This year’s Creative Dance Center’s Nutcracker performance, Penny took one of the lead roles as Rat Queen and brought her style, humor and presence to the role making her a crowd and show favorite!
Tagged: Creative Dance Center, dance, Nutcracker, Penny, Rat Queen
Tagged: dance, dance team, game, high school, homecoming, South Lakes
In January we dreamed of it.
And this week it all became true. His new home, his next challenge and opportunity, his new circle and daily routine, living more without us than with us and fulfilling a promise owed only to himself. 
Tagged: college, dance, Kaufman, LA, Lucas, Santa Monica, University of Southern California, USC
“He is the poster child of what we want for Collective, he is so good at it.” – Dejan Tubic
Dejan was the first DanceMakers faculty to notice Lucas. And he continued to notice him, year after year, calling him out, having him on stage and sponsoring his nomination to Collective. Relationships define life and work and this year as a member of Season XI of Collective Lucas had the opportunity to experience his extracurricular activity of dance in the real working world. He learned how to run backstage, the logistics of staging, coordinating dancers and supporting awards, assisting faculty ranging in styles and familiarity, learning their preferences on running the music and teaching, and being on all the time whether he was backstage, on stage, or in the elevator. He knew dancers of all ages were watching him because he had done the same. Collective from seasons past had hyped him, inspired him and been a role model. From the nervous youngest to the talented oldest, he offered support, laughed with them and celebrated for them. Every weekend he was deepening his relationships with the faculty and staff and building new ones with every dancer and studio owner he interacted with. And every weekend, in cities around the country, hearing the cheers from the crowd when he was introduced, his impact was felt.
Tagged: CDC, Creative Dance Center, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, Nationals, Oliver, Penny
Creative Dance Center’s End of Season party theme was NYC. It’s always a great time to celebrate the successes and growth of the season, and this time we also celebrated Lucas’ last end of season party.
Tagged: CDC, Creative Dance Center, dance, Lucas, Oliver, Penny, senior year
He almost didn’t try out for the team his first year but a word of encouragement from a coach was the nudge he needed and although he was battling severe stage fright, as long as he took the stage with his team he’d be OK. He competed two hip hop routines that year. Then his second year he was placed in two hip hop routines, one jazz routine and one contemporary routine and was offered his first solo. He was equal parts excited and scared. After four team competitions, three extra conventions of classes, and placing in the top ten for his solo I’d say his growth this year is best measured in leaps.
Tagged: CDC, competition, Creative Dance Center, dance, Oliver
And that’s a wrap, eleven cities on the tour of his life. As a Season XI Collective member he traveled the country, trained with some of the best in the industry, met hundreds of dancers and inspired many, learned how to work behind the scenes and on the stage, made mistakes and navigated the corrections, dealt with disappointment, experienced what good workplace culture can be, and in the words of Erica Sobol “Created space for others to shine.”
Tagged: CDC, convention, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, New Orleans, Penny, travel
Hollywood Vibe is our fifth and last regional competition of the 2024-2025 season, and the last team competition for our four seniors. They have been dancing together for years, co-starring and partnering in dances, supporting each other on and off the stage. From the nerves of their early days to the confidence and presence of today, their leadership and example for all the dancers at the studio will be missed.
Tagged: CDC, competition, convention, dance, Hollywood Vibe, Lucas, Oliver, Penny
Tap and ballet are probably his least strongest dance styles. Each weekend Lucas has to be prepared to assist any class, from Camp Dance to Seniors, in any style, from tap to hip hop, challenging the kids to take the stage and assist in a style they might not be the strongest. There are favorites he always hopes for but at the end of every weekend the valuable lesson is always learned; every class is an opportunity to learn, grow and inspire. You get what you give.
Tagged: Chicago, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas
In 2018 Lucas competed for the first time at DanceMakers.
Tagged: Bethesda, CDC, Creative Dance Center, dance, Dancemakers, Lucas, Oliver, Penny
Our Everyday 