iHollywood Dance

Over the weekend Makenna had a convention and competition at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.  Because this was a 2 day event, we ended up sharing a hotel room with some of the other moms and girls. It made it such a fun time.  There were 4 minis and 4 juniors that came to this event.

This was only the 2nd convention Makenna has attended (the first one was last year Shock the Intensive) 

For a convention, the girls learn new choreography every hour in different styles with master teachers.  These teachers are amazing, and often I found myself watching them instead of Makenna! :)  They learned so much choreography, it was exhausting! 

Their first class was with Melody Lacayanga, the runner-up for So You Think You Can Dance season 1.  The girls actually had a class with her at a convention last year too.  She's great and taught them a jazz routine.

 Another teacher was Cory Finn, who taught them a HARD tap routine.

 I wasn't able to get a picture with the girls with all the teachers, but some of the others included contemporary with Leo Morumine, contemporary ballet with Jessie Hartley, jazz with Marguerite Derricks (who is an Emmy winner and was very strict!)  and contemporary with So You Think You Can Dance finalist Nathan Trasoras (really sorry I couldn't get a picture with him!)

Here are our fabulous minis!

 Waiting for Hip Hop.

 Posing with Mikey Trasoras.

 All of our hardworking girls.

Back Row - Breanna, Lauren, Nikki, Hailley
Front Row - Jennifer, Makenna, Emma, Bailey

 After the first day of convention the girls had competition.  Makenna did the best solo I have seen her do!  She got a judges special award for being a "Firecracker!" I will get the video up as soon as I can.  After such a LONG day of convention and competition, we headed back to the hotel for a little downtime.  It was up early the next morning for more classes.  They got to add onto the choreography from the first day.

Here they are with Mikey again.

After classes there was a finale and the choregraphers danced, which was so fun to watch.  Then it was time to go home and get ready for the first day of school after Spring Break.

Festival of Creativity

 We had a great time over Spring Break when we went with the Farmers to the Mesa Festival of Creativity.  There were all sorts of hands-on arts exhibits all for free!  The kids had fun, and the weather was hot!

There was some amazing chalk art.

 When you hugged this balloon it talked to you and moved around.  The kids thought it was pretty funny.

 Here are Camden and Morgan waiting for the HipHop art...Sound in Color.

 We kept running into this "tall" guy.  He had bright red hair and I think he kept coming by because he felt a special connection with Julia and Riley. :)

They asked if anyone in the audience did any hip hop and Camden raised his hand really high.  Then they brought him on the stage and asked him about his dance experience. Then they asked if he wanted to dance with them!  He was a little hesitant, but eventually he decided to go ahead and do it.  The hiphop dancers put black paint on their hands and shoes and then did some dancing on a big canvas.  For Camden they put red paint on him.  I didn't get the whole thing on video, but here he is....

 Here he is...caught red handed.

 Here are some of the other dancers.

 After the demonstration, the boys posed with Camden.  The were going to add to the painting with the next session.

 After the dancing, we went over and the kids contributed to fabric weaving.

 Next it was onto oragami.

 They hung their birds in the trees.

 Farmer family.

 Taylor family.

Releve Dance Competition

Makenna had a competition and master class this past weekend.  The day started out with a class with Gev from So You Think You Can Dance.  He taught them a hiphop routine. At the end of the competition day, Gev danced for us and he was amazing!

After the master class, the competition began.  Makenna's solo looked great and she placed 2nd overall!  Her trio also got 2nd overall.  Here she is waiting for those awards with her mini company.

Here she is with her trophies and crown she got for her solo.

Tons of solo awards!  Great job girls!

Bring in the Clowns.  (it's a lyrical routine they do)

For participating in the competition, they got a beautiful gem.

Juniors competed too.  Here are some of the girls after they were all done dancing and we were waiting for awards.

Makenna and Lauren.

Overall they did great.  The awards were confusing, but I do know that they got 1st place for Mama, and first place for their new dance, Promise to Try...which has the minis and the juniors.  Go girls!