06/26/2023
"Fuquay-Varina Arts Center performers at Disney World, Orlando, FL June 14-16, 2023
When you wish upon a Starr…..”makes no difference who you are. Anything you heart desires, will come to you” These wise words from the classic Disney movie Pinocchio, have resonated for years, especially to those who wish to be accepted. With this mission statement, the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center Dance Department Director, Tamila Starr Davis (aka Ms. Tami*) launched a plan for local students to perform and take classes at Disney. The selection process begins with a video audition & subsequent submissions and interviews. Students must meet high standards for technique, performance, costuming, and personality!
The FV Arts Center group invited all dancers & musical theater performers to audition. A wide variety of students answered the casting call, including previous students from as far as Charlotte, NC, Orlando and Miami, FL! We were proud to include students from 6 different studios and programs! Novice to advanced ability levels, in a wide variety of backgrounds. This poses a unique challenge for the choreographers to create pieces that highlight each student’s strengths. Directors Ms. Tami* Davis & Ms. Valerie Hobbs along with Student Directors / Choreographers Jordyn Davis (FVHS rising Senior - Class of 2024), and Zach Hobbs (FVHS 2022 Graduate), and Choreographer Adrianna Olaya (Class of 2023 Graduate) worked hard to bring out the very best in each performer! The performers had a once-in-a lifetime experience and learned how to collaborate with others. Older dancers mentored younger dancers and they earned the priceless gift of being a part of a vibrant, inclusive group! Celebrating everyone's unique talents! Disney Magic indeed!
Ms Tami has been taking students on Disney Performing Arts experiences since 1984 and is determined to include those with IDD (intellectual or developmental challenges) or “Super Powers” as she prefers to say. Disney provides discounted group hotel & ticket rates to student tours, but for some the cost is still prohibitive. One dancer, that has been with Ms. Tami* and that All Starrz Dance class for 11 years, absolutely lights up whenever she is on stage. If you’ve ever been to a FVAC Dance Recital or this year's Nutcracker performances you would remember the amazing Allison Lister. A fellow dance family reached out to pay expenses for Allison to perform at Disney, then our AMAZING community rallied to cover the expenses for her Mom also! Neither have ever been to Disney! Allison is a proud FVHS Bengal 2020 Graduate, and she took the stage at Disney Springs with a Solo to “This Is Me” from the Greatest Showman and brought the international crowd to tears & cheers!!
In addition to their stage performance students were invited to a VIP Backstage experience. They took Master Classes with Disney Broadway and Dance professionals. Learning an actual excerpt from Disney Broadway production of “Frozen” and an actual dance piece currently used in the Park. Students completing the classes earned a Disney Imagination Campus limited edition pin & certificate, that can be used to enhance their performing arts resume’! Creating a once in a lifetime memory!
Special Thanks to the FVAC Leadership Maureen Daly, Jennifer Rankin, & Staff for supporting this incredible opportunity! Ms. Linda Hodge, our outstanding seamstress. Tour Shirts were designed & made by local business Art House Inks, Melissa Scherpereel. Numerous parent volunteers and business sponsors! Many more collaborative projects are in the works, so stay tuned and subscribe to the FVAC newsletter / social media! A NEW Recreational Competitive Dance Team and Nutcracker 2023 Auditions are coming soon! We look forward to fostering performing artists of all kinds in our community and beyond! When you wish up a Starr…..”your dreams come TRUE!”
Link to more photos & videos from the FVAC Disney Dancers 2023
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5ZfRTvvbTagskt1t5
Disney Imagination Campus Performers & Broadway Magic, Disney Dancin’ Class Graduates:
Isabelle Brueckner
Ardyn Butner
Kate Criswell
Savannah Criswell
Jordyn Davis
Laila Haddad
Alison Hobbs
Kaitlyn Hobbs
Zachary Hobbs
Ellie Jackson
Cadia Johnson
Arabella Kots
Juliette LaRocco
Allison Lister
Kelsey Lockhart
Danielle Lopez
Santina Mantovani
Marjorie Miller
Minnie Neeriemer
Calvin Nzau
Kylie Parker
Kenzie Pennington
Violet Rankin
Liz Smith
Reese Smith
Adileigh Stairs
Kinsley Sullivan
Rylan Sullivan
Sydney Sutherland
Avery Terry
Lily Wangelin
Clara White
*performance only Kaylee Robertson, Adriann Olaya"
