Dancing Queen: Jackie Lee

The adrenaline rushes, center stage spotlights, makeup, spandex and sequins galore. The fabulous life of a dancer sounds so glamorous and girlie to the outside eye. But the life of a Presentation High School Dance Team dancer is not just about the sparkles and sunshine. Imagine practicing for hours on end, stretching and pushing your body to run choreography over and over almost every day all year round, including summer. These girls are amazingly tough but still remain outstandingly graceful and poised.

Though every dancer on the team contributes something unique, appreciated and valued, one dancer in particular has awed audiences across the United States. Like a typical Pres girl, she watches One Tree Hill, eats chicken nuggets, and loves her photography class. But unlike most of us, Jackie Lee been dancing for nearly 14 years and has won a numerous amount of prestigious dance titles.

Recently she’s claimed the title of Miss Dance of California 2009 and this year alone won first place at all USA regional competitions for her solo, fifth place for her solo at the Contest of Champion Nationals in Florida, and placed top 10 in solos at USA Nationals in Los Angeles.

She says, “Whenever I perform, I’m always nervous but really happy to just be on stage. Dancing and performing is my outlet. My favorite part about dancing is going on stage and just forgetting about everything.  Whenever I dance, I completely forget about all my problems and fears.”

But unlike an attention seeking diva, Jackie remains true to her Pres team. When asked how she would describe Pres dance she simply stated “Fun. Family. Dedication.”

“My favorite part about dancing at Pres is being a part of a family.  The dance team is so tight knit and close, it makes dancing that much more special and enjoyable.”

As a dedicated part of the team, she works hard as part of the captain team with seniors Courtney Quinn, Erin Kelm, and Nicole Olerich. “We’ve grown so close over the past few months and I know I can go to them for anything.”

Jackie has decided to continue dancing after high school. “I’m hoping to go to a college that has a really good competitive dance team, but if that doesn’t happen I’ll probably just take classes at a studio wherever I am,” Lee said, ”I do plan to try out for So You Think You Can Dance next year when I’m 18 though!”

So girls, this isn’t the last you’ll see of this stellar senior. Watch out for Jackie Lee because one day you just might see her name in the spotlight!

So… You Think You Can Dance?!

Which popular television show includes one Simon Cowell-like judge, a judge that has her own “hot tamale train” and a host who pronounces judges “joodjes?” You guessed it; it’s So You Think You Can Dance!

The most notable part of any season of SYTYCD are the top ten dancers. The top ten dancers of seasons six are remarkable and will undoubtedly make it an unforgettable season.

The top five girls include Ashleigh Di Lello, 26; Ellenore Scott, 18; Kathryn McCormick, 19; Mollee Gray, 18 and Noelle Marsh, 18.

Latin ballroom dancer, Ashleigh Di Lello, came and went through the series of auditions in Las Vegas and entered the top 20 extremely underestimated. She left America with their jaws on the floor when she first showed her potential after performing a Broadway routine by Tyce Diorio with her partner, Jakob Karr.

Ballerina Ellenore Scott considers herself a “lockerina,” defining her style of dance as ballet infused with contemporary locking. She was a stand out during the Las Vegas week with not only her amazing strength but her hilarious and characteristic solos.

Lyrical and contemporary dancer Kathryn McCormick is most known for her inability to stop crying throughout the process of the competition. She is not a stand out dancer or a popular favorite of the show, but she continues to consistently try her hardest week after week.

Jazz dancer Mollee Gray swept America off of their feet and became America’s sweetheart the minute she walked out onto the stage. Whenever she has to “dance for her life,” which the bottom four dancer of every week must do, she always puts 110 percent into her solos.

Like Kathryn McCormick, contemporary dancer Noelle Marsh is also not a stand out dancer, but is consistent every week with her dances and with her partner, Russell Ferguson.

The top five gentlemen include Jakob Karr, 19; Legacy Perez, 28; Nathan Trasoras, 18; Russell Ferguson, 20 and Ryan Di Lello, 28.

Contemporary dancer Jakob Karr is one of the most brilliant dancers that SYTUCD has ever had on the history of the show. He has the most gorgeous extensions when he does a kick or leap. He does what dancers call “going the extra inch.”

B-boy Legacy Perez came into the top 20 as not only a popular, but also underestimated dancer. Using his balance and strength, he has the ability to master almost any dance which is thrown at him.

Nathan Trasoras became recognized in Season Five as a brilliant dancer with an amazing center for his turns. However, he was only 17 years old at the time and you need to be 18 years old in order to enter the show. It comes to no surprise that contemporary dancer Trasoras is a crowd favorite. Yes, he is very cute, but let’s be realistic, he is immature and should have waited at least one more year before accepting the challenge of being on SYTYCD.

Krumper Russell Ferguson is the first krump dancer that has made the top 20 in the show’s history. He has never had any formal dance training in his life as he does some styles of dance better that the trained dancers of season six!

Latin ballroom dancer Ryan Di Lello is best known for his incredible abs. Because of his strength, he is a great male partner for the girls. Let’s not forget ladies, that he is married (to a contestant on the show)!

When week one was aired on television, America knew that is was going to be a great season. The producers of SYTYCD had the top 20 dancers split up into groups according to their style so they could show America what they could do. Each group performed remarkably well, which was a great start to a great season.

The most memorable performance of week one was Nathan Trasoras and Mollee Gray’s disco routine choreographed by the daredevil Gloriana Sanchez. “Turn the Beat Around” was an upbeat routine with lots of lifts. It also introduced Nathan and Mollee to America as being the dream couple- young—cute and great dancers.

Week three had a high point and a very low point. The show was epitomized by Ashleigh Di Lello and Jakob Karr’s jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore. This routine was danced to the famous song “Relax” and included a fight with a cane between the two dancers which was ultimately won by the dominant sex, the female. On the other end of the spectrum, Nathan Trasoras and Mollee Gray attempted to take on a fast salsa routine choreographed by Gustavo Vargas. The incredible choreography was destroyed by many falls, not being together on the beat, getting tangled up with some of the moves and their immaturity.

During week six, one of the most impressive routines ever danced on the show was performed. It included contemporary dancers Ellenore Scott and Jakob Karr. The “Tore My Heart” contemporary piece, choreographed by Sonya Tayeh, is a very intense piece which required the two dancers to play dark and powerful characters. The attitudes were beautiful, the leaps were perfect and the arabesque penchée’s were gorgeous. It is a routine which the audience and judges will refer back to for years to come.

Season six of So You Think You Can Dance is filled with firsts. So, viewers, stay tuned as the top ten dancers and choreographers continue to surprise you week after week.