West Coast

Yesterday was the heart post about West Coast, so I thought I would post today about some of the actual events. Here's the deal. Per usual, I took no pictures since it was a major event. Thankfully, the rest of the team did. What would I do without these ladies?

Issa only competed one dance, and that was hip hop on Saturday night:

So much cuteness. Let me tell you, this was a different group than what performed at Nuvo. They brought high energy and much more precision, and they ended the night with four stars, almost five stars. We were very proud of this group!

Saturday morning, though, the girls headed into convention:

Issa was number 481, and this was her first full convention. These little angels danced from 8-2 with a thirty minute lunch break for two days.

Their first teacher was Miss Amy, and if she looks familiar that would be because she just won So You Think You Can Dance:

She is also the sweetest, most hands on teacher they had. She did their first classes both Saturday and Sunday, and she danced with every girl, making corrections and encouraging. Sunday, she also signed a picture for each of the girls.

This is Issa's jazz teacher later Saturday morning:

He was so fun and so encouraging. Issa also totally kicked herself in the head doing a scorpion leap during this class.

This is CJ, the hip hop teacher:

He just finished a tour with Beiber, and he is headed out with Christina Aguilara next week. He was also so fun and so kind to these minis.

Miss Lauren with her Tinys:

I can not say enough wonderful things about this woman. I will be forever grateful she is Issa's dance teacher, and I am so glad that Issa is doing her solo with her. She pushes and yet loves these girls fiercely--and they love her.

Miss Elizabeth, the ballet teacher:

Issa is fighting it, but ballet is a strength for her. Last night, Miss Lauren cancelled classes but held an optional ballet class, and after some time with Miss Elizabeth, Issa wanted to go. Elizabeth was able to do more for her dance posture in an hour than I have seen all year, and even Miss Lauren noticed it last night.

Mr. Jason, the tap teacher:

He had a unique way of teaching tap by naming the steps after candy bars--one sound per syllable.

Mr. Eddie, the musical theater teacher:

Issa loved this class! It was also during this class that a tiny little mouse made an appearance in the room. Thankfully it was under the moms' chairs, and Mr. Eddie moved the girls so easily to the other side of the room that they didn't know what was going on. Our group sprang into action shooing him out the door, and about halfway through we heard him say, "You all are witnessing the best performance of the weekend right now." 

Miss Amy and our girls:

What impressed me was, with one exception, the entire faculty was truly able to meet the girls where they were and push them further. They truly cared about these little dancers, wanting them to grow and have fun. It was a great weekend, and Issa can hardly wait to go back next year.