Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Our weekend was spent at the Lakeland Center for the Nexstar National Talent Dance Competition. This was the first year the studio competed as a whole with a Competition Company ranging from ages 7-18. Kaylee has danced with Dance Fusion Studios for the past 3 years, and decided to try out for the Dance Fusion Competition Company in September 2014. She made the Company, and we couldn't have been more proud!

 

She's worked tremendously hard over the past six months; putting in 6 hours of practice time per week to 10 hours of practice time the month leading up to competition. That hard work and dedication paid off. It was totally worth it, and as a result she has improved so much as a dancer.

 

Both of Kaylee's group dances in the 7-9 year division earned 1st place, with one placing 3rd OVERALL and the second placing 4th OVERALL! These girls absolutely rocked the stage for their very first competition, hitting every move. It was such an incredible experience to partake in... albeit exhausting being 9 months pregnant and all.

 

The Mini's, 7-9 year old division, performed on Saturday between 8am and noon with awards following at 12:30pm. We didn't stay to watch the older girls perform on Saturday night and all day Sunday. Therefore, I only have photos of the Mini division. Some were taken with my iPhone, and others with my actual camera... this explains the quality of some.

 

Here are some of the girls backstage getting ready for their Musical Theater performance to Legally Blonde's "Omigod You Guys"

 

Here are a few shots from the actual performance on stage in front of the judges

 

I wasn't able to get any backstage "getting ready" photos for their Hip-Hop routine. The Mom's literally had like 2 minutes tops to do the costume change, and get the girls ready for their second routine. Things got really hectic then, and I was much too pregnant to be bending over and tying those converse... BUT I somehow made it happen without going in to labor. Ha! So, here are some pictures from their Hip-Hop performance to "Turn Down for What" / "Run The World (Girls)" combo

 

Last was the Awards Ceremony. After the very last performance finished, all performers competing took stage to accept any trophies or plaques. Dance Fusion Studios had 5 soloists place, and both group dances place. Kaylee represented the Musical Theater performance and walked up to receive the awards for the group. The judge interviewed each girl who accepted an award, and she was so cute on stage answering his questions.

The Dance Fusion Competition Company girls in the 7-9 year age group with all of the trophies and plaques they won! The talent these girls have at such a young age is astounding. They've worked hard, come a very long way, and deserved every award received. I'm so pleased to be part of the Dance Fusion family, and that Kaylee has each of these girls to grow up dancing with. I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this group!

 

Last night the Director had the entire Dance Fusion Competition Company meet at the studio for a group picture with most all of the awards won during the competition weekend... and here it is!

Without a doubt, the Studio Company members rocked their very first competition, and surprised the other dance teams in Lakeland. Here's to such a fabulous start to the studio entering the competition world. Congratulations girls and guys!!

Dance: The Hidden Language of the Soul

Dance [dans]; verb: To touch, to move, to inspire

As a child, I was never able to experience dance firsthand. I was a cheerleader. I cheered for about eleven years, beginning at age five. It was my thing. I loved it. The dancing aspect of cheer was one of the things I enjoyed the most. The feeling of performing in front of a maxed out stadium, or competing at a conference center with available spots being standing room only. A complete and utter rush; I lived for it. That is one feeling I will never in a million years forget.

I just knew if I ever had a daughter one day, she would cheer. We would share that same love and passion for it. I was sure of it.

Here I am, eleven years post cheer, and I have a seven year old little girl. During Pre-K, her academy offered extra-curricular activities, with dance being one of them. I read the list of activities to her, and she chose dance. I, of course, signed her up immediately, and so it began.

{First Year of Dance 2011/2012 - Age 4}

Kaylee has been dancing now for almost four years. K and I started her out with 1 class per "dance year" for the first two years. Last year for her third year, she asked to do more, so we registered her for three classes totaling three hours per week. She done great with the increased schedule really enjoying it, and learnt more last year than she had the previous two years combined. This year, for the 2014-2015 year, six classes are being offered for her age group. I asked her which classes she would like to do, and she told me all six. Last night, I completed her registration for six classes/six hours per week beginning in August!

{Hip Hop  2012/2013 - Age 5}

She is finding in dance what I found in cheer. She absolutely loves it, and I love watching the passion and excitement on her face when she's dancing. Dance has given her such confidence and joy, as well as lifelong friends, and the studio becoming like a second family to us. I hope that she continues with dance through high school and even into the collegiate level. I was blessed to stumble upon this company, and we've been with it for going on three years now. The Director really gives the girls so many opportunities that Kaylee could definitely go somewhere with it in the long run. 

{Jazz 2013/2014 - Age 6}

 {Hip Hop 2013/2014 - Age 6}

{Hip Hop Group 2013/2014 - Age 6}

I'm excited to share in this life of dance that she has chosen. I can't wait to see where it takes her. For as long as she enjoys it, we will continue to register her for classes until she tells us otherwise. Dancing was my favorite part of cheering, so in a small way, we do share that same love and passion I hoped we would. Dancing has so many more opportunities than cheer, so Kaylee chose the better one for sure!