Performer’s Edge Dance Academy sweeps competition off its feet

by Jon Minners

Portions of this article appeared in the Bronx Times Reporter also written by Jon Minners

Forget what you see on Fox 5’s So You Think You Can Dance or ABC 7’s Dancing With The Stars – The real talent is in the Bronx at Performer’s Edge Dance Academy. 

Dance has become a big phenomenon on television these days and suddenly dancers are being treated as stars, not just background images to look at and pump us up as we really pay more attention to a song’s lyrics or performer. 

And while the casual person did not really pay attention to dance in the past, the lucrative and difficult career choice has been a major facet of every community with dance schools opening up far and wide.  As you can see on reality television, some people have no business learning the trade, let alone teaching it, but what one doesn’t normally see are the talented dancers who do not appear on the television screen.  Their too busy perfecting their craft and winning awards all on their own. 

And if you want serious dance without the “reality” element taking over the airwaves, look no further than the Performer’s Edge Dance Academy.  The Throggs Neck dance studio recently returned from a trip to Wildwood, New Jersey where they took part in a national competition involving close to 6,000 students from 55 schools all over the United States. 

There were no caller voting, no stress-filled live commercial breaks and no dance routines pulled out of a hat; the students at Performer’s Edge Dance Academy came prepared and wowed the judges at the 2006 Dance Explosion competition, winning $7,500 worth of awards; the most in the school’s short, but stellar four-year history. 

“It’s one thing for my daughter to be able to participate in something she loves, but to be on a winning team with an excellent choreographer is icing on the cake,” said Pauline Willis, mother of first year student Jorja Rae Willis.  “I am so proud of her and the entire team.”

The school is run by Stefanie Salaman, who has a simple formula for success.  “We go out there and have a good time,” she said, pointing out that it didn’t matter what style of dance you chose, from ballet to tap and from classical, lyrical or contemporary to Hip Hop or crunk, having a positive attitude will take you higher than any dance throw ever could. 

“As long as you are having a good time, you get something out of it,” she continued.  “You may not win an award, but if you had the best time of your life and you feel good about your performance, that’s an award in itself.  When you go in with that attitude, the wins will follow.”

And follow they did.  From July 10 to July 15, the students racked up one win after another.  Stefanie’s sister Samantha, 16, took first place out of 100 kids in the solo category for children 13 to 18 years of age.  Samantha also joined Olivia Arguinzoni, Carly Smith, Karina Madia and Whitney Kamin to win a group performance trophy. 

Karina and Samantha were also both offered jobs to dance in a music video for an upcoming performing artist.  “They send talent scouts to all the big competitions,” said Salaman.  “Every year, one of my kids gets picked up, whether it is to dance or to model for Ralph Lauren.  Someone always impresses the judges.  It’s wonderful to see them recognized for their work.”

Other winners included Taylor Robert, 9, who won the petite division for children 12 years and younger.  Christopher Dariano, 8, has only been dancing for a year and his group, Goody Goody, was the highest scoring petite number. 

The big news coming from the week-long competition came when the school wound up getting the highest scores of any other group in the competition, earning $3,000 and a 6’6” trophy prominently on display at the school, located at 4037 E. Tremont Avenue; a symbol of pride for all to share and enjoy. 

“I’m ecstatic; thrilled, totally impressed,” said Willis.  “There is no other program I would want my daughter in.  She had two left feet and now she can dance so beautifully.  And it has done so much for her.  She already had great self esteem and she was always getting good grades, but it has made her even happier, more disciplined and it makes her feel like she is part of a family; a winning family.”

And now, according to Salaman, that award winning family is filling up quick, with the group earning rave reviews, coupled with the success of the dance television reality series.  “People want to dance,” she said.  “Dance is a form of expression.  If you are happy, sad, angry, in love; whatever – you can express it all in the way you dance.  We’ll help you make that happen.”

Performer’s Edge Dance Academy is open from Tuesday to Friday in the summer from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  In the fall, the program is open from Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The school is also holding a one-week intensive course to pick members for the company team during the week of August 21. 

For more information, call (718) 822-2025. 

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