Members Elect 25 Valuable Players!
by Grover Dale
The votes say it best….there are dancers on iDANCE2 every day going the extra distance for fellow members. Help with editing reels? No problem. Feedback on a new performance style? You got it. Tips about finding an agent or a new roommate? In a heart-beat. The opportunities are endless.
‘Valuable Players Of The Year’ is our way of celebrating members that seem to find as much satisfaction doing good as they are with receiving it. We’ve taken the liberty to place them in two groups. Those in Group #1 rec’d 10 or more votes.
The Valuable Players Of 2011 - GROUP 1
Emily DannEMILY DANN
"It's so nice to be recognized this way two years in a row! The truth is helping others actually helps me. I love seeing the friends I've made on iDance2 learning and growing together. Thank you so much to Grover and Dayna for taking the time to make us all feel special. I'd do it anyway, but this sure is a great way be rewarded!!!"
NaTonia Monet
Jessie Douglass-Smith
JESSIE DOUGLASS-SMITH
"What an amazing recognition...I definitely am very excited!"
Dakota Montavon
Cydny Pina
CYDNY PINA
"Thank You, Thank You!! Glad to help out as much as possible!"
Alex Sturrup
Alyssa Weldon
ALYSSA WELDON
"This is great news!!! Thank you so much! I am honored!"
The Valuable Players Of 2011 - GROUP 2
"Thanks! I love the ID2 community it really is a great online space for dancers and I'm so proud to be a part of it."
"Thank you so much! It is such an honor to be recognized as a Valuable Player on Answers4Dancers. It really is such an amazing website for us dancers and I have learned so much from everyone on it."
"Thanks so much! How exciting! I feel honored to help out the site and be apart of such a great community!"
"Thank you so much! How exciting!"
"Wow, thanks! I wasn't expecting this, but I'm glad that members have found my suggestions useful!"
"Thank you so much for the notification! It's been so wonderful to be a part of the iD2 community for the past year!! I truly feel honored."
"This is great news! I really did not expect this. Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it."
"Oh wow! That is so awesome!!"
"Amazing! Thank you!"
"That's so exciting! I am so stunned and grateful. Looking forward to new adventures!"
"THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am honored to be named a Valuable Player and hope to build my network and help other dancers as I spend more time on the site."
"Thank you so much! I will keep communicating with fellow A4Ders and working hard!"
"Oh wow!! THANK YOU! I'm SO excited!"
"I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am for the website. It has played such a vital role in supporting and encouraging me....as well as pushing me to grow. I am so thankful and so appreciative."
"I feel honored!! So excited to be a part of this and thankful to be chosen. I love my A4D family!"
"Awesome! Thank you!"
"I'm both grateful and quite flattered to be placed on this list. What a great way to recognize everyones' efforts over the year. Grover and Dayna, and of course the site, you have provided me with such knowledgeable feedback, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!"
"Oh woooowww! Talk about a surprise! What an honor! Thank you!"
2010 altered everything on Answers4dancers! As we neared the April launch of a major re-do, a last-minute idea for a “social network” surfaced. iDANCE2 turned out to be the best last-minute decision we ever made.
Within a week, 65 videos were posted. Feedback trickled in. By June, the vids doubled and the feedback…miraculously…took on a life of its own. Instead of the usual chit-chat that occurs on YouTube and Facebook, members were talking about something they actually wanted…solutions to editing effective demo reels.
By July, iDANCE2 was a hotbed of activity. Editing tips, shortcuts, and software solutions circulated member-to-member. Stronger reels appeared. Members thrived in a new collaborative environment. We were witnessing something every agent and choreographer looks for in dancers…team-playing.
Member activity led us to new ideas. A game plan emerged. Members with effective reels and team-playing skills were natural candidates for agent referrals. Why not try it? We introduced six of them to agents in NYC and LA. It worked. Four were signed for representation. The mix was right…'effective demo reels, team-playing skills, informed dancers, agents looking for fresh talent, and an open line of communication between A4D and the major agencies. By November, nineteen referrals had taken place and six more contracts were signed. The referral program was a win-win for everyone!
The Valuable Players Of 2010
Janelle JunioJANELLE JUNIO Member Since: June 12, 2008
In August 2010, Janelle posted a mockumentary featuring herself as an understudy desperate for the chance to substitute for dancers performing on a cruise ship. Impressed by her wit and ease in front of the camera, Grover Dale invited her to try out for a “spokesperson role” on A4D. Days later, the first episode of “Hot Spots” appeared showing Janelle at her laptop chatting merrily about her latest discoveries on A4D. Between episodes of Hot Spots, Janelle interacts on iDANCE2, supporting the good work she sees there. She quickly secured an agent referral, interviewed with 3 agencies, and signed with MSA. She’s currently featured on ‘Dancers2Watch.’
Emily DannEMILY DANN Member Since: January 16, 2007
Technical knowhow? Supportive feedback? Visual savvy? Emily is strong with all three and shares them freely on iDANCE2. Early on, this NY-based dancer volunteered to build a visual guide for navigating the site. We jumped on it. By July, Emily’s easy-to-follow “Quick Steps to A4D” was guiding dozens of visitors to the far corners of A4D. Today, she's recognized by many as the person who delivers so many great ideas and support on A4D.
Lauren Alston
LAUREN ALSTON Member Since: July 4, 2010
After posting a first demo reel, the South Carolina-based Lauren voluntarily edited another member’s reel. Her brand of generosity attracted more generous dancers into the circle. By mid-summer, she earned an agent referral and is looking forward to securing representation.
Ray Shawn
RAYSHAWN Member Since: April 8, 2010
Early on, RayShawn’s demo reels on iDANCE2 reflected a strong sense of film- making skills. He welcomed the feedback that came his way and reciprocated with plenty of his own. The agent referral he earned during the summer led him to signing with MSA in New York. RayShawn was awarded a spot on ‘Dancers2Watch.’
Sade Simmons
SADE SIMMONS Member Since: April 16, 2010
Among Sade’s contributions on iDANCE2 was a list of photographers who specialize in headshots (now posted on “Pros Helping Pros”). In addition, Sade earned an agent referral and was signed in New York by MSA. She’s currently featured on ‘Dancers2Watch.’
Chris Klebba
CHRIS KLEBBA Member Since: August 2, 2010
By applying the feedback he got from other dancers on iDANCE2, Chris quickly built an effective demo reel. Showcasing his talents, it proved to be the perfect vehicle for securing agent representation. He met with 3 west coast agencies in September and signed with bloc. Today, he is seen on A4D as one of our 'Dancers 2 Watch.'
Joel Ronnie
JOEL RONNIE Member Since: August 21, 2010
The third version of Joel’s demo reel delivered everything he was hoping for. In September, he was one of six members who earned agent referrals for the activity they brought to iDANCE2. Joel is featured in a soon-to-be-released A4D promotional video.
Krystal Mastuyama
KRYSTAL MATSUYAMA Member Since: Oct. 13, 2010
Technical knowhow? Supportive feedback? Visual savvy? Like Emily Dann, Krystal showed up on iDANCE2 with all three. She quickly established herself as a valuable player, signed with MSA, and earned a prominent position as one of our 'Dancers 2 Watch.'
Luke Stockton
LUKE STOCKTON Member Since: October 19, 2010
Luke is industrious. Within 10 days of posting a first demo reel, he went to work in the collaborative environment of iDANCE2 nailing the perfect showcase with version #7. Thanks to the insights and feedback he continues to exchange with others, he’s a potential candidate for 'Dancers 2 Watch' as well as the agent referral program.
Antonio Martinez
ANTONIO MARTINEZ Member Since: October 14, 2010
Team-playing and enthusiasm comes easy to Antonio. In just a few weeks, he has attracted and given away plenty of both. With 3 strong demo reels up his sleeve, he was added to our most recent list of agent referrals. Antonio recently signed with MSA, and is now featured on 'Dancers 2 Watch.' The Latin Ballroom Reel he developed on iDANCE2 secured him a leading role in a national Dove commercial. He's currently featured in a 30-second A4D promotional.
Taryn-elle Faustman
TARYN-ELLE FAUSTMAN Member Since: April 8, 2010
Canadian dancer Taryn-elle didn’t hesitate to use or reciprocate to the feedback she got on iDANCE2. The personable reel she built there illustrates how effectively she works with others. When her visa application and relocation plans fall into place, the agent referral and Dancers 2 Watch position she needs will be waiting for her.
Marie MatousekMARIE MATOUSEK Member Since: Feb. 12, 2010
From her home in the NY area, Marie built an engaging demo reel on iDANCE2 highlighting her personality, singing, and dancing skills. Within weeks, it earned her a featured spot on Killer Reels and led to an agent referral. When representation is secured, a spot on Dancers 2 Watch is certain to happen.
Lauren Cannon
LAUREN CANNON Member Since: August 20, 2010
Lauren made a recent leap to New York City. Positive feedback on her demo reel quickly led to an agent referral. We just got word that she was signed by DDO, which qualifies her for a 'Dancers 2 Watch' position. She was the first add for 2011.
Trai Allgeier
TRAI ALLGEIER Member Since: February 4, 2002
Like Lauren, Marie, and RayShawn, Trai got into the benefits of iDANCE2 early on. An introduction to MSA in New York led to being signed and joining three of the major unions for theatre, film, and television.
Christina Schell
CHRISTINA SCHELL Member Since: August 19, 2010
From day one, feedback on Christina’s demo reel was intense. As a Canadian, her attempts to secure a visa generated support and comfort on iDANCE2. As soon as Christina convinced us she was serious about relocating to the states, her agent referral kicked in.
Kristine Castano
KRISTINE CASTANO Member Since: April 4, 2010
As a savvy creator of demo reels, Kristine’s personal feedback on iDANCE2 is highly sought after. As soon as she secured agent representation at MSA in NY, her materials were posted on 'Dancers 2 Watch' as well as Killer Reels.
Jessica Doll
JESSICA DOLL Member Since: May 11, 2010
Early in the summer, this Canadian dancer’s footage earned her a complimentary demo reel makeover from JLE Media Group. Today, as Jessica gains momentum with her visa application, relocation plans, and consistent activity on iDANCE2, she is a strong contender for the next round of agent referrals.
“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God!” - Anonymous
