Tag: you-should-know

Why You Should Know Technical Powerhouse Christian Burse

Christian Burse’s long, flexible limbs create showstopping shapes onstage. But what really captivates audiences are her seamless transitions between those gorgeous shapes, showing incredible technique and control. Christian is a student at both Dance Industry Performing Arts Center and Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and her long days in […]

Why You Should Know Rising Hip-Hop Star Ayden Nguyen

When a dancer’s resumé includes winning “World of Dance,” appearing on both “Ellen” and “The Kids’ Choice Awards,” and dancing with Justin Bieber, N.E.R.D., and Lil Wayne, that dancer isn’t usually 10 years old. But hip-hopper Ayden Nguyen, affectionately known as the “mini Sean Lew,” has already managed to captivate audiences all over the world […]

Why You Should Know Budding Ballerina Elliana Mannella

14-year-old Elliana Mannella feels right at home in crowded convention ballrooms. After earning the title of Junior Core Performer at Radix Nationals in 2018, the young dancer spent the year traveling as a Radix convention assistant. That experience further honed her incredible musicality and versatility. While she’s worked with notable choreographers like Teddy Forance and […]

Why You Should Know Captivating Comp Queen Phoenix Sutch

With her confident smile, insane flexibility, and razor-sharp execution, Phoenix Sutch instantly commands every stage she sets foot on. At just 13 years old, Phoenix has already worked with her dance idols Andy Pellick and Joey Dowling, and has won the titles of National Mini Female Outstanding Dancer at New York City Dance Alliance Nationals […]

Why You Should Know Theatrical Dynamo Liam Redford

Fearlessly expressive, triple threat Liam Redford is undeniably Broadway-bound. But the 13-year-old isn’t waiting until he’s older to step into the spotlight. Liam’s already played one of his dream roles, the title character in Billy Elliot: The Musical, in five regional productions of the show, beginning with his debut at the Grand Theater in Williamstown, […]

Why You Should Know Budding Ballerina Ashley Lew

It’s rare to find an aspiring ballerina with Ashley Lew’s combination of natural facility and technical prowess, which have helped her earn accolades at Youth America Grand Prix. But it’s performance quality that most interests this future prima: Aurora’s her dream role, and not because she’s drawn to the Rose Adagio’s challenging promenades. “Aurora’s a […]

Why You Should Know Dance Darling Elliana Walmsley

When you hear Elliana Walmsley’s name, your first thought is probably “Dance Moms,” but that’s far from the tween’s only claim to fame. Since first appearing on Season 6 of the show, Elliana’s won Youth America Grand Prix’s Hope Award and starred in the off-Broadway musical Dance Divas Nutcracker. Most recently, she won the title […]

Why You Should Know Standout Dancer Joziah German

Long before becoming The Dance Awards’ 2018 Teen Male Best Dancer (or 2014 Mini Male Best Dancer), Joziah German was a 7-year-old karate kid pioneering his own form of “hip-hop karate fusion,” as he calls it, while waiting for his sister to be done at the dance studio. Before long, teachers noticed Joziah’s raw talent […]