News

This summer, Trumpie Card taught a master class to the UCDC Jr/Sr Jazz Companies. Trumpie is nationally recognized as one of the leading male performers in the country. His diverse style of Contemporary, Hip Hop, and Ballet have set him apart from most any other choreographer. Trumps’ television and movie credits include commercials for KFC & Monsters.com as well as “Naked Man” starring Michael Rapaport and Rachel Leigh Cook and “Feeling Minnesota” starring Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz. He also appeared in Season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance. On September 15th – 18th, Trump choreographed two Contemporary numbers for our Junior and Senior Jazz teams. It was a great experience to work with such a passionate and talented choreographer.

Joey Dowling returned to UCDC on August 4th – 7th to choreograph two group Jazz numbers for our Junior and Senior teams. Currently Joey is part of the mega hit TV Show So You Think You Can Dance as a judge and guest choreographer. On Broadway she has performed in “In the Heights” as Associate Choreographer and “Dance of the Vampires” and the revival of “Sweet Charity” starring Christina Applegate. Tour, TV and Film credits include Mariah Carey’s “Butterfly” World Tour, the MTV Video Music Awards w/ JLo, the VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards w/ Macy Grey, The Victoria Secret Fashion Show, “Sex & the City”, “Guiding Light”, “CHICAGO” (movie), and “The Producers” (movie). Joey has also worked extensively as a Choreographer, Teacher and Assistant to such Choreographers as Mia Michaels, Joe Lanteri, Andy Blankenbuehler and Sergio Trujillo. She is on faculty at New York City Dance Alliance and often teaches at both Broadway Dance Center and Steps in NYC. It was both an honor and pleasure to have such a talented Choreographer work with our dancers.

UCDC had six of its Jazz Company members attend Southern Strutt’s Boot Camp the week of August 7th. The dancers that attended were: Alexandra Hammett (Mini), Emma Jane Zaher (Mini), O’Malley Bannister (Major), Kaylin Bell (Major), Immy Armstrong (Mega) and Emily D’Ornellas (Mega). The girls attended technique classes in Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Musical Theater by some of the dance industries top choreographers. They also received many accolades for their outstanding technique during mock video auditions, hip hop dance offs and during their classes. We are super proud of your dedication to dance!

On Saturday, August 22nd UCDC registered their new students and welcomed them into our dance family. This year there were over 80 classes to choose from. Once registered for classes, they were able to go shopping for their new attire at Upstate Dance Supply. We had balloon making, face painting and clowns for everyone to enjoy. Our Junior and Senior Jazz Companies entertained with a live dance demos. Thank you to everyone that helped make UCDC’s 19th year of registration such an enjoyable experience and huge success!

On September 1, 2011, UCDC’s 2011-2012 clogging teams, hip-hop teams, and jazz teams had their 3rd annual “meet and greet” Olympics. We served over 300 hamburgers to the hungry crowd of dancers and their families. Everyone enjoyed a cookout and participating in the awesome team building games from minute to win it, tricycle races, obstacle courses and bungee cord races. This was a great opportunity for everyone to meet members from other UCDC teams. Hats off to the UCDC staff, Team moms, Brady Freeman, Ben Eskew, & Kathy Adams for all your hard work in making this another successful event!

August 1st – 5th, UCDC held their Jazz Company Summer Intensive. We had some amazing choreographers from all dance disciplines. Cindy Ricalde (Ballet) who has trained with renowned teachers and worked with Paula Abdul, Mandy Moore & many others. David Mann (Tap) whose innovative choreography has appeared on many National television shows such as “Good Morning America”. Joey Dowling (Jazz, Contemporary & Musical Theater) judge and choreographer on “So You Think You Can Dance” and choreographer for many TV shows and movies. Bethany Lowery (Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary) who was 1 of 9 dancers chosen for the Dance with the Force 2003-2004 and one of the last 22 girls in the country on “So You Think You Can Dance”. Michele “Soulchild” Garman (Hip Hop) has worked with Rihanna, Will Smith, MTV, etc and is a featured dancer in the new upcoming movie “Honey 2”. Leah Brinkley (Jazz, Lyrical & Contemporary) who has danced all over the country in “Carnival” , “Stacia” and at the Tribeca Theatre Broadway Showcase in NYC. John “Havic” Gregory (Hip Hop) who has danced in music videos for Michael Jackson, Destiny’s Child, etc and live performances with Diana Ross, Chris Brown, Diddy, Madonna to name a few. Jocelyn Fulmore (Jazz) choreographer from Southern Strutt and numerous award titles during her long competitive dancing career. It was an outstanding week of technique training and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. This was a great ending to our summer of dance and also an extraordinary beginning to what is going to be “THE BEST YEAR OF DANCE”! Thank you to the parents, staff, and everyone else who helped make this such a wonderful week for the UCDC dancers.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for a hip-hop team this season. Auditions went great and the kids were awesome during camp. We are so excited about the upcoming year. Official Letters with more information will be sent out this week. If you do not see your name on this list, we will be happy to recommend the classes necessary to audition again next year.

Junior Hip Hop Team
Alyssa Agee
Zoe Allen
Cole Bryant
Kerigan Bryant
Conner Chastain
Gracie Crawford
Taylor Crowe
Bailey Dermid
Ashli Locke
Emma Kate McCoy
Jearni McKinney
Ava Randall
Owen Recio
Abbagayle Rogers
Emma Rutherford
Chatham Sturgis
Damyen Thompson

Senior Hip Hop Team
Melanie Bieryta
Diana Davis
Sierra Faulkner
Jarod Fennell
Willow Larson
Autumn Leubecker
Haley McBride
Kylon McKinney
Ragan McNeely
Ashley Rogers
Macy Russell
Lauren Turner
Zoey White

UCDC hosted its first “The Circuit on Tour” event July 15th-16th, 2011. This event was an in-house convention and featured teachers such as Cherrise Wakeham, Destini Rogers, Wesley Quinn, Mikey Alley, and Asheigh Hunter. This was an intense weekend of jazz, contemporary, ballet, and hip-hop. Congratulations to Full Ride-Circuit Scholarship Winners; Madison Capps and Jordan Chastain. Also receiving scholarship awards were Belle Hunsinger, Immy Armstrong, Emily D’Ornellas, Amanda Compton, and Krista Whitcomb. We would like to thank Nick Watkins and Derick Reese for putting together such an amazing and inspirational event. Job well done!!!

On Friday, May 6th, 2011 several of the UCDC clogging teams performed at the Relay for Life event at Liberty High School. This was a great event with a big cause. Thank you to Ms. Brooke for taking The Tiny Tots, Pee Wees, Rising Star Amateur, and Shooting Star Amateur teams. Thank you to everyone who participated.

During the week of June 20-24th, UCDC hosted a clog camp taught by the countries leading instructors. With over 125 cloggers and six different levels this was one of the UCDC’s largest camps this summer. Dancers spent between 3-5 hours a day taking classes in Sound and Technique, Steps, Learning Dances, and Hip-Hop. UCDC ended the week with a special awards/show for the parents demonstrating everything they learned for the week. Awards were given out by the staff for each student. A special thank you to our talented Taps of Fire staff; Chip Harrison, Blake Barlett, Brandon Norris, Bryant Brogden, and Michelle Garman.