Tag: sytycd

How "SYTYCD" All-Star Robert Roldan Learned to Connect Feeling to His Dancing

Robert Roldan may have stolen our hearts on Season 7 of “So You Think You Can Dance”—but it seems his heart was stolen long before that by none other than Emmy Award–winning choreographer Mandy Moore. As his first jazz teacher at Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts in Thousand Oaks, California, Moore taught him everything he […]

12 Performance Tips From Competition Judges Who Have Seen It All

Help your dancers improve their performance—and scores—with this advice from veteran competition faculty: Martha Nichols, Judy Rice and Suzi Taylor. Connect with your ensemble. Everyone can be dancing at the same time, but not necessarily together, because they don’t acknowledge each other. “Relax and have a good time,” says Martha Nichols of New York City […]

Video of the Month: Stormy Seas

Bruce Weber and Kathryn McCormick in the “Ocean” Congratulations to John Torres, the latest winner for Dance Teacher’s Video of the Month! The singer-songwriter’s newly released music video for his single “Ocean” features a seaside duet by “SYTYCD” star Kathryn McCormick and Cirque du Soleil dancer Bruce Weber. Stacey Tookey (DT, December 2012) choreographed, bringing […]

“So You Think” Stars Team Up to BEAT MS

Galiano with Mark Kanemura on “SYTYCD” Season 4 Last year, “SYTYCD” All-Star Courtney Galiano received some sobering news: she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The autoimmune disease affects movement, sensation and bodily functions, and can eventually render you immobile. The spunky Galiano promises it won’t stop her from dancing, though, and she’s putting a positive […]

Yin and Yang

When Artistic Fusion Dance Academy’s company won “Critics’ Choice” at New York City Dance Alliance Nationals in 2010, it was an especially meaningful moment for co-owners—and sisters—Julie Jarnot and Jennifer Owens. Featuring an inventive male-driven storyline and unusual lighting, the piece, “Baggage,” had been masterminded by the studio’s star alumnus Tony Testa. Owens remembers that […]