Ignite! NY

Some of my favorite competitions as a kid were the ones where I was familiar with the judges work.  I remember one in particular that I had such a great time competing at, because I knew of one of the judges and how GREAT his dancing technique was, I had a blast performing for the judges and audience.  The competition was tiny that year, because Rochester was hit hard with a snow storm.  I think only 2 studios showed, but it didn’t matter much to me.  As long as my performances were on key, and someone I admired was judging my routines, the competition was a blast.  I truly loved to compete in my day, and really believe that I competed for all of the right reasons.  We had a great team of girls that I was proud to dance with.  We just couldn’t wait to get out there to strut our stuff.  I’ve been out of the studio scene for a long time now.  I just wonder if dancers and their families come to these competitions for the same camaraderie and joy to perform, that I and all of my peers once danced for.  There are a couple studios that I’ve met in the past couple years, that really dance for the sheer fun and pure enjoyment of it, and boy can you tell.  And I’ve met some studios in the past couple years, with such talented and gifted students, but their hearts were just not into it.  I’d encourage you all to think about what is truly important to you.  If it’s dance, then dance your heart out and don’t worry about what award you did or did not win.  Dance for all of the right reasons!  The reward later on in life is far greater when you dance today because you love it.  So many of my friends are professional dancers in the Rockettes or on Broadway, and they competed in their youth and never held a single solo dance title.  They dance because they love it and they love the feeling that comes from flying through the air. Dance because YOU love it!

Just posted our 2009 dates and venues on the “Tour Schedule” page.  Simply click on “Tour Schedule” on the left-side of the home page.  Hotels are available through Ignite!; however, we will not be posting them until October, as we are still working on contracts.

Hope you are all enjoying September and are excited to be back to your studios for another exciting year of dance

Ignite! has been working hard over the summer… we are establishing new contracts with various theaters, which has been super exciting!  We’ve also been re-vamping the website, updating the pages on our website.  Our website should be complete with all info by the end of September, so for studios interested in attending in 2009… you will be receiving a mailer when our website and tour dates have been posted.  Albany, New York has served us well, so we will be hitting the Albany area again in March 2009.  New dates will be posted asap!

We are always looking for ideas… let us know. Many people at the comp this year were asking for shorts with the Ignite logo, as well as patches for jackets. Ask and you shall receive…

Post your ideas on our blog We would love to hear from you.

I just want to thank studio directors, parents, UAlbany staff, as well as my own team. What a weekend!!! It’s always a true joy for me as well as Team Ignite! to see happy faces on stage and in the audience. We were so impressed with the routines this year, I’m always amazed with the time and effort spent on costumes, accessories, props? Who knew a whole house could fit on the UAlbany stage

Thank you again for an amazing weekend