Monday, January 3, 2011
Patch provides exclusive updates on the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company during their trip to perform at the 2011 Orange Bowl in Florida.
The big day has arrived for the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company who will perform during the half-time show of the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl after months of planning and preparation. This morning, the group rode with dancers from Simon Kenton High School in Ohio on a bus to Davie, FL, for the dress rehearsal. The 10-mile drive was subdued as some dancers rode with their eyes closed, while others lip-synced to their iPods or chatted with the dancer sitting next to them. The dress rehearsal on the Nova High School football field lasted until noon as parents and chaperones watched, clapped and cheered from the bleachers. Bonnie Story, best known for her work on all the High School Musical films, choreographed both dances the …
Patch provides exclusive updates on the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company during their trip to perform at the 2011 Orange Bowl in Florida.
The Annapolis Middle School (AMS) Dance Company spent 9 hours in rehearsal at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center on their third day in Florida. They rehearsed the two dances they'd already learned during after-school rehearsals in December. The choreography was tweaked and polished since this was the first time the hundreds of dancers practiced together. They will perform when the Goo Goo Dolls sing "Slide" and "Notbroken" during the half-time show of the Discover Orange Bowl. The AMS dancers returned to the hotel at 6 p.m., mostly exhausted but definitely hungry. After dinner, some of the dancers and chaperones made a quick trip to the beach area and went souvenir shopping. The other half of the group retired to their rooms to …
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Patch provides exclusive updates on the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company during their trip to perform at the 2011 Orange Bowl in Florida.
The Annapolis Middle School (AMS) Dance Company started the first day of the new year in Florida, eating breakfast at the hotel before they walked to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. During the brisk, 8-minute walk, they passed a cruise ship just as the sun was peeking over the bridge. AMS dance teacher, Kendra Smith, and AMS teacher/chaperone, Christina Shimko, joined the 12 sleepy, yet eager, dancers for a day of dance clinics with professional choreographers. About 650 student dancers from around the country (and one group from Canada) were taught classes that ranged from Broadway-style to hip hop. Parents and chaperones were invited to a showcase at 5 p.m. to see the students perform what they had learned that day, …
Friday, December 31, 2010
Patch provides exclusive updates on the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company during their trip to perform at the 2011 Orange Bowl in Florida.
Our flight and descent were uneventful as far as anyone else would be concerned. However, this mom traveling with 12 dancers headed to Florida to perform at the Orange Bowl half-time show knows a different story. There were many excited giggles and gleeful conversations from the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company. Two dancers had never flown before (and there were no worries) and several had never been to Florida. It goes without saying that none of the kids have ever performed on a stage in front of thousands, live and on national television. The excitement was palpable, for sure. Next up, getting those 12 excited dancers through to baggage claim and a bathroom break before the shuttle ride to our hotel. "Do we get a limo?" [no…
Patch will provide updates about the dancers' trip to perform in the half-time show on Jan. 3.
It was dark outside when they woke up this morning, but their smiles were bright as the 12 members of the Annapolis Middle School Dance Company stood in BWI Airport at 7 a.m. Today is a travel day for the dancers who will participate in the half-time show of the Discover Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, FL, that will air on national television (ESPN) at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2011. They'll be dancing during a live performance by the Goo Goo Dolls. "I'm so psyched," said Anne Lillefloren, 13, clutching a stuffed giraffe. "I couldn't go to sleep ... then, I couldn't wake up this morning." All of the students were excited as they prepared for their 9 a.m. flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL. Tonight, the dancers will celebrate New Year's Eve …
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Students and faculty accepted a $500 check from the city of Annapolis to put towards their travel costs to the 2011 Orange Bowl.
Before they head off to perform in the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl halftime show in Florida this January, members of the Annapolis Middle School (AMS) Dance Company were honored at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting in Annapolis. They received a special award from the city to support them on their trip — a check for $500. "You ladies are wonderful," said Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson (D-4th Ward), as she introduced the dancers and asked them to state their names for the official city record. The four dancers representing the company were Annapolis High School (AHS) ninth graders Mary Virginia Kizer Ball and Madison White, and AMS eighth graders Kiki Jojic and Anne Lillefloren. Finlayson told the dancers that the council hoped they have a safe …
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Students hope to raise enough money to perform at a college bowl game in 2011.
The community dined out last night at Chick-fil-A to support the Annapolis Middle School (AMS) Dance Company in their efforts to raise money for a trip to Miami Gardens, FL. The dance company needs $18,000 to send 12 students to perform in the halftime show at the Discover Orange Bowl. The students are seeking tax-credit donations from local businesses and the community. They are holding fundraisers around town because the first half of the money is due on Sept. 17. Monique Jackson, AMS principal; her husband, Kevin, and their family came out to support the dancers and meet the Chick-fil-A cow at the food court at Westfield Annapolis Shopping Center. Jackson has showed support for the dance company and Kendra Smith, the AMS dance and …
Julie L. Kizer Ball
9:39 am on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The dancers and chaperones sat in the "nose bleed" section but this provided for a stunning visual of the performance. There were about 50 different groups from around the country and one from Canada. Was told about 800 dancers were present from schools and dance studios. Thanks for all your support. Everyone had a great time. more ›