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Mar 03, 2021
Meet the dancers of MDC3: Madi Smith, Diego Pasillas, and Emma Mather (left to right). Photo by Joe Toreno. Hair by Marina Migliaccio and makeup by Lisa Chamberlain, both for the Rex Agency.
Meet MDC3: The "World of Dance" Winners Who Defied the Odds
In March 2020, the same day the "World of Dance" cast got word that production would be shutting down due to a global pandemic, MDC3 artists Madison (Madi) Smith, Diego Pasillas and Emma Mather stood shoulder to shoulder onstage, bracing to hear the final results of the competition. The champion title and $1 million prize money were within reach, decided entirely by the three celebrity judges sitting in front of them. As their competitor's scores dropped from the lips of Derek Hough, Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo at roughly 2 percentage points below their own, viewers watched realization dawn. MDC3's mouths dropped into gigantic Oh's before their hands slapped over their faces in disbelief. Sparklers shot up while confetti rained down, and the announcer shouted, "MDC3, you are the winner of 'World of Dance'!"
It was an impressive accomplishment for any group of dancers, let alone three teenagers who'd faced rejection from the show three times over. Despite their youth (Madi is 18, Diego is 17 and Emma is 16), this moment was hard earned through years of dedicated patience.
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjY2Ni9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MjI4ODI0Mn0.DnDBQ2cIEvH4Rq_O5ecQndl6rPFT4YyLPaxqekatZgY/img.jpg?width=980" id="66961" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="934fb69131cb13420af67a3384a853c3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Madi, Diego, and Emma face to the side. They are clearly in motion, as the girls' long hair moves through the air. All three are dressed in white, set against a blue background." data-width="1771" data-height="958" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
The Team
<p>MDC3 was established seven years ago under the direction of Mather Dance Company artistic director and industry choreographer, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/shannonmather1/?hl=en" target="_blank">Shannon Mather</a> (yes, Emma's mother). They were an unlikely trio—all different ages (then 9, 10 and 11), heights and strengths. Yet something told Mather their differences were exactly what would make them succeed. "From the first year I put them together, they were making people cry," Mather says. "It's chemistry you can't touch."</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/1emmamather/?hl=en" target="_blank">Emma,</a> the youngest of the three, has trained under her mother's direction her entire life. At 5 years old she began partnering at MDC, and developed a knack for tricks, lifts and connection. "She was a young little pup who wanted to be thrown in the air," Mather says. "She'd been doing acro from a young age, and loved the ultra-physical side of dancing."<strong> </strong>It's unsurprising to learn of Emma's fearlessness. In her work with the trio she's often soaring above the heads of the others, twisting and turning in unexpected patterns. In terms of movement, Emma's dancing can be described as feminine, innocent and clean. Her lines are long and smooth, curving and extending as if gliding through honey butter. Injuries (three broken fingers) and medical challenges (unexplainable stomach issues) have peppered Emma's training experience, forcing her to exhibit extra diligence. "I have accepted that you're gonna deal with some injuries in dance," Emma says. "Now, I focus on how to catch myself when falling, and I take lifts more seriously so I don't get hurt."</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/diegopasillas_/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Diego</a> joined Mather Dance Company just one year before MDC3 was established, and his potential was immediately evident—even if his muscles had not quite developed. To Mather, his greatest strength was his vulnerability. "He's never had a problem getting in there, opening up and telling a story," she says. "He's not afraid to cry." Mather says there was one number in which, when the music ended, you could hear him crying in his final position. "He didn't care—he was connecting," Mather says. Diego began his training as a competitive gymnast from ages 5 to 7. Then, his mom put him in his first hip-hop classes at Beach Cities Dance Studio in Huntington Beach, CA. He quickly fell in love and began adding other styles to his toolbelt. After three years his agency, Go 2 Talent, recommended he make the switch to MDC. Since the transition, he's gone on to become a competition darling, winning both the 2014 Junior and 2016 Teen National Maximum Velocity Artist titles, and the 2019 Radix Core Performer title. Since MDC3's inception, Diego's physical strength has caught up with his storytelling, making him an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFXHAez9r9E" target="_blank">athletic, dynamic mover</a> and partner. Despite his success, Diego has faced his fair share of challenges, as well, namely bullying. "Male dancers get bullied a lot," Diego says. "I just try not to listen to rude comments and use dance as an escape. It's my happy place, my safe space."</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/madisonsmithhh_/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Madi </a>started dancing at 2 years old at a studio in Temecula Valley, CA, called Cathy's Dance. After a few years of training in ballet and hip hop, she began bouncing around a few other studios in the area. At 7, she settled down at MDC, where she would spend the next decade of her life perfecting her craft before graduating in the spring of 2020 (just in time for the professional dance world to be shuttered by COVID-19.) "Madi brings fire," Mather says. "She has a strong hip-hop background and excellent musicality. She leads the group as a mama bear. Before they would go onstage I would turn to her and say, 'Madi, you've gotta have this.'" <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUl_G2omjto" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Madi's dancing</a> matches Diego's and Emma's in clean lines, seamless transitions and solid technique. Where she stands out is maturity. Her movement, gaze and expression demand that you watch, without coming off insincere—a difficult tightrope to walk. As she heads into the professional world, Madi says the biggest challenge she's faced as a dancer thus far is body image. "I struggle with it still," she says. "To help, I try not to compare myself to others, and fuel my body with healthy foods because it makes me feel better."</p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjczNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MTMyOTY4N30._N7ugi33nj1GxerHCMTgychoThVYPLKWAm1YKNmdJho/img.jpg?width=980" id="51351" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f72ca86daf401d28900f10d9a2e359fa" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="All three members of MDC3 are dressed in black, against a white background. Madi is on the floor, pressing into a bridge. Emma is lifted by Diego, who stretches one arm above his head. Diego stares at the camera." data-width="1000" data-height="1778" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
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The Creative Process
<p>MDC3's works always begin with a concept. "We never do anything without a purpose," Mather says. "It's not just a dance. We want people to feel something." Mather works to find a song everyone loves, that fits all three dancers' movement qualities and has a storyline. From there, they workshop lifts. "We try to find cool ways for them to move through one another with seamless partner work," Mather says. "It's so hard to do with three people. I often have to find a way to incorporate the third person into the lift, or have them do separate movements that thread through it." Once they have lifts down, they go into endless hours of rehearsals. "It can take us three hours to get through eight counts," Mather says. In each piece of choreography she sets, Mather's goal is to create something unique that audiences and judges haven't seen before.</p><p> Just like any other team, disagreements come up while working through this creative process. "We've been together so long, we're like siblings," Madi says. "We bicker about little things." Still, they've found ways to mitigate relational challenges. "We've come to know each other's boundaries, and we work to not overstep," she adds. "Plus, we tend to brush things off pretty fast and not get too upset." Emma says they often use Mather, their director, as a mediator. "She'll watch and say, 'Ya, that was Emma's fault, she missed a hand,' and then we can move on," Emma says.</p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjc4NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyNTQwNTI1Mn0.pmN9JR9aaHaaZ-0c22VFvMvFXK4azfHhWoF-a5V4DIc/img.jpg?width=980" id="7f8e4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f15ca12e2f6e9eb2f7bf615c7e54299c" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="All three members of MDC3 are dressed in black, against a white background. They stare at the camera, in a line, holding each others hands, with their arms interlaced. All three wear soft but serious expressions." data-width="1771" data-height="958" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
The Road to "WOD"
<p>When "WOD" ran auditions for its first season in 2017, the show reached out to Mather about one of her <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfuHlRuzmpc" target="_blank">older trio</a>s who'd seen recent success on the competition circuit. One of the dancers (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/madelyne_spang/?hl=en" target="_blank">Madelyne Spang</a>) was on tour with P!nk at the time, so Mather offered to send her younger trio, MDC3, instead. It didn't pan out. "We were just too young," Emma says. "We were still growing both physically and mentally, and needed time to get better. On top of that, we only started rehearsals, like, a week before the audition. We weren't prepared." So they returned the next year to audition for Season 2, where they were better received but once again cut. When they later watched that season's cast perform on air, it became clear to them what they were missing. </p><p>"<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rLKRvFnPy/" target="_blank">Charity and Andres</a> really understood how to feature the big moments of their pieces with 'wow' factors that season," Diego says. "We couldn't do that yet." Emma agrees, stating she and Diego were roughly the same height at the time, making lifts difficult. "We could barely get off the floor—not even close to what we can do now," she says. Season 3 followed the same pattern of rejection, but this time, everyone was pretty surprised. "We really thought we had a good chance," Madi says. Even casting from the show called to communicate their surprise. "I knew we were getting closer, but they just still weren't ready," Mather says.</p><p>When Season 4 came knocking, the group told producers they didn't think they were what the show was looking for. The "WOD" team promptly called back, and explained that they did, in fact, want to see the dancers again, but they had some notes for improvement. Namely, new music choices that favored popular sounds rather than songs audiences were unfamiliar with, the incorporation of avant-garde lifts, and how to maximize camera angles. (For example, avoid busy dancing around lifts that might distract from the "wow" factor within the frame.) The dancers<strong> </strong>took the corrections, studied old footage to learn the judges' preferences, and decided to try one last time. Rehearsals began one month before auditions and the three poured everything they had into emphasizing storytelling and bold movement.</p><p>MDC3's commitment to giving the judges what they wanted paid off. On October 21, 2019, the trio got the call saying they had made the show. Mather immediately told the dancers to jump on a group FaceTime so she could share the good news. Mather was on the East Coast at the time, so all Diego was just waking up and still in bed when they got the call. Madi and Emma were still in school, and had to slip away from class to speak with Mather. "It was a moment of total disbelief," Madi says. "We had tried for so many years that we were losing hope. We were so excited!" Emma remembers walking back to class in a daze. "I had to act like nothing happened because we weren't allowed to tell anyone," she says. "It was so crazy." </p><p>From the second they stepped onstage, MDC3 was a clear showstopper. After their performance in the Duels, the judges couldn't contain their praise. According to the dancers, some of the excitement was even cut in post. "Derek was smacking on the floor, all of the judges stood up and came toward us, and the crowd was jumping up and down," Emma says. According to Mather, at this point, other choreographers began to communicate to her their confidence in the group, even confessing they thought they had a chance to win the whole thing.</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcwNjgwNi9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MjU1NTA1NX0.bi-OqRhl5FEhCtuWvyKTGPd6BeAHfB2vng334qQuI3U/img.jpg?width=980" id="4fe4e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="65d34a5d3545a4139f52a96239e9f972" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="All three members of MDC3 wear white, on a blue background. Madi looks at the camera, in an attitude pench\u00e9. Diego stands in pli\u00e9, facing to the side. Emma is lifted with Diego, with her knees pressed against his chest. She presses herself to an upright position, one arm looped behind Diego's neck, and the other extended behind her in a soft curve." data-width="1000" data-height="1000" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
The Win
<p>Throughout their entire "WOD" process, winning was not on MDC3's radar. "Our goal was just to make it to the big stage for semifinals," Diego says. After watching ballroom couple <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jeffersonyadrianita/?hl=en" target="_blank">Jefferson and Adrianita</a> perform for the first time in the final round, their certainty about the performance shrunk even more. "We didn't think we were going to win after seeing them," he says. "When we beat them, it was a complete shock." Then, it was down to the final act, Géométrie Variable, a group MDC3 had never watched perform before. "We knew they were older than us, and very different from us, and we were nervous," Emma says. "I just had to hope that our big lifts and technique would be enough. We really thought anything could happen at that point."</p><p> Despite their fears, and after years of hard work, MDC3 was announced the winner. "It felt like everything went silent around us," Madi says of that thrilling moment. "All of the cannons were going off, but it felt like it was just the three of us standing there. Me and two of my best friends, soaking in this crazy experience." "It changed us," Emma says of the opportunity. "It pushed each of us to levels we had never been before."</p><div id="e61ad" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bc13f040c47b77a3a23c71696047b344"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHf_qxgBQ06/"
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The Future
<p>The end of filming "WOD" coincided with shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders mandated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though MDC3 walked away with the title and their prize money, they're still anxiously awaiting the chance to open new industry doors provided by their win. They each dream of world tours, award shows and concept videos. When the time is right, they plan to chase their dreams together. "We hope to work together in the industry," Emma says. "If it weren't for COVID we would be doing more of that already. We want to make good work that can speak to people."<strong> </strong>In a world of so much tumult and uncertainty, one thing is abundantly clear: The artists who make up MDC3 are just getting started.</p>Fast Facts
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcxMTA0OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0NDMxMjM0Nn0.w3qJpN-v6m654GS5AWbIAPtS4lwwCrxR8N2Oryj3ndQ/img.jpg?width=980" id="d7370" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="47792e9280bd646674d63c86195e30b3" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Madi Smith is dressed in sheer white pants, a white sports bra, and a sheer white tank. She faces the camera, with one leg in a deep pli\u00e9, the other crossed over her knee. She grasps her lifted foot with one hand, and extends her other arm softly to the side. Her long blonde hair is curled and flows over her shoulders." data-width="1000" data-height="1778" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
<h5>Madi Smith</h5><p><strong>Most-used emoji:</strong> 💀</p><p><strong>Go-to improv song:</strong> "Anything James Arthur"</p><p><strong>Favorite dancewear company:</strong> <a href="https://honeycutofficial.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honeycut</a></p><p><strong>Favorite food:</strong> Steak</p><p><strong>Pre-performance ritual:</strong> Prayer</p><p><strong>What the "World of Dance" audience at home didn't know about her:</strong> "I like to cook!"</p><p><strong>Favorite judge:</strong> "Derek was super nice to us on the show. He really expressed that he was rooting for us."</p>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcxMTA1My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2Nzc0NzIxN30.7EKUm26M0JPj_MQUpfnRcxT9P0UTOJnuvCgZCH7sD-Q/img.jpg?width=980" id="b50ce" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="95b6596ea4e0ed44b2610fa103011f4b" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Diego Pasillas is dressed in a white button down and white pants, against a blue background. He leaps through the air, both legs bent. He grasps his back ankle with one hand, and extends the other arm above his head. His body and his gaze are to the side." data-width="1000" data-height="1778" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
<h5>Diego Pasillas</h5><p><strong>Most-used emoji:</strong> ❤️</p><p><strong>Go-to improv song:</strong> "Any song by James Arthur"</p><p><strong>Favorite dancewear company:</strong> Nike</p><p><strong>Favorite food:</strong> Sushi</p><p><strong>Pre-performance ritual:</strong> Prayer</p><p><strong>What the "World of Dance" audience at home didn't know about him:</strong> "I hate bananas." </p><p><strong>Favorite judge:</strong> "Derek, because he has such a strong understanding of dance."</p>
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNTcxMTA3My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY0MDQ1NDg3NH0.LhRWZ-DDnhSPTYYiekj0IAtY882xMsev0G0XrupeLw4/img.jpg?width=980" id="6b7d6" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="ead83d425c318cbac7084db4fb3ee66f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="Emma Mather wears sheer white pants and a white, patterned sports bra with a cutout. She is on the floor, mid-motion. Both her legs are bent, and her upper body reaches towards the ground, though she is facing towards the camera." data-width="1000" data-height="1778" />
Photo by Joe Toreno
<h5>Emma Mather</h5><p><strong>Most-used emoji:</strong> 😝</p><p><strong>Go-to improv song:</strong> "Lasting Lover," by James Arthur</p><p><strong>Favorite dancewear company:</strong> <a href="https://fivedancewear.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAk53-BRD0ARIsAJuNhpsk4sM1pNRGB4URGs6zErFeJLpMzZwMgCe5lwndvcD3EUWf16D9LeYaAlNwEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Five Dancewear</a></p><p><strong>Favorite food:</strong> Caesar salad</p><p><strong>Pre-performance ritual:</strong> Prayer</p><p><strong>What the "World of Dance" audience at home didn't know about her:</strong> "People were surprised to learn that my mom was our choreographer. Oh, and I have dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada."</p><p><strong>Favorite judge:</strong> "I love Derek. He's such a big inspiration to me."</p>
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We asked five standout comp kids about their recent experiences attending competitions around the country—and how they're taking advantage of these long-lost opportunities.
Hailey Bills
<div id="5194e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="de20762d8220bf52adb7d02a35b887b3"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJxIiuhZz0/" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKJxIiuhZz0/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Studio:</strong> Center Stage Performing Arts Studio</p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 14</p><p><strong>Competition:</strong> 24 Seven Dance Convention, Provo, UT</p><p><strong><em>Dance Spirit</em>: What did it feel like to attend your first in-person competition since March 2020?</strong></p><p>Hailey Bills:<strong> </strong>"It was so amazing. I don't think any of us realized how much we missed being onstage. It's what we train for, and we hadn't been there in a year."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the differences you noticed about this competition versus those pre-pandemic?</strong></p><p>HB: "Socially distanced squares to dance in, which were surprisingly nice. Everyone had a spot to dance in, and it was much more organized than usual. I also saw a change in my studio: We all seemed happier to be there, and we had more gratitude."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: Were there any unexpected nerves from being out of performance practice? How did you work through them?</strong></p><p>HB: "I will always be nervous to compete. That's just how it goes. More than anything, though, I was just excited to be there. That kinda blew away the stress so I could be stoked."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: How did your competition preparation differ from before?</strong></p><p>HB: "We had a dress rehearsal, but nobody could watch us, and we had to be in a different room when other groups danced. It's always fun watching other dances at your studio, so that was sad."</p>Mason Evans
<div id="23b81" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a96fcbb113891b6168a038d3e49dcac6"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPYHOdslsr/" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPYHOdslsr/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Studio:</strong> Performance Edge 2</p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 16</p><p><strong>Competition:</strong> New York City Dance Alliance, Orlando, FL</p><p><strong><em>Dance Spirit</em>: What did it feel like to attend your first in-person competition since March 2020?</strong></p><p>Mason Evans:<strong> </strong>"It was nice to just be there, around people with the same passions after being away for so long. Over quarantine I did a lot of self-reflection about both my dancing and myself. Now, I have the urge to get out and show what I have discovered creatively, so being back onstage was really fun."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the differences you noticed about this competition versus those pre-pandemic?</strong></p><p>ME: "You could feel the difference in the energy from the audience while competing. There were a lot less people than usual, and I felt it lacking."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the things you missed about in-person competition/convention while you were away?</strong></p><p>ME: "I really missed the chance to observe others in person. As a dancer, we get to watch, analyze and adopt things we like. Not doing that for a while was really hard. But seeing people now, it's like we never skipped a beat. We still have that same connection."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: Were there any unexpected nerves from being out of performance practice? How did you work through them?</strong></p><p>ME: "Actually, no: I felt the opposite. Being locked away in my mind for so long, I gained a lot of confidence and stopped being nervous about the stage. I was looking forward to it because it had been taken away from me. It's not a burden—I don't dread it, I'm just excited."</p>Selena Hamilton
<div id="dfd57" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c61142343c4fdcff501936ad3567d0f3"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLe5ktsjVb2/" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLe5ktsjVb2/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Studio: </strong>Project 21</p><p><strong>Age: </strong>16</p><p><strong>Competition: </strong>Radix Dance Convention, Phoenix, AZ</p><p><strong><em>Dance Spirit</em>: What did it feel like to attend your first in-person competition since March 2020?</strong></p><p>Selena Hamilton:<strong> </strong>"It was pure joy. I felt like everyone could finally see what my teachers and friends and I have been working so hard on over these difficult months."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the differences you noticed about this competition versus those pre-pandemic?</strong></p><p>SH: "The changes to competition weren't my favorite. We had time blocks where we only had five dances between each performance. There was no catching our breath, just changing and running back to the stage. By the time we got to the last dance we were all really low-energy, and we had to push through." </p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the things you missed about in-person convention/competition while you were away?</strong></p><p>SH: "I attended Nationals online, which just wasn't the same. Teachers couldn't correct us one-on-one. I lose focus easily, so staring at my laptop was hard for me. It was great to come back."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: Were there any unexpected nerves from being out of performance practice? How did you work through them?</strong></p><p>SH: "Definitely—I was so stressed out. I hadn't learned choreography from these challenging teachers in such a long time. I was getting comfortable at my studio, and I knew the weekend would be tough."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: How did your competition preparation differ from before?</strong></p><p>SH: "It was harder to have outside choreographers come in. To protect our team members, we didn't go outside of our studio bubble. We had to keep masks on and stay six feet away from them the whole time they were there. We don't want to ruin things for each other, so we stay safe."</p><div style="padding: 20px 0 40px;">
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Ruby Castro
<div id="6cfe1" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="797486dbc950425b02be97690f5aea3d"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK2pIDoBxLf/" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK2pIDoBxLf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Studio:</strong> Dancetown Miami</p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 17</p><p><strong>Competition:</strong> JUMP Dance Convention, Miami, FL</p><p><strong><em>Dance Spirit</em>: What did it feel like to attend your first in-person competition since March 2020?</strong></p><p>Ruby Castro:<strong> </strong>"I was really excited to be on a stage and get ready for a competition again. In a way, it was a good wake-up call to really appreciate what I had before."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the differences you noticed about this competition versus those pre-pandemic?</strong></p><p>RC: "Doing everything in a mask is not ideal because breathing is so important for dance. Still, I would rather it be that way than not compete at all."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the things you missed about in-person convention/competition while you were away?</strong></p><p>RC: "More than anything I missed being inspired by dancers standing next to me. When I came back, I realized how much the energy of others rubs off on me—in both good ways and bad."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: Were there any unexpected nerves from being out of performance practice? How did you work through them?</strong></p><p>RC: "Yes. When we first started rehearsing again for competition, I was overwhelmed. I didn't realize how much I was dancing before the pandemic until I tried to get back into it. Doing hard numbers back-to-back is really difficult, and this was a wake-up call."</p>Ella Horan
<div id="1a39b" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8f77eee264f0c7939a982c76a7b9b24a"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKeqTJ6hbJm/" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div></div><p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKeqTJ6hbJm/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top"></a></p> </div></blockquote></div><p><strong></strong><strong>Studio: </strong>Westside Dance Project</p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 16</p><p><strong>Competition:</strong> Radix Dance Convention, Phoenix, AZ</p><p><strong><em>Dance Spirit</em>: What did it feel like to attend your first in-person competition since March 2020?</strong></p><p>Ella Horan:<strong> </strong>"There was magic that happened when everyone came together. I can't really explain it. The whole weekend was a dream. We got to indulge in the in-person, live experience, which was so missed. Dance connects us in such a beautiful way."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: What were some of the differences you noticed about this competition versus those pre-pandemic?</strong></p><p>EH: "The room had a big transformation in energy. Honestly, we had all taken for granted how special it is to be together."</p><p>"Beyond that, Radix requires masks for everyone at all times. Temperatures were taken before walking in. If you wanted to grab a drink of water, you could step outside. They taped squares on the floor and advised us to dance within them. Other than that, it was as normal as you could get right now."</p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: Were there any unexpected nerves from being out of performance practice? How did you work through them?</strong></p><p>EH: "Nerves definitely got the best of me. I went into this extreme mode where I was like, 'OK, first convention back—gotta be on my A game.' Thankfully for me, nerves are something that help me improve. I do better under pressure." </p><p><strong><em>DS</em>: How did your competition preparation differ from before?</strong></p><p>EH: "The pandemic caused changes to space, time and room availability, which affected my preparation. You have to take advantage of every bit of time you have. Before I left for Radix, I stayed after my ballet class for five hours to rehearse my solo and technique. I indulged because I didn't know when I could again."</p>
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