Have you ever felt that the Duels round on NBC's "World of Dance" was a bit unfair? During the Duels, each act's success hinges not on how objectively good they are, but on how good they are relative to a single challenger. Which means that mediocre acts can move forward if they best slightly-more-mediocre opponents, while frontrunners who're given tougher matchups end up knocked out.

Newly-engaged goddess J.Lo and her team get that. Which is why, last night, "WOD" introduced a twist designed to make the Duels more just: a redemption round. Formerly, five acts were eliminated in each division during the Duels. But from here out, the two highest scorers of those five will go head-to-head to earn a wild card spot. And that made last night's Upper Division Duels significantly more exciting.

Who just dueled it? Who was redeemed? Who made Derek Hough scream like a teenage girl? Onward to the episode highlights!

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First, let's talk about Jonathan y Jorge vs. Denise and Josh, aka fantabulous salsa virtuosity vs. emotionally powerful contemporary. Ultimately, the former beat out the latter by less than a point, allowing the show's first same-sex salsa duo to continue its very sparkly journey. But Denise and Josh weren't done yet: As we found out a bit later in the show, their high score was enough to earn them a spot in the redemption round.

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We were honestly obsessed with both Derek Piquette and Derion and Madison going into their Duel, but figured Derek's magnetic charisma gave him the edge. Whelp, we were wrong: The judges thought Derion and Madison's dynamic, intricate routine had more substance than Derek's emotionally charged performance—.7 points more substance, to be exact. (At least now Derek will be able to take some real time off for his double hip replacement surgery. We're pulling for you, Mr. Piquette!)

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It'd be hard to find two more different competitors than street duo All Ready and contemporary queen Briar Nolet. We thought both of them absolutely killed it last night, with All Ready bringing the humor and crazy energy and Briar bringing the technique and dramatic intensity. All Ready ended up the victor, but Briar's still-impressive score meant she got a second chance in the redemption round.

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So, in the end we had two contemporary phenoms, Denise and Josh and Briar Nolet, fighting for the wild card spot. But while their first-round scores were very close, we thought Briar completely dominated this face-off. Girl. Was. FIRE. And the judges agreed with us, advancing her to the Cut. (They must know she has a history of winning!)

K-pop is in the middle of a stateside takeover. South Korea's boy bands and girl groups can always be counted on to produce catchy, upbeat songs—and, most importantly for us dance fans, to feature colorful choreography prominently in their music videos. Over the past few years, the K-pop machine has been churning out a seemingly endless stream of talented groups with choreography worth watching on repeat, and some of them are starting to make names for themselves in the U.S. Check out our list of the dancetastic K-pop bands you need to know.

BTS

OK no, they're not new—they've been putting out hits since 2013—but it's impossible to talk K-pop without mentioning the boys of BTS: V, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook. They've become international superstars over the past few years, thanks to their world tours, social media savvy, and elaborate choreography (duh). While all of the boys can hold their own on the dance floor, J-Hope, Jimin, and Jungkook are BTS's strongest dancers, and can often be found in the center of their formations doing a few solo moves. From their suited-up performance of "I'm Fine" on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" to their music video for "DNA" (which the boys described as the hardest choreography they'd learned), it's hard to narrow down their best dance moments.

BTS "Fake Love"

BTS "Idol" 

BTS "DNA"

Red Velvet

The quintet known as Red Velvet—Joy, Yeri, Irene, Wendy, and Seulgi—might already be on your radar, thanks to its performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and its recent U.S. tour. Red Velvet's girl-power anthems and intricate choreography have made it a standout in what sometimes feels like a boy-dominated field. Also worth noting: One of our faves, Kyle Hanagami, created the choreography for several of their music videos, including "Be Natural," "Ice Cream Cake," "Peek-A-Boo," and "Power Up."

Red Velvet "Bad Boy"

Red Velvet "Power Up"

Red Velvet "Ice Cream Cake"

Twice

Formed through a reality TV show, Twice is essentially the Spice Girls of K-pop, with each of the band's nine members adopting a distinct persona. The ensemble made its debut in late 2015, and has since become one of the top K-pop groups. (The music video for Twice's song "TT" has over 400 million views on YouTube.) Many of Twice's dance routines include super-specific hand movements that are reminiscent of popular emojis. We especially love Mina, Sana, Momo, Jihyo, Tzuyu, Dahyun, Nayeon, Chaeyoung, and Jeongyeon because in addition to their official music videos, they also upload dance vids that focus solely on their choreo.

Twice "Dance The Night Away" Dance Rehearsal

Twice "Yes Or Yes"

Twice "Likey" Dance Rehearsal

Seventeen

Boy band Seventeen first caught our attention in 2017 with their imaginatively choreographed video for "13th Month's Dance." Jun, Dino, The8, and Hoshi—the dance-focused guys in the 13-member band—are still bringing their intricate, synchronized moves to every music video, but in the group's newest releases, S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon, Woozi, Jeonghan, Joshua, DK, and Seungkwan, have also joined in. And we're seriously impressed with their ability to nail every movement and isolation in unison.

Seventeen "Don't Wanna Cry"

Seventeen "Oh My!"

Seventeen "Home"

Astro

MJ, Sanha, Rocky, JinJin, Moonbin, and Cha Eunwoo make up Astro, a group formed in 2016. While all was quiet on the Astro front last year, this year, they're back—and their new music has a more mature sound. Their latest music video, "All Night," only gives us a taste of what that means for their choreography (apparently more fluid movements infused into their hip-hop style), but we can't wait to see what's next. Astro also likes to give us dance rehearsal videos to drool over, so fingers crossed we'll be seeing more of those in 2019, too.

Astro "Crazy Sexy Cool"

Astro "Again" Dance Rehearsal

Astro "All Night" Dance Rehearsal

BLACKPINK

Though BLACKPINK made its debut in 2016, members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa signed with a U.S. label in 2018—meaning you're going to be seeing a whole lot more from these girls. In addition to performing at Coachella this spring, they're also in the middle of a world tour that includes several U.S. dates. We love that they work with A-list choreographers: Kyle Hanagami has contributed choreography to some of their hits, as has Parris Goebel. And while all the girls consistently kill it, we especially love the attitude Lisa brings to every routine. She just might be the best dancer to come out of K-pop yet. (Check out this video of Lisa alongside choreographer Kiel Tutin for proof.)

Blackpink "As If It's Your Last"

Blackpink "Forever Young" Dance Rehearsal

Blackpink "Boombayah"

Monsta X

Monsta X is also poised to take over the American music scene: Last winter, it became the first K-pop group to earn a spot on the Jingle Ball tour lineup, and it recently inked a contract with a U.S. label. The seven-member group—I.M., Wonho, Showno, Kihyun, Minkyuk, Hyungwon, and Joohoney—has a bit of edge to its choreo, which sets it apart. The boys just announced a world tour, beginning later this spring and heading to the U.S. this summer.

Monsta X "Shoot Out"

Monsta X "Jealousy"

Monsta X "Jealousy" Dance Rehearsal

TXT

Launched in early 2019 by the same company behind BTS, TXT, which stands for Tomorrow x Together, will remind you of your beloved OG boy bands with its classic five-member setup. Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai have already released their first official music video, and it comes complete with the iconic boy band pyramid formation—hello, *NSYNC!—plus animation elements that complement, rather than compete with, the energetic dance moves.

You may think you know Oklahoma!, the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that made history when it first opened in 1943 and is best known for Agnes de Mille's groundbreaking dream ballet. But the latest Broadway iteration of the musical isn't your average trip to the frontier. Opening April 7, the revival features new choreography by Mark Morris alum John Heginbotham, and swaps the traditional windswept-prairie set and full orchestra for an intimate, minimalistic staging and a bluegrass band. Coming fresh off an acclaimed run at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, the daring, unconventional production is sure to turn heads when it begins previews on Broadway tonight. Dance Spirit caught up with Heginbotham to get all the details on the dancing, and what it was like choreographing his first Broadway show.

Dance Spirit: What got you interested in Oklahoma!?

John Heginbotham: I grew up with musical theater. It was my introduction to entertainment and to the performing arts, and Oklahoma! was one of the first movie musicals that I ever saw. There was always a soundtrack playing in my house, and we'd watch tons of movies. I was extremely excited to be asked to be part of this version.

Rebecca Naomi Jones (left) as Laurey with Damon Daunno (right) as Curly in last year's run at St. Ann's Warehouse (Teddy Wolff, courtesy DKC/O&M)

DS: What's the choreography like?

JH: There's quite a bit of dancing in the revival, but a lot of it's based on social dancing: two-steps and country swing, things that you might see at a community center in the South. The beauty is that everybody brings their personality to the moves. That's how it would be if you were at a dance party; everybody kind of dances in their own way. The one exception to that is the dream ballet, which is performed primarily by a single performer, Gabrielle Hamilton.

DS: How did you approach the dream ballet?

JH: Our way into the dream ballet is through this one performer. She's purposefully ambiguous, and the intention is that the audience is free to associate and interpret what they're seeing. The vocabulary features quotes from Agnes de Mille and her original dream ballet, and images that were previously mundane in the show presented in much more sinister or fantastical ways. It's a surreal sequence that for me follows dream logic. I'm hoping it's going to feel startling, but also tender and lovely.

DS: Was it intimidating to choreograph your own version of a piece so many people know and love?

JH: Yes, 100 percent. Agnes de Mille broke serious new ground with the dream ballet, and she made a strong case for what the place of it should be in the show. We're doing something that's really different, but I think it's true to her intention—'What is going to advance the plot, or the momentum, or the arc of the show?' I would say that if somebody pays a lot of money expecting to see an arabesque, they will not be very happy.

A version of this story appeared in the April 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Oklahoma! Heads to Broadway—in a Brand-New State."

Happy "Step Up: High Water" eve, y'all! Everyone's favorite internet dance show makes its triumphant Season 2 return tomorrow, March 20th, on YouTube. In anticipation of the premiere, we turned to Kendra Oyesanya (Poppy), Marcus Mitchell (Dondre), and Carlito Olivero (Davis) for the scoop on all things "Step Up"—from on-set shenanigans, to embarrassing stories, to scenes to watch out for this season (hint: Episode 2's dance battle, and the season finale's final number!).

Kendra Oyesanya

Dance Spirit: What's the energy like on set?

Kendra Oyesanya: It's always so amazing. It's the best job I've ever been on. Everyone cares about your well-being, because we're all acting and dancing—there's a lot going on. They make sure you stay hydrated, happy, and positive.

DS: What's it like to play Poppy?

KO: Poppy is fiery and sassy, so getting into character was a little harder for me the first season. But I know her now and I can just tap into it. This season, she's on a mission to prove to everyone that dancing isn't just a hobby—she's good enough and she knows it.

DS: What's the coolest part about being on the show?

KO: It's a completely new take compared to the movies. The concept is the same, but the drama and energy are totally different, so it's like being part of something all its own. There's also so much culture in Atlanta, where we shoot, and that definitely translates on the show.

DS: What advice do you have for people trying to break into the L.A. industry?

KO: You need to be fully, truly yourself. In order to do that, you have to believe in yourself. Pretty much everyone who moves to L.A. is talented. So you have to ask yourself, "What makes me different? What do I bring to the table?" Find your inner "thing," so that when you walk into a room, it captures the attention of the directors, the choreographers. It will get you far. And just try to be chill, cool, and easy to work with—that's what gets you jobs.

Marcus Mitchell

Dance Spirit: What's the energy like on set?

Marcus Mitchell: It's nonstop fun. I've known a lot of the cast members for years, including Carlito and Kendra, so we're all really comfortable together. We're constantly pranking each other, laughing, making jokes. It feels like home, not like we're at work. Not to mention, the directors, producers, and everyone behind the scenes all work so hard to make it a warm atmosphere.

DS: What's it like to play Dondre?

MM: He's the big brother of the show. He sort of represents a mirror in that he shows each character what they need to see in themselves for confidence, because he sees that in each of them and helps them realize it. He can do this because he stays true to himself. I was happy to get back into character for Season 2. Dondre goes through a period of self-doubt this season, which was an interesting new aspect. When you're acting, you think about stripping or adding humanity to your character. Dondre has lots of humanity thanks to his family and friends, but Season 2 presents him with lots of conflict—he has to do things he doesn't want to do, because it'll help his loved ones in the end. He has to go against his own beliefs and wants. It's really great to watch his character expand.

DS: What was it like working with all the different choreographers this season?

MM: It was amazing. I've followed Travis Wall since I was 19 and just starting out in the industry. I watched JaQuel become the JaQuel Knight, and Luther Brown has always been someone I've wanted to work with. When he showed up on set, it was like, "Finally! This is happening!" I love his movement, how he hears music, and especially how he treats dancers. A big takeaway for me was that it was the first time he saw me truly dance. His choreo is so intricate, and requires total concentration. His presence this season really filled me up as an artist.

DS: What advice do you have for people trying to break into the L.A. industry?

MM: If you don't love it, don't do it. You're going to hear "no" way more than "yes" in this industry. You have to fall in love with auditioning because then it doesn't feel like work. If it feels like a job, then you're in the wrong business. I've had many of those moments, but I just remind myself that I could be doing something I don't like. When you finally do get the job, adjust yourself in a way where, if you're the lead or in the back, you treat everyone the same—with respect. Nobody is less than you, and everyone is important. There is no show without them, don't forget that. Be grateful and remember that you can lose the job just as easily as you got it.

Carlito Olivero

Dance Spirit: What's the energy like on set?

Carlito Olivero: Everyone is dancing all the time, even when we don't have any dance scenes! We're dancing at lunch, we're dancing in the trailer, we're doing dance battles between takes. And if we're not dancing, then you better believe we're watching dance videos. That and pranking each other, of course.

DS: What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on set?

CO: Season 1, Episode 1 had tons of dancing. We ran it all day, and finally made it to the last dance scene. It was super intense, with lots of jumping. We did eight different takes, and I ended up passing out and—BOOM—hit the floor!

DS: What's it like to play Davis?

CO: It's tough because his role is very emotional. He's always dealing with some tough stuff, always coasting through life while getting dealt back-to-back bad events, and because he's used to it, he just wears a smile on his face. You have to be emotionally on to play him. But this season, he finally gets his way—so stay tuned for that!

DS: What advice do you have for people trying to break into the L.A. industry?

CO: First of all, take acting classes. Trust me, even if you think you're fine without them, I can promise you you're not—if I had a nickel for everyone who told me they thought this, I'd have, like, $20. Make sure you find a good agency and get good headshots. At the end of the day, though, it's not about the job you book. It's about the job you don't book. Use those feelings to your advantage and bring them with you to your next audition. Things will start to go your way, and soon enough, you'll look back and smile.

It's the rite of passage every young ballerina dreams of: getting her first pair of pointe shoes. But it's important to remember that a lot (and we mean a lot) of hard work and technique-honing leads up to this moment—not to mention getting the green light from your teacher. Dance Spirit turned to Jenna Lavin, former Miami City Ballet dancer and principal of the pre-professional division at Ballet Academy East in NYC, for three exercises meant to strengthen, train, and stabilize the muscles you'll be using once you're on pointe.

Jenna's note:

"While these exercises will help your muscles and technique, it's more about the years of meticulous training leading up to pointework. These exercises are ideal for dancers just about to go on pointe. I recommend mastering them in ballet slippers prior to executing them in pointe shoes."

​Exercise #1: Roll-Ups in Sixth Position

1. Face the barre in sixth position. Make sure your core is engaged, your seat is under you, your knees are truly straight, and your shoulders are down.

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2. Sink into a demi-plié.

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3. Roll up onto demi-pointe, pushing your heels up as high as you can, and straighten your knees.

TIP: Try your best to keep your heels in place as you straighten your knees.

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4. Slowly resist against your weight and lower your heels back down. Repeat 10 times.

TIP: For added strengthening, reverse the exercise—relevé up with straight legs, plié, drop your heels to the floor while still in plié, then straighten your legs and repeat.

Exercise #2: Roll-Ups in First Position

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1. Face the bar in first position.

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2. Keeping your shoulders down and your core engaged, slowly demi-plié, making sure to push your knees out and back.

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3. Still in first position, relevé up and straighten your knees. You should feel your knees pulling back and your heels coming forward.

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Slowly resist against your weight as you lower your heels back to the floor. You should feel your knees coming together. Repeat 10 times.

Exercise #3: Landing Practice

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1. Face the bar in first position.

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2. Demi-plié, and then pop up and do a sauté.

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3. As you land from the sauté, try to resist putting your heels down until the very last second.

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4. Slowly sink into a soft, deep plié, and let your heels touch the ground. Perform two sets of four jumps

A version of this story appeared in the March 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "To the Pointe."

Yes, you read that right: The Britney Spears musical is officially happening, and we are SHOOK! In addition to having perhaps the most fabulous title in the history of musical titles—Once Upon a One More Time (!!!)—it also features choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, which means it's sure to be super dancy. So, which dancers are going to bring it to life? Here are seven we're hoping will be cast in the show.

Nick Adams

Broadway vet Nick Adams is a HUGE Britney fan stan and has performed her songs in concert a ton of times, so it only makes sense that he should have a part in the show.

Sarah Mitchell

In addition to having already danced with Britney, Sarah Mitchell has also performed with Ricky Martin, Katy Perry, Vanessa Hudgens, and so many more stars. Clearly, she has the skillz to pay the billz.

Kaylie Yee

Kaylie served as dance captain on Britney's "Piece of Me" tour, so she'd be the perfect addition to the musical.

Adrian Lee

It's about time the fabulously versatile Adrian came back to the boards—and what better show for him to make his return in than Britney's?!

Aja DePaolo

Aja DePaolo has also danced with Britney before—as well as Selena Gomez, The Jonas Brothers, and basically every other artist we love.

Charlie Williams

Broadway fav Charlie Williams would be a gorgeous addition to the ensemble—and since he's been dabbling in choreography recently, he could make a great assistant to Keone and Mari and/or dance captain.

BRITNEY SPEARS

UMMM WOULD YOU DIE IF BRIT HERSELF MADE AN OPENING-NIGHT CAMEO???? WE WOULD DIEEEEEEEE.

Hi friends. Happy spring. In case you're wondering how we're celebrating:

There's a new meme of Leonardo DiCaprio dancing awkwardly in movies, and it is GLORIOUS.

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Why is this happening now? Because yesterday, the trailer for the Quentin Tarantino movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood came out, and it featured a two-second clip of Leo doing some delightfully bad dancing.

They were the two seconds heard 'round the Twitterverse.

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People were also quick to note that DiCaprio has been dancing terribly in movies for a bit now.

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(Fwiw, the trailer included a few other dancy moments, too. But none had the magic of Leo's little hip shake.)

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Yes, Virginia, there is good in the world.

Houston Ballet will present an exciting new program starting tonight and running through Sunday, March 24: Come In, by Aszure Barton, and Dream Time, by Jiří Kylián, both company premieres, and Reflections by phenom Justin Peck. We caught up with HB first soloist Oliver Halkowich to get the scoop on what it was like in the studio with Peck.

Dance Spirit: How was working with Justin Peck?

Oliver Halkowich: I worked with Justin before, when he came to Houston to coach Year of the Rabbit, but I was really intrigued to see what his process would be like for creating a new piece. His ballets always feel immaculately organized, but I was surprised at how much he seems to leave up to chance in the creation process, and how much was organically derived rather than thought about prior to coming into the studio.

(Center, from left) Peck, Halkowich, and Bridget Kuhns rehearsing Peck's world premiere (Lawrence Knox, courtesy Houston Ballet)

DS: Tell us a little bit about the piece.

OH: Justin gives a lot of imagery to the dancers, both to help us understand his ideas and to make sense of what he's creating for himself. I dance a quintet in the new work, and the five of us were standing in a clump ready for Justin to give us direction and he looked at us and laughed, calling us the "cool kids." I think that initial picture of us shaped the dance. There's a section he calls "brunch," where we casually tap hands and do-si-do around each other. It actually is quite complicated and took us a while to put together, but there's a laissez-faire quality to it, like five friends socializing on a Sunday.

A version of this story appeared in the March 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Power Premieres."

Remember Little Dancer, the musical starring Tiler Peck and inspired by Edgar Degas' sculpture of the same name? After a 2014 run at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the creative team did some major reworking of the material, and now the show is making its West Coast premiere. The revamped production opens at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre tonight, now under the name Marie, Dancing Still.

Directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, the new incarnation features Tiler Peck back in the lead role of the young Paris Opéra Ballet dancer who posed for the famous sculpture, and Tony nominee Terrence Mann as Degas. As the title suggests, this version promises an increased focus on the character of Marie herself, and on telling her story. Here's hoping that means even more ballet.

Tiler Peck and Terrence Mann on Marie, Dancing Still at The 5th Avenue Theatre www.youtube.com

A version of this story appeared in the April 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Little Dancer Gets Another Run."

It's safe to say that in 2019, social media reigns supreme. Social platforms are especially great tools for dancers, allowing them to brand and market themselves, keep up with dance friends across the world, and get noticed by people who would otherwise be impossible to get in touch with. But with all the good, it's easy to forget that most of what you see is highly filtered and heavily curated—and not even close to reality. 18-year-old ballerina Luna Montana is on a mission to change that.

Luna, whose YouTube channel has exploded in popularity over the last few years, lives in L.A. and is dances with Pacific Festival Ballet in Thousand Oaks, CA. One of Luna's recent videos, "How I Deal with Body Dysmorphia," deeply resonated with her viewers, who left comments ranging from "This should go viral, every dancer needs to hear this," to "Thank you for not being afraid to talk about the things we're all afraid to admit." Dance Spirit caught up with Luna to talk about her goals for her channel, her budding ballet career, and where she found the courage to be so honest.

What inspired you to make the body dysmorphia video? It's clear from the comments that it hit close to home for lots of your viewers.

Body image plays a huge role in mental health in the dance world. When I was a younger dancer, I felt like nobody showed this side of ballet, and it made me feel so isolated. There's such a stigma around mental health and body image, and I want aspiring dancers everywhere to know that it's something we all go through. We're living in a world with such unrealistic beauty standards, so I hope my videos can be a breath of fresh air. I want to be the person that I didn't have growing up—I want my viewers to know that I'm struggling right along with them, and we're all learning things together.

How'd you come to the decision to upload these super honest, raw videos?

As I've grown in popularity on YouTube and Instagram, I always take a step back and question what my mission statement is. I know how badly I feel when I scroll through IG and see a seemingly "perfect" dancer, so why would I want to do that to a younger dancer? It's so much more gratifying for me to know I positively affected someone, rather than uploading an edited, fake version of myself. We constantly see videos of dancers doing 10 pirouettes or holding their leg à la seconde at 180 degrees, but we forget that of course they aren't posting a video of them falling out of a turn or with a low leg, because it's not "impressive." I want to show that how you handle your defeats is what makes you successful.

When did you start dancing, and what are some of your career goals?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luna Montana (@lunamontana) on Nov 28, 2018 at 7:48pm PST

I started when I was 3, and was mostly interested in tap. It wasn't until I was around 10 that I started taking ballet seriously. I moved to a rigorous studio, attended summer intensives at Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and SAB. I'm about to debut as Guinevere in Pacific Festival Ballet's new production of Camelot. It's sort of my first main role, and I'm super excited.

I always knew I wasn't going to go the strictly ballet route, but it's still such a big part of my life. That's why I'm so happy I've found my YouTube-dance-world niche. I plan on continuing my YouTube career in L.A., and I'm definitely open to going the freelance or commercial route when it comes to ballet.

What do you hope viewers are getting out of your channel and social media presence?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luna Montana (@lunamontana) on Jan 31, 2019 at 4:48pm PST

I hope they're able to relate to me and understand my mission, which is to create a community of girls who can advise and support one another. Having the title of "influencer" comes with a lot of responsibility, so I hope viewers watch my videos and are influenced by my honesty. Everything is so filtered on social media, and it's so easy to create a "perfect" version of yourself with things like Facetune, but then you lose your authenticity. If you're lying to both yourself and your followers, what's the point?

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

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A post shared by Luna Montana (@lunamontana) on Sep 26, 2018 at 4:39pm PDT

Stop stressing about all the little things. In ballet, you get so caught up in the smallest details that you lose sight of reality. In five years, you'll never remember those fouettés you couldn't hit that day and cried over for hours. You have to live while you're young and experience life outside of the studio.

We were a tad trepidatious going into the second round of Duels on NBC's "World of Dance." Last week's Upper Division showdown saw all four of the highest-scoring teams from the Qualifiers eliminated. (Derek Piquette, 😭😭😭!) Were some of our Junior faves about to face the chopping block, too? Would one of them find salvation during the last-minute redemption round? We weren't sure our stomachs, or hearts, were ready for another roller-coaster ride.

But here we are, hearts and stomachs relatively intact, on the other side. Who survived the twists and turns? Read on for our episode highlights.

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First up was VPeepz vs. Battle Droids, a baby b-boy brawl. We honestly didn't know which way the judges were going to go here, given how similar the crews' movement styles and even costume choices were (sports team-inspired looks are apparently very hot right now). But ultimately, VPeepz's stronger transitions gave them the edge.

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Speaking of evenly matched acts: Dancetown Divas and JDC received the exact same score in the Qualifiers round—and their Duel was the highest-scoring of all last night. We were v into JDC's intense paso doble vibe. While the Divas edged them out by a point with their powerful storytelling, nobody was surprised when we discovered JDC had earned a spot in the redemption round.

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The Crazy 8's vs. West Springfield Dance face-off was on the other end of the spectrum: The former earned the highest score in the Qualifiers, the latter the lowest. So the 8's victory last night—thanks to yet another super-clean, fantastically technical routine—was far from shocking. But bonus points (figuratively speaking, at least) to West Springfield for creativity. We were genuinely terrified/fascinated by their "Twilight Zone"-themed hip-hop horror show. (Was anybody else reminded of this little "SYTYCD" gem?)

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In the redemption round, we had the aforementioned Dancetown Divas vs. hip-hop crew MKAM. The Divas' Latin flair earned a standing O from J.Lo, and though MKAM pulled out some impressively intricate choreo, its boys couldn't best the ladies from Miami.

Right now, it seems like the entire world is equal parts obsessed with and thoroughly creeped out by Jordan Peele's Us, the horror film about devilish doppelgängers that's currently rated 94% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

But while the normal human reaction to Us is to hide under the covers for approximately 17 years, "Step Up: High Water" superhero Kendra "K.O." Oyesanya's reaction was to make a totally bananas dance video.

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Set to the spooky "I Got 5 on It" remix from the film, the vid stars Oyesanya, Antwon Keith Collier, Rhyan Hill, and Payton Ali, all doing their best impressions of the Tethered while slaying (see what we did there) some v tight choreo.

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It's GOOD, y'all—so good that it earned regrams from both Peele and Us star Lupita Nyong'o.

Do you dream of running your student dance company or becoming captain of your dance team? Are you a triple threat eager to direct your school's next musical? If you have big ideas and the drive to make them a reality—as well as a strong rapport with your fellow performers—you might be a good fit for a leadership role. But even the most dedicated dancers can stumble during the transition from peer to peer leader. Try these tips to make the most of your tenure at the top.

Know Your Responsibilities

Will you be running rehearsals? Can you offer corrections, or will you simply relay a coach's notes? Will you have creative input? What administrative tasks will land on your plate? Being aware of what is—and is not—expected of you will help you take initiative without overstepping your bounds.

In some cases, you'll have a lot of responsibility. As president of Fordham University's Expressions Dance Alliance, senior Liz Ladley oversees a student executive board that includes a vice president, a secretary, a publicist, a treasurer, and an events coordinator. "It's my job to make sure everyone else is fulfilling their specific duties," Ladley says. She also dances and choreographs for the troupe, and coordinates club activities via Fordham's Office for Student Involvement. While EDA has a faculty adviser, Ladley and her student board control the company's vision and manage its day-to-day operations.

Elizabeth Furman, a junior theater/technical theater double-major at Cab Calloway School of the Arts in Wilmington, DE, has been both an assistant director of musicals with a teacher directing, and a director in her own right. "As an assistant, I'm there to help if the teacher needs to step out, or if we need to do multiple activities at once," she explains. "My teacher might ask me what I think of certain things, but he has the final say." When she's the primary director, those creative decisions fall on her shoulders.

If you're working with an adult mentor, it's also common to be asked to act as a liaison between your peers and that authority figure. In addition to passing down messages from the top, you can offer your insight as a student. "Our captains know who's having trouble at home, who broke up with a boyfriend, who needs extra help, and who isn't keeping up with the team's expectations," says Tom Cascella, co-coach of the championship-winning Towson University dance team in Towson, MD. Open communication about such issues will keep your group functioning well.

Brooke Thayer (third from left) competing with the Farragut Dance Team at the TSSAA State Championships (David Thayer, courtesy Farragut Dance Team)

Adjust Your Attitude

If you were nominated for or elected to a leadership position, you probably already demonstrate qualities like a strong work ethic, a collaborative spirit, and a positive energy. That doesn't mean there won't be some growing pains as you assume your new role. "Once you're captain, there's even more pressure on you to set a good example," says Brooke Thayer, senior captain of the dance team at Farragut High School in Farragut, TN. "You might not realize how hard it is to be doing the right thing all the time."

Ladley agrees. "You go from being able to fool around in the studio to feeling like you have to be the one stopping other people from goofing off," she says. To cope with the shift, she advises tuning in to both sides of yourself: peer and leader. "When I'm taking class or rehearsing someone else's work, I try to take a step back and relax," she says. "That's not my moment to be in charge."

Nervous about commanding the respect of your peers? It can be tempting to go overboard enforcing rules. However, "being a leader is more than just bossing everyone around," says Furman. You earn respect by listening, implementing people's ideas, resolving conflicts and managing time effectively. "Of course, there are times I've had to put my foot down: 'Right now, we're not friends. I'm the director, and you're my actor,' " Furman goes on. "But I always tell my cast and crew, 'I'm here to grow and learn. Let's do that together.' "

Build Toward Everyone's Best

Being named a peer leader doesn't mean you already know how to do everything perfectly. Be prepared to use your strengths and improve on your weaknesses, for the good of the group. "At first, I had to work at being vocal when someone on the team had a negative attitude. It's hard to feel like the bad guy," Thayer says. "As co-captain and now captain, I've learned to speak up when something needs to be said."

In selecting a student captain, Cascella looks for dancers who will put the interests of the team above their own self-interest. "Our captains don't put themselves in the front of the dance, they don't develop cliques, they don't ignore the freshmen—they're positive, unselfish, and responsible," he says.

(From left) Expressions Dance Alliance's president Liz Ladley, vice president Amy Gionta, events officer Teraesa Vitelli, publicist Samantha Muller, secretary Madalyn Ruiz, and treasurer Julia Sese (Sabrina Thadani, courtesy Liz Ladley)

In a nutshell: A leader's job is to strive to ensure that everyone—not just you or a few close friends—is set up to succeed. "Being a peer leader is not about power at all," Ladley says. "It's about inclusion, supporting and advocating for each other, and lifting each other up." Nurture these characteristics as a team member, and you may find yourself in line to lead.

A version of this story appeared in the April 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "Lead the Way."

OK, stay with us for the duration of this multi-part journey, because the payoff is so very good.

Part One

Yesterday, Mark Kanemura—dancer extraordinaire, Carly Rae Jepsen enthusiast (same), master of the wig quick-change—posted a vid of himself dancing to BLACKPINK's earworm "Ddu-du Ddu-Du." Naturally, he was wearing a hot pink and black ensemble (see what he did there!!):

Part Two

The aforementioned ensemble made him look like the world's most fabulous flamingo, and Kanemura wasted no time in asking Twitter to capitalize on that similarity:

Part Three

TWITTER. CAME. THROUGH:

Okpic.twitter.com/nFdxFpdKhN

Part Four

Sorry, we're dead. There is no part four. Bless you, Mark Kanemura. Bless you, Twitterverse.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet's Larissa Gerszke is a standout, thanks to her gorgeous lines and easy grace. An Ottawa, Canada, native, Gerszke began training at Canterbury Arts High School, and later earned her BFA from Fordham University and The Ailey School—while simultaneously working and touring with Complexions. Catch her this month and next on tour with the company throughout the country, and read on for The Dirt!

Do you have any pre-performance habits?

Oh, of course! I have to listen to "Power" by Kanye West while doing my makeup and warm-up in one of the pre-set spotlights backstage before the show.

What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Check my phone. (smh)

What's the last thing you do before you go to bed?

Check my phone again. (smh x 2)

What dance item can you not live without?

My single black Gaynor Minden leg warmer for my right leg. Always.

What non-dance thing would you consider yourself an expert at?

I like to think I'm a yoga master. I'm not at all, but I love how it makes me feel like an agile ninja warrior. It's powerful stuff.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

An astronaut.

Do you have any hidden talents?

My boyfriend says I'm a darn good cook, haha! My brother, who is a chef in Canada, would have many notes for me, though.

What dancers would you drop everything to go see?

Gabriel Hyman in King Kong on Broadway, Courtney Celeste Spears with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, or Donald Thom with The National Ballet of Canada.

Where do you feel happiest?

Wherever there's sunshine and a beach!

What's your go-to stress reliever?

Levain Bakery on 77th and Amsterdam Ave. <3

What's your dream gig?

Dancing for Complexions Contemporary Ballet was the biggest dream I ever dreamt. I hold this accomplishment very near to my soul. As humble as I am, however…if Beyoncé ever needs an Afro-headed ballerina to get down with her one day, she can reach me at @larissagerszke.

What's your biggest fear?

Not being able to pay rent…Note: This has never actually happened, but it's a recurring stress dream of mine.

Who's your dance role model?

It's a tie:

Drew Jacoby

—My admiration of her led me to pursue my dreams dancing with CCB.

Misty Copeland

—She's a fearless leader in the industry who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo.

What are the most-played songs on your playlist?

Don't get me wrong, I'll play the band Queen for my entire lifetime on repeat, but I really love "Everybody Mad" by O.T. Genasis these days. #Morningmotivation

What's your favorite dance movie?

The 2002 version of Chicago. Not only because my boss Desmond Richardson kills it, but also because I've always fancied the elegant sexiness of jazz.

What's something no one knows about you?

In another lifetime, I was a Fosse dancer.

Who can always make you laugh?

Nehemiah Spencer all day long will have me in stitches! Or Addison Ector's legendary turned-in ballet!

What foods can't you live without?

BARNANA SNACKS—thanks, Shanna Irwin.

Peanut Butter. But I mean the whole jar in 2 days…

Do you have any nicknames?

Everybody at work calls me "La."

Who would play you in a movie?

If we spared no expense, we'd have to get Thandie Newton to get the job done.

Photo by THEGINGERB3ARDMEN Photography, courtesy Gogo Public Relations and Marketing

Have you had any embarrassing moments onstage?

During my first season of Complexions, Misty Copeland was going to be in the audience and we were excited! But my performance didn't quite go as planned. My partner and I had a very tricky "helicopter" overhead lift that came at the end of an exhausting section in the first piece and we didn't quite complete the flip. He caught me luckily, but my four-legged dismount didn't have much place in this particular Bach ballet!

What's your advice for young dancers?

1. Do your research and know your history of dance.

2. Be a "YES" person; embrace opportunity.

3. Don't forget your purpose and stay true to it.

What are you most proud of?

In four seasons with Complexions, I've only taken one sick day, because of food poisoning from sushi. (I don't eat sushi anymore. The "snatched game" ain't worth your life, guys!!!)

What's the strangest thing in your dance bag?

Orajel. For those days when your bruised toenails can't take the 6-hour pointe rehearsals.

Who's your dance crush?

Jules-Romay Joseph, xo

What would you be if you weren't a dancer?

I'd probably have wound up a marine biologist, because my fallback was going to be studying that at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

If you could work with any choreographer, who would it be?

I would have loved to be a muse for Bob Fosse. In the future, I hope my path crosses with Alonzo King.

Dance-wise, do you have any bad habits?

Remembering to track my knees over my toes. I definitely pay for it after the rehearsals when I'm less attentive to it. Thank goodness for the physical therapists at Harkness.

A version of this story appeared in the April 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "The Dirt with Larissa Gerszke."

Dorrance Dance's Elizabeth Burke's dynamic technique and intricate musicality have made her a tap-scene standout. A Chapel Hill, NC, native, she trained with the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble, led by her mentor, Gene Medler. She's an alumna of The School at Jacob's Pillow and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with bachelor's degrees in political science and communication arts. Burke appeared on a Dance Spirit cover in 2010, and has danced with Dorrance Dance since its formation in 2011. Catch her performing at the company's New York City Center run tonight through Saturday, and read on for The Dirt!

Do you have any pre-performance habits?

I like to get my hair/makeup done on the earlier side (not at the last minute).

Ideally, I incorporate a handful of things into my pre-show warm-up:

—tap dancing! (improvising, rudiments)

—physical therapy/Pilates-based strengthening and stabilization (I've had some injuries!)

—roll using a ball/foam roller/stick as needed

—If I've activated my core, hips, legs, and broken a sweat, I feel better!

Who are you most proud of?

My mama and my niece

What's your best advice for young dancers?

—treat everyone with kindness and respect

—respect your elders

—keep yourself open to learning and exploring your entire life

Have you had any embarrassing moments onstage?

Plenty of them! Fairly recently (January 2018), Byron Tittle and I collided midair in an Association of Performing Arts Professionals showcase. I sprained my left wrist and was in a brace on tour. Let it be known that it was my fault, not Byron's! I love you, Byron Tittle.

Who would play you in a movie?

People tell me I look like Elizabeth Olsen? But that's a purely aesthetic choice based on physical appearance…

Do you have any nicknames?

Many! E, e burke, lady burke, lady burkowitz, e burkowitz, e girl, burkey, churp, churl, churple, churps, churper, agent oo flappy, burke, marion cotillard, burkowit…

What's one food you can't live without?

An iced chai tea latte with either almond, oat, soy, or nondairy milk (skim in a pinch), with light ice…in the biggest size they've got. Ventiiiiii

Who can always make you laugh?

Gene Medler, the founder and artistic director of North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble!

Who's your dance role model?

Gene Medler. "Dance to express, not to impress." Gene is hands down one of the greatest humans and dancers I'll ever know.

What's your go-to stress reliever?

MUSIC. Also a big believer in the restorative power of sleep!

Where do you feel happiest?

Surrounded by people I love most, sharing and making music/art/dance.

What performer would you drop everything to see?

Definitely Frank Ocean

What's your dream gig?

Making dope music with people I love most

What are your pet peeves?

—My time being taken advantage of

—rudeness

—white supremacy

—patriarchy

(the last two are much larger than pet peeves)

Dance-wise do you have any bad habits?

I think I forget to breathe sometimes, and I don't engage my glutes enough.

If you could work with any choreographer, who would it be?

Too many to name! But some include:

(Past)
—Tip Tap & Toe
—The Whitman Sisters
—Jeni LeGon
—Cora La Redd
—Jimmy Slyde
—The Condos Brothers

(Present)
—Soraya Lundy
—Olivia Cipolla
—Ebony Williams
—Camille A. Brown
—Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards

What would you be if you weren't a dancer?

Hopefully a musician! #allisonmiller

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A few things, before I fell in love with tap dance:

—a meteorologist

—a tennis player

…actually, that might have been it. Then I fell in love with tap dance.

What non-dance thing would you consider yourself an expert at?

Probably Drake's musical catalog and chai tea lattes.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Too many to count. #taurusgang

Who's your dance crush?

I'll never tell! 🙂

What's your favorite book?

Well, a favorite is hard to name, but right now I'm reading Blood Done Sign My Name and loving it. I would encourage everyone to read it. Timothy B. Tyson is the author.

A version of this story appeared in the March 2019 issue of Dance Spirit with the title "The Dirt with Elizabeth Burke."

Look, we love all the extraordinary competitors on NBC's "World of Dance," but let's be real here: The Junior Division dancers are our favorites. How could we not be obsessed with the category that, in past seasons, has included Eva Igo, and Diana Pombo, and Jaxon Willard, and Sean and Kaycee, and Madison Brown? In the Venn diagram of "people who've appeared on 'WOD'" and "people who've been featured in Dance Spirit," this is by far the group with the biggest overlap.

That's why last night's Junior Division Duels had us feeling some kind of way. We knew and loved pretty much everyone involved! We didn't want anybody to go home!

Alas: This is reality TV, so our hearts were, inevitably, broken. But we'll put on our big-girl pants and run down the episode's highlights for you. Because we're PROFESSIONALS. *sniff*

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We were intrigued by contemporary ballerina Kayla Mak's choice to face off against hip-hop duo Funkanometry. How would the judges compare two acts that're so totally unalike? With difficulty, as it turns out. Funkanometry won everyone over with their incredible precision (and that ICE COLD ballet shoe drop at the end of their routine); Kayla showed off her signature gorgeous facility, but seemed to be having a bit of an off night technically. It seems like her minor wobbles cost her the duel, which she lost by just .7 points. Ballerinas everywhere breathed a sigh of relief when we found out her score was high enough to earn her a spot in the Redemption round.

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How often does a hip-hop routine give you goosies? Julian and Charlize achieved that rare feat last night. The duo performed to ASAP Ferg's "New Level," and no song choice could've been more appropriate: Their impeccably synchronized, hard-hitting number was 100% new-level stuff. The Trilogy's contemporary fluidity was perfectly lovely, but ultimately no match for Julian and Charlize, who outscored Trilogy by more than five points.

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We weren't feeling a whole lot of suspense going into Lauren Yakima's Duel with House of Tap, since Lauren earned a full 10 points more than the tap team during the Qualifiers. But the two acts were, surprisingly, evenly matched. Both elevated their routines by incorporating hip-hop elements, and House of Tap further upped the ante with some canny a cappella moments. Despite their best efforts, though, the tappers couldn't top Lauren's "ungodly talent," to quote Ne-Yo. The contemporary phenom made it through to the Cut with the highest score of the night.

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House of Tap didn't have any time to relax: They came right back out for the Redemption round, in which they faced off against Kayla Mak. Two of the most underrepresented styles on the show, battling to the death! Both acts left it ALL on the dance floor. The judges sent Kayla through to the Cut, but major snaps to House of Tap for their valiant final "WOD" effort.

The Disney Channel has launched tons of young performers' careers. Some of our favorite celebs started out as dancers on the platform back in the day. Here are five OG Disney dance kids we're still obsessed with.

Zendaya

Zendaya, our Queen, got her start by showing off her dance skills on the Disney Channel's "Shake it Up," and went on to have a super high-profile acting and singing career.

Alyson Stoner

Singer and dancer Alyson Stoner was appearing on the Disney Channel even before her breakout performance in Missy Elliott's "Work It" video. We really fell for her moves in the 2008 Disney Channel movie Camp Rock.

Allison Holker

DYK that one of Allison Holker's first jobs was dancing in the High School Musical films? Cleary, that experience was the start of something big!

Carlena Britch

Dancer Carlena Britch got her start in the Camp Rock films, eventually leading her to star in popular shows such as "Charmed," "The X-Files," and "Supernatural." See if you can spot her in the clip above!

Shamier Anderson

The Camp Rock films were clearly packed with stunning dancers. CR alum Shamier Anderson went on to star in shows like "Dear White People" and "Pitch."

Congratulations to the March Cover Model Search Editors' Choice video winner, Madeline Underwood! Catch her solo below, and enter the Cover Model Search here.

Madeline Underwood-Follow www.youtube.com

In our "Dear Katie" series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email dearkatie@dancespirit.com for a chance to be featured!

Dear Katie,

I'm an injured ballet student, and my physical therapist and massage therapist are giving me opposite instructions. For example, my physical therapist believes that I should work through the "bad pain" and take three different kinds of exercise classes, but my massage therapist tells me that I shouldn't do anything that causes bad pain and only do one exercise class per week. Who should I listen to?

Rachel

Dear Rachel,

It's hard to have different people telling you different things. But my advice is to always take your time when coming back from an injury. As someone once said to me, "It takes longer to rush." Never, ever push through bad pain. You'll end up reinjuring yourself or otherwise prolonging the process. As frustrating as it may be, err on the side of caution—which, in this case, means following the advice of your massage therapist.

If you reframe your thinking, the recovery process will be a lot easier psychologically. Think of this recovery period not as a setback, but as a time to rebuild your technique and fix old bad habits.

For more of Katie's helpful tips and advice, click here.