allotsego.com SPECIAL REPORT
‘So You Think You Can Dance’
Finalist Wows Oneonta Troupe
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to allotsego.com
ONEONTA – It was more than just the usual leaps and twirls at Jillian’s Dance Arts Thursday, Aug. 27.
“Stanley Glover e-mailed Jill and asked if he could come in to teach a workshop,” said Linda Skidmore, owner of Jillian’s Dance Arts on Chestnut Street and mother of the titular head teacher.
Glover, a Top 20 contestant on the 11th season of Fox’s “So You Think you Can Dance” competition, met Jill at the annual Dance America Competition in 2012, where they were both competing as regional “DOTY” – Dancer of the Year, which Stanley won at the national competition.
He was eliminated in the second round of “So You Think You Can Dance,” partnered with Jessica Richens and dancing a jazz routine to Nikka Costa’s “Funkier Than A Mosquito’s Tweeter.”
Since then, he has continued his studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and has performed on “Oprah” with The Black Eyed Peas and at a breast cancer charity event hosted by actor Vince Vaughn.
“He’s from Chicago, so he really enjoyed being Upstate,” said Jill. “He’s not use to seeing so much farmland!”
He taught two classes, first spending two hours with the 9-12 age group. “He did a strong warm up and a great ballet technique, going across the floor with leaps and turns.”
He then taught them a routine to Nadia Oh’s “Hot Like WOW.” “It was a sassy jazz number,” said Jill. “It was so cute!
He then taught a three-hour class to the 13-and-older group, fusing jazz, ballet and modern dance. “He has such a unique style,” said Jill. “I teach that kind of contemporary dance, but he has such a cool routine.”
He taught the teens a routine to James Vincent McMorrow’s “Glacier.” “The kids have been requesting it ever since!” said Jill.
Afterwards, Jill took her friend to her favorite restaurant, Stella Luna. “As we were eating, I said, ‘I want you to come back’!”
“Absolutely!” replied Stanley.