J&J Dance amazing competitive dancers attended Starbound Dance Competition Nationals this past week up in South Lake Tahoe, NV. We started the week with Parker Foreman and Kissy Baesman training in master classes with leading industry choreographer/dancers: Rob Schultz (Fox Music Mania, Billboard awards, Late Show with Jay Leno, MTV Awards), Devon Larcher (member with the world-renowned Koresh Dance Company for 6 years. As a performer with Koresh, Devon has been performing to sold out audiences nationally and internationally), and Markus Shields (Markus has starred in commercials for JW Marriott and Amtrak. He has also performed with organizations such as DITA, Grand Rapids Dance Project and numerous solo and group choreographic works for countless events (World Salsa Congress, Salmagundi, Art Prize and many more). These classes were intense and difficult, providing a great push and stretch for our dancers. Kissy Baesman impressed the faculty and was named an “Ignite Dance Live Dynamite” allowing her to be on stage showing off their choreography and being an apprentice for their national program.
Competition started with our teen soloist Joan Joyner taking the stage with her intermediate jazz solo, “Lovin You.” Joan was full of energy and technique and secured an Elite Gold (highest adjucated award), and 4th Overall.
In the advanced division, we had Kaycee Freitas and Lenna Wade perform an open duet “Halo.” They wowed the judges and were awarded a judges award “Pretty Pictures,” Elite Gold and 7th Overall in the Advanced division. Lenna Wade then took the stage with her contemporary solo “Claire de” earning an Elite Gold and 7th Overall. Kaycee Freitas performed her solo “Cold Hearted” and earned an Elite Gold and 10th overall, in this very competitive level.
Our seniors Kaylee Micone, Parker Foreman, and Kissy Baesman hit the stage with a competitive contemporary trio “Carry Me Home.” This trio received 3rd Overall and Elite Gold and left the audience and judges stunned by its power, grace and soul. Soloist Parker Foreman performed her open solo “Birthday Cake” and was awarded a judges award for “Power and Grace and Elite Gold. Kaylee Micone (your new Miss Lassen County) competed her open solo “Girl Like Me” and Zoey Nicholson competed her solo, “Stand by Me” and both received High Gold awards in very competitive levels.
Kissy Baesman was dancing on injured feet all weekend after performing for the local county fair back in Susanville. She took her elite level solos to the stage and was awarded Elite Gold for both solos, open “People” and contemporary “Lover.” Her open solo received 10th Overall and her contemporary solo gained a judges award “Leave it all on the Marley” and 9th Overall in the senior elite level (most elite level of competition). She then went on to compete in the Improve Contest and took the Overall Winner of the Starbound Nationals Improvisation contest. She also rehearsed and performed the opening number piece. This dance showcased dancers from all over our nation.
Again JandJ is leading the competitive dance scene with technique, power and grace. No one can believe it when we say we are from Susanville. It’s always a fun topic of conversation. We are home town proud.
