with age of the group being determined by the average age of the dancers in the group. The Senior Division average dancers are thirteen and above. In this competition, the Division was broken down further into size of groups: Small: four to seven; Large: eight to fourteen; Line: fifteen or more; and Production: four or up to as many as 25 or more. Adjudicated awards for this competition were Bronze, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold, High Gold and Platinum Champions.
Special awards were given by one of the four judges while the other three scored for the adjudicated awards. Besides the announcement of the adjudicated awards for each number, announcements of second runner-up, first runner up and Champion in each age group were announced. Also announced were Best Costume awards, Best Choreography, Highest Score for the entire division and the Best Entertainment Award.
Just before the adjudicated awards are announced, five performances were picked to compete in a dance-off, causing a lot of excitement for all, and the award for this Best Entertainment was given after the adjudicated awards. It was stressed that besides being technically correct, it must be entertaining and it was important for the backers to support their dancers with all the encouragement and yelling they could muster. Just as a side note, Huff ‘n Puff parents and audiences are well-versed in the art of encouraging their performers, whether it is for dance or gymnastics.
JDC had six numbers entered in the Junior Division. The first competitive act for JDC was “Five-Six-Seven-Eight” performed by Ms. Kim’s tap dancers, average age nine-ten. The dancers won the “Best Precision Award;” a Gold Award and were also first runner-up champions in the Large Group Division. Dancers in this group are Amber Bajorek, Lauren Boatman, Kaitlynn Coleman, Maurie Gangluff, Kira Jinkins, Alexandria Leirer, Taylor Mays, Micah Perry and Heather Weth.
Many of these photos are from last week. It was not possible to get new photos of each group - however, I didn't want this article to be without photos of the groups. These are the "Five-Six-Seven-Eight" dancers who performed with much excitement and really made JDC proud.
Ms. Sara’s dancers who tapped their way to a Platinum Award, were also picked to compete for the Best Entertainment Award, and won not only the Best Entertainment Award in the dance-off, but also won the top score in the Small-Group Division and won a check for $100 for the Studio. (This is the second year in a row that four of these six tappers were in the top-winning group for this competition.) Performing to “Dancin’ Fool” were Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Hannah Moler, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Kassie Shepard and Kaitlin Soderlund.
Posing for me quickly between costume changes, we got this shot. Look at these smiling faces--and this was before they knew that they had been picked for the Entertainment Dance-Off, and had won a Platinum Award, in addition to winning the Entertainment Dance-Off, as well as Small-Group winner of $100.00 check for the Studio. Besides the entertainment factor of their dance, we knew they had also been chosen for their dance technique demonstrated in their tap dance.
The next JDC performance in the competition was the large group of dancers, instructed by Ms. Lois, who performed to “Never Alone,” a very moving and emotional lyrical dance. The dancers, who won a Gold Award and First Place Large Group, with a $100 check for the Studio are Amber Bajorek, Amanda Cross, Jessica Gardner, Tori Hanley, Christina Hensley, Amanda Hicks, Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Jessica McDonough, Jordan Rogers, Niki Rodgers, Samantha Sobba, Tori Spears and Madison Winstead. Eight of these dancers are team gymnasts who took lyrical to become better gymnasts, only to fall in love with the lyrical dance itself.
For as big as the dance area was, we did not have time to go out to the larger entry areas of the Center, so we took photos as we could - of the groups that I didn't get taken last competition. This is the group of "Never Alone" Dancers that won a Gold Award and the high score for large group performance, which meant a check for $100 for the studio.
JDC Pom dancers performed next to “Hey Little Momma” and won a Gold Award. Dancers in this group--instructed by Ms. Kim--are Alexandria Adams, Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Blanchard, Elizabeth Clark, Kaitlynn Coleman, Maurie Gangluff, Kira Jinkins, Micah Perry, Tegan Rea, Niki Rodgers, Lauren Travis and Heather Weth.
These Pom dancers are always this happy - they put their all-out-efforts into their dance and their spirit shows.
Sometimes at competitions, the dancers need to be Quick-Change Artists. The dancers met the challenge though and next performed their rousing hiphop dance to “Shake.” The dancers won a Gold Award for their performance. They were also the second runner-up performance in the Line Competition Numbers. Taught by Ms. Lois, these dancers are Lauren Anderson, Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Blanchard, Courtney Ellis, Paris Fonseca, Terra Johnson, Tessa Johnson, Bailea Jones, Kendra Lytch, Taylor Mays, Micah Perry, Niki Rodgers, Madi Spears, Hannah Taylor and Lauren Travis.
The "Shake" performance is always a crowd pleaser. The audience sits in awe of all of Jacksonville Dance Company Hip Hop performances because of the energy the dancers are putting forth for each performance. We admire all of our dancers for not only their energy, but for the mind that it takes to retain the fast and complicated moves involved in their dance.
Last of the JDC dancers to perform in the Junior Division were the “Hand Clap,” performers, taught by Ms. Sara. The dancers who won a Gold Award for their hip hop performance were Regan Coleman, Mackenzie Ellis, Alexandria Leirer, Tegan Rea, Emily Snell, Mattie Taylor, Katie Turner and Michael York.
Credit for this action photo goes to Michael Isaac. He got the "Hand Clap" dancers in motion. These young dancers do so well in the competitions that one would think that they have many years experience in competing, whereas this is the first year for six of the eight dancers. They compete their all-important "facials" as well or better than most dance groups. This is the only competition in which we
Performing first in the Senior Division were our 24 dancers who performed their hip hop dance to “Rewind” in the Line division. This is such a fun and entertaining dance to watch, with the dancers moving on and off stage and performing in smaller groups within the larger group. The dancers seem to really enjoy this number and it is difficult to tell who enjoys it more – the dancers or the audience. The dancers, instructed by Ms. Lois, won a High Gold Award for their performance and high score for Line, winning for the Studio a check for $150. These dancers are Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Blanchard, Amanda Cross, Hannah Ellis, Tori Hanley, Jessica Holeman, Kira Jinkins, Taylor Rai Johnson, Terra Johnson, Tessa Johnson, Bailea Jones, Kendra Lytch, Micah Perry, Niki Rodgers, Stephanie Singleton, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund, Madi Spears, Tori Spears, Lindsey Sweet, Lauren Travis, Kayla Vasquez, Alana Whatley and Stephanie York.
Winners of a High Gold Award and Line Top Score which included the check for the Studio of $150 were the "Rewind" Hip Hop dancers. Congratulations Dancers - it was fantastic!!!
Performing next in a very short costume-change time was the small-group lyrical dancers who performed to “Three A. M.” and won a Sterling Silver Award. These performers, instructed by Ms. Lois are Amanda Cross, Tori Hanley, Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Tori Spears and Madison Winstead.
Lyrical "Three A.M." dancers shown here earlier in the morning. In the afternoon, five of these dancers actually performed in the "Rewind" dance just minutes before their lyrical performance. It was a wonder they could even dance onto the stage!!
Performing to “Tambourine” and winning a Gold Award were the Senior Hip Hop
Dancers. The dancers instructed by Chris Williams, for this competition dancers were Emiley Bee, Hannah Ellis, Madison Hurley and Ashley McCutcheon. This dance is nonstop and the dancers come off stage barely able to breathe.
From left to right are the Senior Hiphop dancers, Madison, Emiley, Ashley, Taylor and Hannah. This photo was taken a week before and Taylor was unable to perform at IDC. Great job, Ladies - don't know from where the energy comes!!!!!
The Jazz Dancers, instructed by Ms. Lois, performed to “Let’s Get Loud” and won a Sterling Silver Award. The dancers are Jessica Holeman, Jennifer McDonough, Niki Rodgers, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund and Madison Winstead.
Ladies, your dance is always a pleasure to watch and each competition, it is even better than the one before. It's a fun, high level dance performed to great music! Way to go!!!
Kayla Vasquez performed her hip hop solo to “Fuego” and won a Sterling Silver Award. Ms. Lois instructs Kayla in her dance.
Great going, Kayla. We're so proud of you. Kayla is also co-captain of the Jacksonville High School cheerleading squad (with another of our former students, gymnast Kelsey Lerner) and Kayla is contributing her dance talents and skills to the squad.
Performing last for JDC and chosen to compete for the Best Entertainment Award Dance Off were the “Wait A Minute” hip hop dancers who won a Gold Award. Performing once is tough because these dancers go all out on all dances, and especially so on the hip hop performances. However, the excited dancers found plenty of energy for the second performance for the dance off. The families and friends of our JDC performers and the rest of the company dancers lent our support by yelling and clapping and enjoying the performance as much the second time as the first. These “Wait A Minute” dancers are Amanda Cross, Cassidy Eberle, Tori Hanley, Jessica Holeman, Taylor Rai Johnson, Jessica McCauley, Jennifer McDonough, Stephanie Singleton, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund, Tori Spears, Kayla Vasquez, Madison Winstead and Stephanie York.
Sorry - I don't have a "current" picture of this "Wait A Minute" group of dancers. They all look so pretty here but they weren't this calm when it was announced that they were chosen to perform again in the Best Entertainment Dance-off. They put their heart and soul in to both performances - their first and their second. We were so proud of you all, too!!!
It was a very long, but fun day, in a wonderful competitive setting. The JDC dancers all did very well – we saw some very different and beautiful styles of lyrical dances and JDC set the bar for hip hop.
I didn't take pictures of each group since I had just taken most last week but I added the pictures from last week to remind you of who the dancers are. We are so proud of each and every one of them. Our Company and Company dancers have made so much progress over the last several years. We know you are equally proud of them.
Company tryouts for next year will be held in August and technique classes for company dancers begin in early July. If you are at all interested in your child competing dance (and believe me, this is how they really learn - through their concentrated practice on technique, skills and performing), then please try to schedule the summer technique classes into your busy summer fun. It doesn't mean that they will make Dance Company, but it certainly enhances their chances.
Thanks so much to all of you for your interest in the website!!! I really appreciate you. slz