Dancing Queen

Last June Shianne attended a week long camp to audition for the Starz Performing Company, and we found out in July that she MADE IT! Ever since then it's been busy months full of Tap, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Jazz. Not to mention the gathering of 6 different costumes for competitions, benefit shows, and recitals. She has loved every minute of it, and honestly, so have we. There is nothing more rewarding that watching your child do something that she loves, and is successful at it.



Shianne is part of a group of 10 girls called "Shooters 1" - they're basically all 7-9 years old, and make up quite the talented little crew. With this group, they perform a Tap dance, a Hip Hop dance, and are also part of the Company's Production dance, in which all age groups dance together in one big "production".



March began the season of Competitions, the first of which was the Spotlight Dance Cup. Being the first competition of the season, some of the girls were a little nervous. But I think that most of it was anxious, excited energy - finally being able to get out on the stage and do what they've been practicing for the past 6 months. In fact, I think the parents (myself included) were more nervous than the girls!! So after checking that their shoe laces were double-knotted, make-up was perfect, and costumes in check, we gave them a quick little hug and sent them on their way to the big stage with a "Have fun!". Their first dance of the year was their Hip Hop dance, title "Soul Army" and they did great! They had SO much fun, and could not wait to change costumes and get ready for their Tap dance, "Let 'er Rip". And they totally rocked it! They also took part in the Production dance, "Crazy in the Classroom". For their first competition of the year, they did awesome and won the following awards:

"Soul Army" - 2nd Place High Score Overall, Entertainment Award
"Let 'er Rip" - 1st Place High Score Overall, Category Winner
"Crazy in the Classroom" - 1st Place High Score Overall



The second competition of the season was Dance America. This was a one day competition, though it was a long day, as all of their dances were spread out throughout the day. Once again, our little Shooters danced their hearts out! Here are their awards:

"Soul Army" - 2nd Place Primary Division
"Let 'er Rip" - 1st Place Primary Division, Best Precision Award, High Score Primary/Junior Large Group
"Crazy in the Classroom" - High Score Production

They then spent all day Sunday at a Dance Olympus workshop. The danced HARD all day, pushed to their limits. Shianne said it was very challenging, but she learned a lot. They were all exhuasted!



Our 3rd weekend of dance in March was the Starz Performing Company's Annual Benefit Show. This year the show was to benefit one of their own, Hannah Baumann. In October, just days before her 12th birthday, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. She has gone through 4 rounds of chemo therapy and 14 sessions of radiation.
The show was AMAZING. The Bing Crosby Theater was packed with people, and lots of LOVE. With special guests Mario & Jake (well known among the dance community throughout the US), and a finale of "Team Hannah" dancers, there was not a dry eye in the house. Overall the show raised $25,455 for the Baumann family. The following week the Baumann's received the news they've been longing to hear: Hannah has gone into full remission!!!
For the Starz dancers, parents, and staff, this show was one that will NEVER be forgotten. We love you Hannah!!



Our final weekend in March was the International Dance Challenge. This was an optional competition, and our group decided to do their 2 dances. It actually turned out to be one of the more fun competitions, even though it was all day. This company has an "Entertainment Challenge", in which the judges chose 6 dances to perform again at the end of the day for their entertainment value. Typically when dancers are on stage, you are not allowed to whoop and holler. However, the crowd can "help out" the dancers during the entertainment challenge.
So our Shooters got chosen to do their "Let 'er Rip" dance during the challenge. They were so very excited! While they were onstage, ALL of the Starz parents, staff and fellow dancers whooped and hollered as loud as we could. And the girls had so much fun doing it, seeing how they were getting the crowd involved. Overall it was another great competition.

"Soul Army" - Gold
"Let 'er Rip" - High Gold, Entertainment Challenge Contender, Best Precision award, 2nd Runner Up High Score Large Group, 2nd Runner Up High Score Overall



We are now enjoying some down time in April. The only big function we have this month is the show at Northtown Mall on April 26th for National Dance Week. More about this to come later.

Until then, let your inner child DANCE!