Unfortunately Fox.com doesn’t allow me to watch the episodes of So You Think You Can Dance via their website until nearly a week later. So I had to find other avenues to view the videos… so watch this space as I add on over they days of my thoughts on the dancers that have made it through to Vegas (as far as I know).

NEW YORK AUDITIONS
Amelia Lowe
For some reason, see her run on stage and her name the whole package just seems to make sense to me. That whole silent film era, she embodies that in her personality and in her dancing. Her technique does need to be stronger in my opinion, but everything else… it just draws you in to an extent. There is a theatrical quality to her movement that isn’t easily taught.

Leo Reyes
Hip-hop/contemporary mix, Leo has a good story coming into the show and effortlessly melds the two styles together.

Shafeek Westbrook
One thing about breakdancing is that after a while you see the same things over and over again. Once in a while the power moves/tricks would push the envelope, but how to do take things to a whole new level? What drew me into Shafeek is that the usual power tricks he modifies them and smooths out the shapes, some in slow motion. More of an artist in this way… he could be someome with a good chance to go far in Vegas.

Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
A very strong ballet dancer, with strong lines and technique. He reminds me of Season 3′s Danny Tidwell except he emotes very well. Tyce is right, that level of technique deserves a chance to push themselves to the next level in Vegas.

DALLAS AUDITIONS

Bree Hafen
Is it bad that the kids stole the show in this one? Nigel is really good with them… I don’t remember Nigel doing that in the past, it’s like he’s become personable over the years. In any case… Bree was smooth and graceful, with a strength and a passion in what she does and still loves to do after all these years.

Bree has a bunch of YouTube videos up that feature herself and her kids. In fact here is a video of her solo as she practices dancing around the kids:

Stepheon Stewart
Tee hee hee, I just love this guy’s facial expressions. They freaked me out, but they were awesome! Makes me wonder just how much time he spends in front of the mirror looking making those faces. He might have just enough flexibility that he could go far in the season, but the Vegas callbacks will determine that.

Hampton Williams
I got chills when I watched him dance, I didn’t really know what to expect and his flow is smooth and his transitions from one dance flow to another is just effortless. Sometimes he’s locking, sometimes he’s popping, sometimes it’s lyrical hiphop. There was no way to predict what he was going to do next, let alone even predict what he was going to do. Nigel just hit the nail on the head, he’s not a dancer he’s an artist, no doubt about that.

Even though he got his ticket to Vegas, I am still worried about how he would fare in the other styles. He reminds me a little of Cedric Gardner from Season 3, so incredibly unique, fantastic to watch but unsure as to the adaptation to other dance styles. I really hope that Hampton would adapt better than Cedric did, because this is something that people should truly watch and enjoy.

Daniel Baker
Well… before I talk about Daniel Baker, how about a little treat. Courtesy of Alex Wong’s twitter:

Yup, that’s Daniel Baker dancing with Alex Wong…

Now that I’ve saturated the palate a little bit, Daniel originally auditioned for SYTYCD back in Season 7, got a ticket to Vegas but was absent for the Vegas callbacks. According to an email from Alex Wong:

He auditioned for S7 and made it to Vegas but opted out of going when he was offered a contract with the San Francisco Ballet.

I really would love to see him in the other styles and potentially all the way to the live shows. He has amazing lines, great strength and artistry, just to see him grow would be worth it. Heck, I’d go so far as to say that he should be able to adapt to some of the others styles just based on the Mortal Kombat video alone.

Jarell Rochelle
He emoted really well on stage, but I think having his mom front in center and dancing to music that clearly is dedicated to his mother probably helped that. He does a little bit of popping/locking as well as contemporary and how those two melted was really good. I can’t wait to see what he brings to Vegas, how would he grow as a dancer and artist.

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I don’t know about everyone else but I am so happy that SYTYCD is back and it was a jammed packed two-hour premiere. Tonight we got to see some of the best and worst in New York and in Dallas. Tyce and Lil’ C joined Nigel and Mary tonight at the judging table. I did miss the first fifteen minutes of the show but I was reminded as always when I watch the show why I love dance. Here are some of my thoughts on the night good, bad and the absolutely precious.

NEW YORK

I just happen to turn the show on and got to learn about “Freeman Fever”. I’m not sure when wiggling became a dance move but I may just have to blame LMFAO. Granted he had a great personality but was completely clueless. He honestly thought he just chose the wrong song…lol.

Leo Reyes was the first standout for me, he had such a moving story and happy to hear that his mom is doing well. He should be someone to watch. His style in my opinion is a mix of contemporary and hip-hop.

Chehon the ballet dancer from Switzerland was insanely good. Like Tyce said with technique like that he deserves to go to Vegas. Truthfully I really don’t see him having any issues with other styles.

TEXAS

Texas started off with 29-year-old mom Bree Hayfen. Her husband and kids were in the audience supporting her, and I love that Nigel brought the kids up to watch from the judges table. While Bree was dancing hearing Luke cheer his mom was great and then Nigel asking him if he gave him something would he give it to his mom. Luke walk up the stairs to the stage with the ticket to Vegas in his hand…such a cute moment when she realized what had happened. Stella her daughter obviously didn’t want to be left out so Nigel gave her a ticket to give to mom too. What happen next had to be one of the cutest things I have ever see on the show, Stella got her turn to dance.  If you ask me she stole the show. You could tell just by watching that she spent a lot of time watching her mom. If anyone missed this as soon as the video is on youtube I will post it.

The next two to take the stage were two street dancers with their own styles that worried me when they were just talking about it…Zombie and Exorcist. To my surprise both were actually good. The Exorcist (didn’t catch his name) all I can say is wow. He moves with such feeling and emotion. I’m going to have to agree with Nigel…the exorcist is a true artist and I can’t wait to see him in Vegas.

Up next the Australian ballet dancer Daniel Baker. I don’t have much to say about him other than he is an obvious favorite with the ladies.

Sam S. At first I was a bit worried till he started telling the judges about himself. This is when the show is great. Sure Sam wasn’t the best dancer but that didn’t matter. I think he may have started a new dance craze…the ocean.

Von Kipper. Cat handled herself great with this guy. I will say this he can break dance but that attitude of his was absolutely disgusting and I’m glad they sent him packing. Von is what Nigel would call a MORON.

Jarell Rochelle thankfully closed the show on a good note. Another son dancing for his mom and Nigel bringing her closer so she can see him dance. I have to say she is one proud mom.

Next week it looks like Jesse Tyler Ferguson is joining the Judges…love him. So what did you think of the NY and Dallas auditions…let us know.

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Hello all! Since I won’t be able to see tonight’s show live… I would really appreciate your help in finding the music from tonight’s So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 premiere. As you know, we’ve been listing all of the SYTYCD music ever since SYTYCD season 2. We hope to do the same this season.

In the comments below please list any and all songs that you happen to pick up, and any songs that you’d like me to specifically find and within twenty-four hours from the show I’ll update this post with the songs that I was able to catch. Please attempt to be as specific as possible as to where the music came from during the episode so I would know not to look for it and move on to the next piece of music.

The more songs that you guys are able to find, the more time I will have in finding the songs that you are unable to find.

Thank you so much for your help!

- Marianya

UPDATE: We just got word that Episode 1 of So You Think You Can Dance will feature “BROTHER BROTHER” the single released last season on SYTYCD. We’ll have to see who dances to it or when it’s used on the show.

UPDATE 2: Thanks to all of the readers that have helped with this list. As Marianya stated, she and hopefully Emilie will help with more of the music and making the list much nicer tomorrow.

UPDATE 3: Since fox.com does not allow viewing of last night episode until June 1st, please bear with me as I try to find the music that is missing from the list below. I have rearranged the music in the order that I know of from what I was able to piece together from various videos I’ve found online.

So You Think You Can Dance Season 9 Premiere Music List:

NEW YORK AUDITIONS
The song at the very beginning of SYTYCD Season 9 after the opening credits is Icarus? by maedon

Amelia Lowe’s audition music is “Non, Je ne regrette rien” by Edith Piaf

Austin “Mr Wiggles” Freeman interview music: Missy Elliot’s “Shake Your Pom Pom”

Austin “Mr Wiggles” Freeman audition music: LMFAO’s “I’m Sexy and I Know It”

The Song during Leo Reyes’ background story was “The Dress Looks Nice On You” – Sufjan Stevens

Leo Reyes (The guy whose mother attempted suicide) danced to “Look What You’ve Done” – Drake

Shafeek danced to “Moving Cities [Alternate Version]” by Faze Action

“BROTHER BROTHER”

Chehon (the ballet dancer from Switzerland) danced to Sail – AWOLNation

Dancers moving on to Vegas montage Day One: “Ready 2 Go” by Martin Solveig feat Kele

During the bad dancer montage about 50 minutes through the show on Day Two the song was Evacuate the Dancefloor by Cascada

Music of dancers passing through the choreography round Day Two When Love Takes Over by David Guetta featuring Kelly Rowland

DALLAS AUDITIONS
Introduction to auditions for Dallas Auditions: Tell Me Something I Don’t Know by Selena Gomez

Bree Hafen (mother of 2) danced to “Sort Of” by Ingrid Michaelson

Von Kipper ? (The rude guy) danced to Cinema (Skrillex remix) – Benny Benassi

Stepheon ”The Zombie” Stewart danced to the song “Haunt You” by Flux Pavilion

Hampton “The Exorcist” Williams danced to the song “My Immortal” by Evanescence

Daniel Baker’s background music for his interview was “Gymnopédie No. 1″ by French classical composer Erik Satie

Last Song for Jarelle’s audition was “It’s Good to See You Again (feat. Marcus Paul James)” by Scott Alan

Day Two Auditions at Dallas lead in music: Calvin Harris’ Feel So Close

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Here we are! The Season 9 Premiere of So You Think You Can Dance. After a few seasons of the evolution of the show:
- Season 5: moving the So You Think You Can Dance stage to the Kodak Theatre
- Season 6: first (and only) Fall season of So You Think You Can Dance at the Kodak Theatre
- Season 7: reduction of the Top 20 to an Top 11 and introduction of the All-Stars
- Season 8: bringing back of the Top 20 and bringing in the All-Stars for the Top 10
As for Season 9 there is the elimination of the “Results Show” and the re-arranging of the “Performance Show” to include an elimination.

What is also “new” this season is the inclusion that as opposed to having just one winner of the season, there will be two winners: one male dancer and one female dancer. The reason I say “new” in quotes is simply because the producers of So You Think You Can Dance have given a cash award to not only the top male dancer in a season, but also to the top female dancer back in Season 4 where Joshua Allen won the season, but Katee Shean was the top female dancer and was given a cash award as well.

But enough of that… tonight (Thursday) brings us to the first auditions from Dallas and New York for a two-hour event. Then starting next week, the show will move to the regular spot of Wednesday nights with auditions continuing in Los Angeles (Wednesday, May 30), Atlanta (Wednesday, June 6) and Salt Lake City (Wednesday, June 13) all two-hour episodes.

The dancers that caught the judges’ interest during the individual city auditions will be brought back for the Las Vegas callback which would air on Wednesday, June 20. For the celebration of the 200th episode of So You Think You Can Dance, Season 9 will introduce the Top 20 finalists who will perform in their own specialties so that America can get to know more about them and their individual talents.

After a one-week break (due to the July 4th holiday) America would get a chance to watch the Top 20 finalists for the first time as they are paired up to perform together. After America votes in their choices for their favorite dances and the most at-risk couples will be asked to perform solo routines the following week. If a couple is split apart, the individual dancers will form a new couple.

Then taking on the changes from Season 7 and 8, once the Top 20 has been wittled down to a Top 10, the finalists will be paired up with a So You Think You Can Dance All-Star dancer from a variety of styles: ballroom, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, jazz.

For those of you that got lost in all the writing above… here is a quick breakdown of what is going to happen in the summer:
- Thursday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Dallas and New York Auditions
- Wednesday, May 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Los Angeles Auditions
- Wednesday, June 6 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Atlanta Auditions
- Wednesday, June 13 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Salt Lake City Auditions
- Wednesday, June 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Las Vegas Callbacks
- Wednesday, June 27 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Top 20 Revealed/Meet the Top 20 Performances (200th Episode)
- Wednesday, July 4: Preemption
- Wednesday, July 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): First Performance Show
- Wednesday, July 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Performance and First Results Show

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Time for a great discussion of SYTYCD season 9 with the famous Debbie Allen. Debbie Allen gives you some really big hints on some dancers that make it to Las Vegas, so listen for those comments. I also dig in a little bit with Debbie Allen about how dance has evolved and even ask her what she thinks about a Dancing with the Stars – Contemporary edition. Enjoy!

In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 and with Nigel Lythgoe as well.

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Time for a great discussion of SYTYCD season 9 and ballroom dancing on SYTYCD with Mary Murphy. I think this interview does a good job of showing what Mary Murphy is really like. She’s much more calm and not playing it up for the big cameras. I liked talking with her about ballroom dancing on SYTYCD. Plus, Mary Murphy talks about the change from SYTYCD Top 20 to only 18 dancers making the finale. I also ask her what she thinks about having ballroom dancers “dance for their life” with a partner.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 and with Nigel Lythgoe as well.

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Pure SYTYCD got the chance to be able to attend the auditions for a new show on the Ovation TV channel called Chance to Dance. The show is produced by SYTYCD’s own Nigel Lythgoe and also includes Allison Holker.

A Chance to Dance follows Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, two former London Royal Ballet dancers and creators of the renowned BalletBoyz Dance Company, as they search the United States for undiscovered dance talent to form this new dance company. And there isn’t one winner… A Company of Dancers will get A CHANCE TO DANCE.

Pure SYTYCD sent Natalie to cover the Salt Lake City Chance to Dance auditions. Here’s her writeup of the experience along with a number of great pictures from the auditions and a short video outside while the dancers wait for their “Chance to Dance.”

Wake up early. Put your favorite dance clothes on. Look at yourself one last time in the mirror and tell yourself you can do it. Drive out in the middle of nowhere. Wait in line for 2 hours with a clip board waiting to check in. Wait in line for another two hours, stretching and free styling, for the people who decide if you’ll get the chance to dance.

I recently had the opportunity to attend the auditions for a new TV show called ‘A Chance to Dance-An exciting new dance competition series from father-son producing team Nigel & Simon Lythgoe.’ While shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘Dancing With The Stars’ pick one winner, ‘A Chance To Dance’ will find the best of 24 and narrow them down to 8, that will perform as a company.

The judges of this new show are Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, or “The BalletBoyz” as they have become known. They will also be joined by, SYTYCD contestant and all-star, Allison Holker, who I also had the chance to meet at the auditions in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I asked them if they will look more for someone who fits into the group versus a star like they look for in SYTYCD? They responded with the easy, both. They will be looking for someone so stands out in the initial stages of auditions and as things progress closer to the final 8 they will look for those that work well in a group. Another difference is that America will not be sharing their opinion by casting a vote. “We are not a democracy,” was there response to my inquiry.

The judges mentioned that all styles of dance will be a part of the show, but I only witnessed about 30 seconds of auditions and those seconds were ballet and contemporary, being led by Allison Holker. Unlike our other favorite dance show, the contestants did not try out by preparing a solo to perform for the judges. They were all taught choreographed routines practiced in typical company class room fashion.

The different audition style rattled some, bringing them to simply walk out of the auditions in the middle, and leave. Others seemed to really be in their element, keeping up with Allison as she taught the routines quickly, with her telling the rest to keep up. The BalletBoyz sat in front of all the dancers talking with show producers, looking up occasionally to see how things were getting along.

Before they let the dancers in to start the auditions, Allison was seen dancing around the studio going over the upcoming choreography in her jeans and ankle boots, drinking her Starbucks, while The BalletBoyz worked with the production team and camera men to get the camera angles right for filming.

Witnessing a panicked, overbearing crew run around like chickens with their heads cut off, all trying not to be the one to mess up and get in trouble, was certainly a new experience. Everything always looks so simple when you see it on TV. But there is a lot more to it than we see in the final cut.

Keep an eye out for “A Chance to Dance”, set to premiere on August 17, on Ovation. You’re guaranteed to see a lot of amazing dancers, looking for their chance to dance.

Here are some of the other shots from the Chance to Dance auditions in Salt Lake City.

Now for a video showing some of the dancers outside waiting to audition for Chance to Dance:

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You’ve seen So You Think You Can Dance. You’ve seen Dancing with the Stars…but you’ve never seen moves quite like those featured on this new original series from the DanceOn Network: Dance Showdown Presented by D-trix.

Twelve dance-challenged YouTube stars pair off with four professional dancers to train, sweat, fail, and ultimately perform in an epic dance battle to win $25,000 CASH. YOU, the audience, vote for the winner. In the end, only one dancer or troupe can triumph as the ultimate Dancer and go home with cold hard cash!



If you have forgotten, D-trix is Dominic Sandoval from Season 3 of So You Think You Can Dance. Since his time on SYTYCD he was a member of the dance crew Quest Crew (with Season 1′s Ryan and Season 3′s Hok Konishi). Quest Crew competed on Randy Jackson presents America’s Best Dance Crew… later Dominic left the crew and joined the judging panel for ABDC in their sixth and seventh seasons thus far.

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As I was trolling through my RSS feed, it was recently announced via Playbill that two So You Think You Can Dance alumni will be featured in Napa Valley Broadway Playhouse‘s production of Cabaret.

The production is scheduled to open on June 22nd through July 1st

Since her time on SYTYCD: Kherington Payne was seen in the reinvention of the movie Fame, released in 2009 as Alice Ellerton. She is no stranger to the musical theatre stage, for she played Potiphar’s wife in Napa Valley Broadway Playhouse’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Jordan Casanova, who was just on the show last season was more recently seen as one of the dancers on NBC’s the Voice during Tony Lucca’s interpretation of Hit Me Baby One More Time.

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The next in my set of interviews with the SYTYCD season 9 Las Vegas week judges is with Lil C. It was an interesting interview. He basically dances as he talks, so you’ll see a lot of camera movement. He reveals the name of one act that makes it to Las Vegas. Plus, he adds a lot of info on how he looks at dancing. Enjoy!

In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 and with Nigel Lythgoe as well.

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