The
Jazz Unlimited
Dance Ensemble
The Ensemble's 2010 - 2011 dance season featured an exciting beginning, as Jazz Unlimited hosted auditions for Paula Abdul's new reality show Live to Dance. After their initial audition, a group of Ensemble dancers were invited to perform for Abdul and the show's other expert judges, Kimberly Wyatt (of the Pussy Cat Dolls) and Travis Payne (choreographer for Michael Jackson). When the program premiered nationwide in January, the Ensemble was thrilled to see their performance featured on the show! In fact, Live to Dance proved to be just the beginning of the Ensemble's televised achievements. This year, the Ensemble also danced on CBS' Talk Philly with Ukee Washington, and they traveled to Miami to perform with the Goo Goo Dolls in the halftime show of the Orange Bowl.
In March, the Ensemble dancers continued to shine at regional competitions. At the Starpower competition in Manahawkin, NJ, Ensemble performances won high honors and many special awards. The Ensemble then competed at New York City Dance Alliance at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where they again received top awards, including the junior Critic's Choice award (the highest honor in the junior division) for their performance of "Betty's in the House" as well as Critic's Choice nominations for "Rah Rah" and "Arabian Nights."
In April, Jazz Unlimited hosted the ASH (Artists Simply Human) workshop, and Ensemble dancers spent two days training with Braham Crane, Dee Caspary, Tokyo, Tovaris Wilson, and Sasha Radetsky. The Ensemble members also used their gifts to help others by raising thousands of dollars for "Dance for a Cause," a charity event benefitting the youth-driven organization One is Greater Than None. This June, the Ensemble traveled to Connecticut and competed at the Mohegan Sun resort, where they won top honors and awards for their outstanding performances.