Just Dance Company Winter Recital {Flagstaff and Sedona videographer}

I had the opportunity to film the recital for another one of Moab's talented organizations, Just Dance Company.  In addition to the group numbers, several of the girls performed solos.  I really enjoyed filming the solos, and marveled at the bravery of these girls. 

I love filming these recitals.  I like that parents can relax and watch the performance with their eyes, instead of through their phone camera.  I love that after it's over, they can relive the entire performance, as well as enjoy the highlight film.  I love this career for this very reason- so people can relive their favorite moments and share them with their favorite people.  And even more- 10, 20, 30 years from now, they can watch it all over again!  

The Devilettes {Moab, Utah videographer}

For the second time in two months, I was asked to film at Grand County High School.  This time for the Devilettes.  And what a privilege!  The Devilettes are the drill team for GCHS.  The community loves them and has always loved them. There is even a drink named after them at the local soda shop, Lop's Pop Stop (Sprite, raspberry & blood orange).  

The Devilettes have been practicing furiously for competition.  They asked me to come for what would be their final dress rehearsal before Region.  It was a Friday night.  The boys' C, JV, and varsity basketball teams would be playing, and the Devilettes had a different routine to perform at each halftime.  These 3 routines were the routines that they would perform at region, which was to be the next morning.

The girls immediately impressed me.  They were obviously devoted and talented.  They were so athletic and so excited for me to be there.  I love working with teenagers!  They are not camera shy.  I filmed them practicing for each routine in the band room and putting the final touches on their hair and costumes.  They rehearsed over and over.  Especially the hard parts.  

The girls would pop in during the basketball games to watch and cheer on their friends and boyfriends playing basketball.  And then they'd group up outside the court and pray and cheer, and get completely stoked.  Less than one minute after the half time buzzer sounded, the girls marched to half court, and absolutely killed it.   By the varsity game, the crowd was huge, as it was an important ball game, and the energy was so much fun.  Even though I'd just met these girls, I was so happy for their incredible success and couldn't help but pump my fist in the air when they hit their final steps.

The Devilettes went on to do place 4th at region, allowing them to move on to State. I love filming these high school teams.  Soon 4 of the girls will graduate, and being a Devilette will be a thing of the past.  I am excited each of these ladies will have this video to look back on and show to the people they care about.  

Moab Dance Company "Night Before Christmas" Recital (Moab commercial videographer)

In January 2017, I filmed Moab Dance Company's "The Jungle Book" performance.  This winter, they put on a fantastically festive Christmas performance.  The costumes, music, and the debut of the boys hiphop class, made such a fun show.  Filming the dress rehearsal and behind the scenes is probably my favorite part.  I love watching the parents put makeup on squirmy kids, the last minute sewing of sparkly Santa hats and tutus, and I always marvel how the kids run around backstage going a full 150% nonstop.  So much energy.  I'm also impressed by the teachers (and parents!!!) of Moab Dance Company for their patience and skill to make this all come together.   I can't wait for the next show!

Moab Dance Company commercial videography

Moab may be a small town, but we have a legit children's dance company!

When I showed up to the dress rehearsal for the Jungle Book, I was instantly floored by the costumes, gorgeous sets, and the number of children involved.  It was immediately obvious that teachers, parents, and children had been working like crazy to make this possible.  There were just over 80 children, ranging in ages 3-14. The sets and props were built by parents. Lighting was mastered by parents. Costumes were had made.  Some of the youngest dancers had porcupine costumes.  Porcupine!! Several of the children had multiple costumes.  Shere Kahn had about the coolest leggings in the world.  There were 19 routines.  I'm not sure exactly how many hours of rehearsals were devoted to this performance, but I know there many weekends and evenings spent on the dance floor.  Serious kuddos to the instructors and parents!

I truly enjoyed filming this event.  I loved being backstage with the kids.  Backstage was this crazy party.  Kids were eating fruit snacks, doing cartwheels, playing tag, chatting, coloring, doing homework, all while their parents were trying to finish makeup and pin on monkey and wolf ears.  And then on stage, the girls and boys were rocking their routines with big smiles, suddenly seeming much older.  

I had multiple parents tell me that they were happy to have me there just so they could sit back and watch the performance without worrying about documenting it themselves.  I am so glad I could do that for them. I've tried many times to film my boys while they play soccer or sing with their class, and it is so tricky to be both in the moment and do a good job filming it.    

I am very excited with how their highlight film came out.  I loved finding my favorite parts of each routine.  I loved capturing moments between dancers and their parents.  I also love the end of the film where the kids are being congratulated by loved ones.  I hope this highlight screams "This is why we dance!"