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06/02/2010 - News Article from Napa Register


"So You Think You Can Dance" Owner Christa Gonzales auditions along with dance partner Chris Navarro for Season 7

Story Discussion Two locals compete for spots on TV dance show

By JENNIFER HUFFMAN Register Staff Writer Napa Valley Register | Posted: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 12:00 am | (4) Comment

Dance partners Chris Navarro, right, and Christa Gonzales, both of Napa, demonstrate the dance routine they performed while auditioning for the television show “So You Think You Can Dance.” J.L. Sousa/Register.


On TV
“So You Think You Can Dance”

Fox TV Wednesday, 8 p.m.

“Auditions #3 & #4: Chicago & L.A.”
If you think Napans can’t dance, check out Christa Gonzales and Chris Navarro. The two local dancers will be showing off some of their best moves Wednesday on the Fox TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Gonzales, 30, and Navarro, 18, will appear in a tryout episode of the dance competition filmed in March, when the dance partners traveled to Los Angeles to audition for the popular TV dance show.

This was Gonzales’ second attempt to be on the show. Last year, she also auditioned for the program in Los Angeles.

“The first time I auditioned I had no clue what I was getting into,” Gonzales said. Dancers wait in line for hours but get only one minute to try and make an impression on the show’s producers, she said.

“When you finally get your chance, boom, it’s over. Seeing what I was up against was intimidating,” she said. A lot of good dancers were let go, she said, including herself.

After that rejection, Gonzales wasn’t sure if she would try out again. She wondered if she could find the time or money for another trip to L.A. again. “I was stressing out. I almost said forget it, but something inside of me kept telling me I have to do this.”

In March, Gonzales headed down to L.A. with a new game plan. “It seemed very clear they are looking for someone who is doing something really different,” she said.

Gonzales decided she might stand out from the crowd more if she performed a hip-hop-style dance, and this time, with a partner. “There aren’t a lot of hip-hop dancers (auditioning), and not a lot of girls doing hip-hop,” she said.

Gonzales asked fellow Napa dancer Chris Navarro to join her. “They have salsa couples, why not have a hip-hop couple?” she said.

“I figure we had a shot because he matches my dance style and personality. I decided I would give it my all since this was my last time trying out,” she said. At age 30, Gonzales has reached the maximum age for contestants.

When Gonzales approached Navarro about teaming up, the 18-year-old wasn’t sure at first. “I was on the fence about it,” he admitted. “But something told me to go for it.”

The two arrived for the first day of auditions in L.A. To their amazement, they made the first cut.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Gonzales said. “I was shocked. My heart was pounding.”

The duo went through a second round of eliminations, and another. Three thousand people had tried out in L.A., and the producers had whittled that number down to 96, including Gonzales and Navarro.

“I kept thinking, ‘This is crazy,’” Gonzales said. “I can’t even believe we’ve made it this far. It was overwhelming.”

“You didn’t really know what they were looking for,” Navarro said. “You have to stand out and do your best. It was fun but nerve-racking.”

The process itself was intense. The first day the two spent from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the audition. “We did not see the producers of the show till 6:30 p.m.,” Gonzales said.

From a group of 96 dancers, Gonzales and Navarro then made it to a semi-final group of 36.

“I was so excited,” Gonzales said. “Being in the dance world is hard. You have a lot of rejection. It was very gratifying to (get) that validation from the judges, she said. “It meant to a lot to me.”

“I was shocked,” to be in the top 36, Navarro said. “I knew I was a good dancer,” he said, but he wasn’t sure if the judges would agree.

Next, Navarro and Gonzales waited to see if they would be among the final 20 dancers to travel to Las Vegas to compete weekly on the program.

“That’s when we got cut,” Gonzales said. “I was pretty upset. I tried not to show it in front of the cameras. It was heartbreaking, all that hard work.”

Even though they didn’t make the final cut, the two dancers have plenty to keep them busy. Gonzales owns Image Dance Studio in Napa, and teaches at Expressions Dance Studio, the Napa Valley Language Academy, Harvest Middle School and the Boys and Girls Club in Napa. Navarro works the graveyard shift at Western Wine Services in American Canyon.

Navarro said he will try out for the show again. He also recommended the experience to other dancers. “I say go for it. You just have to go out there and be yourself. Show them who you are.”

Gonzales had this advice: “Go in there with an open mind. You have to have confidence and show your personality off, do something that’s going to make you stand out. If you don’t make it through, don’t take it personal. You might have not been ready for it, but don’t give up.”

Copyright 2011 Napa Valley Register. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Posted in Local on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 12:00 am


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05/02/2014 - Image Dance Team Disneyland Parade

Image Dance Studio Performs in Disneyland for "Teen Beach Movie" April 12, 2014
Image Dance Studio 2014 Dance Team members participated as cast members in the Disneyland Parade on Main Street for the "Teen Beach Movie" on Saturday, April 12 . The Image Dance Team learned the routine from Disney choreographer and next will appear in the Disney Christmas Parade on ABC. Pictured in the photos are Alyssa Bidwell, Anastasia Zimmerman, Annette Gutierez, Brenda Deleon, Cali Oimstead, Christina Voeller, Maizy Armstrong Brown, Mayte Martinez, Monse Gracia, Sydney Linn and Vianney Casas. Submitted Photo
http://napavalleyregister.com/nvr-fea-faces-jpg/image_0f0e42b6-d246-11e3-8095-001a4bcf887a.html#.U2aw4vhdA6o.facebook

08/23/2007 - Competition Team Awards

Competition Team Awards

2007-2008

(Sr Hip Hop)

Showstoppers: 1st place/ Overall Top Point/ Special Judges Award

Jamz: 2nd place/2nd place

USA: 1st place/ 1st place/ 2nd place/ 2nd place

 

 

2008-2009

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop/ Sr Pom/ Sr Jazz)

Jamz: 2ndplace/ 2nd place/ 2nd place/ 4th place

UDA: 1st place/ Special Award: Crowd Appeal Award

Showstoppers:1st place/ 1st place/ 2nd place/ Special Judges Award

 

 

2009-2010

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop)

Thunderstruck: Gold/ Special Judges Award

Headliners: High Silver/ Gold

Rainbow Connection: High Gold/ High Gold/ Gold/ Special Judges Award

 

 

(2010-2011)

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop Team)

Starpower: 1st place/ Special Judges Award

Thunderstruck: High Gold

Headliners: Elite Gold/ Elite Gold

Rainbow: High Gold/ High Gold/ High Point Overall / Special Judges Award


2011-2012

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop)

Starbound:Gold/ Gold

Masquerade: 1st place/ High Gold/ Overall Score

Revolution: 1st place/ 1st place

Rainbow: High Silver/ Platinum/ Platinum/ High Point Overall #1/ Special Judges Award

2012-2013

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop/ Jazz Team/ Solo: Aint No Other Man / Duet: Halo)

Masquerade: Gold/ Gold/ High Gold/ 1st Overall

Starpower: 1st place/ 1st place/ 1st place

Rainbow: High Silver/ Gold/ Gold/ Platinum/ Special Judges Awards

Starbound: Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold                                                                                              

2013-2014

(Sr & Jr Hip Hop/ Jazz & Contemporary/ Solo: Snap Back)

Rainbow:High Silver/ High Gold/ High Gold/ Platinum/ 4th Overall High Point/ Special Juges Awards

Starbound: Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold/ Elite Gold

 

 

                                                                

2014-2015

(Break-Thru Girlz Hip Hop Crew, Velcocity Hip Hop Crew, Jazz  Contemporary Company)

Rainbow: Platinum:"Revenge of the Ex" (Velocity) / Platinum & Special Judges Award "Gangster City" (Break-Thru Girls) / High Gold "Heartburn" & "What Now" (Jazz & Contemporary Company)

Starbound: High Gold and 2nd place overall: "Heartburn" (Jazz)/ High Gold "What Now" (Contemporary) / High Gold "Gangster City" (Break -Thru)/ High Gold "Revenge of the Ex" Velocity)

 

    

 2015-2016

(Competition Jazz, Hip Hop & Ella Solo)

Nexstar: High Gold 1st Place, Special Judges & 1st Overall "Rosie The Riveter"/ High Gold 1st Place & 2nd Place Overall "Sweet Dreams"/ High Gold 1st Place & 7th Place Overall "Ella Solo- Human"

Starbound: High Gold 1st Place "Sweet Dreams",  High Gold 1st Place, 10th Overall & Special Judges Award "Rosie The Riveter", High Gold 1st Place "Ella Solo- Human"

Image Dance Studio

Where We Teach To Love Dance

Celebrating 15 Years Of Dance In The Napa Community

Register For Classes Today!!!!!

 

IDS Photographers

Omari Khalid -  Website www.omarikhalid.com / Instagram: @omarikhalid.art

Jennifer Marie Lindsey - Instagram: @jennifer_marie_photography

Melissa Ziegler - Instagram: @melissaziegler

Christa Gonzales - Instagram: @imagedancestudio

Jasmine Gonzalez- Website www.jasminegonzalezphotography.com / Instagram: @jasminegonzalezphotography

IDS Videographers 

Melissa Ziegler - Instagram: @melissaziegler

Christa Gonzales - Instagram: @imagedancestudio