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SYTYCD Season 9: Top 20 Power Rankings

Wow… just wow. I just wrote a few quick thoughts on all the routines of the night and tossed a few polls asking for your opinions on which routines you enjoyed, and which dancers you’d love to see move on based on what we saw tonight. What I am going to do is rank all the routines we saw tonight from what I really enjoyed to what was forgettable. Then I will rank all the guys and all the girls w/ no real commentary. Let’s see how this goes.

TOP THREE ROUTINES:
1. Lindsay Arnold & Cole Horibe – Paso Doble
I mean come on! That was almost too good to be true. Such power, such strength, such passion and fire. I knew that Cole had some prior dancing training in addition to martial arts, but I would like to think that it is because of the martial arts that he is so clearly able to bring forth the necessary power and fire that the man needs in a proper paso doble. Lindsay at first came across as a bit of a wholesome, sweet kind of girl and then she comes out all guns blazing and I feel like I am getting a bit of the case of the whiplash because I didn’t see that coming a mile away! At first I thought that of the two Ballroom Barbies, Witney would win out, but man right now? I don’t know, I think Lindsay is making a very good case for herself here… and personally I think this is going to be a very strong partnership down the road.

2. Audrey Case & Matthew Kazmierczak – Contemporary
It’s a Travis Wall routine, so what is not to love? In all honesty though, I really did enjoy this routine a lot… these two just seem to work together so effortlessly. Audrey just seems to float in the air as opposed to jumping up there. Prior to today’s routine, Audrey didn’t really seem to stick out much for me. She hasn’t much more since except when she’s dancing with Matthew and Matthew I really really liked. Granted between the two Jazz girls I see myself drawn more to Audrey over Tiffany, but that again could be because I liked this routine just slightly more than the previous one. Perhaps it is the fact that Audrey just seems to emote that much more than Tiffany did… who knows. In the end this was a very strong routine and definitely one of the more memorable ones.

3. Amelia Lowe & Will Thomas – Pop-fusion/Hip Hop
Can’t help it, I’m drawn to this dance. They looked like they were having just so much fun in this routine. I would say that they are playing a bit of a “cat and mouse” game here, except I think they are suppose to be both cats, in which case… MEOW! I didn’t know much about Will Thomas prior to the Meet the Top 20 episode and honestly, he really caught my attention right away. In this routine the craziness between Will and Amelia was just fun to watch. I am so sure that Will was having so much fun playing with Amelia. I watched the routine over and over again because I found myself just smiling as I am watching them dance.

MIDDLE FOUR ROUTINES (this is probably the most difficult four to put together)
4. Eliana Girard & Cyrus Spencer – Broadway
I’ll agree that this didn’t really show off the dancing strengths for Eliana, but dammit it was fun to watch and really that’s all that matters at the end of the day. Cyrus picked up the choreography rather well for the first time out of the gate. The thing I really like about Broadway routines is that they require a hell of a whole lot of personality, unfortunately that is also at the sacrifice of dance at times, which is what seems to be the case here. What Cyrus lacks in training, he more than makes up for it in personality, charisma and entertainment value. Eliana with her dance/performing background has charisma and entertainment value for days, so I see this as a very good match. Here’s hoping that they could do just as well in the upcoming week.

5. Janelle Issis & Dareian Kujawa – African Jazz
I might be in the minority when it comes to this routine, but I really really liked these two together. I didn’t know what to expect but the intricacies in this routine and movement really came together and if either dancer misses anything, then the whole dance is shot (much like Sean Cheesman’s other routine, but more on that later). As I said before, what these two brought to the table is chemistry and entertainment. There were a few times where they were actually off, but like I said… I really preferred this routine of the two that Sean has created and having two dancers that connect really helps the routine along.

6. Amber Jackson & Nick Bloxsom-Carter – Viennese Waltz
When I saw Nick for the first time in the Meet the Top 20 episode, I liked him, a lot. So I was a bit sad when they already started critiquing him in the Meet the Top 20 episode. Amber Jackson I remembered seeing from previous episodes but almost saw nothing of in Season 9, so when there were rumors swirling around that they were paired together I got scared because these were two fairly unknown dancers who did not have much screen time, how would they fare? Well for a Viennese Waltz they did rather well. One thing I really love about this particular dance was that it really felt like you were dancing amongst the clouds, like a dream. Personally I think they did rather well and should be ok. Only time will tell

7. Witney Carson & Chehon Wespi-Tschopp – Samba
I had a rough time between this routine and number 8. This had a lot of fire and I really love Chehon a lot in this routine. He has very good technique but I agree with the judges that he just seems to be trying too hard. If he can get his head out of the game and just feel the dance it would flow so much better. There isn’t much to say about Witney except that she did excel rather well in this number. Though Chehon seemed out of place in this routine, I don’t think it is going to be much of an issue in later routines since hopefully by then he’ll start emoting more into the dances and routines.

BOTTOM THREE ROUTINES
8. Tiffany Maher & George Lawrence II – Contemporary
The reason I ended up placing them a lot lower than I originally thought I would is because I had to separate myself from the awe that is Sonya’s reinvention of herself into this contemporary movement from the dancers themselves and how they performed the routine. I really really do like this routine, but for some reason other than the fact that this is atypical of Sonya’s routines this was just not a memorable routine for me. This couple emoted rather well overall and I really like George in this routine, but Tiffany just wasn’t memorable for me. So I don’t know

9. Alexa Anderson & Daniel Baker – Jazz
This was a very technically difficult routine and given to two really technically advanced dancers it should have shone but it fell flat. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two of them let alone with the audience. Between the two I preferred Daniel over Alexa, but then again I think they should have been paired with different partners, perhaps they would have done better emotionally. Granted I felt that Daniel was more emotionally committed to this particular routine over Alexa, but then again I am probably in the minority in this.

10. Janaya French & Brandon Mitchell – Hip Hop
This was another rather forgettable routine for the most part. For some reason I didn’t feel a connection between the two dancers and it felt a little bit like a “dance by numbers” kind of routine with the emotions and facials becoming little more than an afterthought, particularly on Janaya’s side of the fence. I really enjoyed Brandon’s interpretation for the most part, but again the routine as a whole seemed to have fallen flat for me which is rather sad since in any other season they would have been middle of the pack or higher.

TOP THREE GIRLS
Amelia Lowe
Lindsay Arnold
Janelle Issis
TOP THREE GUYS
Cole Horibe
Cyrus Spencer
Will Thomas
MIDDLE FOUR GIRLS
Audrey Case
Eliana Girard
Witney Carson
Amber Jackson
MIDDLE THREE GUYS
Matthew Kazmierczak
Dareian Kujawa
Nick Bloxsom-Carter
Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
BOTTOM THREE GIRLS
Tiffany Maher
Alexa Anderson
Janaya French
BOTTOM THREE GUYS
Daniel Baker
George Lawrence II
Brandon Mitchell

Mind you this is my own opinions on the matter… why don’t you let me know yours! Until next week…

July 11, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9: Top 20 Routines (Polls)

I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9: Top 20 Performances – Music and Instant Thoughts!

Here it is! The moment we were all waiting for! The Top 20 Performances… and a glimpse of what is going to happen throughout the remainder of the season.

First we open with a Group routine:

Group Dance: Top 20
Choreographer: Christopher Scott
Song: Kerry Muzzey – Architect of the Mind Architect of the Mind - Trailer Music 2

Now we are going through the individual introductions of the dancers that are part of the show.

Judges: Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, Kenny Ortega

According to Nigel, after all the votes are tabulated this week at the end of the episode next week two boys and two girls will be eliminated. Interesting.

Witney Carson & Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
Dance: Samba
Choreographer: Louis van Amstel
Song: The Cube Guys and Luciana – Jump Jump (Radio Edit) - Jump - Single
Thoughts: Considering this is Witney’s genre… this is really her thing, so she totally stole the show. I found moments that I really like watching Chehon, his technique in Samba isn’t all there yet, but there is something there that I can’t help but be drawn to. I have to agree with Mary, if he adjusts his foot placement he may actually excel in this genre more.

Tiffany Maher & George Lawrence
Dance: Contemporary
Choreographer: Sonya Tayeh
Song: Sleeping at Last – Turning Page Turning Page - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Pt. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Version]
Thoughts: Considering that the music is from the Twilight: Breaking Dawn soundtrack, I am not surprised at the whole “star crossed lovers” concept. Sonya? Contemporary? Wuh? But… Oh Em Gee… look at it! That was breathtaking… I am really liking what Sonya came up with, but more importantly I really liked what Tiffany and George did with it when asked to dance. It was just gorgeous.

Janaya French & Brandon Mitchell
Dance: Hip Hop
Choreographer: NappyTabs
Song: Drake & Rihanna – Take Care Take Care (feat. Rihanna) - Take Care (Deluxe Version)
Thoughts: For some reason I felt like this was very a much “dance by number” kind of routine with a little bit of emotion mixed in there. Like they were concentrating too much on the choreo and steps and not enough with each other or the audience for that matter.

Alexa Anderson & Daniel Baker
Dance: Jazz
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman
Song: Dennis Ferrer – Hey Hey Hey Hey (DF's Attention Vocal Mix) [feat. Dennis Ferrer] - Avicii Presents Strictly Miami (Mixed Version)
Thoughts: I think I was too in awe of the choreography and the dance itself to really pay much attention to anything else.

Amber Jackson & Nick Bloxsom-Carter
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Choreographer: Jason Gilkison
Song: Tina Arena – Nights in White Satin Nights In White Satin - Songs of Love & Loss, Vol. 2
Thoughts: If I liked Nick before… I love him a lot now. He’s such an overthinker like me, so I can relate to his fear that he might not hit the expectations set on him, but personally I think he expects that much more out of himself as opposed to everyone else. This routine really seemed like it was floating on air a lot.

Amelia Lowe & Will Thomas
Dance: Pop-fusion
Choreographer: NappyTabs
Song: The Cure – The Lovecats The Lovecats - The Cure: Greatest Hits
Thoughts: Wow, this is a very good number. NappyTabs have managed to reinvent themselves so that they aren’t entirely hip hop… this is very very interesting. Will and Amelia did a very good job with this piece and to think I was a little bit worried… Silly me. Considering that I didn’t know much about Will before… what is there to know except that he is a fabulous dancer and really a good “balance” with Amelia. They really looked like they were having fun in this dance.

Janelle Issis & Dareian Kujawa
Dance: African Jazz
Choreographer: Sean Cheesman
Song: Hilight Tribe – Jungle Jungle - Drum Trance (Music Mosaic Compilation)
Thoughts: Geez, what is it with Sean Cheesman and his love for technically advanced routines? I mean seriously! But what Daniel and Alexa lacked emotionally earlier today, Janelle and Dareian were able to achieve here… their personalities shown and they have charisma for miles. You can tell they were having fun and enjoying the dance. It was great to see.

Eliana Girard & Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer
Dance: Broadway
Choreographer: Tyce Diorio
Song: Hairspray (Original Braodway Cast) – Run and Tell That Run and Tell That! - Hairspray - Original Broadway Cast Recording
Thoughts: As worried as I was for Cyrus in picking up choreographer I was pleasantly surprised just how well he was able to cope to picking up choreography. Granted one of Cyrus’ best assets is just how much of a performer and entertainer he is, which really works well with Eliana and her performing background as well. Based on this performance alone I would say that they are bound to be around for quite some time if they keep this up.

Audrey Case & Matthew Kazmierczak
Dance: Contemporary
Choreographer: Travis Wall
Song: The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody Unchained Melody - The Very Best of the Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody
Thoughts: Can we have a Titanic based dance show that Travis choreographs, because this was awesome. I really really liked it. These two are a really good pair together. I don’t know what else to say about this particular piece.

Lindsay Arnold & Cole Horibe
Dance: Paso Doble
Choerographer: Jason Gilkison
Song: E. S. Posthumus – Unstoppable Unstoppable - Makara
Thoughts: Love, Love, Love this routine. Actually if rumors are to be believed, Cole apparently has done some ballroom dancing… then again considering this is the Paso Doble it really does cater a bit to his strengths. I agree with the judges, as long as this couple keeps this up they may be the pair to beat.

I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SPOILERS! SYTYCD Top 20!!!

Much like in last week’s post about spoilers for who made it through the end of Vegas Callbacks. Today is probably one of the most anticipated episodes of the season as the Top 20 is revealed.

Like last week, OMGDance has provided some spoilers as to whom could be in the Top 20

Nigel has mentioned a few times this season that Ballroom and Hip Hop is strong this season. Based off of last week’s spoilers there were three ballroom dancers that made it to the end of Vegas Callbacks and only one that we know of to be a hip-hop related dancers (there might be others, but none that we are able to discern based on the episodes seen).

If you look at the Top 20 Dance Style Breakdown page the season with the most hip-hop related dancers (this is including popping, locking, etc):
– Season One: 3 male / 1 female and 1 male breaker
– Season Two: 3 male / 2 female
– Season Three: 2 male / 1 female and 2 male breakers / 1 female breaker
– Season Four: 2 male / 1 female and 1 male breaker
– Season Five: 2 male
– Season Six: 2 male and 1 male breaker and 1 male krumper
– Season Seven: 1 male breaker
– Season Eight: 2 male and 2 male breakers
Just looking at the above list some of the hip-hop related strongest seasons occurred in the first four seasons of the series and then Seasons Six and Eight.

However, whenever Nigel and Co. talk about hip-hop dancers that have come onto the show they always go back to Twitch and Comfort both from Season Four. If they talk about strong breakers they tend to look at either Dominic from Season 3, Jonathan “Legacy” Perez from Season 6, or Jose Ruiz from Season 7.
Read more..

June 27, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9 Music and Initial Thoughts: Meet the Top 20!!!

Hello all! I am running a little late, so I might miss a song or two from the beginning of the episode. So I would really appreciate your help in finding the music from tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 Meet the Top 20 episode. As you know, we’ve been listing all of the SYTYCD music ever since SYTYCD season 2. We hope to do the same this season.

In the comments below please list any and all songs that you happen to pick up, and any songs that you’d like me to specifically find and within twenty-four hours from the show I’ll update this post with the songs that I was able to catch. Please attempt to be as specific as possible as to where the music came from during the episode so I would know not to look for it and move on to the next piece of music.

The more songs that you guys are able to find, the more time I will have in finding the songs that you are unable to find.

Thank you so much for your help!

UPDATE 1: All songs updated with initial thoughts.
UPDATE 2: Updated the Top 20 Dance Style Breakdown and Top 20 Show Trivia pages
UPDATE 3: Added Poll

– Marianya

Wow I love these Meet the Top 20 Dancers routines… I really wished this was brought in for the earlier seasons, but you know what better late than never. First off… here is a poll, choose all the dances that you enjoyed from tonight’s show!

Beyond the break is more information about the dances from today’s show.
Read more..

I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9 Las Vegas Callbacks Thoughts

Now that the Vegas Callbacks have aired it was difficult to know for sure who made it to the end and who is left for the final cut that would air next week. The spoilers show only up to 30 dancers made it to the end of callbacks but according to the show 35 actually made it to the end of the Vegas Callbacks. Although the majority (if not all) of the spoilers seem to be correct it would still be difficult to see who actually made it. Nigel keeps insisting that we have some really strong hip hop and ballroom dancers this year and yet the only ones that we know of in the Ballroom genre are Witney Carson and Lindsay Arnold… while the ones in the hip hop genre is Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer… Interesting. Anyway let’s move on with the program.

Las Vegas Callbacks started out with 181 dancers who were invited back. As John mentioned earlier: What we see on television isn’t exactly what happens, sure everyone starts with a solo but in between sessions the dancers actually get a chance to learn more about what to expect in the dance industry. How to survive… this is truly an educational experience for anyone lucky enough to get a chance to be invited to be a part of the Vegas Callbacks experience.

DAY ONE VEGAS CALLBACKS: OPENING SOLOS
Sometimes the first solo is an advancement of what they showed in the city auditions, or it is a chance for the dancers to show more than what they displayed in the city auditions. Take Janelle Issis the belly dancer for example…
Read more..

June 21, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SPOILERS!!! SYTYCD Season 9 Las Vegas Callbacks

OMGDance, who are known for their consistent spoilers particularly via Vegas Callbacks have posted a list of dancers that have made it to Vegas Callbacks but have been cut prior to the Green Mile as well as a list of dancers that have possibly made it to the Green Mile. No Top 20 here, as dancers were probably still waiting for the call from producers for that particular piece of info. Keep in mind that this post was originally created back on June 6th.

IdolForums has also been known to be fairly consistent with their spoilers and someone even posted a list of the Top 15 guys and Top 15 girls from the end of Vegas Callbacks.

After the break when you compare the two lists you can see that there are some plausible discrepancies since these are indeed spoilers and rumors of the kind we won’t actually know who is in the Top 30 before the Green Mile / Meet the Top 20 episode coming next week. So please take the following lists with a grain of salt… I’ll post my thoughts about the show tomorrow.

Spoilers after the break:
Read more..

June 20, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9 Music: Las Vegas Callbacks

Hello all! Ironically I am heading to an audition of my own, so I won’t be able to see tonight’s SYTYCD show live. So to help me focus on the SYTYCD music that is harder to find I would really appreciate your help in finding the music from tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 Las Vegas week episode. As you know, we’ve been listing all of the SYTYCD music ever since SYTYCD season 2. We hope to do the same this season.

In the comments below please list any and all songs that you happen to pick up, and any songs that you’d like me to specifically find and within twenty-four hours from the show I’ll update this post with the songs that I was able to catch. Please attempt to be as specific as possible as to where the music came from during the episode so I would know not to look for it and move on to the next piece of music.

The more songs that you guys are able to find, the more time I will have in finding the songs that you are unable to find.

Thank you so much for your help!

– Marianya

UPDATE 1: Songs are posted… most have been verified

UPDATE 2: Added additional songs all but three songs are verified

UPDATE 3: All songs verified and given alternatives whenever possible

LAS VEGAS CALLBACKS

Pendulum – The Island, Pt. I (Dawn) The Island, Pt. I (Dawn) - Immersion (Deluxe Version)

Pendulum – The Island, Pt. II (Dusk) The Island, Pt. II (Dusk) - Immersion (Deluxe Version)

DAY ONE VEGAS CALLBACKS: OPENING SOLO ROUND
Hampton “The Exorcist” Williams First Solo Music: Evanescence – My Immortal My Immortal - Fallen

Janelle Issis First Solo Music: Beats Antique – Egyptic Egyptic - Blind Threshold

Montage of dancers during the solo round: Rihanna – Where Have You Been Where Have You Been - Talk That Talk (Deluxe Edition)

DAY ONE VEGAS CALLBACKS: HIP HOP choreography by Twitch and Comfort
Hip Hop Choreography Music: OutKast – Bombs Over Baghdad B.O.B. - Stankonia

Montage of groups making it past hip hop round: B.o.B – So Good So Good - Strange Clouds

Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer group makes it through past hip hop round: Flux Pavilion – I Cant Stop I Can't Stop - Circus One (Presented By Doctor P and Flux Pavilion)

DAY TWO VEGAS CALLBACKS: BROADWAY choreography by Tyce Diorio
Broadway Choreography Music: Marc Broussard – Must Be the Water Must Be the Water (Single Version) - Must Be the Water - EP

Montage of groups making it through broadway round: Gin Wigmore – Don’t Stop Don't Stop - Holy Smoke

Montage of dancers who get eliminated after broadway round: Lissie – You Can Go Your Own Way You Can Go Your Own Way - Covered Up With Flowers - EP

DAY TWO VEGAS CALLBACKS: JAZZ choreography by Sonya Tayeh
The dancers rehearse for the Jazz round: StereoLif – I Like That since this is not available online a suggested alternative is Richard Vission & Static Revenger Starring Luciana – I Like That I Like That - I Like That - Single

Jazz Choreography Music: My Brightest Diamond – Freak Out (Gold Chains Panique Mix) Freak Out (Gold Chains Panique Mix) - Tear It Down

Dancers get cut during the jazz round: Gemini – Blue Blue - Blue EP

DAY TWO VEGAS CALLBACKS: DANCE FOR YOUR LIFE SOLOS after Jazz Round
Rachel Applehans “Dance For Your Life” Music: Leela James – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World It's a Man's Man's Man's World - Let's Do It Again

Amelia Lowe “Dance For Your Life” Music: Elmer Bernstein & The Royal Philharmonic Pops Orchestra – To Kill a Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird - Elmer Bernstein

DAY THREE VEGAS CALLBACKS: GROUP ROUTINES
Song used for the group round: Gotye (feat. Kimbra) – Somebody That I Used to Know Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra) - Making Mirrors

Montage of dancers cut during group round choreography: Sara Bareilles – Hold My Heart Hold My Heart - Kaleidoscope Heart

“The HighSchoolers” Group Dance Music: The Side Project – I Wanna Dance with Somebody I Wanna Dance With Somebody - 14

Dancers that make it through the group choreography round: Estelle (feat. Janelle Monáe) – Do My Thing Do My Thing (feat. Janelle Monáe) - All of Me (Deluxe Version)

“Wolfpack” Group Dance Music: The Wanted – Glad You Came Glad You Came - Glad You Came - Single

DAY THREE VEGAS CALLBACKS: BALLROOM choreography by Jason Gilkinson
Ballroom (ChaCha) Choreography Music: Jennifer Lopez – Let’s Get Loud Let's Get Loud - On the 6

Montage of dancers eliminated after the ballroom round: Kris Allen – Out Alive Out Alive - Thank You Camellia (Deluxe Version)

Montage of ballroom dancers & dancers who excelled during the ballroom round: Nicki Minaj & Rihanna – Fly Fly - Pink Friday (Deluxe Version)

DAY THREE VEGAS CALLBACKS: DANCE FOR YOUR LIFE SOLOS after Ballroom Round
Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer “Dance For Your Life Music”: Messinian – Holy Ghost (Helicopter Showdown and Sluggo Remix) Holy Ghost (Helicopter Showdown and Sluggo Remix) - Holy Pimp Hand - EP

DAY THREE VEGAS CALLBACKS: CONTEMPORARY choreography by Travis Wall
The dancers rehearse for the contemporary round: Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed Starry Eyed - Lights

Contemporary Choreography Music: Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up I Won't Give Up - Love Is a Four Letter Word (Deluxe Version)

DAY FOUR VEGAS CALLBACKS: FINAL SOLOS and WHY THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
Alexa Anderson Final solo music: The Naked and Famous – Young Blood (White Sea Remix) this is not available on iTunes, here is a link to listen to the piece and from iTunes here’s the Renholdër Remix Version Young Blood (Renholdër Remix) - Underworld: Awakening (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Montage of dancers explaining why they should move on: Matchbox Twenty – Put Your Hands Up or Timeflies – Until the Sunrise Until the Sunrise - The Scotch Tape
Note: I could see how “Until the Sunrise” could fit by lyrics alone, but there are some lyrics that are featured that is not in “Until the Sunrise”

Chehon Wespi-Tschopp Final solo music: Noah Lifschey – Suite of the Winter Songbirds

End of the episode: Outasight – Tonight Is the Night Tonight Is the Night - Tonight Is the Night - Single

I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9 Salt Lake City Auditions Thoughts

SALT LAKE CITY AUDITIONS
Witney Carson
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She has this sweet little girl quality to her, and when she dances it’s like she transforms into a grown woman. We haven’t seen all that many ballroom dancers thus far in the city auditions so it was a breath of fresh air to finally see that the dancers haven’t entirely disappeared.

Deanna “Dee” Tomasetta
Apprentice of Motiv8
– Student of Elite Academy of Dance
She made it to the end of Vegas Callbacks in Season 8 before being cut just prior to the Top 20 that was on the show.

Gene Lonardo
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Glad it isn’t just me that felt that this guy just screams “Sonya Tayeh” all over him. He does have very strong technique and he comes across to me as more of an artist than dancer. Much like Ryan Kasprzak was a season or two ago… someone that dances you can toss them choreography and they will work with it, but an artist embodies dance in such a way that they use it to create a story, a painting, etc. This is Gene, however odd his intent was.

Lindsay Arnold
There was nothing that really drew me to her, not like with Witney and I shouldn’t be comparing dancers. Lindsay is a pretty face and has good talent, but for some reason I can’t see myself wanting to see more of her. Perhaps in another year or two, sure… but not at the moment.

Mariah Spears
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This is probably one of the major surprises of the season, a sweet little girl from the mean streets of Arizona… dancing KRUMP! The only other dancer that was notated as Krumper was Russell Ferguson of Season 6 and he couldn’t have been more different from Mariah. She danced Krump and did it really really well. I was very happy to see her get through the choreography round because I really would love to see how she fares in Vegas

Dareian Kujawa
For the longest time I didn’t think that a really good dancer could exist that would have bad feet. I mean I’ve come across mediocre dancers and choreographers that have lousy feet, but that’s probably why they aren’t in major dance companies and are just barely making ends meet. So it’s not a good thing to have come across a dancer that is incredible, great lines, passionate, etc but then you look at their feet and it’s just “ugh”. I really like Dareian, he’s really good, but dammit he needs to figure out a way to clean up his feet otherwise they are going to prevent him from reaching his full potential. Finishing off the feet helps to clean up the lines and the overall image of the dancer as they dance.

Amber Williams & Chase Thomas
Both of these dancers went straight to the Vegas Callbacks in Season 8 and were sent straight to Vegas Callbacks once again for Season 9. If you have forgotten, Amber was a rather quirky personality and dancer that wore all green that was at the San Francisco auditions. Chase Thomas was at the Salt Lake City auditions wearing almost nothing with the back story of his girlfriend cheating on him and eventually married an art history major. Both were phenomenal dancers and no doubt are even stronger this go around.

Adrian Lee
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YES! He’s BACK! Well kind of, I’m not fond of his routine, but I do love his technique. I remember him from Season 7 when he was in Vegas Callbacks and he was paired with Lauren Froderman for the Broadway number and I remembered just how much fun it was to watch. If you have forgotten, the Broadway number had several measures that gave the couples a chance to show what they can do on their own before heading into the choreographed section… Adrian and Lauren totally shined. I really hope he makes it past Vegas and onto the show this go around.

Rachel Applehan
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– Part of Damsels Dance Company in Denver
Jazz/Burlesque… I wanted to see more dance in it, and what little there was I was ok with. It is possible to have a lot more dance into the audition and still have it be sexy/sassy and burlesque-related. Not seeing the choreography as the judges had I am going to have to trust their comments and believe that she was really good in some spots and sloppy in others.

I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)

SYTYCD Season 9 Music: Salt Lake City Auditions

SALT LAKE CITY AUDITIONS DAY ONE
Intro to auditions music: M83 – Outro Outro - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.

Opening of the Utah auditions: Outasight – Now or Never Now or Never - Now or Never - Single

Witney Carson Interview Music: Goldfrapp – Strict Machine Strict Machine - Black Cherry

Witney Carson Audition Music: Bond – Libertango Libertango - Shine

Lynn Gravvatt Interview / End of Audition Music: Carpenters – Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem of World Contact Day) [1989 Remix] Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft (The Recognized Anthem of World Contact Day) [1989 Remix] - Carpenters Gold (35th Anniversary Edition)

Dancer’s dad auditions & she judges him: The Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow Boom Boom Pow - The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)

Deanna “Dee” Tomasseta Interview Music: LMFAO – Get Crazy Get Crazy - Party Rock

Deanna “Dee” Tomasetta Audition Music: Blaire Reinhard – I Can’t Make You Love Me I Can't Make You Love Me - I Can't Make You Love Me - Single

Montage of “unique” dancers: Madness – One Step Beyond One Step Beyond - One Step Beyond...

Gene Lonardo Audition Music: Jahcoozi – Fish Fish - Pure Breed Mongrel

Lindsay Arnold Audition Music: Deadmau5 – Ghosts N Stuff Ghosts N Stuff - Ghosts N Stuff - Single

Montage of Ballroom Auditions: Sweet – Ballroom Blitz The Ballroom Blitz - The Best of Sweet

Mariah Spears Audition Music: Kardinal Offishall feat. The Clipse – Set It Off Set It Off (feat. The Clipse) - Not 4 Sale

Murphy Yang Audition Music: District 78 – I Won’t Dance (Official Step Up 3D Mix) can be downloaded via District 78’s America’s Best Mixtape

Choregraphy Round: Jennifer Lopez – Papi Papi - LOVE? (Deluxe Edition)

Montage of people going to Vegas after Choreography Round: Martin Solveig & Dragonette – Hello Hello - Hello - Single

SALT LAKE CITY AUDITIONS DAY TWO
Lead In Music to Day Two Salt Lake City Auditions: Jack White – Sixteen Saltiness Sixteen Saltines - Blunderbuss

Dareian Kujawa Interview Music: Cindy Alexander – Turning Into You Turning Into You - Every Rise & Fall

Dareian Kujawa Audition Music: Michael Grimm feat Jack Mack and the Heart Attack – I’ve Been Loving You Too Long I've Been Loving You Too Long - I've Got Dreams

Johnny Ahn Interview Music: Dan the Automator feat Hieroglyphics – Don’t Hate the Player Don't Hate the Player (feat. Hieroglyphics) - Don't Hate the Player - EP

Johnny Ahn & Whitney Hallam Audition Music: Rodolfo Guerra Y Su Sincopata Latina – Mueve El Cuerpo Mueve el Cuerpo - Demasiado Corazòn

Adrian Lee Audition Music: Otis Redding – Try a Little Tenderness Try a Little Tenderness - The Very Best of Otis Redding

Montage of dancers going to Vegas: Afrojack & Shermanology – Can’t Stop Me (Club Mix) Can't Stop Me (Club Mix) - Can't Stop Me - EP

Rachel Applehan Interview Music: Marilyn Manson – Slo-Mo-Tion Slo-Mo-Tion - Born Villain

Rachel Applehan Audition Music: Jessie J – Mamma Knows Best Mamma Knows Best - Who You Are (Platinum Edition)

Montage of bad auditions from day 2: Nicki Minaj – Starships Starships - Starships - Single

Leroy Martinez Audition Music: Chris Brown – Yeah 3X Yeah 3X - Yeah 3X - Single

Montage of people going to Vegas after Choreography Round Day 2: The Wanted – Chasing the Sun Chasing the Sun - The Wanted

June 13, 2012 I Written By

My life can be summed up in the following two quotes: 1) "I am married to engineering and am its faithful wife by day, but at night my wanderlust takes hold and the arts becomes my jealous paramour." and... 2) "Engineering is my safety net. Writing is my passion. Acting is my escape when the other two become too much." So where does dancing fit in? Pretty much anywhere at this point... =)