Her brother is her number one fan: “Since day one, he’s gone to all my shows. But, you know what, he’s a bit of a closet dancer. Like, I’ll catch him popping and locking in his bathroom. So I think he might just be using me as an excuse to go watch cool moves.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it
Torres is a graduate of Skyline High School. She began dancing when she was 6 years old and now teaches at a studio near her home. She was also a Miss Washington Teen pageant winner, and was a Seattle Storm and Seattle Sonic Jr. dancer from 2000-2003. (FOX)
Exit Interview
Paris’ Signature Move (“kinda like a wind up doll that’s broken down…”)
Interview with Top 20 partner Jason Glover
Before SYTYCD:
A group performance with Kelsea Taylor (was cut in Vegas week).
Got pneumonia the day before Vegas auditions last year, but was featured in the finale, battling fellow popper Robert Moraine: “At the time I was really disappointed, but in retrospect, it was definitely better because it gave me a whole year to prepare for this… I have a [hip hop] choreography background, so catching on to things isn’t [too difficult], but as far as other styles, I had to do like a crash course in a lot of things.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Chbeeb has had no formal dance training, but began dancing when he was 15 years old. At age 16, he founded the Marvelous Motion Studio in Houston. He is currently an engineering physics major at Loyola Marymount University. (FOX)
Karla auditioned in Denver, Colorado and this is how little they showed Karla during that time- among the montage of dancers where Contemporary choreographer Sonya Tayeh couldn’t contain her excitement and delight towards auditioning dancers including Karla. She is shown around 0:40-0:29. That’s right! That’s about 12 seconds of exposure while some of the contestants received up to 5 minute video clips with background story just in the audition alone!
Sonya says:
“Oh my gad…. I’m shivering. That was so beautiful….”
Identifies with Melody (Lacayanga) from season 1: “I think it’s just because she’s Filipino-American also! Artistically, I think we’re a little bit different, but it was so nice to see another Filipino-American dancer… Hopefully the show will air in the Philippines because I have a lot of cousins there.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Garcia is a graduate of New York University. Her early dance experience included learning traditional Filipino folk dancing. Garcia performed on Broadway in “Hot Feet,” danced in the ensemble of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” and went on to tour with “Wicked.” She is a member of “Boogie Bots Crew.” (FOX)
Karla and Vitolio’s Exit Interview
Karla’s signature move: the “whack and kiss” move
7/2 Last Solo performance and her journey on SYTYCD 5.
Interview with Max Kapitannikov
Before SYTYCD: Song: “Blackbird” by Dionne Faris
@ Breaking Grounds Studio where she teaches in Pleasantyille, NY.
Birthday: “I was born on March 16, 1988, a day before St. Patrick’s Day!”
Specialty: Lyrical/Contemporary
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Currently Resides: Fresno, Calif.
Age: 21
School: “It’s a work in progress. I want to attend a university, but I really would like to dance first.”
Other talents/hobbies: “I’ve played soccer since the age of 4, I swim, golf, play tennis, go to the gym, and do anything else that keeps me active. Call me your all-American boy. Haha.”
Favorite professional dancer: “Well, when I started taking tap at age 12, Gregory Hines was a huge influence on me and I actually got to tap with him at one of his last shows before he passed. But recently, my favorite is Nick Bass. He’s sick!”
Choreographers would like to work with: “It’s a privilege to be able to work with anyone, but I have been dying to work with Mia Michaels. She brings out and really captures the beauty in dance and in the dancers she works with. She is my idol. But also Marty Kudelka or Nick Bass. They are my idols in hip hop.”
Was inspired by Nick from season one: “I was going through a tough time. I was not wanting to dance at the time. I was getting teased a lot. And seeing him dance, he came out and did this solo to “Storm” by Lifehouse and he danced so masculine, but he was so… I don’t know the word for it… I’m going to say, pretty. It was really cool to watch that and right then I was like, okay, I can do this. I wasn’t scared anymore.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Glover began dancing at age 12, studying Tap and Hip Hop. He is a graduate of Bullard High School, and his favorite dancer is Michael Jackson. Tapping onstage with Gregory Hines, in one of his last shows, changed Jason’s life. (FOX)
Jason’s Top 8 Solo which he performed twice being in the bottom three: “…Slowdance On the Inside”—Taking Back Sunday
Judges refer to her as the naughty ballerina: “I’m the oldest and the only ballerina [to make the Top 20], so it’s a couple firsts. I’m excited about that… [I’ve been dancing for] 24 years, which is older than a lot of these people are!” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Sandvig has been dancing for most of her life. She has danced with the Milwaukee Ballet Company, LA Opera, Long Beach Ballet and Helios Dance Theater. A highlight for Sandvig was performing “Le Coeur Illumine” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (FOX)
Melissa’s Top 6 solo performance: “I Put A Spell On You”—Nina Simone
Melissa’s Top 8 Solo: “Heads Will Roll”—Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Melissa’s Top 10 Solo which she performed twice being in the bottom 3 that week: “Gabriel” – Lamb
Auditioned in previous years, but sure this season will be the best: “I’m sorry, hands down. I’m like, watch out! I feel like there’s so much variety. Yeah, we have like five contemporary boys, but they’re all so different. One has movement, one has strength, one has legs. It’s crazy. Then you have these hip hop boys. One’s a popper, one’s just doing his own style. I’m like, whaa?! And then there are four ballroom people. Everyone’s so strong and so unique that this season is going to be on fire.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Bryant began dancing ballet at age 10. He is a graduate of Coral Reef Senior High School and now attends Miami Dade College. His most memorable dance experience was performing for Madonna at her daughter’s birthday party. (FOX)
Brandon’s signature move
Top 4 Solo Performance, Final 4: “Dies Irae”—Karl Jenkins
Top 6 Solo Performance: “O Fortuna”–Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg & Kurt Pretsel (The best solo this season!)
Fox 13 News: Utah Dancers: Randi and Brandon Make Another Round of Cuts on SYTYCD
Wants a certain judge to choreograph her: “I would just love to work with Nigel and just see what he comes up with because, you know, he’s Nigel! I want to see him move! Show me what you got, Nigel.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
How old were you when you started dancing?
22
Do you have any formal dance training?
Yes
Valerio has been dancing for most of her life. She is a graduate of Mountain View High School. (FOX)
Looks up to Travis Wall from season two: “He’s an amazing dancer. I took class with him before he was on the show and have followed [his career]. He’s crazy, he’s so innovative. His moves, fresh. So, for me, he’s one of my favorites.”
Fears: “Bollywood. I don’t know what it is, so I’m just like, uh oh… I’m getting into ballroom though, so that one doesn’t scare me as much anymore.” by Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it.com
Obayomi has been dancing since he was 6 years old. He is a graduate of Corona Del Sol High School and currently attends Chapman University. A dance highlight for him was performing at Radio City Music Hall. (FOX)
Ade’s Top 6 Solo: “18th Floor Balcony”—Blue October
Ade’s Top 8 Solo: “Hater”—Various
Ade’s Top 10 Solo: “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers
