Island’s talented dancers prepare to compete

Bermuda’s young talent are gearing up for the first annual competition — So You Think You Can Dance.

Launched by Inter-Island Communications — parent company of HOTT 107.5FM is the contest will see dancers competing for the winning accolade and prize money.

They will get to test their best dance moves in all genres including modern jazz, hip hop, salsa, or classical.

Inter-Island’s Gwen Blakeney told us: “Bermuda has such a wide variety of accomplished and aspiring talent which includes all genres of performing arts and those that have a passion for dance are no exception.

“There are any number of individuals, couples and groups whose dance skills are primarily developed from formal training, yet there is also a significant number who possess incredible natural ability, which is further honed through choreographic ingenuity and hours of dedicated rehearsal. ICC continues to believe in local talent and is very grateful for the invaluable corporate support that will help ensure a truly first class event.”

Contestants have been chosen from open auditions will compete during the Finals for $5,700 in total prize money. The Ruth Seaton James Centre will “come alive” at 8pm on Saturday, June 1. All are invited to help support Bermuda’s local talent. Tickets are available from HOTT 107.5, Gorham’s Ltd, Music Box iClick.

Meet the Contestants:

Here is a list of the competitors and their bios:

Victoria Da Ponte

My name is Victoria Da Ponte and I have been dancing since the age of 5. My favourite style of dance would have to be jazz/contemporary. On June 1st you can expect a great performance. I’m very excited and thankful for being involved in the first annual So You Think You Can Dance competition.

J&J

Janaya and Jalisa Caines “J&J” auditioned for So you think you can Dance in an attempt to win the prize to go towards attending an overseas dance camp.  The young ladies prepared their dance ½ hour before attending the audition and were happy to be chosen to perform in the finals. They have danced from the age of three and five respectively and currently dance at Jackson’s School of Dance.  Janaya dances ballet, modern, jazz and tap, while Jalisa dances ballet and jazz.  Jalisa also participates in the West Pembroke Primary School Cheerleaders and recently performed in the BYGT competition with the group.  She also danced at the Exhibition and Portuguese festival with Jackson’s.  Janaya will be dancing in the Heritage Day Parade and they both will be performing in the recital at the end of June. The girls love dance and are excited to be participating in the competition.

Kioshi Burgess

Kioshi Burgess is an 19 year old, extremely talented, well rounded young man, who lists singing, dancing, acting, volunteering and travelling among his interests.

Kioshi is currently studying performing arts at William Patterson University in New Jersey.  He graduated from the Berkeley Institute in June 2012, maintaining Honour Roll status during all four years of high school.  Outside of the classroom, Kioshi did peer mentoring at Northlands Primary School, assisting students with reading, and has obtained Duke of Edinburgh Silver (2010), and Gold (2011) Medal Awards.

Kioshi’s interest in the Performing Arts was peaked when he began the GCSE Drama Programme in his second year at the Berkeley Institute, which he says allowed him to experience elements of the Arts in a richer way.  This young man, who once dreamed of being a paediatrician, now aspires to be an entertainer in the music industry, hoping to eventually attain success in the movies or on Broadway.  He would also like to return to Bermuda one day to open his own performing arts school, especially for the youth and less fortunate.

Kioshi has participated in numerous programmes to broaden his experience in the arts, including The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Writer-In-Residence Theatre Workshop in 2009-2010 with Dr Michael Gilkes, and the Bermuda Glee 10-day Intensive in Performing Arts in 2011.  This summer, as a result of his participation in a dance workshop, he won an award to participate in a session at the Broadway Dance Centre of New York .

He recently co-founded a dance group with his twin brother, called Krazed Ego, which will be featured in  this year’s May 24th Heritage Day Parade.

Kioshi is an active player in TROIKA Bermuda. This group’s mission is to educate, enlighten and entertain by producing significant theatre experiences, which are presented by a creative ensemble of young people who embody the highest professional calibre. 

He has participated in several of their productions; most recently, he played the role of Papa Ge in TROIKA’s Work In Progress #4 musical production entitled Once On This Island at the Ruth Seaton James in August of last year.

He also teaches Drop in Hip Hop classes on Saturdays and was also featured as a guest instructor for TROIKA’s most recent GROOVE Dance workshops.

Miguel Postlethwaite

Miguel Postlethwaite has been dancing since he began walking and by the age of seven he was performing  Hip Hop and Musical Theatre in United Dance Productions recitals.  He also enjoys Rapping  and  is inspired by local rapper Jelani and dance moves by Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Usher.  He attends Clearwater Middle School and would like to be an Entertainer when he grows up.

Ricky and Greashena Spence

Ricky and Greashena have been dancing for over 10 years and started practising at Ricky’s Barber shop.  They have travelled to Miami to dance. Ricky is Greashena’s uncle.

Precious Cooper

My name is Precious Cooper, I am 17 years old and in my last year at the Berkeley Institute. Dance is one of many things that I love to do and it is my passion. I enjoy entertaining, and when I am on stage I can be myself. My number one inspiration and the one who most of my dances are choreographed on would be the strongest woman I know which is my mother. Dance is life, dance is me.

Call Us What You Want

Sashae Robinson 18, Fernando Brown 19, Tenay Thompson 20, En’rikea Parson, 20. A group of young divine talented dancers have come together to participate in the event So You Think You Can Dance. These four individuals enjoy their passion for dance and have a craving thirst for the stage light. To this diverse group of dancers,  dancing is a way of being free and gives them the chance to deliver messages that can not be worded. Also it’s all about the fun and excitement of performing in-front of other individuals and showing off their crazy, unique and stylish choreography.

They are all friends and love dancing, but this  be the first time that they come together as one and will be performing as a group. We are participating in this event because it is the first time Bermuda has brought something to the island that is different but also an event that is known world wide. We hope to receive great opportunities out of this. dancing is not just dancing to us, its a Way Of Life. We live it & We love it”

Malachi Simmons

Malachi Simmons began pursuing his passion of Hip Hop dance five years ago at UDP. He went to Edge Hill University in England to study Dance and Drama in 2011 and decided to change to the BA Dance course after the first term. During his time at university he has started doing contemporary, ballet and many other styles.  He is also a full time member of the all male contemporary dance company Edge FWD as well as his own hip hop crew No ID. He has performed in many places all over England including London, Manchester and Liverpool.