Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 10, 1993 TAG: 9306100398
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: W-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A group of Roanoke Valley teens, performing a new dance during a regional competition in Charlotte, N.C., is spotted by a world-famous dance professional. After a brief conversation with their teacher, he invites the dancers to New York City to perform for an audience of casting directors, music video producers and Broadway scouts.
The teens, ages 11-18, are the performing company at Ardell Stone School of Dance. The company won first place in the Charlotte competition and was selected from 70 to 80 other performing groups to appear in the prestigious Frank Hatchett Showcase.
Misha Paiement, Katie Stockburger, Ann Ball Lawson, Maggie Light, Blake Points, Emmy Spencer, Amy Edwards, Kelly Conklin, Susan Lawson, Molly Rutherford, Michele Kaulback, Sarah Clyburn and Maggie Herchenrider leave for the Big Apple Saturday..
Their teacher, Lynn Stone, can hardly contain her excitement.
"The invitation took us by surprise. It was a new routine," said Stone, who has been assisting her mother, Ardell Stone, at the Roanoke County dance studio since graduating from college two years ago. Since the invitation in February, the group has practiced four times weekly to execute the dance perfectly.
Hatchett's famous dance showcases feature nonprofessional students. For the past 11 years, thousands of entertainers, teachers and students from all over the world have come to study with him at the Broadway Dance Center. Talent scouts are known to attend Hatchett's performances, held at Martin Luther King High School behind the Lincoln Center. His students have appeared on MTV, Star Search and on Broadway.
"When he approached us about the showcase I hugged him, and I was very excited. I had never seen the showcase, but I knew from his reputation it must be something wonderful," said Ardell Stone.
"We were shocked at first, then very flattered. It totally blew us away that he would ask us to perform. He's a great guy," said Amy Edwards, a junior at Cave Spring High School. Edwards, who has been dancing 13 years, is one of the company's most experienced members.
Wearing matching magenta dresses and theatrical make-up, Lynn Stone's students will perform a dance she choreographed to "When You Tell Me That you Love Me," by Diana Ross.
The category is lyrical dance, a contemporary dance form linked to ballet but utilizing more expressive costumes.
The girls say they will fight the inevitable stage jitters as they have in the past.
"We've been taught to create your own atmosphere. We psych each other up and bring out those who are nervous," said Maggie Herchenrider, a veteran performer and senior at Cave Spring High School.
"We are all very excited and enthusiastic about this trip," Edwards said.
Misha Paiement, 12, recently joined the performing company. She battles nervousness by making sure to be prepared.
"At home I hold on to the basement door and practice about three extra hours a week so that I can keep up with the group," said Paiement.
To improve the performance of the group, Stone videotapes the dancers so they can review strengths and weaknesses.
"They are hard workers," said Ardell Stone. "Many of the girls are honor students."
To raise money for the trip, the dancers sold fast food coupons and held a car wash.
Ardell Stone said being a member of a performing group requires a big commitment from students and family.
"We wanted the students to appreciate the dollars that go into this," she said.
In addition to their performance, the girls will participate in a class offered by Hatchett and visit several tourist attractions, including the Hard Rock Cafe and a Broadway show.
by CNB