Best Performance
About the Superlative Awards
The Year in Review 2008 Superlative contest on DancerUniverse.com got the online dance community buzzing with interest and anticipation. Dance studios from all over the country logged in and uploaded a total of 189 numbers. Then, they sat back and waited anxiously while thousands of readers like you voted for their favorites.
Numbers eligible for the Superlative contest contained anywhere from four to 40 dancers and covered a range of disciplines, from ballet to hip-hop and even a special Teacher of the Year contest to honor those hardworking and dedicated instructors. In addition, there are two winners of the special Editor’s Choice Award, chosen by members of the Dancer Publishing team. These videos did not receive top scores, but they were so exceptional in style, choreography and execution that we had to spotlight them.
Talent, creativity and true artistry abound, the Superlative contest gave studios the opportunity to display their work and readers the chance to express their opinions. The contest wrapped up on December 22nd, at which point we tallied the scores and determined the winners.
In the following you’ll find biographical information about each studio as well as the back-story behind each dance. Look out for the fun facts accompanying every article—they’ll give you a greater sense of just how much work went into creating these award-winning routines. We know you’re itching to see who won, so without further ado, here are the 2008 Superlative winners!
Best Performance
David Sanders Dance Dynamics – “Gangster Boogie”
Long Island, NY
In 1980, David Sanders and his wife Kim opened the first in a line of David Sanders Dynamic Dance Companies. Nearly 30 years later, the four studios across various Long Island locations have made a successful name for themselves and their dancers. Within the four studios, the student body of more than 1,000 dancers is under the instruction of approximately 28 teachers, most of whom are either current dancers or retired performers. Dance Dynamics also has the benefit of having many of its former students returning to teach, with the style and attitude learned from David Sanders already deeply ingrained in their dance styles. Despite the high number of attendees to the studios, only about 70 are competition dancers. They study in a more intensive, conservatory type environment, that while still very enjoyable, is much more serious.
“Gangster Boogie” was choreographed by David Sanders, with the goal as simple as making a piece that was truly enjoyable and a celebration of dance. Instead of focusing on flashy costumes or overwhelming music, this routine became the sensation that it is by capitalizing on footwork, group formations, transitions and attitude. Sanders wanted the performance to have the sharp, aggressive quality to it most often associated only with male tap dancers. Despite that, the girls did indeed perform a piece that showcased their high level of technique, and allowed the audience to enjoy the fun the dancers themselves were having on stage.
Fun Fact: Many former David Sanders students have gone on to perform in professional productions such as “A Chorus Line.”