2008 DANCE COMPETITION SEASON HAS BEGUN FOR JDC
SHOWBIZ DANCE COMPETITION – TEARS THEN CHEERS!!!
(Competition was held at Hot Springs Convention Center)
(Pictures are Below if you want to skip the Blurb and get to the Heart of the Meet)
Well, Readers – Dance competition season has indeed begun – the first competition is always rough. Last August-September, or earlier, music for the dances was chosen. Choreography was begun. Then dancers began learning routines and working on perfecting them with each lesson. Costumes were ordered, jewelry and accessories were then added to make the costume look perfect. Hairdos and makeup for each dance is presented to parents. Then comes the big day – that first competition of the season. Wow! Hopefully, dancers and moms aren’t overwhelmed. It’s that last hour of trying to get those eyelashes on so they’ll stay for the entire day. The hair is all fixed just right so it looks somewhat like the rest of the group, costumes are pinned until the dancer weighs at least a pound more than usual; last minute warm-ups for the dances are gone through and the dancers run out to the dance area to the nearby off-stage area -- sometimes to breathlessly take the stage -- or to wait, and wait, and wait! Well, whichever, we made it through the first competition – really, really tired.
I commented last night when we arrived home at 12:30 that as tired as we were, as onlookers and of the cheerleading population, we could hardly imagine how tired the dancers had to be – because they were the ones who did the rushing, the dancing and performing and also spent their time waiting! I imagine that, absolutely exhausted, they slept on their return trip home.
I thought about this website this morning and I do this because I want the parents and grandparents to know about our programs and our dancers and gymnasts, who do their hardest and put forth such efforts as we, ourselves, cannot remember doing in our young lives, and hopefully we appreciate these kids for their efforts and all they are achieving.
Huff ‘n Puff students, Jacksonville Dance Company performers, Jacksonville Gymnastics Competitive Team Members, instructors, coaches and Staff – we are so proud of all of you and we want you to know we KNOW how hard you work. Thank you all for that you do (and Students, hopefully, you realize all that you are learning now will help you into your adulthood – you are learning a lot more about life than the steps and skills!)
OKAY! I decided this morning as writer and editor of the articles, I can write as I please (and so far, no one has complained – at least not to my face – HA!) I always try to “couch” my articles so as to hurt one’s feelings – not when it comes to our business, but regarding others. We try very hard to praise and not tear down! Having said that, this was probably not the best dance competition that we’ve attended. We were all very tired before it was over. We waited for costume changes by other studios all day long. However, I bet the organizers of the competition were more upset than those of us were. I don’t think the delays could really be avoided. The competition was not as large as the competitions that come to our area a little later in the season. One of the reasons for that is just as I said above – it’s really hard to be ready in time for that first competition and some studios in the area that usually compete were not at this competition. That left larger studios that have many numbers trying to make costume changes with no performing on the stage at the time. Thus – the waiting time. Also scoring at this competition seemed to be tougher – but maybe it’s because as the season goes on, we just get better! We (meaning I) just need to remember that it’s all for the kids and having fun. Sometimes the scores can be encouraging as well as discouraging and sometimes we can be totally surprised in either direction.
Dance competitions are broken down into divisions - rather like an outline. Hopefully the following will help us understand. First, performing groups are broken down by size – solos, duets, trios, small group, large group and lines, and sometimes the numbers that determine the definitions of group size are different from one competition to another.
Small Group Large Group Lines
Four to Nine Dancers Ten – Nineteen Dancers Twenty Plus Dancers
GENRE
Other examples of Genre are Open, Character, Ballet, Modern, Production
SENIOR – Fifteen – Nineteen ADULT – Twenty and Above
(The age of the group is figured by taking an average of the group, but usually the group can compete only one age level lower than the oldest member even if the average age is lower.)
Scoring is accomplished by several different ways and different competitions have their own way of scoring. Scoring for this competition was by a point system of: Technique 15 - 35 points; Execution 15 – 30 points; Showmanship 5 – 25 points; Choreography 1 – 5 points; and Costume 1 – 5 points. Breakdown of Judges scores are First Place 270-300 points, Second Place – 260 – 269 points, Third place 255 –259 points. Diamond Firsts seemed to be 280 points. Multiple first place or second place awards within the same age division of the category were broken down and announced in placement order.
The Awards (Third, Second, First or Diamond First) are announced for all performances in that division. Then Top Ten announcements are made for all of the acts within the different age groups, all genre, starting off with petite and going up through Seniors. That number for Top Ten, Top Five, or Top Three, or however many, is determined by the number of acts within that age group. We were there for the small group competition and the large group and line competition.
Jacksonville Dance Company, with its 63 dancers, competed in twelve dances. Instructors for the Dance Company are – Lois Bryan, Kim Holladay, Sara Rettstatt and Chris Williams. The Dance Department is under the direction of Laurel Spears.
The performances and scores and dancers are presented in the order that they performed.
Small Group Tap, age nine, “Five, Six, Seven, Eight” won a First and then they won Fifth out of Top Ten in the Junior Division. Dancers in this group, instructed by Ms. Kim, are Amber Bajorek, Lauren Boatman, Kaitlynn Coleman, Maurie Gangluff, Kira Jinkins, Alexandria Leirer, Taylor Mays, Micah Perry and Heather Weth.
The "Five-Six-Seven-Eight" tap dancers, competed in the Junior Age bracket (ages Nine to Eleven) and won, not only a First-Place Award but they also won Fifth in the Top Ten Acts for the Junior Division.
Small Group, Tap, age twelve, “Dancin’ Fool” won a Second-Place Award. Instructed by Ms. Sara, these dancers are Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Hannah Moler, Bailey Jo Rhodes, Kassie Shepard and Kaitlin Soderlund.
Photo
The "Dancin' Fool" dancers performed their tap in their spiffy costumes and shoes and won a Second Place.
Small Group, Lyrical, age thirteen, “Three A. M.” won a Second-Place Award. These dancers, instructed by Ms. Lois, are Amanda Cross, Tori Hanley, Jessica Holeman, Briyana Isaac, Tori Spears and Madison Winstead.
These advanced lyrical dancers performed in their beautiful burgundy-colored costumes and danced just as beautifully.
Small Group, Hiphop, age nine, “Hand Clap” won a Second Place Award. These dancers who are instructed by Ms. Sara, are Regan Campbell, Mackenzie Ellis, Alexandria Leirer, Tegan Rea, Emily Snell, Mattie Taylor, Katie Turner and Michael York.
These young dancers performed their hiphop in their bright costumes. This was the first time for six of these eight dancers to compete. And they did a great job! You can't see it, but Tegan had a cast that matched her camo's on her right arm. (Thanks to Sara's mom for all she did on so many of the costumes!!!!)
Small Group, Hiphop, Age seventeen, instructed by Chris Williams, and dancing to “Tambourine” were Emiley Bee, Hannah Ellis, Madison Hurley, Ashley McCutcheon. Jessica Raines, who is also a member of this group had a high school cheerleading competition, and Taylor Canfield came to the Studio and learned the complicated choreography and did a magnificent job filling in for Jessica. Taylor, we really appreciated it. These dancers put their whole heart and soul into this dance and did a fantastic job and won a First Place Award.
All the dancers did a great job, but this Senior Group might as well have run at least two miles for Chris' complicated and fast-paced choreography - because it took that much energy and they didn’t falter for a second. Congratulations, Senior Dancers!
Small Group, Jazz, age thirteen, “Let’s Get Loud” won a Second Place. These dancers, instructed by Ms. Lois, are Jessica Holeman, Jenny McDonough, Niki Rodgers, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund and Madison Winstead.
Absolutely love these costumes and this dance. And these dancers really performed it well. Great going, ladies!
Large Group, Lyrical, age eleven, “Never Alone” won a Second Place. Dancers in this group, instructed by Ms. Lois, 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.
Don't these dancers look pretty in these costumes. And they did a beautiful job with their dance. They won Sixth out of Top Ten for the Junior division. Way to go, Dancers!
Large Group, Hiphop, age thirteen, “Wait a Minute,” won a First Place. These dancers, who are instructed by Ms. Lois, are Amanda Cross, Cassidy Eberle, Tori Hanley, Jessica Holeman, Taylor Rai Johnson, Jessica McCauley, Jenny McDonough, Stephanie Singleton, Joi Smith, Kaitlin Soderlund, Tori Spears, Kayla Vasquez, Madison Winstead and Stephanie York.
These lovely young ladies did a rousing HipHop routine to "Wait a Minute" and won a First Place. Love the colorful costumes and the shoes just finish it off!
Anyone who thinks dance is easy ought to try to get up there on the stage and perform one of these routines. These kids all work hard, no matter the age. The adrenalin is to the limit and the work is hard and kids are trying to grasp for air. It’s not easy!!!
Large Group Hiphop, age ten, “Shake,” taught by Ms. Lois won a First-Place Award. Dancers in this group are Lauren Anderson, Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Blanchard, Courtney Ellis, Paris Fonseca, Maitland Hurley, Terra Johnson, Tessa Johnson, Bailea Jones, Darby Lottner, Kendra Lytch, Micah Perry, Niki Rodgers, Madi Spears, Hanna Taylor and Lauren Travis.
This group of dancers really put on a show!!!! They are sooo good and the costumes are great. We always have great costumes but I think the instructors have outdone themselves this year. The shoes just top off the outfit - along with the knee pads!!! Their talent and energy match their outfits, too. Besides a First-Place Award, they won Fifth out of the Top Ten for Junior Division (please note that we won, Seventh, Sixth and Fifth out of the Junior Division!!!)
Large Group Pom, age nine, instructed by Ms. Kim and performed to “Little Momma” were Alexandria Adams, Amber Bajorek, Mackenzie Blanchard, Elizabeth Clark, Kaitlynn Coleman, Maurie Gangluff, Kira Kinkinis, Darby Lottner, Micah Perry, Tegan Rea, Niki Rodgers, Lauren Travis and Heather Weth. The dancers won a Second-Place and Seventh in Top Ten, Junior Division.
We didn't think we had time to take a pom picture after their performance because of costume changes but one of the moms sent this to me - and as it turned out, we probably had an hour.
More excitement was added to the awards when the Junior Division, (age nine to eleven) Top Ten Awards were announced and winning Seventh was JDC Pom, “Little Momma” Dancers, Sixth was the large group Lyrical, “Never Alone,” and Fifth was age ten Hiphop Dancers to “Shake.”
Our largest hiphop group, instructed by Ms. Lois, finally performed in the “Line Category” to Rewind and won First Place. Dancers in this largest group of dancers performing for JDC were Amber Bajorek, Amanda Cross, Hannah Ellis, 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, Madison Winstead and Stephanie York.
Can't say enough about this group of dancers - Danced hiphop in the Line Division. Ms. Lois and they have worked very hard. Please read paragraph below. Ladies, I know these are your dance warm-ups, but they looked really good for your dance, but they can't compare to how good you looked and how great you did. We are so excited for you and proud of you. Some of the dancers were disappointed in their performance - but I don't think anyone needed to be sad. Not even sure what time you performed but it was most likely after 10:00 after being there all day - you all did a GREAT job!
TEARS THEN CHEERS!
Our 24 dancers were competing in the Line and Production category age 12, (remember this is the average age of our 24 dancers who competed to “Rewind”) against one of the largest and most successful competition dance studios in the area. This studio had 22 dancers in a hiphop number and a wonderful production number with 83 dancers. When the Top Three were announced, it went like this: No. 3 - their hiphop; No. 2 – their production; and No. 1 – guess who!!!!! – REWIND from JDC!!!!! Talk about excitement. In fact, I keep waiting for the final results to come out on Showbiz website, because I keep thinking that we misunderstood – We do know that we won, and the studio will receive a check for $150 for winning, but I’m still not sure that we beat their production number. Now, if you follow my website articles, you know I don’t mention other studios or much about other gyms. But we were excited!!!!!! It may never happen again, but it happened once!!!! We have done well in other competitions and every year, we have gained experience! We know some of the dancers from NLR because a number of the dancers have come to Huff ‘n Puff for power tumbling over the years. The nicest thing that happened at the meet was when one of our former power tumbling students (she and sister both came for a couple of years) and both danced for the NLR studio for a number of years, and younger sister is a prime dancer with their studio) came up to me after we had won the First of the Top Three and congratulated us on that win. We have made some awfully nice friends over the years and we’re awfully proud of that.
Thanks dancers and instructors - what a great job you did!!!