Inspirational Wins at I LOVE Dance 2010

The weekend of March 5-7, as I previously posted, our dance school Genesis attended the I LOVE Dance Competition in Trevose, PA. Genesis has a history of winning BIG, and the same is true this year. However, there is one story in particular that really touched my heart. Devanee Septh, our 15 year old phenomenal dance student came in second place in the 2009 season. We witnessed her heartbreak as Devanee is such a devoted, hardworking, perfectionist of a dancer.The gift of dance is ever present in her and she gave her piece her all. It was during rehearsal for the 2010 competition where I first got to see the piece Devanee would perform this year called "The Chain", choreographed by Mia DeFranco, (pictured in blue to your right) also a student I have had the pleasure of working with at Genesis.

Instantaneously I knew that this was Devanee's redeeming piece. The song "The Chain" by Ingrid Michaelson was enchanting in and of itself and Mia as the choreographer captured the essence of this song in her choreography. Devanee, as is all dancers' job, "showed us the music". I believe a dancer's job is to show you what the music "looks like". This trifecta of song, dance, and dancer was sure to win! AND WIN it did! Devanee gave the most flawless technical performance I have ever seen at this level of dance. It was truly of the perfection that you see on the big stages of Ailey and Broadway for such a young girl. But our God always has more than you probably could have hoped for! Devanee was the only competitor in her division meaning that all this hard work would not be contested. There were no other competitors. She was slated to win first place by default. All was not lost. There was a bigger goal to attain: OVERALL HIGH SCORE. This means of all the competitors in her age group (15-17), over all the first place winning students, she should aim for the highest score possible. Devanee indeed achieved this goal. She won first place overall high score, over a three way 2nd place overall high score tie, and and age division that had SEVENTEEN SENIOR lyrical piece competitors (Devanee was the lone junior lyrical competitor) and she still received the highest score of all. *Smiles*

I enjoy this story because it shows what NEVER GIVING UP, and continuing to work hard and make improvements where necessary can do.So many accomplished people have stories of what was perceived to be a "loss" or a "failure" which turned out to be the stepping stone to great success. Be inspired and encouraged by this story and those like it as I am and continue to be! (Devanee and myself pictured left). Congratulations to her and Mia DeFranco!! I expect to see more great things from these phenomenal talents in the near future!

In addition to this story I want to give special mention to my niece, soon to be thirteen years old, Akira who is also working hard to attain her personal dance goals. Akira has in the past competed in different categories at the I LOVE Dance competition but  has yet to win a first place trophy. She has placed, but like all the competitors, the eyes are on the prize of first place. Akira too, never gives up. And this is truly inspring to me. She decided to try a new genre of dance, entering in the lyrical division for the 12-14 year olds and Akira placed 2nd! I am truly proud because she tackled her first lyrical solo and looked great doing it!! I am sure Akira will go on to achieve all her dreams and goals by continuing with the attitude of never giving up and try, try, try again!!!

These pictures are of Akira's choreographer Epiphany Herbert, Akira and Myself (left) and Akira in her lyrical costume (right) She looks AMAZINGLY beautiful!!! I know her grandparents are proud!

*These dances are currently posted on my FB page if you would like to view them* Thanks to Cindy Taylor for her videography!

TO God I give the Glory for seeing his unfailing hand in all of our endeavors small or big, and to our victories big or small! Congratulations to ALL our competing students and special thanks to our Director, Kysha Barnett for creating a space for dancers to see God's gift in their lives!!!


REMEMBER READERS: BE ENCOURAGED!!! NEVER GIVE UP & TRY, TRY, TRY AGAIN!!!

TONIGHT!!

*** Update*** The show was very interesting to watch. I was happy to see our students dancing and entertaining!! Much love to the other bride Ariana who also enjoyed our performance! She was very nice to meet and gave our group a lot of praise when she met us and was positive on the show as well. As always you can't please everybody, so the criticism we received was fine by me, especially since at the actual event our bride and groom and wedding guests loved our show!!! Congratulations again Francine!!!***
Okay so, if you've been following me about the wedding reception choreography, tonight is the night where we will see if we get some air time for our dance at the Bruno wedding. Tune in @ 10pm on TLC for FOUR WEDDINGS...we are the Old Hollywood Themed Wedding!
For more info on this wedding visit my wedding planning friend Renita at www.renitaprince.blogspot.com
Thanks!!!

Genesis goes to I LOVE Dance Competition 2010

Today Genesis Dance will be on our way to the I LOVE Dance competition in Trevose, Pennsylvania. It is two full days of dance competing and we will be in the house again this year. I am excited as many of my family members will be performing, and my niece Shameah has choreographed some beautiful pieces. Many of my performance class students will be performing as well, and as a teacher I will be watching to see how they do in that particular area. My former student Mia DeFranco will debut a number of pieces that are truly amazing, and I look forward to her work as well. Finally my good friend Olutayo www.twitter.com/iamolutayo will be performing with his students in the Teacher Feature Category. I am very excited to see this piece as it will be using all of our male students including  our two little superstars Jordan and Meki!
In last year's competition I performed a solo for the Teacher Feature Category in which I won first place. My piece included a Michael Jackson segment to Billie Jean and I did some signature Micheal moves!! This was before the Late, Great Michael passed. I am so glad that I did that solo and that it had a Michael component as he was so important to my love of music and dance. I wish all my family and students the best. God Bless you for your talent and contribution to this art form!! Stay tuned for pictures, etc..

"The real reason I dance is because I want to explode" 

-Bill Evans 

Mama I want to SING!!...How's Tuesday???

For most of my life I have been singing in the shower, but over the years I have slowly but surely taken steps to realize my singing dreams. Therefore I am happy to announce that I will be performing THIS Tuesday March 2 at Public Assembly, 70 North 6th Street in Williamsburg with my Developmental Sound Lab Family. The show will feature DSL artists: Da Era Boyz/Nu Era Movement, Mike P, Dave Jakes, and ME! Praise the Lord! Show time is 9 pm, admission is $10. You can check out my music at www.reverbnation.com/keyanapatterson Check out the DSL website at www.devsoundlab.com Shout out to my sister Kim "Kay P" for introducing me to the DSL family and helping me further realize my dreams. You can contact me via Facebook, twitter www.twitter.com/mskikired, and you can send me a message on Reverb Nation. Hope to see you there and thank you for your support.

Genesis Dance Celebrates Black History Month with North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Well, I am very happy to announce that Genesis Dance will be performing for the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.'s Black History Celebration on Sunday February 28, 2010 at the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood. 54 Nagle Avenue, NY, NY 10040. The event is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC, so feel free to stop by and participate! Genesis will be teaching 3 workshops, AFRICAN, MODERN and HIP HOP. We will also perform NINE original pieces choreographed by students and teachers from our school. The event starts at 11am and will conclude by 3pm. I will post pictures and video from the event, so stay tuned! Please visit the homepage of the North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter at www.nmacdst.org

Wedding Reception Choreography

GOD IS GOOD! On Saturday February 13, 2010, my students from Genesis Dance School in Rosedale, NY, performed at the wedding reception for Francine Brewley and Michael Bruno. That is Francine, the lovely bride pictured to the left with the gorgeous one shoulder dress.What is even more spectacular is that the wedding will be featured on TLC's show Four Weddings, where Jordan Jefferson, Shreece Taylor, Shameah Harris, Clayton Barnett and Chaniece Williams will perform "Smooth Criminal". You can tune in March 5th. Check your local listings. We hope our dancing makes the cut after editing!!!We are most grateful to Renita Prince, owner of Fabulous Weddings on a Shoestring Budget...an amazing wedding planner who booked us for this memorable event. You can check her blog at www.renitaprince.blogspot.com especially if you are planning a Fabulous wedding or special event for yourself!! For more information for Genesis Dance please email genesisdance@aol.com. Stay tuned for video of our performance!

May the Love of God engulf Haiti

By this time many of you know what has happened in Haiti. I am confident in God's Love overflowing in this situation. Already many of people from all over the world are looking within themselves and contributing to the relief efforts. I am moved beyond words by the generosity, compassion and COURAGE so many are showing.

The following story is one that brought me to tears. I pray that this man will find peace. I hope he can realize that he did what he could at the moment, and that he was blessed to be with his wife in her time of need, and ultimately her passing. I am sure it brought her much needed comfort  to have been with him instead of under rubble in her final moments.






http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/01/15/2010-01-15_last_cry_save_me_husband_racked_with_pain_guilt_as_wife_dies_days_after_returnin.html

God is good. All the time. All the time God is good. May the Love of God enfold Haiti.