Dellos Studios have produced literally thousands of successful dancers, performers and specialty acts over their near-40-years in the dance studio business.  A walk through the “Hall of Fame” and “Staircase to New York” located in The Dellos Dance Connection, Dellos’ most recent facility serving The Chino Valley, allows the visitor to share the excitement of the professional world of dance!  The staircase features a comic artist’s rendition of New York City’s famed “Broadway”, sketched in black and white with the details of old vintage theatres and hidden-away Off-Broadway ‘Speak-easys’.  Colorful Broadway show marquis light up the night’s sky, representing the Dellos instructors and students who have left their footprints on the famed New York stages.  Dellos dancers have proudly represented their Southern California communities in shows from Las Vegas to New York, ‘living-out-their-dreams’ in front of excited audiences night after night, year after year.  They have been featured with The New York City Rockettes, at Carnegie Hall and on most stages on and off Times Square, becoming ‘Broadway veterans’ on Dellos’ Wall of Fame!   The newest marqui, “Wicked”, will represent first-time Broadway dancer/singer, petite, 5’2”, 23-year old Hayley Dorling, lovingly known as “Miss Hayley” to her dance students.  She auditioned among thousands of Broadway hopefuls last June for a spot in the cast and was surprised by a phone call in mid-December saying, “We would like to book you for the East Coast Touring Company of “Wicked”!”  Miss Hayley’s world of teaching dance and performing with two local contemporary dance companies while dancing in college went into a complete tailspin.  In a moment’s notice she would be flown to Florida to learn the entire “Wicked” show and would be on stage in full hair, make-up and costume in less than two-weeks time! 

Maintaining a very busy and exhausting schedule, Hayley performs the 2 ½ hour show eight times a week and has daily rehearsals with the producers.  She has her own makeup artist, wig stylist and costumer, who dress her in five different costumes for her multiple characters, a flying monkey (her favorite role!), the mob, Emerald City, School girl and an ‘Oz dust dress’!   I am going to surprise her at one of her performances in Orlando in a few weeks where I will be able to see her in the full-cast production!  Congrats to a beautiful and talented young woman who has worked diligently and trained hard for this incredible opportunity of a lifetime!   Hayley’s personal motto, “LIVE through your movement” has certainly come true in her life! For more information on classes visit www.Dellos dance.com  or call 909 597-9370 from 4-9pm.

Music Together ^®, a National music and movement instruction class for children birth to kindergarten and the adults who love them, has now expanded to The Chino Valley!  Come and experience the joy of Music Together through nine song collections that will nurture your child’s natural enthusiasm for music and movement… Continue reading →

Question asked of students to describe their Dellos Staff:

“What words define our staffs’ personality and character?”

Miss B: Sincere, trust-worthy, hard-working, generous, professional, fair, talented, caring, helpful, loving, disciplined, smart, talented, passionate, motivating, organized, responsible, encouraging, honest, on-time, kind, educated, funny, supportive, pretty, energetic, creative, understanding, considerate, a leader, successful, loving, strict, perfectionist, positive,

Mr. D: Hard-working, positive, supportive, helpful, kind, generous, punctual, nice, hip, entertaining, thoughtful, out-going, smart, friendly, honest, prompt, gentle, passionate, sensitive, smart, kind, caring, encouraging, responsible, reasonable, respectful,

Miss K: Multi-tasker, caring, busy, nice, helpful, organized, patient, joyful, prompt, dedicated, thoughtful, awesome, kind, loud voice, fair, reminding, fun, responsible, polite, active,

Miss Jenn: Punctual, organized, ambitious, caring, relaxed, fun, helpful, pretty, informative, knowledgeable, thoughtful, on-time, on-task, sweet, cool, kind, understanding, enthusiastic, super-nice, honest,

Miss Michelle: Hard-working, dedicated, kind, caring, encouraging, nice, creative, talented, motivated, full of life, organized, responsible, positive, nice, smiling, funny, awesome, technical,

Miss Dove: Fun, energetic, hyper, creative, motivated, fun, enthusiastic, poised, responsible, hard-working, cool, outrageous, pushes, perfectionist, awesome, fun, nice, passionate, spunky,

Miss Heather: Strict, funny, smart, pushing, nice, hard-working, poised, risk-taker, motivated, honest, creative, kind, sweet, awesome, hard, strict, influential, caring,

Miss Natalie: Patient, kind, fun, energetic, outgoing, helpful, hard-working, dedicated, creative, imaginative, encouraging, technical, nice, perfectionist, inspiring, kid-friendly, motherly, friendly, motivating, nurturing, jolly, strong, proficient, playful, caring,

Miss Mika: Passionate, loyal, exciting, fun, hyper, caring, hard-working, strict, talented, enthusiastic, sassy, tough, friendly, exciting, energetic, funky,

Miss Jazzy-B: Responsible, on-time, outgoing, kind, caring, friendly, strict, smart, talented, honest, sweet, fair, inspirational, fun, laughter, considerate, caring, fun, motivating, funny, nice, enthusiastic, loveable, stylish, passionate,

Miss Tanya: Detailed, disciplined, dedicated, on-time, nice, fun, enthusiastic, intelligent, kind, encouraging, dynamic, organized, pushes, descriptive, detailed, realistic, ambitious, charismatic,

Miss Hayley: Inspiring, detailed, encouraging, kind, precise, nice, outgoing, creative, sophisticated, talented, persistent, inspiring, fun, strict, cool, sweet, hard-working, unique, persistent, consistent, graceful, witty, graceful, disciplined, compassionate,

Miss Mel: Strict, fun, specific, encouraging, nice, helpful, smart, caring, knowledgeable, sweet, hard-working, critic, pushes, good ear, technical, patient, thoughtful,  exciting, positive, cheerful, determined,

Carrying a hefty 20-units and on the Dean’s list each quarter, Jazzy maintains a 3.8 gpa, managing her tight school and teaching schedule with ease.   She heads a holiday toy drive for CHOC and feeds homeless vets through The Veterans Association.   A summer resident advisor to at-risk teens, Jazzy encourages them to attend college, acclimates incoming Freshmen and provides a support system to assure that they finish their degrees.   Recently Jazzy was selected as a Diversity Ambassador, traveling to Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee to visit civil rights historical sites and monuments.  Last year she won the ‘Miss Black & Gold’ title, a most prestigious scholarship that recognizes and acknowledges positive and influential women within the African American community.   Projected for mid-2013, Jazzy excitedly looks forward to attending The USC Marshall School of Business.    When she was a young child I remember commenting, “Jazzy-B will be the first woman President!” Only time will tell the outcome of my projection over 13 years ago!   When asked if she ever gets tired of her fast-paced lifestyle, Jazzy shared, “This is the only life I’ve ever known…I’ve always kept myself overly busy so it’s taught me to juggle many things at the same time.   I try not to pass up any opportunities and I feel I have the perfect balance in my life.”

I received two letters last week from Mrs. Erika Oduro whose two daughters are hip-hop students of Miss Jazzy-B.  Mrs. Oduro had no idea I was writing an article on her daughters’ teacher, but her testimonial provided the perfect re-cap to my feature!   Alexia “Lex-O” Oduro, 11, wrote, “Miss Jazzy-B has had a positive impact on my day-to-day life and has impacted my dancing greatly.  She gave me the courage to strive for my goal of making her hip-hop dance team and to not let anything get in my way.  Her continued encouragement has given me confidence in my life outside of dance also.  Her positive example inspires me to be bold and strong, and to encourage others, just as she has done for me!” Mrs. Oduro shared, “We bounced around studios for quite awhile before landing permanently at Dellos, in Miss Jazzy’s hip-hop class.   It was obvious my oldest daughter was behind the more advanced dancers who had been training for years, but Miss Jazzy constantly gave her encouragement and praised her efforts.  She pushed Alexia to improve her skills and helped her to ‘break out of her shell’ by teaching her ‘dance faces’.   Because of the training and self-confidence Miss Jazzy instilled in her, Alexia made the team!   This new confidence has translated into my daughter’s school-life as well.  Trying out for various school competitions, activities and public speaking has been a direct result of Miss Jazzy’s personal encouragement.   My younger daughter, Eliana “Ellie”, 8,  is struggling with medical issues…Miss Jazzy always notices and patiently encourages her to do what she can and tells her to ‘just have fun’.  It is hard to see my youngest in pain, yet so heart-warming to see her push through it because she loves Miss Jazzy and her class so much.  One can only hope for a positive role-model for our children and I feel blessed that Miss Jazzy-B has come into my girls’ lives and is able to be that for them.  They even want to grow up and go to school and teach dance like her!  They comment on how she is always smiling and asks them about school and kid-like-things.   It is obvious that this young woman enjoys her role as a Dellos Staff member and truly cares about each of her students.”

Drop by to meet Miss Jazzy-B and our incredible multi-versatile Dellos Staff!  The Dellos Dance Connection is open Monday-Friday 4:00-9:00 pm and Saturdays 9:00- noon.  “KID’S SUMMER MUSIC & DANCE CAMPS” and “TECHNIQUE INTENSIVES” are offered July 9-12 from 9:30 am-2:30 pm.  For more information call (909) 597-9370.

Claire Ku, age 10 shared:  “The music begins and we start to dance but suddenly it is over and the parents start to applaud.  The choreographer smiled with pride, the one and only Mr. Marco.  His teaching and choreography touches my heart even though when I took his first class I was full of fear!  I continue to be fascinated and astonished with his personal and unique style.  Mr. Marco makes me laugh and gives me high-fives, knuckle-punches and funny handshakes!  He has a great sense of humor and when I perform for him I feel like I’m in my very own world!  Mr. Marco’s class has transformed me into a jolly spirit and I’ve become to think of him as ‘The Dance Magician!”

Rayanne Asuncion, age 11 shared: “A new teacher in a red Kool-Aid shirt is a sub today. His warmup was the most painful I’ve ever experienced but enduring that hour made me feel stronger and more accomplished.  Have I been holding myself back?, I ask myself? His choreography brought a sense of freedom and artistry and at that moment I believed that I could do amazing things.  At that very moment I felt that I could move mountains, do the unthinkable, the impossible.  As I fly across the floor I didn’t want it to end.  Mr. Marco walked up to me and said, “Keep up that great work ethic and you will be unstoppable..I expect to see you in all of my classes because the ones that I really care about, I look out for”.  Those words forever changed my life and when I looked into his eyes I saw a passion that I had never seen before.   Mr. Marco’s few words motivated me that day and I continue to work to my fullest potential every single day in every class, showing the same passion in my eyes that Mr. Marco showed me….”

DELLOS STUDIOS IS OFFERING THEIR POPULAR “SUMMER DANCE & MUSIC CAMPS” AND “TECHNIQUE INTENSIVES” for dancers of all levels, ages 4-18 years.  Session one: July 9-12 .  Session Two: July 16-19.  Save $25 by registering by June 1^st!  Call Dellos Studios today!  The Dellos Dance Connection-Chino Valley (909) 597-9370  The Original Walnut Dellos (909) 594-0228.

I found our conversation more than intriguing as it was refreshing to discuss something unrelated to dance.  The mother continued to share that most research is done studying the ‘faults’ rather than the ‘strengths’ of human beings.  The course exemplified how easy it is for us to ‘critique’ but how we haven’t developed an extensive language to ‘compliment’. I shared with her that my dancers perform at their personal-best when they are given positive and realistic goals to achieve.   At the end of each dance season, I ask students to share short-story examples of how their instructors have ‘inspired’ them as dancers.   They are encouraged to think of the instructor’s positives, that is, their strengths and personal contributions to ‘their world’. In our attempt to seek constant acceptance and approval, we feel closer and empowered by those who help to identify the ‘special qualities’ that we all possess that can positively impact and influence others.   The nice things that people say and do in our most critical time of need are the ones that make the biggest difference in our lives.  Has someone changed your life merely by reminding you that you were ‘capable’ and that ‘you’ made a difference in ‘their’ life?

As adult mentors, we must acknowledge that our children selectively choose to hear and remember only ‘the negative words’ when being scolded, critiqued or corrected.   If they don’t come away with the feeling of, “They truly believe I can achieve this”, then they may simply give up or make little effort to improve.   Approaching all situations from a supportive and understanding standpoint will inevitably help to bring about more positive and rewarding results.

“STUDIO SHORT-ESSAY CHALLENGE”: I would like to publicize a few short studio-submitted essays for upcoming magazine submissions!

• Please write to a short essay on a specific Dellos staff member;  (teacher, choreographer, desk or management), exemplifying the ‘positive impact’ that he/she has had on you, school, your family or your dancer.   In detail, please describe a specific incident, action, gesture, character or spoken words that have made a significant difference in your dancer’s performance, goals and overall self-esteem and personal-confidence.

Your submissions will be shared with your dancer’s mentors as a means to ‘empower and compliment’. In our daily world that is often clouded and distracted with unforeseen upset, defeat and challenge, a few ‘positive words of encouragement’ can make even the darkest day brighter to someone in need!

I look forward to receiving your short submissions! In addition to parent-entries, please encourage your dancer to pick a favorite ‘role-model-mentor’ at Dellos.  Have them share, in their own words, how that individual has helped to positively shape their life!

PLEASE EMAIL OR LEAVE ESSAYS AT THE FRONT DESK NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 9^th!

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP ENTRIES!

Hopefully your essay will make it into my next magazine publication!

With Much Love!  Miss B

“DELLOS “SHORT-ESSAY CHALLENGE”:

I would like to publicize a few short studio-submitted essays for upcoming magazine submissions!  Here’s what I need…..

• Write to a short essay on a specific Dellos staff member; (teacher, choreographer, desk or management personnel ), exemplifying the ‘positive & personal impact’ that he/she has had on you, your schooling or your family-unit.
• In detail, please describe a specific incident, an action, a gesture, spoken words or the individual’s character that has made a significant difference in your performance, goals, self-esteem and overall personal-confidence.

NOTE!: PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE ESSAYS SELECTED TO BE USED FOR MY MAGAZINE ARTICLE!

The under-achiever in life may be complacent with just ‘getting by’, exhibiting little effort to improve or be acknowledged.   The under-achieving dance student often places themselves in the back row or at the end of a line, in fear of being noticed, singled out or any eye-contact made.  Their body-language may demonstrate a lack of self-confidence in both taught movement and natural carriage, and they are often mistaken by their instructors as ‘not-caring or trying’.   As a dance educator going on 40 years, I have found that these children actually do enjoy attending classes but ‘shrink’ when it comes to the slightest competitive challenge or comparison to others.   They prefer to remain anonymous in their own space, withdrawing from the spotlight, while still finding a personal satisfaction in mastering movement and choreography.   In comparison, the over-achieving student places themselves front and center, directly behind the instructor, asking detail-oriented questions.   They are fixated on the instructor’s detail of movement, their body-language and personal eye-contact, aiming to draw their focus and attention.   With the sole intent to please both themselves and others, they thrive on competition and comparison, seeking to earn the praise and admiration of all.    Unlike the under-achiever who dances and performs for himself, the over-achiever performs for others with an adrenaline rush brought on by applause and compliments.   As parents and educators, we must be careful not to ‘label’ our children too soon… In our ‘life-journey’, we ultimately find ourselves and surface as thriving individuals, in all levels and aspects of success!

Being on the soccer or ball field, a tennis or basketball court, a swim team, in music studies or on the dance floor, children find these extra-curricular activities as a means to identify their place in the world.  Whether the outfielder or the dancer in the back line, children find their niche where they feel most comfortable and accepted.   Rather than constantly riding them about not doing enough or questioning how they can possibly handle more, maybe it’s best that we just simply ask, “How was your day today?” , letting their words naturally flow without consequence.   Reserving our negative comments and personal opinions for a better suited opportunity will naturally limit untimely confrontation, anger and the unintended retaliation of both parties.    If in most parent-child situations it was as simple as saying, “Share with me your thoughts and let’s tackle them together”, it might open up a whole new appreciation and understanding of each other on a different eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart level.

My Dellos staff is now using a similar approach in their dance classes.  Rather than expecting and requiring their students to perform individually, they now ask, “WHO would like to demonstrate this skill or combination, alone?.  This allows the shy child to enjoy the experience of other classmates without the fear of personal embarrassment or perceived peer pressure.   Our sons and daughters attempt to communicate to us daily with often misread attitudes, strong words and un-intended actions, all in an attempt to get our attention or please us.    Things slip out in our moment of rage that we wish could be taken back.  With the responsibility of being our youths’ mentors and role-models, we should simply try to become better listeners, unconditionally more supportive, nurturing and loving, and the rest will all fall into place!

Lilliana Rose, 6, who attends Rhodes Elementary, lives in Chino and has been dancing over half of her short life.  “The only other things I like to do is play in the park and swim in the pool by my house”, the little one smiles, “but I’m almost always at my dance studio!” As a Kindergartener, Lilliana took 6 hours of dance instruction weekly, accompanied by private lessons to help perfect her execution and to reinforce memorization of material.    Dressed as a bear in her first recital routine, “Bear Necessities”, the smallest member of the group earned her the nickname, “Lil Bear”. It wouldn’t be long before I dubbed her, “Lil Starr”, a name that has stuck and describes not only her talent, but her winning personality as well!

Successful children are the product of a positive and nurturing support system that includes committed coaches & trainers, family and friends.  Lydia and Gabe Silva’s entire life has revolved around the activities of their first-grade daughter.  “As long as Lilliana is happy and loves what she’s doing, we will support her 100%”, Gabe shares…”Sometimes we ask her, aren’t you ready to go home after being at the studio for over 4 hours?…but she always answers, no!…can I stay longer?” Lil Starr’s parents have been hands-on with at-home practice, preparing her for bi-weekly private instruction.  “Sometimes we wonder if it’s just too much”, Lydia smiles at her daughter, “but she never complains…and even when she’s not taking lessons, she’s always dancing all over the house!”.

For three years, Lil Starr has been a member of award-winning tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop teams at The Dellos Dance Connection.  Celebrating the end of another amazing season, she was excitedly looking forward to attending this year’s July National Finals in Las Vegas.  Who would have guessed that she would be in New York on the other side of the U.S. instead of with her studio dance friends?   Ironically, almost simultaneously, Lil Starr would compete on the largest competition stage in America, “America’s Got Talent”, as one of the youngest competitors ever booked!

The past year has been like a whirlwind, starting with a local audition nearly one year ago.   “We heard about AGT auditions on the radio…we got up really early to get in line but still had to wait a long time”, Dad recalls. “But once Lilliana finally performed her tap routines, “Smooth Criminal” and “Dr. Feelgood”, she was taken from room to room to dance multiple times and to meet the producers of the show.  We were told that we might be contacted in the next four months but that they still had the entire U.S. to audition…so we thought at that point that Lilliana didn’t have much of a chance.  There were literally multiples of thousands of AGT hopefuls waiting to be seen.”

NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” is the most popular and largest viewed Summer ‘reality talent show’ on TV.    For a local six-year old with virtually no prior exposure, selected to be a competitor on Season 7’s ‘Quarter-Finals’  as one of “The Top 48” acts selected out of hundreds of thousands from across America, is more than remarkable!   The first live show was in February at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre in Hollywood where Lilliana performed “Dr. Feelgood”, followed by a standing-ovation from the audience and two of the judges.  Even though Howard Stern made it obvious that he didn’t care for kids and ‘especially dance acts’, Howie Mandell and Sharon Osborne put her through to the grueling Las Vegas rounds. “Lilliana was one the youngest competitors there…we had ten, long, hard days of rehearsing a brand new routine…it was crazy!”, shares Mom.   “So many acts were sent home before they ever made it to the taped round”, recalls Dad.  “Lilliana’s second routine, “Captain Jack” was her best performance to date but the entire dance wasn’t shown on tv.  The audience gave her another standing-ovation and this time even Howard was impressed, so the judges put her through again to the first live show in New York!”

My husband and I surprised the Silva family by showing up in New York for Lil Starr’s live “AGT Semi-Finals” taping. A large box-prop complete with lazer lights and explosives, incredible costume and hip-hop theme was created specifically around her new “Party Rock” tap routine. But, once again, Howard Stern stated that, “A six-year old tap dancer is not a million dollar Las Vegas act!” Sharon and Howie dubbed her “A BIG Star” and said she was ‘something extra-ordinarily special’.   “We’ve made long and lasting friends and have experienced so much”, shares Gabe…”That’s the hardest part of the process because you feel like you’re losing a family member when someone leaves the show.  Everyone was so nice to Lilliana and they truly treated her like a star”. Lydia adds, “The AGT staff was awesome and really, really nice.  Lilliana’s producer was right there for anything we needed”.   I experienced the Silva family’s personal sadness first hand when new competitors were arriving as Lil Starr was exiting the theatre, heading home to Chino, California.   Begged by her groupies at the Stage Door, Lilliana signed autographs and took pictures with adoring fans 2 to 80 years of age.  “We love you!”, they screamed, and Lil Starr echoed back, “Love you too!”

Though not moving on to ‘The Final Top 16’ was disappointing, a booking on NBC’s “The Today Show” the following morning brought a huge smile to her face.  “You mean I get to go to New York City again?”, Lilliana squealed with a whole new excitement.   After a late night out celebrating with a pizza party in the lobby of The Best Western Plus Hotel in Newark, New Jersey, the morning trip into the city came all too soon.  “Lilliana is a grouch when she’s tired”, shared her mom, “but she jumped out of bed with energy and was ready to perform all over again!”. A personal-driver dropped Lil Starr’s entourage at NBC Studios in the heart of New York City, where she was whisked into The Green Room to meet the TV hosts before filming her segment.   After a short televised interview and tap demonstration, a gift-basket full of headbands and crowns topped off the event, making the day most memorable.

As the Silva family walked Times Square, adoring fans asking for pictures and autographs slowed down their sight-seeing experience.    When I asked Lil Starr about her favorite part of the entire AGT experience, she candidly answered, “I liked meeting all of the judges and Nick Cannon…he was so funny.  Oh yeah, the other contestants too, and the producers…they were all nice to me. I liked the tall buildings, the double-decker bus ride, the horse and buggy ride and Times Square. But the best part was seeing myself on TV!”. The family ended the day at “The Top of The Rock”, taking pictures above the New York City skyline before heading to the airport.   Wiped out from her two-week whirlwind of New York memory-making, Lil Starr curled up in her airplane window-seat, dreaming about her own bed.

“Lil Starr”, unaffected by her immediate TV popularity, doesn’t realize the impact that her innocent child-like and un-affected, humble nature has made on viewing audiences of all ages across America.     When asked what’s next she replies, “I’m excited to go back to dance to see my friends and dance teachers!  Oh yeah, and one more thing…my new baby sister, Emma, is coming in September!” Miss Michelle shares, “AGT kept Lilliana busy from morning to night making last minute changes.   We all became like one big family rooting each other on but in the end it is a competition.  I’m so proud of Lilliana…she’s one exceptional little girl!” Competing on a national level is on hold for now, but getting ready for end-of-the-summer auditions at Dellos is Lil Starr’s next goal~

School and dance friends, neighbors, relatives and Jace’s (her studio nick-name) closest family members, gathered at her Chino Hills residence to celebrate her accomplishments and to welcome her home after being on the road for eight grueling, hard-working weeks.   Photos were being snapped from all directions as the guests shared their favorite TV moments with Jordan.  The evening ended with live singing, with Jace confidently performing, “Welcome To The Cabaret” to the surprise and delight of her guests!  When I asked if she was happy to be back in her own bed Jace smiled, “It feels so good to be home with my family…I didn’t realize how much I would actually miss my own room, my parents and my little brother, too!” She smiled, “My roommate on the tour was Melanie, the dancer who won the “America’s Favorite Dancer” title…we became really close and there wasn’t any weird feelings between the two of us…everyone was actually pulling for each-other!” I know you’ve been asked this question a million times, but what was your favorite memory of this experience?  “Probably meeting all of the fantastic people associated with the show…like everybody was amazing.  The producers, costumers, make-up people and choreographers were cool and everything moved so fast so the weeks just flew by.  We found time to rehearse whenever we could and our bodies were all bruised up.  But we all loved each-other like a big family!  What I’ll miss the most are the friends I made…we’ve promised to keep in touch.  Some are already travelling around the world teaching master classes and making public appearances.   The producers said we were the closest group so far.  Some of us even went together to a tattoo-place near the CBS Studios, and got the ‘Roman numeral 8’ tattooed on our wrist!” Jace paused and gave me that quirky facial expression that I have become some familiar with as she emphatically added, “Oh yeah…my fans!   They too, were the best part of this whole experience.  They were amazing and so loyal.  I received literally thousands of email, tweets and letters from around the world!” Jace’s mom shared a hand-made photo album that an adoring fan sent backstage to her at The Nokia in LA, her home-city tour stop.   “Can you believe this?  Look at the time someone spent to make this keepsake photo book of memories for Jordan….it’s amazing how generous her fans are!”

I walked around Jace’s festively decorated party-room taking pictures of the special details that chronologically covered her 12-year dance journey from the beginning to the present.  Individual cupcakes said “Welcome home Jordan” while dozens of photos scattered the walls and counters exemplifying the ladder she has climbed to get ‘to-the-top’.  “I’m not saying it was easy,” Jace admitted, “each of us was exceptional in our own area.  The results could have gone many different ways…”

At the time of submission of this article, I was unable to reach Jace for a final interview as she was on her way home from her first ‘celebrity engagement & autograph signing’ in New York City.   “Yep…Jordan just hopped on that plane and headed to New York on her own”, laughed Laurie Casanova…”I guess my baby is all grown up now!” Laurie also shared that ‘Jordan’s agent has received many requests from those who want to work with her’.  The “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 8 tour may have come to an end, but Miss Jordan Casanova’s dance career is just becoming a reality!   Jordan would welcome your letters and special messages to add to her collection of “So You Think You Can Dance” memorabilia.  Feel free to drop off your ‘congrats’ to her at either Dellos Dance Studio location and they will be hand-delievered to her!   Dellos-Chino: 14830 Central Ave, Chino  909 597-9370. 775 Pinefalls Ave., Walnut   909- 594-0228

Dellos Dance & Performing Arts Studios: Bobbi & Dave Dellos