Once in a while we deviate from our traditional practice schedule at Winter Park and Lifetime, and have the opportunity to experience a new environment with guest choreographers. This season the 2009 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders (MVC) had the opportunity to work with Michelle Larkin at the Larkin Dance Studio.
One my MVC top 10 most favs is working with Michelle. She is the top brass at her craft and it is a privilege to work with and dance for her. She has the ability to push you as a dancer, performer, and artist to places you never knew you were capable of going. It is amazing to watch her work and create organic, fascinating choreography. This season we have learned two routines from Michelle. One routines is a very special contemporary, lyrical tribute to breast cancer awareness and the second is a Michael Jackson jazz, funk, hip hop.
At Larkin we dance hard (just as we do at typical practices) facing the mirrors with the lights turned down, the music turned up in bare feet with our hair pulled back. Michelle translates her off the cuff choreography to create master pieces, one of which we will perform for you at tomorrow's Monday Night Football game! Peyton and Jenna studied at the Larkin studio pre MVC and are AB FAB examples for us as we work with Michelle. Michelle will give an 8 count of choreography one time and say "Go Peyton". Peyton picks it up effortlessly. Michelle then looks to the rest of us and says "Do you got that girls? Ok. Go." The fast pace is incredible! The choreography is not only demanding from a physical and emotional aspect but it is also has such a unique style that it is a brain teaser too! Only having around three years total of studio dance experience myself this is a definite challenge which I love.
I would compare working with Michelle to that of how I see the contestants of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) work with choreographers Mia Michaels, Wade Robson, Tyce Diorio, etc. I feel like I am participating on that show when we are at Larkin working with Michelle. It is an awesome feeling! A little fun fact is one of the routines Tyce created on SYTYCD was dedicated to Michelle Larkin.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we thought what better way to bring awareness, celebrate those who have survived and remember those who we have lost to breast cancer than to perform one of the beautiful routines Michelle created. This particular routine is very near and dear to many of us MVC as over half of us have been affected by breast cancer. Hopefully Michelle's routine along with our performance will touch you just as it has touched us. Sarah, and I will be dancing in memory of our Grandma Lenice.
We hope you enjoy the 2009 MVC performance of our Breast Cancer Awareness routine at the Vikings Monday Night game. You can always see our performances in the end zones at the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters.
For more information on the 2009 Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and Minnesota Vikings check out www.vikings.com.
Have an AB FAB week everyone!
