This past Thursday was the South Florida All Star’s annual Stars in Motion Dance Showcase and it was held in the USC ballrooms. USFSP students, faculty, and their family and friends all came out to support the All Stars as they danced to beautifully choreographed pieces in order to raise money to compete again in the NexStar Dance competition in 2017. Photo courtesy of Tamiracle Williams
The showcase had a variety of dances; from funky/groovy routines like “Female Robbery” and “DeBussy’s Delight” to moving routines like “Invincible” and “Changed”, to crowd favorites like “Planet Janet” and “Cultures Herd” (performed by USFSP’s Herd Step Team), and to the finale performance “One Night Only”.
Photo courtesy of Tamiracle Williams
Paris Hadley, a freshman who joined the dance team this year, said her first showcase experience was surreal. When asked what her favorite routine to perform was, Hadley said, “Homesick because Adele gets me in the feels and Justice Thornton did amazing choreography that we really pulled together for this amazing piece.”
Photos courtesy of Tamiracle Williams
Cadin Small, a sophomore who has been a part of the dance team for 2 years now, said the process of planning the dance showcase was stressful but the rewards were priceless. “My favorite number was Planet Janet because I choreographed it and we worked so hard on it…also…Invincible because it was based on a poem my close friend, Chardonnay Tyson, wrote. Bringing it to life on stage was so fun and exciting.” says Small.
Photos courtesy of Tamiracle Williams
There was also a solo performed by Kristina Sonstroem, that she choreographed herself, called “Will You Still Love Me?” This was a very special dance since Kristina is a senior and is graduating soon. At the very end of the night, all the South Florida All Stars paid tribute to Kristina by playing an emotional farewell video to her and also giving her flowers. Kristina was a part of the South Florida All Stars since the very beginning. “I was there when the first president of the team met with our advisor Erica Campbell for the very first time,” said Sonstroem. Sonstroem said her favorite moments of being on the team was the dance team’s first showcase last year as well as going to the NexStar competition this year. When asked what she will miss the most about the South Florida All Stars dance team, Sonstroem said, “…the people. The dancers on this team are truly incredibly talented individuals that I will miss spending time with. Sonstroem also wanted to let anyone who is considering joining the team next year to go for it. “It is such a rewarding and incredible experience to be a part of,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Tamiracle Williams
HCXOXO,
Kelli Carmack