Leap into the 2015 Competition Season

Transcription

1 Written by: Alicia Phaneuf, Company 1 dancer Edited by: Rachel Rubin, Studio Director Leap into the 2015 Competition Season CKDC competition dancers have been preparing dances since the summer and are eager to begin the new season. The competition kick-off party was a huge success; and the CKDC chants, along with bonding activities sparked early anticipation and confidence for the upcoming competitions. As a whole, CKDC cannot wait to see what this year brings. Confidence radiates through the faculty, knowing that the dancers are fully prepared, and they want to emphasize to all dancers to always remember to leave your heart on the dance floor. Company I Advice - Just remember how amazing and beautiful you are because no matter the results of a competition, your personality and your beauty will not change. All we can ask is that you give it your all and have a blast. Eden Nativ - Competition is all about having fun and working hard. A little pressure is always good, but having fun is the most important part. Krysta Cabral - Believe in yourself no matter what happens; don t get too caught up in the judges. If you get a low score, don t get discouraged; just work harder for the next competition. Brooke Deifenbach - Honestly, just live in the moment while you re on stage. You have been practicing for months and countless hours on these dances for this exact moment, so now s the time to just live it! Meredith Wolpert

2 GUY AMIR Guy has been dancing for 17 years, two of which he spent in CKDC s Company I. Since his time at CKDC, Guy has gone on to graduate with a BFA in dance from the University of Arizona. Following graduation, Guy moved to Los Angeles, California and signed with Bloc Talent Agency. Since his signing, Guy has had the opportunity to work on various dance projects. These projects include appearances on the Fox T.V. Series, Glee, ABC s, The Goldbergs, and Nickelodeon T.V. shows such as, the Kids Choice Awards. Guy was also given the opportunity to tour with Nickelodeon s Fresh Beat Band. He has performed on commercials for major organizations such as Google, Android, and Pepsi. You can find Guy teaching classes at Gotta Dance Academy, in Simi Valley, CA, where he has choreographed ten routines the studio will be competing this year. Guy appreciates the experience CKDC gave him, especially allowing him to teach studio hip-hop classes when he was in high school. Guy feels that this gave him the tools necessary to be a successful teacher today. Guy thanks CKDC for, Teaching me not only how to dance, but also how to perform. PATTI HOGAN Patti has been dancing for 22 years, five of which she spent dancing in the CKDC Company, entering as an 8 th grader. Since her time at CKDC, Patti has gone on to study dance at Point Park University. Shortly after, Patti landed a job dancing with the MET Dance in Houston, Texas. Patti has been dancing with the MET for two and a half years now, and continues to teach dance throughout the Houston area. Patti would love to thank CKDC for, instilling passion and a love for dance in me, for teaching me that hard work gets you far, and for making me into such a versatile dancer.

3 SARAH PISA Sarah has been dancing for 20 years, four of which she spent in the CKDC company. Since dancing at CKDC, Sarah went on to dance for the Worcester State University dance team. After graduating from WSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, Sarah auditioned for the Boston Celtics Dance Team and was overjoyed to receive a spot. Sarah says, The adrenaline rush you get when performing in front of 18,000 people is unmatched. In addition to being in the midst of basketball season, Sarah is also a pediatric nurse and dance instructor for CKDC Saturday classes. It s almost impossible to thank CKDC for just one thing, said Sarah, The lessons I ve learned at the studio have shaped me as a dancer and as a person. TAYLOR MARKARIAN Taylor has been dancing for 18 years, four of which she spent in the CKDC company. Since her time at CKDC, Taylor has moved to Manhattan, New York where she trained at Marymount Manhattan College and the Broadway Dance Center. Throughout her studies, Taylor has had the pleasure of working with Ricky Hinds, Charlie Sutton, Nick Kenkle, and Al Blackstone. Taylor was a company member of Josh Prince s Broadway Dance Lab, and is currently dancing for AIDA Cruise Line as a performer on AIDAcara. During her time dancing on the ship, Taylor has had the opportunity to work with amazing dancers while exploring numerous European countries. Taylor claims the technique and passion taught to her at CKDC was stressful, but the discipline was necessary for her success. Taylor thanks the CKDC teachers for working her both physically and mentally. Taylor said, My teachers believed in me, pushed me to my limits, and prepared me so well for the life as a professional dancer. SAM QUINN Sam has been dancing for 15 years, four of which he spent in the CKDC Company which, according to Sam, Were some of the best years of my life! Since dancing at CKDC, Sam has gone on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Arizona, with a BFA in dance. Sam continued on to dance with River North Dance Company in Chicago. He then found himself perusing his dream of dancing in New York, where he signed to tour with the Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Sam has also been featured in film work including, The Intern, and can be found on TV shows such as, The Following and, Members Only. He is currently awaiting his next journey of touring in Europe with the Bad Boys of Ballet. Sam would like to say a special thanks to, Every teacher at CKDC for their knowledge and passion. He says, Nothing is more comforting than to go into professional auditions feeling beyond confident in the training that I received.

4 Recognitions: DMA Scholarships Every November, DMA hosts a scholarship audition for dancers from ages 7-23; and this year was no exception. The CKDC family was eager to support our very own dance instructor, and DMNE s newest president, Ann-marie Carlemagno, at this year s audition. At the audition, dancers are split up into their respectable age categories: Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior. They then participate in classes including: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and if applicable, acro and pointe. The dancers are judged throughout the course of each class, receiving scores from three different judges. At the end of the audition, an award ceremony is held to honor the highest scoring dancers in each class. CKDC is proud to congratulate: Junior Dancers (10-12yrs) Kristen Konz: 3 rd place ballet Lauren Chandler: 3 rd Place Jazz Teen Dancer (13-15yrs) Audrey Von-Maszewski: 1 st place tap Senior Dancers (16-23yrs) Nicole Quinn: 1 st Place Jazz Talia Luzzo: 2 nd Place Jazz Christina Bartoletti: 2 nd Place Ballet NYCDA Convention CKDC makes sure to make an appearance each year at the New York City Dance Alliance convention. CKDC is proud of all dancers who attended the convention and congratulate Sarah Angelico, placing 5 th, and Nicole Quinn, placing 7 th, during the competition portion of the convention. NYCDA offers an audition opportunity for dancers, where teachers observe each dancer, and choose dancers to receive scholarships. Congratulations Sarah Angelico on being runner up for, Outstanding Dancer, and for receiving a scholarship to attend next year s NYCDA regional convention. NUVO Convention This year, NUVO dance competition and convention came to Worcester; CKDC dancers were able to compete, take classes, and receive scholarships. Friday night, dancers were able to compete, before taking a full weekend of classes the following Saturday and Sunday. Teachers observed the dancers, writing down numbers of those who they wanted to later recognize with scholarships. Congratulations: Sarah Angelico: 4 th Overall in the NUVO dance competition and receiving Senior Breakout Artist Runner-up Talia Luzzo: Senior Breakout Artist Runner-up

5 Headliners Comp. The CKDC faculty would like to congratulate all dancers on an amazing job for the first competition of the season. Everyone was professional, hard-working, and left their hearts on the dance floor. Special congratulations to: Hollywood Division Dancers: 2nd Overall Duo/Trio 12 and under: "You Get Me" -- Dakota and RJ Senior Miss Headliners Jackets: Alexis Nevalsky and Nicole Quinn Special Awards: Katie Cabral: for Sincere Emotion Kayleigh Johnson: for Having Fun Meghan Kincaid: for Sweet Smile" Meredith Wolpert: for Cool Control" Nicole Quinn: for Total Package Lauren Chandler: for "Truly Terrifying", playing a powerful character well and giving him the chills. 2nd Overall Group: "Perfect Slumber Party! Junior Division Dancers: 5th Overall Small Group Me and My Girls 6 th Overall Solos: Kristen Konz 7 th Overall Solos: Lauren Chandler Teen Division Dancers: 2nd Overall Duos/Trios And Just Like That -- Katie and Alexa 3rd Overall Duos/Trios River -- Nicole and Lauren 5th Overall Duos/Trios- Sun of a Gun - - Hannah, Shannon and Sabrina 8 th Overall Solos: Audrey Senior Division Dancers: 2nd Overall Duo/Trio: Let me Be Your Star -- Nicole and Lexy 2 nd Overall Solo: Nicole Quinn 3 rd Overall Solo: Alex Romano 5 th Overall Solo: Alexis Nevalsky 7 th Overall - Cristina Bartoletti