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EVERY DANCER HAS A STORY TO TELL

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Sara Allen

9/17/2018

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Picture
Photo: Chris Moore
Dancewear: AA Dance Costumes

@saraallennn

"Do what you love. Love what you do."
Dance is a part of who Sara is. She views dance as a universal language, and has developed friendships across the world. 

"We don’t always have to speak the same language to understand each other," Sara said. 
Sara says that one of her greatest lessons learned from dance is humility. 

"We can all learn from each other and no one is perfect," she says.

She encourages others to always work hard and to never give up. 

In 2018, Sara won first overall as a junior soloist at two competitions and earned a National title with NRG Dance Project.

​"Do what you love. Love what you do," Sara said. 
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Trisha Doucette

9/13/2018

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Picture
Photo: Chris Moore
Dancewear: Five Dancewear

@trisha.justdance

Triple Threat Dance Company
​

"Dance not only taught me physical strength, but emotional strength. Emotional success has given me the power of compassion and pride."

Dance has impacted Trisha in many ways. It has allowed her to express her feelings and emotions. It has taught her teamwork, focus and discipline. It has shown her that she can do something she truly loves, and it has given her life-long memories with people she admires. She's also learned to overcome anxiety she used to experience before going on stage before a solo.
​
Besides teaching her many life lessons, it's also introduced Trisha to many unique opportunities. 

"I have been fortunate to model dancewear for the United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) Dance Resource and Costume Show, America's largest gathering of dance vendors and industry leaders," Trisha said. "I recently was filmed in soon-to-be-released Sugarlulu videos where I was one of the principal dancers."

Because of dance, Trisha also developed awareness of the "I'm a Dancer Against Cancer" campaign. In  lieu of birthday gifts, she asked her friends and family to donate to various cancer organizations.

"Also, I feel that dance has fostered my kindness. It angers me when people are critical of others when they are doing something that they love," Trisha said. "We should be supportive of each other. Personal growth requires giving."

She is grateful, not only for her physical strength, but also her emotional strength.

"Emotional success has given me the power of compassion and pride," she said. 
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Kayla McKeand

9/12/2018

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Picture
Photo: Randy Harp
Dancewear: Soulo Dancewear

@tinydancer_KK

"I dream of one day helping children with special needs to have the opportunity to dance."

​Before dance, Kayla was extremely shy and anxious. She had difficulty separating from people she was comfortable with and would not talk much to others. When she began dancing competitively three years ago, she was completely transformed. Today, Kayla is a confident and outgoing 9-year-old.
Dance has allowed Kayla to become more confident and independent. She has had opportunities to meet many new friends, and has been inspired by countless professionals along the way. As opportunities come her way, she is learning to embrace them even though they may make her nervous.

Her talent and bravery shines. This past dance season as a new soloist in the Junior Division at Showstoppers East Coast, Kayla placed 8th overall out of 115 other dancers.

As she continues to work on her dance goals, she dreams of being able to help those with special needs have the opportunity to dance. 
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Anne Plowden

9/10/2018

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Photo: Luc Jean-Baptiste

@anneplow

"Dance is art, and art has the power to change and influence the world."
Anne's whole world revolves around dance. 

"It has given me passion and an outlook on life that I think a lot of people don't get to experience," she said. "I get to put 100 percent of myself into the thing that I love more than anything, and I don't think many people can say that."
Anne has been dancing since the age of 10. She's previously trained at The Rock School for Dance Education and the Columbia Ballet School. This year, she's dancing professionally with Eglevsky Ballet where she is about to begin rehearsals for the Nutcracker. 

Dance has provided Anne with a lot of unique opportunities, including worldly travels. Some of her best friends are from other countries. She loves the unique, focused goals that dance provides.

"Each rehearsal is a new experience and process and is one in which you learn even more about yourself and break new barriers," she said. 

She advises others to embrace your individuality in dance.  

"Be the best possible YOU that you can be. And I mean YOU. You can't be anyone else when you dance -- it's impossible," Anne said. "Dance is about being unapologetically you and working hard on that every day."

The thing she loves most about dance is the ability to inspire others. 

"It can come from anything -- doing a step well, working hard, or being kind while still trying your best," she said. "Dance is art, and art has the power to change and influence the world."


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Elinor Fenimore

8/25/2018

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Picture
Photo: G. Fenimore
Leo: Mariia Leotard from Discount Dance

@elinor_fenimore

"Dance brings me so much joy and makes feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to."
Elinor has been dancing at Dance Dynamics since the age of three. With her studio, she's been able to perform at the Grand Opera House in Central Georgia.

"I have performed my solo and many other dances on the same stage as the Nutcracker of Middle Georgia and many touring Broadway shows."

Elinor received her first solo last dance season, which she considers her biggest dance accomplishment to-date.

"At my studio, mostly older kids compete solos, so it was kind of a big deal for someone my age to get one," she said. "I worked very hard at the summer leading up to company auditions, so when I found out the news I was so excited."
Elinor worked hard and challenged herself to stay focused in rehearsals. When it came time to compete her solo she was very nervous but she recalled how confident her teachers were in her and checked in backstage. They called her number and she went on stage to the sound of her friends cheering her on. Throughout the whole dance, she was channeling what her teachers fine tuned during her rehearsals. 

"After I finished, I was so happy that I did my best," Elinor said. 

Through dance, she's learned to be a good sport and to celebrate those around her. She understands that, ultimately, doing her best is the goal. She's learned not to focus on scoring or placement and more on her personal growth. She's learned how to commit to her own goals and achieve them. 

"Dance brings me so much joy and makes feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to," Elinor said.
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Ella Hicks

8/25/2018

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Picture
Photographer: Roy Mateer
Leotard: Plume
Pointe shoes: Grishko

@ella_enpointe

"I only get to see my family for a weekend or school holiday every three weeks, but the girls I share a boarding house with have become like sisters and we have so much fun! Its like having a second family."
In Ella's earlier dancing years, she competed and won many titles. At the age of nine, she was accepted as a Junior Associate at the Royal Ballet School, which led to her auditioning for vocational dance school at the age of 10. 

"I successfully obtained a scholarship to study dance and academics at The Hammond School, which is where I currently study and I love every minute of it," Ella said. "At The Hammond I have learned so much technique and this is the foundation that you can build a career on."
As a full-time student at The Hammond School, Ella does all of her academic studies there, as well as dance and other vocational classes in drama and voice for about 20 hours a week. 

"We have to go to school on Saturdays too, but I love it," Ella said. 
 
Ella misses her family, but she's seeing through on her dream to become a professional dancer and performer. 

"I only get to see my family for a weekend or school holiday every three weeks, but the girls I share a boarding house with have become like sisters and we have so much fun," Ella said. "Its like having a second family."

Ella also loves to sing and act and hopes to work in musical theatre one day. 

Through injuries, she's learned first-hand that "good comes from adversity." Although she had to miss dance classes, she learned a lot about her body as an instrument and how to take proper care of her muscles and soft tissues without putting undue stress on them. 

This year, she was chosen to become an Ambassador for Grishko. "I have worn Grishko pointe shoes since I started pointe work at the age of 10 and I totally love them so it is a massive honour to be chosen to represent such an incredible brand that I love," Ella said. 

Ella is continuing to grow and learn in a unique setting that suits her and her goals. And with dance being such an integral part of her education, she's all ears.

"When a teacher offers you a correction, you should take it as a compliment because it means that they believe that you can improve and be better than you were," Ella said. 
Picture
Photo: Suzi Bird
Leo: Eurotard from Angel Dancewear
Pointe shoes: Grishko
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Kylee Paige

8/25/2018

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Picture
Photo: Artistry Photo Maker
Top: Fullout Dancewear

@dancnkyleepaIge

"Being a young competitive dancer, as well as being competitive at heart, it was a struggle the first time I did not place."
When seven-year-old Kylee isn't dancing, she's asking when she can go back to dance. Dance has helped Kylee to find her passion and work in groups. It's taught her discipline outside of her home and the importance of commitment and scheduling.

She's grateful to all of her dance teachers, including 'Miss Michelle' who helped her to discover her love of tap dancing early on. 

"There have been so many instructors that have touched my life while sharing their passion teaching me," Kylee said. 


Since the age of five, Kylee has watched in awe as Chloe and Maud Arnold's tap company team performed. Now, she gets to train with them.

"[During training sessions] We tap for 5 hours and I still am excited to go back every time," she said. 

Kylee also loves hip hop and recently auditioned for a hip hop crew that she will train and perform with in the upcoming dance season. She's learning to mix tap and hip hop and combine her two favorite styles of dance. 

Through dance, she's been signed with talent agents, danced with some amazing tappers and met many amazing teachers and friends.  

"The biggest lesson dance has taught me is to be humble and grateful," Kylee said. "Being a young competitive dancer, as well as being competitive at heart, it was a struggle the first time I did not place. I learned I had to go back to the roots and practice everything. Even basic techniques."
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Kate & Mackenzie John

8/23/2018

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Picture
Photo: Soul Notez Photography
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Dancer: Mackenzie John
Photo: Jordan Matter
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Dancer: Kate John
Photo: Jordan Matter

@katekenzietwindancers

"Dance brings us closer together and helps us to become more confident."

​Kate and Mackenzie are twin sisters who dance at Lanzi Academy of Dance. Recently, they traveled to New York City with their studio. While there, Kate and Mackenzie's parents scheduled a dance shoot with Manhattan-based photographer Jordan Matter.

"It was one of the most exciting moments ever," Mackenzie said. 
Mackenzie's biggest lesson learned in dance has been "to never give up and to keep trying harder each time." Her greatest accomplishment was winning two titles this past dance season. 
Kate is "naturally bendy" and has challenged herself to step outside of her comfort zone and learn styles with less tricks. She's learned that winning isn't most important, but doing her best is. 

Both love traveling to different states and meeting new teachers and friends. Dance has been an important part of both of their lives and helped them to become more confident overall. 
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Ryan Sadowsky

8/12/2018

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Photo: Hollywood Dance Shoot

@ryansadowsky

"Being a male dancer has been so important in shaping my life."

​Ryan Sadowsky wants to encourage other boys to not be afraid to dance. 

"It is truly an athletic sport — training just as hard as your stereotypical 'male athlete sport,' " Ryan said. 

His training at DansWest Dance Company and subsequent successes speak volumes to that point. Ryan was the 2017 National Icon at Hollywood Connection Dance and 2017 Regional Dancer of the Year (Phoenix) for Hollywood Vibe.
"Dance has given me self confidence and countless opportunities," Ryan said.  By training with mostly females, he's also learned how to better relate to them and to treat them with kindness and respect. 

Ryan was signed with the Movement Talent Agency (MTA) in Los Angeles. Through his MTA agents, he's booked several commercials as a dancer.  He was also recently signed with Clear Talent Group in New York City. 

Recently, he went on ABC's 'The Gong Show,' where he performed a tap routine with four other dancers. 

Dance has also allowed him to help others. Ryan took part in an anti-bullying campaign as a Mini Muse dancer for MusEffect. They partnered with an app called 'Sit With Us,' which helps students who have difficulty finding a place to sit for lunch to locate a welcoming group in the lunchroom.

"I have been able to focus on the positive opportunities as well as stay away from the negative social aspects of teenage years," Ryan said. 

Dance has allowed Ryan to focus on himself while constantly learning from those around him. 

" I have learned that everyone develops at different rates. By being your own dancer and dancing for yourself has allowed me to grow so much as a dancer," Ryan said. "I have allowed myself to look at other dancers and truly learn from them as opposed to trying to be better than them."
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Ryleigh Dickinson

8/4/2018

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Picture
Photo: Jeffrey Hall Photography

@a_dancers_life_ry

"Dance has taught me to believe in myself."
Since Ryleigh began performing on stage, she has learned to be more confident and to believe in herself. Dance has also taught her how hard work leads to achieving her goals. 

"If you are willing to put in the work anything is possible," Ryleigh said. 

Ryleigh has been able travel to many states to compete in dance. She was recently accepted into a the ACADEMY, which is a training program where she will travel to assist different artists.
She also recently became a Showstopper All-Star, and was invited to perform the opening number in Showstopper Nationals. Although a broken foot kept her from the performance, she is grateful to have been offered a part. 

One of her favorite dance experiences was performing on a stage in Downtown Disney in Orlando. She is also grateful to dance with her best friend and duet partner, Faith (@edc_dancer12). Their duo went undefeated in the 2016-2017 dance season.

"We get stronger every year," she said.

Through dance, Ryleigh has been able to represent several dance-related companies and organizations, including Project InstaKind which promotes: "Be the light that inspires others. Use social media to impact people, not impress people." 

Ryleigh has found strength in believing in herself.

"As long as I know I did the best I could do and I feel good walking off stage then my score does not affect me," she said. 
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