What starts in August with choreography ends in June with DanceMakers Nationals and the last time they perform their routines of the season. Several routines took home Style High Scores including Let It Bump for Teen Hip Hop Extended Line, Ensnared for Senior Open Group, Money for Senior Hip Hop Line and Heatin’ Up for Senior Hip Hop Extended Line and Ensnared winning Performance of the Year. Lucas always comes into Nationals with nerves and expectations. His emotions swung from insecurity to validation and I am so proud of his resilience and what he was able to accomplish and prove to himself. First year competing in the Senior category, Lucas’ solo placed 27th out of close to 300. He also had the opportunity to participate in Wild Things, a private workshop with Erica Sobol, a scholarship he received at regionals.  We enjoyed our first night as a team at Nationals doing nothing other than dancing on tables.

Mi Young and Miranda drove two hours to come see Lucas perform. We caught up between the routines and picked up where we left off, continuing this priceless lifelong friendship.
Lucas received a scholarship to the CLI Conservatory Summer Intensive.  The program includes a week of training with professional choreographers, dance on camera training with the CLI Studios content production team, and access to a special community of like-minded dancers. This will be a great opportunity for Lucas to push his training forward and broaden his exposure to professional dance. Another Nationals, another week of priceless memories, of deepening friendships, of support, challenge, laughter, celebrations and saying goodbyes. The dancing brought us here and the friendships keep us here.