Lansing Showcase 2008

Check out the NYCDA showcase from Lansing. Performers include SYTYCD winner Sabra Johnson, Jaimie Goodwin (performing choreography done by faculty member, Lauren Adams accompanied by the music of Mario Spinetti), Allison Holker, Erica Ross, and McKenna Ross. Keep checking back for new showcases from every weekend!!!!

Music from Lansing

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

Suzi Taylor:
Teachers – “Lost” by Anouk
Seniors/Teens – “Delicate” by Damien Rice
Juniors – “Home” by Vanessa Carlton
Minis – “Big Sky” by Annie Lennox

Joey Dowling:
Teachers – “Bitter” by Me’Shell Ndegeocello
Seniors/Teens – “Slow Me Down” by Emmy Rossum
Juniors/Minis – “The Way I Are” by Timbaland

Lauren Adams:
All music was performed by Mario Spinetti. You can find more about Mario and his music at www.mariospinetti.com and www.myspace.com/mariospinetti

Tony Testa:
Teachers – “Greenlight” by Beyonce
Seniors/Teens – “Girlfriend” by *NSYNC
Juniors – “Kiss Kiss” by Chris Brown
Minis – “Wall to Wall” by Chris Brown
Men’s – “Give It To Me” by Timbaland

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

Convention Music from Mobile

So sorry that this took so long to get posted!!!

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 – "Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum
Juniors/Minis – "The Way I Are" by Timbaland

Lauren Adams:
Teachers - "Shirk" by Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Seniors/Teens - "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy
Juniors/Minis - "The Winner Is" by Devotchka & Mychael Danna

Jason Parsons:
Juniors/Minis – "Cha Cha Cha" by Offer Nissim

Danny Wallace:
Seniors/Teens – "Work" by Prince
Juniors/Minis – "Cloud Burst" by Jon Hendricks

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

Lights. Camera. Baby! Wait, what?

I know, I know, I know- I missed last week. Annnnddd, I promised to share the gift of music provided by those roaming troubadours of the New York City Subways but I got distracted. No, I didn’t drop my computer in the toilet rendering my iTunes library obsolete. I went to the movies… A LOT! What's a girl to do when she gets several AMC giftcards for Christmas? Spend them, duh! It is, after all, that time of year when studios bombard you with “award winners” and everyone becomes a pundit. So what does all of this have to do with music? Well as I awoke from my popcorn induced coma and exited the theatre through the blinding light that signaled re-entry into the real world, it became clear to me that I was a changed person. I had rediscovered the amazing awesomeness of the soundtrack! C-ello!

Soundtracks have always been important and a favorite music source of mine. In many cases the music can make or break a film. It can be used to define character. Would Jaws be as frightening without those creepy two notes announcing his arrival? I think not! Would Indiana Jones be anything without his theme song? Nope, you might as well take away his hat and his whip while you’re at it! P.S. If you have no idea who Indiana Jones is please pick up the new Vanity Fair and read on! I am very excited for the new movie. Ahhhh, I digress! Back to business- the amazing awesomeness of the soundtrack! Right.

So what amazingly awesome soundtrack did I discover? One word, JUNO!


No matter what your feelings are about this film, I found it to be funny and incredibly touching, you have to admit it has one of the, I can’t think of another word for it, coolest soundtracks. Not only does it help define character but it also really supports the tone of the movie. Now, I know you are probably thinking that all those things are great for the movies but who cares about character and tone when it comes to a number in a dance competition? To that I say this: dance is an expressive medium. I am pretty sure that every person who has ever danced would say that they have done so because using movement was the only way that they could release whatever emotion was floating around inside them. It is a release much in the same way that journaling helps writers or painting helps painters. A competition is a platform for every dancer to improve their ability to share that release with others. When a dancer begins to move they have not only entered into a relationship with the music they are dancing to or the people witnessing the movement; but in a way, they are expressing the relationship they have with themselves. They are giving an insight into their character and the tone by which they live their life.

Wow, that was a little bit deeper than I had anticipated especially considering that you are all going to listen to the Juno soundtrack and think, “This is what got Music Mama all riled up about character and tone?!” But it’s true. The music of the soundtrack is exactly like the movie. At one moment silly and fun (Vampire, All I Want Is You) and at other times it is incredibly touching (Anyone Else But You, Sea of Love). Speaking of Sea of Love, this cover is performed by the incredible Cat Power. Its simplicity and tenderness are so stirring I cried. I can’t wait to see a piece done to this song that really allows the dancer or dancers to release. I think that would be pretty cool!

That is all for this week! Speaking of Cat Power- next Tuesday Cat’s new album of covers (y’all know what a sucker I am for a good cover) drops and Music Mama will be there first with all the opinions of a politico at the Michigan Primary!

Lyrically Yours,

Music Mama

PARENTAL ADVISORY: As always, parents should screen first for explicit content on all albums suggested by Music Mama! As certain songs suggested by Music Mama may be appropriate, full albums may not and should be screened accordingly.

NYCDA FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK

NYCDA is pleased to present our very first FEATURED DANCER OF THE WEEK!

ALEXA SANNIOLA of BAYONNE, NJ

Alexa was nominated by fellow dancer Melanie because “Alexa would do anything to dance, she is very committed and puts a lot of effort into her dancing.” However, it is clear that Alexa is committed to being a well-rounded person as well! She is an honor student at Bayonne High School. She makes a lot of people laugh with her great sense of humor. And she recently danced the Arabian Variation in The Nutcracker. When asked why Melanie looks up to Alexa she said, “I look up to her because she is a very skilled dancer. She is well rounded and she does her best at everything she does. She never gives up and always keeps trying." Alexa has clearly made an impact, not only on Melanie, but also on some of the other dancers at her studio, Ms. Huguette’s Dance Studio. “A lot of people at the studio look up to her as a dancer and a person. Because of her great technique and the way she shows how she feels when she is dancing, she is amazing to watch and she draws you in.”



We think Alexa is pretty cool! Hope you do too! Know a person or three people or twenty people who deserve a shout out? Email us and tell us about them! This is an ongoing honor and we are always accepting nominations. At the end of the season YOU will get to vote for your favorite featured dancer of the week and they will be the first NYCDA Featured Dancer of the Year. BE SURE to get us those nominations! Click on the "Featured Dancer of the Week" link in the sidebar for full details.

THE MOMS HAVE SPOKEN... AGAIN!!

NYCDA wants to give a shout out to our sister company, ONSTAGE NEW YORK, for their outstanding showing in the DanceMom.com 2007 Readers Survey of Dance Competitions.


Onstage New York is kicking off their Regional Tour in Springfield, MA on Feb.2-3, 2008! If you haven’t put Onstage New York on your calendar be sure to check out the website at www.onstagenewyork.com!

THE MOMS HAVE SPOKEN

NYCDA is one of only two competitions to receive the top honor, HIGH PLATINUM, from the readers of DanceMom.com. This annual survey polls dance parents and their children who attend competitions across the country! This is such an exciting honor as it was voted upon by you, our attendees! To read the full article and see the full results of the survey click the link below!


CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE!