Caitlyn Lawson and Mitchell Kelly

This powerful duet was well danced by these two very talented young professional. Contemporary is Mr. Kelly's forte and this is his original partner he was suppose to compete with the week before but because of an injury he did not compete. Lucky for us, the viewers, he was not sent home. In fact no one was eliminated so this week all competitors are competing knowing that now its for real.

Mr Kelly and the very beautiful Caitlyn Lawson very a strong passionate couple. Both dancers have amazing control and use of their facility. This beautiful piece demonstrated the passion and control the male dancer must

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar Jazz Dance

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar - Jazz - So You Think You Can Dance

Watching Melanie and Marko dance together is such a joy because they are both such strong dancers technically. Being a great dancer does not mean you're a great partner. If you pay attention to how they both move you can tell that some some the partnering looks labored. Unseen to the trained  eyed small things  like hand holds and grabs as well as the momentum going into a lift and descending out of lifts can look tiresome. Don't get me wrong their chemistry and performance ability more than makes up for whatever small things that happen to go wrong on stage and things always go wrong. Its just that the next generation of dancers are becoming superstars when there actually still pre-professional.

Melanie Moore and Marko Germar Contemporary

 

As a couple these two seam to have a well balanced match of technique personality and physical ability. When two people dance as a couple they not only move together, they move as one. Moving  as one is not dancing at the same time as each other or mimicking each others movement. Well rehearsed couples will hear the music the same, have the same timing and be able to partner. As dancers we can not only have to accomplish the physicality of dance but we have to remember the character we're portraying and make that come through in our movement . 

SYTYCD Atlanta Dancers

Summers here and along with rest and relaxation comes recharge. The hit dance show So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) kicks off summer in full swing with very lovely young dancers from Atlanta. Mitchell Kelly who graduated from Grady High School and Melanie Moore from Lassiter High School in Marietta. They are 2 technically strong dancers who represent Atlanta well. Mr. Kelly had recently participated in "Lift Dance", an all male dance concert promoting, celebrating and supporting men dancing in Atlanta. Produced annually at the Woodruff Arts Center Mr. Kelly had recently graced the stage with his beauty and power as a young dancer and artist. It's a shame that he could not perform the first week because of an elbow injured gained during the first week of rehearsal for the show. He is quite a beautiful dancer and will represent the Atlanta male dancers well

Marietta’s Melanie Moore seams to be a dancer of effortless beauty. Her lines and extension are clean strong and powerful. She's beautiful and nice to look at. Nigel said the her duet maybe one of the first dances to be nominated for an Emmy. I can certainly see why This quiet beauty is one to watch out for. A graduate of Lassiter High School now attending Fordham University in New York. She trained for 12 years at Centre Stage School of Dance in Marietta, then added training at Rhythm Dance Center, also in Marietta. Voted most likely to succeed this quiet beauty will for sure go far in the season.

Guest Blogger: Amalia Rosa

Amalia Rosa is a professional dancer living and working in New York City. She has a  30 year career as an artist, educator, and mentor.  She has written for a number of publication across the United states and has owned her own dance school for a few years.






  According to the National Endowment For The Arts there are more than 1,700,00 professional dancers in the United States.  However there are only 900,000 performing positions.  Thats means 800,000 dancers are in a highly competitive job market that has greatly affected the industry and it's morale. 

 In New York City where most dancers either move or visit temporarily to pursue their career ambitions, have discovered finding employment has become a very steep up hill battle.  In fact New York City has the highest concentration of professional dancers in the United States.  To these professionals, dance is viewed as a pure form of expression, that is loved with ones entire being.  The dreams of performing with ones favorite company and performing works from an admired choreographer are the common glue of these artists.   Many have diversified their training to make themselves more marketable and have taken short terms jobs (gigging) to do what they love.  With most dancers not being aware of the severe lack of employment it leaves many disenchanted about there bodies, talent, and over all dance industry experience.   Yet the ongoing rejection has not just only taken its toll financially it has also shattered hearts by breaking the dream of their passion. 

 Of course the dance industry was not so bleak in the 1970's and 1980's; in fact it was booming.   In the last decade there has been a very sharp decline in public support and interest.  The main issue is dance companies themselves performing the same works for decades and not introducing new works that reflect a more contemporary mentality.   In fact most the supporters of dance are other dancers, patrons, or the aging dance lovers.  This has caused the public to look for other avenues to enjoy dance that reflects their contemporary world such as television, movies, and the internet.  

So what is a dancer to do in such a grim employment market?  The first thing is don't ever give up on your love for dance, no one can take that away from you-ever.  Second, although it is a passion and love, realize most importantly that this is a business based  industry just like car manufacturing and healthcare.  An employer and employee arrangement based up supply and demand.   Do your research about the industry regularly and just the angle of artistic passion.  Money is money, benefits are benefits ... most of all dance is love.

Dancers are the athletes to the gods. Albert Einstein

This collaboration of dance and athletics is not uncommon but forgotten. Albert Einstein once said that dancers are the athletes of the gods  


Over the past 12 seasons that " Dancing With the Stars" has been  airing there has been six professional athletes that have gone on to win and hold the coveted disco ball trophy. This past week  Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers  took home the coveted mirror ball trophy on the hit show and joined its winning group of alumni Athletes. Ward, a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former Super Bowl most valuable player, credits his professional dance partner, Kym Johnson, with their dance victory. He plans to keep his new mirror ball right next to his Super Bowl trophy.

Originally the show premiered in the UK in 2000 before  premiering stateside in 2005. In the seven years that American audiences have been enjoying pop culture icons dance their have been  three Olympians, two football stars and one race-car driver have been named “Dancing” champs. Three other NFL stars and an Olympic skater finished the popular show in second place.

Professional athletes actively use their bodies for their work, so they have the mental discipline and physical fitness to train and adapt to the challenges of competitive dancing. They’re also more likely than other candidates to avoid over-training, said casting director Deena Katz. Ward consistently posted high scores throughout the 10-week competition, and judges praised his showmanship and dedication. The thrill of competition is something that all athletes share including dancers. Competitors are always aiming to be better than they are because they know and understand that the only real competition is yourself. That the heart of an athlete, to constantly and consistently improving and increasing, strength, speed and agility.

 “It’s special,” the 35-year-old said, glittery trophy in hand. “With football, it takes all 53 guys. With this mirror ball, it was just Kym and I together in the studio putting in the hours. I’m just glad I didn’t let her down.”

This quote from Ward speaks to the dedication that it takes to be the best. Whether in the athletic arena or the stage nothing gets done without putting in the required amount of blood sweat and tears. Ward consistently posted high scores throughout the 10-week competition, and judges praised his showmanship and dedication. I assume Ward like past athletic winners put the athletes mind set into action when studying dance. Dedication is another fine attribute that dancing artist share with traditional athletes but don't get it twisted dancers are athletes too. “His commitment was especially evident after Johnson suffered a serious neck injury during rehearsals two weeks ago. The couple triumphantly returned to the dance floor, earning perfect scores for their performance and drawing tears from Ward, Johnson and judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Besides Ward, the other athletic “Dancing” champs are NFL star Emmitt Smith, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and gymnast Shawn Johnson. Football stars Jason Taylor, Warren Sapp and Jerry Rice were runners-up on the show, as was Olympic skater Evan Lysacek.

Dancers are the athletes to the gods. Albert Einstein

This collaboration of dance and athletics is not uncommon but forgotten. Albert Einstein once said that dancers are the athletes of the gods  


Over the past 12 seasons that " Dancing With the Stars" has been  airing there has been six professional athletes that have gone on to win and hold the coveted disco ball trophy. This past week  Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers  took home the coveted mirror ball trophy on the hit show and joined its winning group of alumni Athletes. Ward, a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former Super Bowl most valuable player, credits his professional dance partner, Kym Johnson, with their dance victory. He plans to keep his new mirror ball right next to his Super Bowl trophy.

Originally the show premiered in the UK in 2000 before  premiering stateside in 2005. In the seven years that American audiences have been enjoying pop culture icons dance their have been  three Olympians, two football stars and one race-car driver have been named “Dancing” champs. Three other NFL stars and an Olympic skater finished the popular show in second place.

Professional athletes actively use their bodies for their work, so they have the mental discipline and physical fitness to train and adapt to the challenges of competitive dancing. They’re also more likely than other candidates to avoid over-training, said casting director Deena Katz. Ward consistently posted high scores throughout the 10-week competition, and judges praised his showmanship and dedication. The thrill of competition is something that all athletes share including dancers. Competitors are always aiming to be better than they are because they know and understand that the only real competition is yourself. That the heart of an athlete, to constantly and consistently improving and increasing, strength, speed and agility.

 “It’s special,” the 35-year-old said, glittery trophy in hand. “With football, it takes all 53 guys. With this mirror ball, it was just Kym and I together in the studio putting in the hours. I’m just glad I didn’t let her down.”

This quote from Ward speaks to the dedication that it takes to be the best. Whether in the athletic arena or the stage nothing gets done without putting in the required amount of blood sweat and tears. Ward consistently posted high scores throughout the 10-week competition, and judges praised his showmanship and dedication. I assume Ward like past athletic winners put the athletes mind set into action when studying dance. Dedication is another fine attribute that dancing artist share with traditional athletes but don't get it twisted dancers are athletes too. “His commitment was especially evident after Johnson suffered a serious neck injury during rehearsals two weeks ago. The couple triumphantly returned to the dance floor, earning perfect scores for their performance and drawing tears from Ward, Johnson and judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Besides Ward, the other athletic “Dancing” champs are NFL star Emmitt Smith, speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves, figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and gymnast Shawn Johnson. Football stars Jason Taylor, Warren Sapp and Jerry Rice were runners-up on the show, as was Olympic skater Evan Lysacek.