Dance life

Last week on SYTYCDC, the first week of the top twenty, there was one dance that stood out to me – Jayme Rae and Daniel’s Afro Jazz.

Jayme Rae was my favorite female dancer going into the competition, and I was so excited when the judges said her dance (with Daniel) was the best one of the night.  The dance was different, ethnic, creepy, and really fun to watch.  The music was perfect and the lighting added to the intensity of the piece.  The movements were sharp and strong the whole way through including some great leaps and flips, but the best part was their wall work at the beginning especially when she walked on the wall. The couple was in sync and very compatible, I see good things coming from them in the future, and I hope Jayme’s success on the show continues.    Here’s week one’s best dance:

I said I would only blog about the best dances, but I just have to mention some other great dances: Cody and Mel M. are the cutest couple ever!  They’re the two tiny, skinny dancers but I love them both.  I liked their contemporary dance because it showcased their connection – they really relied on one another and established a strong trust early in the show.  I thought Natalie and Danny’s hip hop was fun to watch also.  I couldn’t keep my eyes off the krumper, I’m happy she’s on the show.  Tatiana and Austin did a Capoeira routine that had some mind blowing tricks and stunts and Tatiana shouldn’t have gone home!  And lastly Mel B and Taylor’s tango was bloody and sexy, it was a bit shaky, but I could tell they were trying hard, it’s too bad Taylor left! 

This was the first elimination of the season, and it was probably the most emotional elimination I’ve ever seen.  Usually the eliminated dancers are well contained and grateful to have the experience – however limited, but this episode was a little different. 

When my friend asked who I wanted to leave the show I had no idea what to say.  I thought the show was really well done, and there were no bad performances.  Even when the bottom three couples were decided I still didn’t know who deserved to go home.  In the end Tatiana and Taylor were voted off, but it wasn’t pretty.

Tatiana broke down when she heard the news, and everyone else on the show seemed to break down too.  The judges were speechless and Tatiana looked like she could barely breathe let alone speak. When she finally did speak it sounded like bitter words an ex girlfriend would say after she was dumped – she wanted to stay because she thought she had a lot to offer.  I loved it! It was real for once, none of that sugar coated fake happiness, leaving first sucks and Tatiana wasn’t gunna pretend she was okay with it. 

When Taylor left, although it was less dramatic, all the dancers were shocked and distraught.  It was the first couple gone and already the whole cast was shook up, I only hope next week will be as raw and emotional.    

I’m really excited about this season’s top twenty, but this season of SYTYCD I’m not going to write about each dance from each show…I have a life, instead I’ll only blog about the dances worthy of their own blogs.  So stay tuned and see what my favorites are, in the mean time here is some extra info I found on each dancer, enjoy!

AMY Gardner (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Calgary, AB. Amy, who is also formally trained in jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballet, street jazz and musical theatre, has traveled around the world performing, including Spain, Australia and parts of Africa. Amy has also participated in a variety of competitions throughout North America.

• ANTHONY Grafton (24) is a Ballroom dancer from Calgary, AB. Anthony has participated in competitions around the world, including in England and throughout the United States. Formally trained only in ballroom, Anthony is looking forward to trying out new styles of dance on the show.

• AUSTIN Di lulio (19) is a Contemporary dancer from Mississauga, ON. Dancing from a young age, Austin appeared in the feature film Hairspray and has also worked with choreographers Marty Kudelka, Adam Shankman and Tyce Diorio.

• CODY Bonnell (19) is a Hip-Hop dancer from Unionville, ON who is also trained in ballet, jazz and tap. Cody’s former dance teachers, friends and especially his family have been his biggest support and unlike any other experience in his life, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA has been life changing.

• CORYNNE Barron (18) is a Classical Contemporary dancer from Edmonton, AB. At the age of 15, Corynne trained at both the prestigious Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and the Edmonton School of Ballet before leaving Canada for England to further continue her studies with Kate Simmons Dance Ltd. Corynne is trained in contemporary, ballet and jazz.

• DANIEL Dory (23) is a Hip-Hop/House dancer from Montreal, QC. Born in Haiti, Daniel is also trained in contemporary, and has performed in cities across North America, including New York and Los Angeles. Daniel also had the opportunity to perform as part of the opening act for Celine Dion’s 2009 concert in Montreal.

• DANNY Lawn (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Brockville, ON who is also trained in hip-hop, jazz, ballet and acro. An adventure-seeker, Danny spends his time off the dance floor cliff jumping and has also performed with pop stars Katy Perry and Kreesha Turner.

• EMANUEL Sandhu (28) is a Contemporary and Ballet dancer from Vancouver, BC. Emanuel, who is also a Canadian national champion figure skater, trained at the National Ballet School of Canada, as well as with notable choreographers including Menaka Thakkar and Roberto Campanella.

• EVERETT Smith (25) is a Tap dancer from Glen Morris, ON. As the first-ever tap dancer to make it into the Top 20, Everett has taken his tap shoes around the globe and competed at the World Tap Championships in Berlin, Germany. Everett also performed in the feature film Hairspray and is trained in various styles of dance including jazz, ballet and hip-hop.

• JAYME RAE Dailey (21) is a Contemporary dancer from Montreal, QC. Also trained in hip-hop, house, classical ballet, jazz and jazz funk, Jayme Rae auditioned with her twin sister who’s a big source of support in her life.

• JENNA LYNN Higgins (18) is a Jazz and Lyrical dancer from Toronto, ON who cites her mom and dance teacher as her biggest supporter. Also trained in ballet, Jenna Lynn is looking forward to perfecting new dance styles.

• KIM Gingras (23) is a Hip-Hop dancer from Montreal, QC. A member of the Montreal-based Blueprint Dance Company, Kim believes her professionalism, passion and performance are the three key elements that helped her get into the Season 2 Top 20.

• MELANIE Buttarazzi (22) is a Latin Ballroom dancer from Woodbridge, ON who is currently enrolled in York University’s Dance program. A musician as well, Melanie learned to play guitar at the age of eight and is also trained in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, modern, hip-hop and flamenco.

• MELANIE Mah (19) is a Contemporary dancer from Richmond Hill, ON. Melanie performed across North America in a variety of dance competitions and is also trained in ballet, jazz/lyrical, hip-hop and tap.

• NATALIE Lyons (23) is a Hip-Hop/Krump dancer from Halifax, NS. Natalie has had the opportunity to perform live with artists including Nelly Furtado, Keshia Chante, Timbaland and Flo Rida. When not on the dance floor, Natalie spends her time cooking, hiking and playing volleyball.

• NICOLAS Bégin (24) is a B-Boy/Hip-Hop dancer from Quebec City, QC who has specialized in hip-hop and break dancing for almost 16 years. Nicolas has performed with the Quebec-based B-Boy crew Q.C. Roc as well as at an array of events including the 400th Anniversary of Québec City in 2008 and the 2006 JUNO AWARDS.

• TARA-JEAN Popowich (20) is a Contemporary dancer from Lethbridge, AB. Given the opportunity, Tara-Jean would most like to work with choreographers Mia Michaels or choreographer and fellow Albertan, Stacey Tookey and cites her mom as her greatest source of inspiration.

• TATIANA Parker (21) is a Hip-Hop dancer from Toronto, ON. Tatiana, who has performed as part of the Massari World Tour, is greatly supported by her family and friends – especially her brother Noah.

• TAYLOR James (22) is a Contemporary dancer from Vancouver, BC who is also trained in jazz and hip-hop. Taylor has traveled all over Canada and the U.S. as an instructor and performer and spends his spare time taking photographs.

• VINCENT Desjardins (20) is a Ballroom dancer from Trois-Rivieres, QC. Vincent originally began dancing because of his sister, and has been performing in Ballroom competitions in major cities around the world ever since. Vincent has performed in New York, Toronto and Blackpool, England.

SYTYCD Canada started a few weeks ago, and never have I felt so involved in a television show before.  The Montreal auditions we especially exciting because I felt like I new a lot of the dancers in some way or another.  I knew dancers like Sante, Melissa Charlot, and Jamye Rae and Jenny Dailey because they dance at my friend’s dance school.  I know Justin Jackson from dance competitions, but although he had a lot of camera time last season he barely got any exposure this time around despite the fact that he got all the way to the top 46.  I know Cody from a dance convention, and several others from various other conventions and competitions. 

I knew the twins tried out, and I even knew who came back first, but I didn’t know that they would have such a big impact on the show, especially on Jean Marc who seems to be their biggest fan. I was in awe when I saw their audition on TV.  I’d seen their duo, originally performed to a different song, in competition, but seeing them on TV felt surreal.  I felt like I knew celebrities – I was back stage with them, feet away and then weeks later they were on TV making Jean Marc cry over the same dance that almost brought tears to my eyes when I saw it.  Here’s the clip that blows my mind:

Montreal had the best auditions, and I’m so happy Jayme Rae is in the top twenty!

I know I’m not the biggest Dancing with the Stars fan, but I always think it’s fun when they release the list of contestants. 

Here’s the complete cast for Dancing Season Nine:

Mya, singer
Melissa Joan Hart, actress
Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboy
Ashley Hamilton, actor, comedian, singer-songwriter
Aaron Carter, singer
Kathy Ireland, former supermodel-turned-businesswoman
Debi Mazar, actress
Natalie Coughlin, U.S. Olympic swimmer
Louie Vito, snowboarder
Chuck Liddell, ultimate fighting champ
Donny Osmond, singer
Tom DeLay, former Republican congressman
Macy Gray, singer
Joanna Krupa, model and actress
Mark Dacascos, Iron Chef personality
Kelly Osbourne, reality star

I’m sure Mya will do great, since she’s a trained dancer.  I’m happy Melissa Joan Hart is on the show because I love her and I’ve missed her.  Aaron Carter joining the cast is just kind of sad, he seems like just a has been and I can’t imagine him winning.  Donny Osmond is going to be the cutest, most adorable contestant, he’s so funny in a corny cheesy way.  Macy Gray, hmm, I have no clue how she’ll do.  I think the most random/funniest contestant is Kelly Osbourne though.  Apparently she has been asked to do the show since it started, but declined cause she says she cant dance at all…that being said I don’t think she’ll do very well, but I’m surprised they wanted her on the show so much.   The show starts September 21^st, if I’m not too busy with school and the two overlapping seasons of SYTYCD (America and Canada) then maybe I’ll tune in to see who’s doing well…if not I’ll see all the eliminated contestants on Ellen.  

I interviewed Aubree Marchione‏, a professional ballroom dancer, and she showed me a type of dance I’d witnessed before – Wheelchair ballroom.  Aubree is a beautiful young dancer who was introduced to wheelchair ballroom by her dancer teacher Sandra Fortuna the owner of Universal Dance Center in New Jersey.

Aubree teaches the disabled so they can dance at special events.  She has taught people in wheelchairs to dance with their able-bodied partners socially, competitively, for their first dance at their wedding, and at various fundraisers.  Aubree has changed the lives of countless people, including older people who thought they couldn’t dance anymore because of their wheelchairs, young disabled veterans who wanted to dance with their wives at their weddings, and kids with disabilities.  She even taught a blind couple to dance together at their wedding.

Aubree’s story is beautiful, just like her dancing, and with her partner Nick Scott Aubree has performed some great routines.  It seems hard to believe that someone wheelchair-bound could keep up with a professional, but the two work well together and I genuinely think their dance is great – it’s really cute and I can’t help but smile!

There goal is to make it on a show like Dancing with the Stars or SYTYCD so they can raise awareness for Wheelchair ballroom and I hope that they achieve that goal one day.

Why do people play sports or have hobbies or do anything at all?!  When does it come time to stop doing things for fun and to start taking things more seriously?

Last year was my best year in dance, but this year things are changing.  There is a lot of talk about dancers leaving and I can’t help wondering why now…

When you’re young you dance because your mommy thinks you’re cute (even though you just stand on stage and wave) when you’re older you chose to dance because you like it, but when you get even older you realize you cant hold on to dance forever if it’s not a career you want to pursue. 

 When dance season starts again next week I’m anxious to see who will be coming back and who will be leaving the school.  We grow attached to each other as a team, but last year felt different.  Every year someone seems to come and go in dance, but our team seemed perfectly complete last year.   I’m realizing now how many people I will miss and how strange it will feel dancing without them.

I want to say goodbye to the dancers leaving and hello to anyone new joining us.  It’s about dance. It’s about fun. It’s about passion. It’s about friends.  As long as we hold on to those things we won’t get too old too fast and we can stop thinking ‘why am I doing this’ and just do it.    

THE WINNER OF SYTYCD SEASON 5 IS JEANINE!

At first I wanted Kayla to win, but when the top four were standing next to each other I knew that she’d be the first to go and I didn’t even care. 

When Evan left next everything fit into place.  Brandon and Jeanine were in the finale just the way Nigel said – the way it should be. 

Then when the two were standing next to each other waiting to hear the results I couldn’t see her losing, it wouldn’t make sense.

I thought that Jeanine had come out of nowhere this competition, only emerging at the end, but when the judges chose their favorite dances Jeanine had three dances (versus Evan’s one, Kayla’s two and Brandon’s three) that were my favorites too.  They chose Jeanine and Philip’s hip hop (nappytabs) routine about not being able to go to sleep angry.  I loved that dance and it was from week one!  Her next dance was Travis’s contemporary piece with Jason.  This dance stole the show week six, and that’s the week I realized Jeanine would be in the finale.  Her last dance was the pasa doble with Brandon from the performance finale, and it was during this dance that I realized Jeanine would beat Kayla, Evan, and Brandon to win the title of America’s Favorite Dancer. 

When Jeanine thanked her mom for pushing her in dance I realized she’s just like all of us amateur dancers at Cameron.  Jeanine said, as they flashed embarrassing young dance costume photos across the screen, that she sucked when she was younger.  Thank god she sucked, because we all do when we’re young.  We’re ugly, awkward and weird looking, and I’m glad the winner of SYTYCD understands what it feels like to be that girl.  When Sabra won two seasons ago I was happy it was a girl, but disappointed that I couldn’t relate to her.  She didn’t have the old ugly photos or the awkward bad dancing phase because she had only been dancing for three years total.  Jeanine is the real deal, the success story all of us can aspire to.  She’s eighteen years old, so it’s a little late for me or any of my friends to duplicate her success story in Canada, but it gives me hope for those beautiful little girls at my school. 

I couldn’t be happier that Jeanine won, congrats, it was well deserved!

The Performance Finale was held in the Kodak theatre and it was huge and absolutely beautiful.  This episode was really important…duh…but I think the judges did a really good job being honest and saying everything they wanted to ensure the person they want to win has the best chance.  The only problem with some of the nice and mean comments the judges say is that the audience might interpret them differently, so I’m still not sure who the winner will be. 

Brandon – In Brandon’s first dance (the group routine) with Wade he was a football player.  The dance itself was really cute, but it had more personality/acting than dance.  Brandon gets really into his characters…a little too much, sometimes he looks scary.  In this dance I realized that he’s not attractive, now that Ade is gone there’s no hot guy left.  Brandon’s neck is too big for his little head, he looks like he’s meant to be a skinny boy, but he got all beefed up instead.  Brandon’s solo was like an imitation of last week’s, only it was more frantic.  It’s obvious that Brandon is strong and talented, but I just find that he doesn’t have that likable personality.  Brandon’s first partner dance was with Kayla.  Their routine with Tyce was weird (the dance and song were strange) but Brandon performed it well.  He and Kayla are equally strong and I like them as a couple. Brandon’s next dance was with Evan, and I felt so sad for Evan because all the judges were saying Brandon was better.  Brandon is a better dancer than Brandon, and I get that the judges need to be honest, but I couldn’t help feeling horrible when I saw Evan’s sad frowny face with his droopy eyes.  His last dance was with Jeanine, and it was one, if not the best, dance of the show.  Brandon was extremely strong (he had his intense in character face that scared me) but they were a good pair and it looked great. 

Jeanine – Jeanine was really cute in the group dance.  It’s true what the judges were saying, she peaked at the right time.  She was fantastic in all her dances and she was super cute in the opening group dance as a cheerleader.  Her next dance was with Evan, and Jeanine was the whole dance, Evan was just her prop to dance around at most times.  Sonya choreographed the dance to work with both dance’s strengths, but Jeanine just stole the show.  Jeanine’s solo was incredible, the turn she did was unbelievably good and I’ve never seen her do anything like that before. Her turn…I lost count of how many she did, was so controlled.  Her next dance (Mia’s contemporary piece) was with Kayla, and the whole time I as trying to see which one of them was better: I couldn’t decide, they seemed so equal.  Jeanine’s last dance was with Brandon and she was so funny in the clip before the dance when she said ‘Pasa Doble.’ I found Jeanine suited the intense pasa doble better than Kayla, the cute skinny blonde, would have.  At the end of their dance Nigel said that he thought Jeanine and Brandon would be the finale two, and I agree.  After seeing her dance and hearing the judges comments I think Jeanine could win the whole thing.  She has a great personality and even though she’s only really been popular these last few weeks she’s come forth so strong (equally matched to Kayla and Brandon in talent) that I think she’s the most likely to win the show. 

Evan – Oh Evan, it’s hard to hate him when everyone’s mean to him, but if you look back to every other SYTYCD show in the past they’re always mean to him.  Before this show I thought that Evan could actually win the show because he has the biggest fan base, but after yesterday’s show I don’t know if he can win.  In the first dance he was a football player, and he was cute cause he was playing a character.  In that dance he did well, he kept up with the others.  His next dance was with Jeanine and that’s where he started to get hated by the judges.  They said he wasn’t as strong as Jeanine, it was true, but he had moments in the dance where he did well.  For Evan it was good, for the finale level the judges want it wasn’t.  Evan’s next dance was with Brandon, and oh my, the judges didn’t like him.  It’s true Evan can’t really look nasty and rough, but he tried.  He looked devastated, like a sick puppy, when they said he wasn’t as good as Brandon.  The only thing the judges can say is that he has a big fan base, so maybe they’ll all feel bad because the judges were mean and vote so much he’ll win…who knows!  Evan’s solo wasn’t very good at all, I usually like them, but this one was nothing special.  Apparently he was trying to do what Brandon did last week bringing back his audition solo, only poor Evan’s wasn’t good enough.  Nigel said that Evan hadn’t grown as much as he would like, but it’s true.  Evan last dance was with Kayla, and he was okay or bad or good or whatever he is, but what really shocked me was when the whole crowd started chanting his name.  I’m scared all these pitying fans with band together so he wins, I hope not…

Kayla – This episode Kayla was really cute, and like Nigel said she showed her personality.  When she was a cheerleader in her first dance she was super cute acting with Jeanine.  It reminded me of all our elementary times when we acted before we started dancing.  Kayla was back to the normal amazing Kayla when she was with Brandon in their weird Tyce routine.  She was incredibly flexible, especially when she did the kick hold in front of Brandon, and she danced everything perfectly.  It was the same for her routine with Evan.  She was flawless and flexible, and the split flips she did with Evan were amazing.  She was the best part of both dances, and I couldn’t keeo my eyes off her, even when she was with Brandon and especially when she was with Evan.  When Kayla was with Jeanine I kept looking back and forth between them, undecided as to who was better.  I was disappointed with Mia’s contemporary routine because it didn’t really showcase either of their abilities.  Kayla’s solo was her typical solo, nothing special, and I’m glad the judges talked about her whole journey rather than her mediocre solo.  What Adam said was true, Kayla is the best dancer on the show, and it was clear when they showed the clip of her journey on the show.  Everything she is in is amazing, even though she had some bad partners she made it to the finale.  She deserves to win because she’s the best, but I don’t know if she will because she doesn’t really open up and show her personality the same way Jeanine does.  I would love for her to win, but even if she does I can see her coming back in the future to choreograph or something along those lines. 

I’ve had my predictions for the top four made since week 6: Jeanine, Brandon, Kayla and Ade. 

Everything was going well, first Jeanine was in the finale leaving Kayla and Melissa.  Even though Kayla’s been my favorite for a while as time goes on I’m getting more attached to the other contestants and less attached to her.  That’s why part of me wanted Melissa to stay instead. I loved all three girls in the top six, and it was hard to see anyone go.  The guys on the other hand…not so in love with them.

I was 90% sure Brandon and Ade would make the finale, but when Ade and Evan were standing next to each other both worried they were leaving I felt really worried too.  It was my favorite guy and least favorite guy, so it made it that much worse when Evan stayed and I had to see my favorite guy go.  I couldn’t look at the TV, but I had to watch Ade’s farewell video.  It was very emotional for me, and I couldn’t understand what I just saw.  After giving it much thought, I think things worked out for the best.  Even though I don’t like Evan, I think the show is more entertaining with him on it.  He’s different, he’s cute, and he’s special.  If he left it would be another typical finale…two hot black guys.  I liked Evan at the beginning, and if I can give up my unnecessary prejudice against him, then I can like him the way I did in the beginning, because he’s sweet and smiley.  In all honesty, I think Evan has a good chance of winning the whole thing…people REALLY like him. 

Even though Evan is growing on me, I still hope this season a girl wins.  I would like Kayla to win, but I think Jeanine has a better chance of winning because it’s not about America’s BEST dancer, it’s about America’s FAVORITE dancer.  I like Brandon and I wouldn’t mind if he wins, but I’m really hoping a girl wins because I’ve never liked the girls as much as I have this season.

I think I am mentally ready for anyone to win…let’s see if I can keep my cool during next episode.