Rewind to December of 2008, Chloe's dance studio in Gilbert closed due to declining enrollment. For the next few months, Chloe filled her time with t-ball and we all looked for a new studio. Her mom hit paydirt when she heard about Planet Dance. Laurie's husband Tim and her mom's dad were business partners and her Mimi was going to take classes there too!
Beginning around May of 2009, Chloe was asked to start swing dance lessons. Apparently Laurie was coaching a young boy named Matthew and he was looking for a partner. Chloe was doing well in Jazz and Tap and Laurie thought she had the stuff for swing too!
Once a week from May through November, we all trooped out to Planet Dance for the lessons. Each week they learned a new part of the routine while perfecting the earlier parts. Chloe was a perfect fit for Matthew and they had great chemistry too! It wasn't long before Chloe was calling Matthew her boyfriend (but don't tell her I told you!). The plan was for the duo to compete in the US Open National Swing Dance Championships in Anaheim in November.
The week before the Open, the kids performed in front of a crowd for the first time at a swing club in Phoenix. They loved watching the kids and it gave Chloe and Matthew a great chance to work out the bugs!
Finally, the weekend of Thanksgiving, we all hit the road and headed out to Anaheim for the big show. On Saturday and Sunday morning, the entire Planet Dance competitive crew woke up for practice from 5-6 am! They got great rehearsal time on the US Open dance floor. The performance was perfect on Sunday, and we think that these rehearsals were a large reason why!
So Sunday afternoon was Chloe's big debut! They were the second group to perform in the Young America division. Because there was only two entries this year, it was only considered an exhibition and not a competition. They took pictures in their cutie costumes and then it was time for the show! Ben and Libby were with Chloe backstage until just before the show. Then they joined us in the crowd. We watched as they introduced the duo and they came on the dance floor. They took their positions and started the music. But wait! It was too slow! Yikes...Laurie quickly came on the dance floor and made corrections. The two youngsters were unfased! They retook their starting positions and the beauty began! The music bounced and the kids bounced right along. The crowd was amazed by the talent of the competition's youngest performers. There were multiple standing ovations. During the performance, Chloe was in her element! All eyes on her, this was her time to shine. And she did shine. I was so proud of her I had a hard time keeping my eyes dry! So much pride to see her perform and LOVE it. And to have everyone LOVE her as much as WE do.
Laurie did an amazing job coaching these two kids. And the rest of her performers at the US Open. We were lucky enough to see them perform again on December 19th as Planet Dance premiered its 1st annual Jingle Ball. All the kids who performed at the US Open dance as well as all the students from Laurie's studio. OH, and Benji did a solo improvisation dance and then danced with Lacey in a improvised swing dance they dedicated to Laurie! It has been a truly amazing journey watching Chloe and Matthew learn the steps and then perform the routine in front of the entire crowd! Looking forward to the competition again in 2010!
September 25th, Miss Chloe turns 7 and poses for pics with her partner Matthew for the US Open 2009 Program!
The Sunday before Thanksgiving, I got Chloe all dolled up for the performance at the Swing Club!
Practicing their routine before the show. 
Cutest couple EVER!
All the dancers from Planet Dance! Hooray!
I love sleeping kid pics! This was on Tuesday. Girl has to get her beauty sleep!
The weary competitors from Planet Dance at rehearsal in the EARLY AM!
Now appearing! Chloe and Matthew at the US Open!
November 29, 2009
Chloe debuts her costume! Thanks to Laurie for doing all the beading for us!
Are the CUTE! Or what!
Here they come!
The crowd.
This move is called the STAR! So appropro and so CUTE!
Loved the way her costume moved when they danced! And her fancy socks!
After the group was done, all the people who used to dance in the Young America division came out, including Benji. Then they all did an open dance. Benji grabbed Chloe and spun her around and around.
Congratulations Princess Chloe - YOU WERE AMAZING!
Chloe, Matthew and the divine Ms. Laurie Kauffman!
And with her most talented son, Benji!
With sleepy sister! Who wants to dance like Chloe so badly!
Chloe and the girls from Planet Dance at the 1st annual Jingle Ball, December 19, 2009.
Chloe and Matthew's encore performance!
Chloe's jazz class performing their number. Chloe is wearing her purple tutu!
The tap class performs. That's Chloe at the top!
And with the tap class again, on the end...
Watching Miss Chloe: My dad and mom and Miss Cadence.
There were two performances that night. This is how Brody enjoyed the second show!
1 comment:
Jingle Ball was fun! It was so great to watch Chloe and see you. :)
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