By Chelsea Thomas.

Kati Smasne, 16, never dreamed she would win the first global competition of Dance Upon A Dream, a new online dance competition founded by international performer and judge Joshua Horner.

Horner, a judge for Dancing with the Stars Australia and a choreographic consultant for Disney, launched the competition alongside co-host Emily Loftiss, professional dancer, singer and choreographer, to offer competitive dancers a place to compete on an international scale without ever leaving the comfort of their homes.

Smasne was just one of hundreds of dancers to apply under the ‘senior’ division (16 years old or older), with the other divisions being ‘mini’ (7-10 years old), ‘junior’ (11-12 years old) and ‘teen’ (13-15 years old). She said she was “amazed” and “overwhelmed” when she found out she was awarded the Solo Ultimate Overall Winner. Her submission, titled “White Blank Page”, was a video of her dancing a contemporary solo choreographed by her friend Rile Reavis at the competition Dance Magic in Oregon in August 2012.

“I honestly couldn’t even believe I won and that now I’m going to study in New York at Broadway Dance Center. I come from a small town so it’s just amazing. I feel so lucky,” Smasne said.

Smasne was a standout to judge Elizabeth Parkinson who remarked, “Kati represents my favorite kind of dancer! She has a strong technical foundation with a dynamic plié and beautiful line. On top of that she is a performer and fantastic mover so rather than focusing on her technique we get to enjoy the pure joy of her personality!” Judge Peter Gregus of Jersey Boys on Broadway said, “Kati has unerring technique, which she doesn’t let overshadow her presence in her performance. She manages a beautiful marriage of both.”

Young Kati even caught the eye of judge Christopher Gattelli, Tony Award winning choreographer of Disney’s Newsies, who expressed, “Kati is a beautiful dancer with incredible facility and her own unique quality, that shows fantastic potential.  She was the perfect choice to represent Dance Upon A Dream’s premiere overall winner.”

Smasne, who has been awarded a three-month scholarship to attend Broadway Dance Center, has big dreams that come from humble origins. She was raised for most of her life in Spokane, Washington, a medium-sized city of about 200,000 residents. At age seven, she began dancing with her older sister, which spurred her on because of their “sisterly competitiveness.” While her sister eventually stopped dancing, Kati kept going, taking jazz and later ballet.

Kati Smasne. Photos by Scott Martinez Photography

“When I was young I discovered I really loved dancing. I loved being on stage. My dance teacher told me that if I wanted to get better I should take ballet. Soon after, I started,” Smasne said.

Kati began her ballet training at the Ballet School of Coeur d’Alene under owner and instructor Ceci Klein, who danced with American Ballet Theatre in the 1950s and 60s. For almost a decade, Klein has been guiding and teaching Smasne, providing her foundational technique and poise. Klein, who also instructed Andrea Cooper, who went on to be a dancer at Oregon Ballet Theatre, also encouraged Smasne to pursue additional summer training and intensives.

For two summers Smasne participated in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s student intensives. She said, “I really loved that and I knew from that I wanted to be a dancer.” Another experience that inspired her and stayed with her for years was her young participation in the musical CATs. Now, Smasne says her attention is on getting to Broadway and finding her niche in jazz or theater.

“In the last two years my focus has been on jazz and theater because I really enjoy it,” Smasne said. “I’ve come to realize my personality is geared toward jazz – being sassy and expressive. I like the freedom of being able to make a piece my own.”

In her Dance Upon A Dream submission, Smasne’s passion for jazz and theater is evident in her obvious, theatrical expressions and her exposed, vulnerable emotions. The work, originally a duet restaged to be a solo, shows off her excellent technique, undeniable vision, charismatic energy and balanced self-confidence.

And her self-confidence is merited. It seems everything Smasne does she does well. A high school junior with a 4.0 GPA, Kati juggles her dance schedule with attending college classes. She is on track to finish her associate’s degree at the same time she graduates from high school. She plans to pursue nursing when she can no longer dance or perform.

Smasne’s jazz instructor, Judy Reavis of the studio Dance Unlimited, said she is proud of Kati’s award.

“We are thrilled at the opportunities Kati will receive as the winner of Dance Upon a Dream. Ceci Klein and I are very proud of Kati. We celebrate her commitment and dedication to the art of dance. It has been a blessing to witness her passion for movement and to nurture her gift,” Reavis said.

After recently competing at New York City Dance Alliance in Portland, Oregon, Smasne now looks forward to preparing for her summer at Broadway Dance Center.

For other dancers looking to compete for this chance with Dance Upon a Dream, the process has been created to be as easy as possible. It’s as simple as uploading a video of a solo, partner or group piece from a dance competition to youTube, selecting an age division and performance category on the Dance Upon a Dream website, and copying and pasting the video link from YouTube to the competition website. For more information, visit www.danceuponadream.com.

Whereas other dance competitions provide dancers with a sense of where they place in their state, their region or their country, Dance Upon a Dream allows participants to see where they rank throughout the whole world. Smasne said she is so thankful for a competition like Dance Upon a Dream.

“Thanks so much to Dance Upon a Dream for the amazing opportunity they have given me. I am so excited to train in New York at Broadway Dance Center. Wow, a dream come true,” Smasne gushed.

Dance Upon a Dream and its array of world-class industry judges, offers various awards for all solo, duo/trio and group winners, including partial scholarships to the Hollywood Summer Tour, a Just Dance 4 game from UBISOFT or a Dance Upon a Dream One’Z to wear. Group winners will also receive a personal invite to the Dance The Magic showcase on Broadway this summer, as well as Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Hong Kong.

Smasne said dancers should not underestimate the importance of competition in challenging and inspiring themselves.

“It pushes you to be better,” she summarized. “When you compete, you have to be much more refined. Everything has to be disciplined and perfect, so you work harder. You never know where that extra effort or exposure will take you.”

To see Kati’s winning entry visit www.danceuponadream.com/entry/10129.

Entries opened for the next round of Dance Upon A Dream on January 31st. Get your entry in now!

Dance Upon A Dream Season 1 Winners:

Ultimate Winner: Kati Smasne, USA

People’s Choice: Kloe Burke, Australia

Judges Choice: Rhiannon Tringas, Australia
Judges Choice: Harrison Lee, Australia
Judges Choice: Michael Dameski, Australia
Judges Choice: Michelle Quiner, USA
Judges Choice: Maddison Weiley, Australia
Judges Choice: Cassandra Clarke, Australia
Judges Choice: Kelly Webster, New Zealand
Judges Choice: Kayla-Maree Tarantolo, Australia

Mini – Solo – Musical Theatre: Isabel Lacon , USA
Mini – Solo – Lyrical/ Contemporary: Shontaya Smedley, Australia
Mini – Solo- Ballet: Ashleigh Brant, Australia
Mini – Solo – Hip Hop: Manaia Davies, Australia
Mini – Solo – Jazz: Tia Buell, USA
Mini – Solo – Acro/ specialty: Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini – Solo – Tap: Grace Gellie, Australia
Mini – Boys Award: Ashton Schier-Mason, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Jazz: Alex Burghardt, Meredith Page, Skylar Podziewski, USA
Mini – Duo /Trio – Acro / Specialty: Kailin and Lexie Brown, Canada
Mini - Duo Trio - Lyrical/ Cont: Grace Gellie and Brooke Ainsworth, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Grace Gellie and Shanae Holland, Australia
Mini – Duo/ Trio – Musical Th: Cody Ettingshausen & Sophie Piggott, Australia
Mini -Small Group- Hip hop: Zyannna, Xeryus, Justine, Amik,
Alexias, Kaylinda, Dominique, Canada

Junior –  Solo – Jazz: Clare Billson, Australia
Junior – solo – Lyrical/ Cont: Sophia Kaloudis, Australia
Junior – Solo- Ballet: Madison Ayton, Australia
Junior – Solo – Tap: Rudi Palmela, Australia
Junior -Hip Hop – Solo: Chantelle Redzeposki, Australia
Junior – Solo -Musical Th: Hamish Briggs, Australia
Junior – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Kailin Brown, Canada
Junior – Large Group – Lyrical: Sans Souci Public School, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Hip Hop: Chantelle Redzeposki, Claudia and Chelsea Robertson, Australia
Junior – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical/ cont: Harley Rodrigue, Mackenzie Van Natta, Darian Callais, USA
Junior – Duo /Trio – Jazz: Jemima Smith and Laurence Neuhaus, Australia
Junior – Boys award: Hamish Briggs, Australia

Teen – Solo – Jazz: Marie Spieldenner, USA
Teen – Solo – Lyrical/Contemporary: Kloe Burke, USA
Teen – Solo – Tap: Zoe Barbera, Australia
Teen – Solo – Musical Theatre: Rachel Moore, Australia
Teen – Solo – Hip Hop: Carla Celesti, Australia
Teen – Solo – Acro/ Specialty: Megha Budhrani, FL
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Musical Theatre: Jason Kidd and Kiarra Vacek, USA
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Lyrical /Cont: Briana Collova & Nicholas Cruse, Australia
Teen – Duo/ Trio – Tap: Matiu and Marie Samuel, New Zealand
Teen Boys Award: Thomas Dilley, Australia
Teen – Small Group -Hip Hop: Madison, Rachelle, Jordan, Migo, Jasmine, Paige, Cassandra, Canada
Teen – Small Group – Lyrical/ Cont: The McDonald College, Australia
Teen-  Large Group –Jazz: RG DANCE, Australia
Teen – Large Group – Ballet: The McDonald College, Australia

Senior – Solo- Acro/ Specialty: Samantha Rybka, Australia
Senior – Solo – Hip Hop: Axel-Roman Allioux, Canada
Senior – Solo- Lyrical/ Cont: Kati Smasne, USA
Senior – Solo- Jazz: Emma Swannie, Australia
Senior – Solo – Tap: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Solo – Musical Theatre: Kiana Smith, Canada
Senior – Large Group – Acro/ Specialty: Lee Academy, Australia
Senior Boys Award: Matt Antonucci, Australia
Senior – Duo/ Trio -Jazz: Tasmin & Eliza Cummins, Australia
Senior Duo/ Trio – Lyrical / Cont: Meg Scheffers and Tiffany Browne, Australia

By Kristy Johnson.

With the third season set to premiere on Lifetime on January 1st, Dance Moms takes a long-awaited leap back into the world of competitive dance. Set in Pittsburgh’s renowned Abby Lee Dance Company, the series follows young dancers’ steps on the road to stardom and the mothers who are there for every rehearsal and performance.

Here we chat with breakout star Chloe, on what it’s like to become an instant fan favorite.

How have you enjoyed being on the TV show ‘Dance Moms’? Do you find it nerve-wracking having cameras around?

It’s really cool to get to see yourself and your friends on TV each week. At first, the cameras made it a little nerve-wracking, but we are really used to them now. Actually, sometimes I forget just how many people are going to see us dance!

Do you get along well with the other dancers from your school?

Yes! We are like sisters. We love each other and try to be supportive.

Chloe Lukasiak of Dance Moms. Photos courtesy of Anderson Group PR

Do you love getting your hair and makeup done?

Yes, I love it! My mom is a hair expert and I get to do my own stage makeup now, except for eyelashes. Gluing those on can be tricky.

Becoming an instant fan favorite with over 130,000 Twitter fans must feel surreal! How important are your fans to you?

I love all my fans! It’s so flattering to hear people say they look up to me. So I try really, really hard to be a good role model. I always remember that our fans are what makes the show successful.

Were you surprised at all the support you’ve been receiving?

Yes, I never expected it! I mean I’m just a regular girl who loves to dance!

Do you find it hard balancing schoolwork with the TV show, and the pressures that surround competitive dance?

My life is pretty much the same as always, just now with cameras. I’ve been balancing dance and school my whole life.

What is your favorite style of dance, and why do you love it so much?

I love lyrical because it’s pretty and tells a story. I also love musical theatre because you get to use personality and play a character.

What’s the best piece of advice your teacher Abby Miller has ever given you?

Point your toes! (laughs).

Your mom must be so proud of you. What does she think of all the success you have been having?

She cries! (laughs). I think she has a hard time believing that this is all really happening.

When you have spare time, what do you love to do?

I love to shop, read fashion magazines and put together cute outfits. I love to read books and watch movies with my dad. I also like to play with my little sister Clara.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’d like to be on Broadway or be a Rockette in New York City. Plus, I’d love to be an actress. Then, when I retire from all of that, I want to be a pediatrician and a mom. A dance mom, of course!

How did you come up with the idea of a jewelry line for kids?

Maddie (Ziegler), from my school, and I just thought it would be cool if there was a way to show your wins, because you can’t carry around big trophies! So we thought it would be cool if there were charms to show what you got at a dance competition and you could wear them on a bracelet. We also really like designing charms that are special to us, like our ‘Black Swan’ duet. There are so many cool ones. I can’t decide which I love the best!

By Tara Sheena.

Dance conventions offer an amazing experience for young dancers to be exposed to new styles, work with some of the industry’s best teachers, and meet fellow dancers from around the country. However, they are also long weekends where the students often dance for up to eight to ten hours a day! With such a demanding schedule, it is important to remember to balance it all and take advantage of every opportunity. Dance Informa asked three convention pros to sound off on their top tips and compiled them below so you can enter this convention season knowing it will be the best one yet!

1. Eat well

Convention days are tiring and they can be even more exhausting if you aren’t eating well. Fruits and vegetables are a must and easy to keep in a small lunch bag so you can nibble throughout the day. Tim Perry of Starbound National Talent Competition notes you should “plan to have healthy snack foods on hand” for long days of classes and performance, where you may not be able to leave the site for a sit down meal. And most importantly, don’t skimp on the greens!

2. Take notes

Ron DeVito of Access Broadway explains that conventions are not meant to be an overwhelming experience, saying students do not necessarily have to “absorb everything at once.” He recommends taking notes on new styles that may be beyond your training or in order to remember strong points on styles you already know well. “You can always go back to it in your notes another day when you don’t have such a heavy schedule,” DeVito explains.

3. Use your time wisely

It’s no secret conventions are jam-packed weekends full of high-energy classes and insanely energetic performances. That’s why we love them, right? But, going for broke the entire weekend can leave you fatigued and more prone to injury. In between breaks in classes and competition, Ron DeVito suggests that you “find a spot to lie down and shut your eyes for fifteen to twenty minutes. Power naps can be very helpful on a long, busy day.” Avoid needing unhealthy energy drinks and sugary snacks for a pick-me-up by taking advantage of rest time when you get it. However, don’t forget to re-warm up and stretch after you wake up so your body is fully refreshed and ready to go.

4. Be open

The variety of classes available to you at a convention or workshop is truly mind-boggling. You will go from ballet slippers to jazz sneakers to tap shoes in merely a few hours time. Randy Coleman of International Dance Challenge highlights the importance of taking advantage of every class, whether or not you have prior experience with that particular style. “Who knows,” Coleman suggests, “maybe the last style or class of the day will become your next favorite?” Stepping out of your comfort zone is part of becoming a versatile dancer, as Coleman explains, “A truly successful dancer in the profession has never achieved that success by taking a couple of classes off and sitting on the sidelines! Work for it. You will come away with knowledge and growth one way or another.”

5. Have fun!

Dance conventions are a perfect way to expose yourself to professional teachers while meeting dancers from around the country. So many successful dancers got their start in convention ballrooms just like you, so it’s important to remember to have fun while you are working hard. “The opportunity to be exposed to such a vast variety over the course of a weekend convention is empowering,” Coleman notes. It is important to remember that everyone is there for the same reason: to express his or her love for dance! Remembering to have fun makes the long, challenging weekend an enjoyable time for all.

For more information visit www.intldancechallenge.com, www.accessbroadway.com, and www.starbound.net.

Top photo: Dance students learn from Wade Robson at The Pulse On Tour dance convention.

By Deborah Searle.

What do they have to say about the new So You Think You Can Dance format this season, and what are their plans for the future?

Dance Informa spoke with Season 9’s eliminated dancers, Daniel Baker, Nick Bloxsom-Carter, Janaya French, Brandon Mitchell and Amber Jackson.

What do you think of the new format this season?

Daniel Baker

Daniel
I kind of like it.  It’s a shame I didn’t get the chance to dance for my life, but it seems like the judges already had their minds made up. It’s one less chance that America gets to see you dance, but I like the fast pace of it.  I don’t know if it felt too rushed, because I wasn’t watching it at home.  But I wonder what America thought of the new format?  I’ve read some really negative comments about it and I’ve read some positive comments about it.

Janaya
I kind of like the new format.  We didn’t get to experience the old format, so there’s not really much that we can compare it to. But from what we got to experience, we were together as the top 20 longer than any other season, which was really nice.

Nick
This format was very nice to us dancers, because we were able to perform so many more times, more than once, more than twice.   We were on that stage a lot.  So I really enjoyed it.

Amber Jackson

Amber
It feels a little rough, but I mean, I don’t mind the new format, because you still get to dance on elimination day.  Normally you don’t get that.  So I’m okay with it. 

Brandon
I think the only disadvantage is America doesn’t have the opportunity to vote for that routine that you danced that night, as opposed to the previous years, but at the same time you still have the opportunity to perform that routine and possibly change the judges’ minds if you are in the bottom three.  It’s a show, it’s a competition and regardless of the rules, you still have to go on, dance and prove to America and the judges why you’re there. I have no bad feelings towards the new format at all.

Who was your favorite choreographer to work with?

Daniel
My all-time favorite is Mia Michaels. We got to do her group routine, and she told me she wanted to work with me outside of the show.

Janaya French

Janaya
I worked with Stacey Tookey and Travis Wall and they were two of my favorites that I wanted to work with. NappyTabs was amazing.  So was Sean Cheesman.  So I’m very pleased with everyone I got to work with.  I would have loved to work with Jason Gilkison because all of his dances are so much fun.  When we did Vegas week, he made learning ballroom a little bit easier.  I think I would have loved to do a duet with Sonya Tayeh rather than a group number, but I still love her and that was amazing.

Nick
The Argentinean Tango with Leonardo and Miriam was my favorite number.   That whole process was such a dream.  They were both so lovely to work with and every time we danced, they just had good things to say about us and it was so much fun. For the group choreography I loved the Christopher Scott routine.  I had never worked with him before, coming from a ballroom background, and he’s so cool and so chilled.  He’s like a normal guy, but he’s a genius. 

Amber
I loved Ray Leeper.  We had a chance to work with him this week. I also loved Miriam and Leonardo.  I think they were my favorite, actually.  They were so nice and they took me in and were so nurturing and positive. They just taught me so much in that week’s time and I just loved working with them.

Brandon Mitchell

Brandon
That’s a hard one for me, but I think I’ll have to say Ray Leeper.  That jazz routine that we did last night was definitely my favorite and I think the highlight for me.  Ray is amazing.  He’s very nice and he allows you to just be yourself and have fun.  He’s very encouraging and it was great to work with him.

What are your plans for the future now that your time on the show is over?

Daniel
I’m just exploring the commercial dance world and hoping to get an agent and go on auditions.  I have a job or two lined up in the future and I am also choreographing for the New York Choreographic Institute, which is part of the New York City Ballet, coming up this year.  I’m excited about that.  Then I just want to see where all that takes me. I didn’t quit San Francisco Ballet to audition for this show – that was embellished.  I just left to explore the commercial dance world and I thought the show would be good exposure and a chance to try and break into that.   So one day, I will go back to ballet, but right now, I’m just exploring different things.

Janaya
I just hope that this experience is going to help me.  I was already out in L.A. trying to audition for jobs, so I hope that networking with the people I got to work with on the show will help. I never would have had the chance to work with such people in such an intimate setting if it weren’t for this opportunity.  From here on out I just hope I have more opportunities to work with them and to work with more people.  I’m going to go back to what I was doing, because I’m still going to dance – nothing about this changed my mind about that.  If anything, it kind of lit a fire underneath me to realize that this is exactly what I want to do.  I’m excited to get back into things and see where my career goes.

Nick Bloxsom-Carter

Nick
Before the show I was going to school, studying business management and ballroom dance.  So I am definitely going to keep auditioning and since I’ve worked with Jason Gilkison so much, I’d love to work with him on Burn the Floor. Definitely more ballroom. Burn the Floor, maybe, or Dancing with the Stars as a pro –  but that’s later in the future.  I’m definitely going to keep training, but I’m also going to work with my business management to try to start in production as well.  Now that I’m a dancer and I’m learning the other side of it, I can have the best of both worlds and know what people need to put on a good show.

Amber
I’m planning to move to New York and start my career, whether it’s Broadway or commercials.  I just want to start somewhere fresh and just work.

Brandon
I have a movie out; Step Up Revolution, so I’ll be enjoying that.  I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing some promotional things for that, and then I think the next push for me will be acting.  That’s another passion of mine.  I’ve been taking classes for the past year now and it’s been going pretty well.

Catch So You Think You Can Dance Season 9’s remaining 14 dancers when the show resumes airing after the break for the Olympics on Wednesday August 15 on Fox.

Top photo: SYTYCD Season 9 Top 20 dancers. ©2012 FOX Broadcasting Co. Cr: Adam Rose
Dancer photos: SYTYCD Season 9 dancers. ©2012 FOX Broadcasting Co. Cr: Mathieu Young/FOX

By Rebecca Martin.

Joshua Horner is one of Australia’s most loved dancers, performers, and TV personalities, and is also one of the country’s finest exports to the rest of the world.  Having danced up a storm with The Australian Ballet, and in musicals on Broadway, the West End and in Australia, Josh has also made a successful leap into television, being a resident judge on the Australian series of Dancing With The Stars.  If all that wasn’t enough, Josh has created works for Disney in California and is now launching a worldwide dance competition that takes place on line called Dance Upon A Dream.  Dance Informa spoke to Josh in between shows on his current tour of A Chorus Line.

Tell us a little bit about Dance Upon A Dream…

Dance Upon a Dream is an online competition for the ‘competitive’ dancer. Created by myself, Dance Upon a Dream aims to find the best of the best dancers from around the world. Each Dance Competition has its own set of rules and sometimes varies in its size of actual competitors. In some countries you win 1st, 2nd or 3rd and in others you get given a status of a high gold or a platinum. Both are equally exciting but who actually is the best? You might win the nationals in North Carolina but is someone just as good or if not better in Sydney, Australia or Toronto, Canada? What about Japan? How can we see and find out?

Dance Upon a Dream is taking the local dance competition and blasting it to worldwide proportions. Simply by using the video of your routine you can compete with people of the same age all around the world and it’s all online.

Dance star and Dance Upon a Dream founder Joshua Horner

What inspired you to create Dance Upon A Dream?

I grew up doing a lot of competitions and I always found it the best way to see how all my training was going and see how I compared to other people my age. This was way before the Internet was born. Having judged dance competitions all around the world I was judging various comps in the USA and I was blown away by the talent and kept thinking I wonder how the Australians would compare to the Americans. Clearly not everyone can just fly overseas and compete so the idea for Dance Upon a Dream was born. We always get our routines recorded and then they just kind of sit in the DVD cabinet. But now with the Internet I keep seeing young dancers sharing their talents on Facebook and youTube and thought what a perfect platform to formally categorize all these videos and compete twice with the same routine to see how you rank around the world. It’s also a wonderful way for young dancers to get noticed globally since many producers and directors are casting globally now for talent for their projects. I saw this happen with many of the young boys and girls who played roles in Billy Elliot The Musical. I even got a young man cast in the show because I saw him at a competition in North Carolina. I changed his life.

Dance Upon a Dream is also really awesome for the parents as well as the young dancers. It’s a great way for a family to sit at home and watch awesome dancers from around the world. It’s a wonderful platform for parents to help their children get noticed in the entertainment business. A small example of this success is a guy called Justin Bieber…

Who can enter the competition?

Any soloist or dance studio that competes ‘competitively’ at a competition and gets their routine professionally recorded. The ages start from 7 years old and up and the divisions are for solos, duos/ trios, small groups (up to 9 people) large groups (10 or more people) and production. We even have a Boys Award just for the ‘dance men’ of the world to compete against each other. They can also compete against the girls but if they wanted to just compete against other boys there is that option. It’s basically like an Online Dance Olympics.

For groups, the studio directors or choreographers can enter their groups. Individuals in the groups can’t enter for the group.

How do dancers participate in Dance Upon A Dream?

It’s really too easy.

1: First you dance and compete at your favourite local dance competition.

2: Get your routine professionally recorded by the video company at the competition.

3: Upload your routine/s to your very own personal youTube channel. (Get your parents to help you out with this if you’re under 14) Many studio directors nowadays have their own dance studio youTube page.

4: Go to www.danceuponadream.com and select your age and style divisions and fill out your information.

5: Copy and Paste the link from your youTube video into the Dance Upon a Dream website.

6: Finish the entry form and payment and you’re in. You can start watching your competition immediately.

How long does the competition run for?

The first competition will run for about 3 months. Just to spread the word and give a little extra time for getting your routines on camera.

After the first comp Dance Upon a Dream will run twice, maybe three times a year.

What are the categories?

There are 4 age groups:
Mini 7 – 10 yrs
Junior 11 – 12 yrs
Teen 13 – 15 yrs
Senior 16 +

Style Divisions are :
Jazz
Ballet (including repertoire variations from ballets)
Hip Hop
Lyrical/Contemporary
Musical Theatre
Acro

Competition Divisions:
Solos
Duos Trios
Small Groups
Large Groups
Production
Boys Award

What are the costs to enter?

Solo $22 USD per video
Duo Trio $33
Small Group $44
Large Group $55
Production $60

How are the winners decided?

This is the bit I love most. The winners will be decided by an array of 36 world-class successful industry judges including Emmy Award winning Tyce Diorio and Tony Award winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli. The judges also include Broadway Stars, LA choreographers and star dancers from Australia, Canada and the UK.

The Judges will score the routines and each video will have its own personal ‘Vote button’. This is where the competition is unique. We will be taking 80% of the judges scores and 20% of the public vote. From there, 20 finalists will be selected and then it’s the public vote that will choose the winner of each category.

What are some of the prizes up for grabs?

The ‘Ultimate Winner’ will receive a 3 month International Student Visa Scholarship to Broadway Dance Center in New York worth $2,450.

The ‘Ultimate Winner’ will also receive a return airfare to New York from anywhere in the world, thanks to Dance Around The World, and be featured on the cover of Dance Informa magazine in America and Australia, with a leading interview.

All winners in the Solos, Duos and Trios will win a brand new pair of dance shoes from the hottest new dance shoe company, MDM, awesome one of a kind Dance Upon a Dream onesies and t- shirts, cash prizes and features on Dance Upon a Dream TV (the Online TV Show).

Winning Groups win a Dance Upon A Dream t-shirt for every member of the group, a cash prize for the studio and a personal invite to the Dance The Magic Showcase on Broadway.

The best part about Dance Upon a Dream is the exposure that you will get by being seen by choreographers, casting directors and industry professionals alike.

For more information and to enter visit www.danceuponadream.com

By Emily Yewell Volin.

The Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) is a prestigious annual ballet competition dedicated to student dancers ages 9-19, attracting approximately 5,000 competitors to its twelve US regional and four international competitions.  Of the 2012 competing dancers, 300 students from 26 countries advanced to the finals.  Dance Informa spoke with YAGP founder Larissa Saveliev just before the annual finals, which convened from April 22-26 in New York.  She shared that “more than ½ of the finalists leave NY with some sort of scholarship to pursue their dance education further.”

The Youth America Grand Prix has been receiving some deserved attention thanks to the award-winning ballet documentary First Position scheduled to come to cinemas in May 2012.  The documentary follows six young dancers as they balance the physical and emotional demands of competing in the Youth America Grand Prix with the similar inherent demands of adolescence.  As the movie suggest, the process is riveting and demanding.  Dancers competing in the YAGP are adjudicated on two performances; a classical piece selected from an approved list of repertoire, and an open piece intended to allow opportunity for the dancers to show themselves in a different style of dance. Some opt to forgo pointe shoes in favor of showcasing themselves in a modern piece while others select new classical choreography to showcase their performance range.  Saveliev explains, “right now you cannot find a company in the world who only does Swan Lake.  We try to prepare them for a future career and try to guide them in how to find a job and how to find scholarships.  You have to be versatile. It is an extremely important point we try to teach them.”

Friedemann Vogel & Alicia Amatriain of Stuttgart Ballet perform at YAGP Gala 2012. Photo by Liza Voll

The YAGP is unique in its service to the youngest set of student ballet dancers and the rewards of competing last a lifetime.  Scholarships pair promising young dancers with premier training and have resulted in an impressive list of alumni.  Former YAGP award-winning dancers are performing in companies around the world, including American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Royal Ballet, The Hamburg Ballet, The Stuttgart Ballet and others.  Saveliev praises the integral YAGP networking opportunities for helping dancers find their career paths.  And, for the 9-12 year old dancers who are typically too young to leave the country or commit to professional dance, Larissa says YAGP provides them “goals so they can work towards something and tries to educate them about what’s gong on in the world of ballet right now.”  She adds, “We look at ourselves as a membership club.  If you compete once, you become a member for a lifetime.  Any service you need, you get it for the rest of your life.  We’ll be there to help them.”

Larissa has been true to these goals since she and Gennadi Saveliev founded the 501c(3) YAGP organization in 1999.  She is a former dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet who desired an “outlet to learn and get guidance as a teacher” after moving to NY in 1995. Competitions were very popular in Russia.  “You learn so much by seeing it. Teachers watch and see what other teachers are doing,” says Saveliev.   In the 1990s there was nothing in the United States that paralleled the Russian Competitions.  “That’s what gave me the idea to come up with something that would serve this need”, she expands. “We started very small and we worked very, very hard.”

Ballerina Assoluta, Natalia Makarova in honored by YAGP. Photo by Liza Voll

In honor of teaching and inspiring young and old, teacher and student, the YAGP competition includes feature performances.  This year the YAGP presented a tribute event honoring Ballerina Assoluta, Natalia Makarova. The performance celebrated Ms. Makarova’s contribution to the world of ballet by presenting some of her most memorable roles performed by today’s leading dancers, including performers from Stuttgart Ballet, NYCB, ABT, San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet and more. Saveliev adds, “(Makarova) designed the program herself. It had a lot of archival video footage that had never been seen before and she told us about it and talked about her life and the choreographers she worked with.”

The YAGP’s focus on serving young dancers also extends to its historically sold-out culminating Gala performance.  Performed in the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, and heralded as “The highlight of the season” by Clive Barnes of the New York Post, the gala brings future stars and established stars of today onto the same stage.  “We try to bring all different kinds of choreography and styles to the Gala performance”, says Saveliev.  This year’s event was chaired by American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied and prima ballerina Susan Jaffe.  The performance was highlighted with world choreographic premiers by Dresden Ballet’s Jiří Bubenĺček, with an original score by Karen LeFrak, ABT’s Marcelo Gomes, with an original score by Ian Ng, and NYCB’s Justin Peck.  This program featured YAGP alumni who currently perform with over 50 international ballet companies. The opportunity for selected 2012 competition finalists (the stars of tomorrow) to share a concert with current premier dancers from around the world (the stars of today) is awe inspiring.

The Youth America Grand Prix is a crucial coming together of the ballet community – YAGP competitors, alumni, teachers, choreographers, composers, dance legends, enthusiasts, and the attending public.

For more information visit www.yagp.org

Top photo: Grand Defile, photo by Liza Voll

Published by Dance Informa digital dance magazine – dance news, dance auditions & dance events for the professional dancer, dance teacher and dance students.

By Laura Di Orio.

The Boston International Ballet Competition (BIBC), founded by former international ballet star Valentina Kozlova, returns for its second year this June at Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theater. This year’s competition, to be held June 13-17, will allow dancers from the ages of 13 to 25 to perform and have the chance to win a variety of monetary prizes and even company contracts.

Although there will be a couple of changes to this year’s competition, such as the inclusion of mandatory contemporary pieces for each dancer, Kozlova aims to maintain the positive, enriching environment that she instilled last year for the dancers.

“I think it’s very important for dancers to know it’s about them,” Kozlova says. “It’s not about anything else. It’s about giving them a chance to be comfortable and to be nurtured in this environment that is very positive. I would like to do everything and anything to continue to do that.”

Kozlova, who trained at the Bolshoi Ballet School and performed with the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, says she expects to match last year’s number of about 85 participants. The participants will be split into different age groups – student division (ages 13 and 14), junior division (ages 15-18) and senior division (ages 19-25). They will also have the option of competing as an individual or as a couple.

Brooklyn Mack (USA), who received a Bronze in the Senior Male Division at last year's BIBC. Photo Brian Mengini

This year, in addition to each dancer’s classical variations and/or pas de deux, everyone will be required to perform a contemporary pas de deux or two contemporary solos. Dancers will learn those pieces, as well as receive insight and suggestions for style and costume from the choreographer, directly from the BIBC website.

“Then, onstage at the competition, they do exactly the same choreography but very different interpretations,” Kozlova says. “It’s very experimental for me and the judges.”

Kozlova will also place some restrictions on what dancers can and cannot present. She says those in the student division, for instance, will not be allowed to dance “more seductive roles”, such as the Black Swan pas de deux in Swan Lake and Kitri’s variation in Don Quixote.

The BIBC 2012 judges are big names in the dance world, including Mikko Nissinen, Artistic Director of Boston Ballet; Violette Verdy, former New York City Ballet ballerina; and Septime Webre, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet. The nine-person panel will award a variety of prizes, including monetary rewards up to $5,000, one-year contracts with Boston Ballet II and The Washington Ballet Studio Company, full tuition scholarships to prestigious ballet schools and summer programs, classical tutus and more.

Valentina Kozlova, founder of the BIBC. Photo Boz Swope

“The dancers put so much energy and life into competing,” Kozlova says, “so the rewards should, in any way we can, give to the dancers.”

Despite the prospect of winning prizes, Kozlova says dancers should not let that be their driving force in this, or any competition. “You do it because you have a passion for dance,” she says. “You have to want to work differently, to be seen, to see. If you come with the ‘I want to win’ mindset, that will be very upsetting for you and people around you. You should be excited to be a part of this and want to be a part of this dance community. And if your attitude is positive, you might be rewarded.”

During this year’s BIBC, guest artists from Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet will perform. Two dancers from last year’s competition will also perform, which, Kozlova says, will become a BIBC tradition.

Kozlova has high hopes for this year’s BIBC and for the future of the competition. “I just hope to do what we did last year and more, and I hope dancers will show good results,” Kozlova says. “This competition is by selection only, and I hope that we’ll see great art.”

For more information on BIBC, visit its website at www.bostonibc.org.

Top photo: Ji Young Chae and Young Gyu Choi (South Korea), Gold Medalists in the Senior Division of last year’s BIBC. Photo Brian Mengini

Published by Dance Informa digital dance magazine – dance news, dance auditions & dance events for the professional dancer, dance teacher and dance students.

By Deborah Searle.

And the winner of So You Think You Can Dance season 8 is…Melanie Moore! Hear what Melanie had to say after her convincing win.

You won with 47% of the 11.5 million home viewer votes.  That’s a huge margin given it was a four-way. Do you know why you had such strong support?

I really have no idea. I was just surprised. Wow. I tried to make sure that my personality really came through in everything that I was saying and I definitely think it had—I always laugh.  I always laugh at myself.  I can never take myself too seriously and I definitely think that came through.  I hope that I’m relatable to people.  I would hope that they see something in me that inspires them to get up and do something.  Maybe that’s why, I don’t know.

What are your plans for the $250,000 you won?

Everyone has said to sort of indulge myself on one thing and then put the rest of it away.  This is so stupid and crazy, but I sort of want to get really nice carry-on luggage so I can feel really cool when I walk into the airport when I travel, or maybe like a nice ring or something and then I just want to put the rest of it away.

You got some pretty interesting offers while you were on the show.  Lady Gaga said she would love to have you on tour.  Kenny Ortega said that you would make a great addition to Dirty Dancing while Nigel said that you could probably join any company that you wanted. Which three of those options appeal to you most? Joining a company, going on tour or maybe getting into movies?

I don’t know.  I feel like my dream has always been to be in a company. My movement would be more suited for a company atmosphere. I would love to do tour work though.  I’ve always said that I want to dance and I didn’t care what I am doing, I just want to be able to sustain a living dancing. That’s really what I’m hoping to do.

Would you like to be in the remake of Dirty Dancing as was suggested on the show?

It’s one of my mom’s favorite movies! I feel like it would be electric to be a part of it.  I have a friend who worked on the Footloose remake, and they said that everyone’s energy was just crazy because everyone knew how great the first one was, so they’re expecting so much from the second one.  It would be so much fun and the choreography would be great because Kenny Ortega is absolutely amazing. It would just be a blast.

Marko Germar and Melanie Moore perform a Hip-Hop routine. Photo Adam Rose/FOX

What or who do you attribute your success to?  

I feel like the reason why I did so well would probably be because of my partnership.  I had an absolutely amazing partner from the beginning.  Marko was so strong and I feel like we really carried each other.  We fed off each other from the very beginning.  Marko and I put so much hard work in.  We were the only couple who rented studio space outside of the rehearsal time.  We would be in rehearsals all day and then we would go to rehearse at night.  I can definitely attribute my success both to Marko and our work ethics, because without those I don’t think we would have made it as far in the competition.

The fans loved the large leap you performed with Neil in your Mandy Moore number. How do you gain so much trust in a partner in such a short period of time?

Neil and I sort of just clicked from the very beginning.  He’s so funny and he made me feel so comfortable, so when Mandy told me that I was going to be sprinting across the stage and jumping into his arms I wasn’t too nervous. Neil’s got a lot of muscle.  I knew he could handle it.  We started out just a couple of steps away and within three tries I was across the room. We both said ‘let’s keep moving back’. We were sort of daredevils about it.  I feel like whoever I’m partnering with I usually have complete trust in them, because I want them to have total trust in me. What you give is what you receive in that relationship. 

What’s going to be on your to-do-list after the So You Think You Can Dance tour?

Right now I’m thinking that I really want to go back to school but major in dance rather than art, just because I’m so inspired and people have asked me about choreography and things like that. I don’t consider myself a choreographer at all.  I can improvise my solos but I’m definitely a dancer right now and not a choreographer. I look up to people like Stacey and Sonya so much. Maybe after some schooling and learning how to choreograph, and a little bit of growing up, I’ll really be able to choreograph. I’m definitely going to be auditioning though.

If they ask you to be an All Star next session would you like to be one?

I have already told them that I don’t care what I have to do, I will be an All Star next session without a doubt.  I told them that from the minute I got into the top ten.  I said, “Okay, so here’s the thing.  I got into the top ten.  That means I have to be an All Star next year. I don’t care whether you put me in Bollywood.  I don’t care whether you put me in disco”.  I really want to be an All Star, and I’m hoping that I may be able to be like an assistant for some of the choreographers next year too.

Are you competing at Nationals this Summer? Here’s some advice from the industry’s leading experts.

It’s that time of year again. Are you nervous, but excited about your upcoming competition finals? You’ve performed well all year and now it’s time to shine on the national stage, competing against the country’s best dance studios and groups. To help you succeed Dance Informa spoke with the industry’s leading dance competition and convention directors. You know the steps, you’re going to smile, but how can you shine?

How can dance troupes best prepare for Nationals?

Joe Tremaine, President, Co-Founder, Tremaine Dance Conventions and Competitions
www.tremainedance.com
Preparation is the key to success!  My belief is to over prepare and then you are able to go with the flow. The secret to success is hard work. Be sure the dancers are well rehearsed and comfortable with the choreography, staging, costumes and props.

David Westerfield, CEO  Showbiz National Talent and Prime Time Dance
www.showbiztalent.com www.primetimedance.net
Good planning makes a great event! Think of everything from transportation to hotel accommodation, to preparing the used costumes from throughout the season, to polishing your shoes and refreshing the choreography.

Melissa Burns, President, Turn It Up Dance Challenge Inc.
www. turnitupdance.com
I think it is important to break down your routines starting from the beginning and fine-tune your choreography.  All too often I hear of studios that continuously play their song and keep reviewing their dances. This enables the same exact mistakes to be done over and over again. Make sure to break bad habits one step at a time from the beginning of your routine. This will help you get the precision that the judges are looking for.

Pam Chancey, Executive Director, The Pulse On Tour
www.thepulseontour.com
Dance studios and performance teams can best prepare for Nationals by implementing corrections given to them from regionals and taking into consideration the thoughts and comments of each judge that has critiqued their piece previously. Nationals is usually a long week (The PULSE is a 4 day intensive) so gear up with endurance and be prepared to pace yourself!

Shari Tomasiello, National Director, Headliners Performing Arts Competition & Championship
www.headlinerscompetition.com
Listen to and apply the critiques you received at regionals. These are invaluable learning tools.

Dancers Receive Awards at The Pulse

What are the judges looking for?

Joe Tremaine
Judges are looking for a well rehearsed and great overall performance. Remember performance [stage presence] often supersedes technique! Cleanliness of the number is at the top of the list.

Melissa Burns
Many times I hear my judges say “that routine was very nice because it was DIFFERENT from the rest”. If choreographers and dancers can put themselves in the shoes of the judges they will realize that judges see many of the same styles, songs and even choreography throughout the year. Judges appreciate routines that stand out whether it is a great costume, a unique lift, or an unexpected twist on a theme.

Pam Chancey
There are many things judges look for in a piece: performance, connection to the music and to surrounding dancers, technique, timing, execution of skills, creative choreography, and overall impact of the routine. The judges are dance lovers, like the performers, and are really looking for a connection between them, you, and the story you are telling onstage. At The PULSE, our faculty are interested in more movement quality and not necessarily “tricks and turns”, so make sure the routine is nicely balanced.

Shari Tomasiello
Clean, properly executed technique and that the dancers look like they are enjoying themselves.

A Soloist Performs at Turn It Up Dance Challenge

What advice would you give to competing dance groups and soloists?

Joe Tremaine
Focus on performing to the best of your ability and having a wonderful time.  Of course this is accomplished by being well rehearsed and prepared.  Hit the stage and have a great time!

David Westerfield
Learn! Come to learn because at the Showbiz Nationals we’re attracting people from all over the US. It’s not like just attending another regional where you will be competing against local home town studios again. Nationals gives you an opportunity to come and experience what goes on in other parts of the country; everything from choreography styles to costuming styles, to music styles. On stage savor the moment, enjoy every minute of it, own the stage and perform like it’s your last time. Just get out there and do what you do best.

Melissa Burns
I would say it is important to give 120% during practice time. Work your hardest and feel like you are on stage every time you practice your routines. That way your body will already know what to do and you can enjoy yourselves on the day of competition. You will not have to worry about practicing in the hall or backstage because you will already know your routines perfectly. You will be able to wish others good luck and cheer on your friends!

Pam Chancey
Work as a team. Leave no one behind, move as one, and bring the choreography to life. My advice to the competing soloists would be to show your true self. Unleash your vulnerability to the audience, and don’t be afraid to truly let go and become one with the dance. After all is said and done, scores are great and are a very helpful tool in improving, but it is just as important to feel success in your own selves, and feel complete in your performance.

Shari Tomasiello
Enjoy yourself and don’t focus so much on the award you receive. So many competitions nowadays give golds to everyone. Dancers know what they should receive so focus on the positive and remember that regardless of what competition you attend that this is just a moment in your lifetime.

What advice would you give to teachers and choreographers?

Joe Tremaine
Choreograph to the abilities of the particular dancer/s and remember that often times less is more. Make it all fun and remember the way you react is how the dancers and parents will react. Be sure the parents have all the necessary information about the event for a problem free experience.  After a competition be sure to CELEBRATE the performance with the dancers and parents, whether it is win, lose or draw!

David Westerfield
There is nothing worse than a choreographer setting a piece on kids who are not able to handle it, may it be the difficulty or the particular style. People have a tendency to bring in a choreographer to set a piece. The choreographer may have never been to that studio, they don’t even know the style of that studio and they don’t really know what the kids are capable of doing. You’ve got to know who you’re setting the piece for. Learn the kids’ abilities before you try to set a piece. That is extremely important. The choreography doesn’t have to be difficult to be good, it’s how it’s presented. Also, if people truly sit, watch and learn at Nationals, then next year they can’t help but be better. Choreographers should sit in the audience and watch.

Melissa Burns
Teachers and choreographers may want to enhance choreography now that routines have been perfected. Maybe add in one thing that would help their routine stand out from all the rest of the routines at nationals.

Pam Chancey
It’s always wonderful to dream big for your dancers and have a vision for them. Remember the level of dancers you are teaching or setting a piece on. If they cannot execute the step in class perfectly…without struggle…it does not belong in the performance! The more familiar you are with their level the easier it will be to navigate the piece. However, on the flip side, don’t be afraid to push your dancers. It’s all about finding a balance. Finding this balance will bring success and appreciation between you and the dancers, and the dancers and you.

Shari Tomasiello
Focus on giving your students material that they can properly execute. Too often we see dancers trying to do movements that are beyond their capabilities.

Good luck dancers!

Top photo: Dancers compete at Turn It Up Dance Challenge