CONGRATS to Andy Blakenbuehler

NYCDA wants to give a huge shout out to Andy Blankenbuehler! Andy is hot, hot, hot right now! As if opening a show in London, winning the Lortel, Outer Critics, and the Drama Desk awards for Outstanding Choreography for In the Heights, and continuing to teach for NYCDA weren’t enough, now as Andy enters rehearsals for the Broadway transfer of In the Heights, he has another honor to add to his resume! In the Heights has been named the Best Musical of 2007 by New York Magazine. Congratulations to Andy and the rest of the creative team behind this smash hit!

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Music From Nashville

Joe Lanteri:
Seniors/Teens – “Udu Chant” by Mickey Hart
Juniors/Minis – “Dance With You” by Lauren Hildebrandt

Suzi Taylor:
Teacher – “Lost” by Anouk
Seniors/Teens – “Blue Skies” by Strays Don’t Sleep
Juniors – “Home” by Vanessa Carlton
Minis – “Big Sky” by Annie Lennox

Joey Dowling:
Teachers – “Bitter” by Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Seniors/Teens – “Gravity” by Sara Barielles
Juniors/Minis – “The Way I Are” by Timbaland

Jason Parsons:
Seniors/Teens – “Samskeyti” by Sigur Ros
Juniors/Minis – “ Cha Cha Cha” by Offer Nissim

Mike Schulster:
Teachers – “Paradise City” by Guns and Roses
Seniors/Teens – “Let’s Go” original music from the show “Revolution” can be found at www.myspace.com/revolutiontheshow
Juniors/Minis – “It’s Only Rock & Roll” by The Rolling Stones

Dana Wilson:
Teachers – “Sign” by Snoop Dogg, Charlie Wilson & Justin Timberlake
Seniors/Teens – “My Way” by Usher
Juniors – “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
Minis – “PYT” by Michael Jackson
Men’s Class – “Can We Chill” by Ne-Yo

NYCDA Nashville Showcase

Check out the NYCDA showcase from Nashville. Performers include faculty member Dana Wilson (fresh off the Justin Timberlake world tour), Robbie Nicholson, Ryan Steele, Alex Hathaway and Dusty Button. Keep checking back for new showcases from every weekend!!!!

COVER ME! I'M GOIN' IN!

So everyone likes a good cover band, right?! Or more importantly everyone likes to hear a band reach out of their comfort zone and take a risk by covering a song that their fans might not expect to hear. On the competition scene we have seen some covers rise to the height of popularity. Natasha Bedingfield’s cover of The Rolling Stones classic “Wild Horses” comes to the forefront of my mind when thinking about popular covers. And while there are great cover albums out there featuring various artists like “Even Better Than The Real Thing” and “BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge,” are there great covers out there from one band on multiple albums? I say yes!

Meet Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.



CLICK HERE for the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes Website


This quintet of rockers from San Francisco, CA is one of the best cover bands as they cover all genres of music. Their six albums and special edition Square Dance Series leave no note unheard covering everything from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Stevie Wonder to the Dixie Chicks! They are definitely worth a listen if you are in the market for a little bit country or a little bit rock 'n' roll!

PARENTAL ADVISORY: Be aware that Me First and the Gimme Gimmes do take some lyrical liberties on their albums and parents should screen first for explicit content!

Lyrically Yours,
Music Mama

Check back next Tuesday for Music Mama’s picks for age appropriate Mini and Junior music!

Convention Music from Boston

Joe Lanteri:
Seniors/Teens – “Udu Chant” by Mickey Hart
Juniors/Minis – “Dance With You” by Lauren Hildebrandt

Joey Dowling:
Teachers - "Bitter" by Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Seniors/Teens - "Gravity" by Sara Barielles
Juniors/Minis - "The Way I Are" by Timbaland

AC Ciulla:
Teachers - "Won’t Let You Fall" by Fergie from ‘Poseidon’ Soundtrack & "Ladies' Dishes" by Sarai

Seniors/Teens - "Defying Gravity" DANCE REMIX by Idina Menzel from WICKED

Juniors/Minis - "Run and Tell That" by Elijah Kelly HAIRSPRAY Film Soundtrack

Danny Wallace:
Teachers - "Aiko" by Aiko Artist Domesticated Primates

Seniors/Teens - "Message In a Bottle" by John Mayer

Juniors - "Cloud Burst" by John Hendrinks

Minis - "Shine On Your Shoes" by Liza Minnelli

Andy Blankenbuehler:
Teachers – “Beyond The Sea” by Royal Crown Revue
Seniors/Teen – “Blackout” on the In The Heights Soundtrack (not available yet)
Juniors/Minis – “Shake It” by Future Trouble on the Riddim Driven: Wipe Out album found on itunes

Allison Holker:
Teachers – Widorlicker by “Apex Twins”
Seniors/Teens – “Silver Screen” by Felix de Housecat
Juniors/Minis – “Toy Soldier” by Britney Spears
Girlfrenzy – “Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna

Boston Showcase 2007-2008

Check out NYCDA's showcase from Boston!!! Including Sabra Johnson, Jaimie Goodwin, Corey Cox, Allison Holker, Taja Riley, and Craig Dionne. Keep checking back for future weekends!!!