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Tara-Jean moves closer to Top 10 |
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Written by Al Beeber LETHBRIDGE HERALD
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Wednesday, September 16 2009, 8:54 PM |
She’s had the viewing public and the judges on her side and now Tara-Jean Popowich is just one week away from making the Top 10 of “So You Think You Can Dance Canada.”
Popowich and dance partner Everett Smith, who have been called the most consistent couple in the competition, got rave reviews from the judges Tuesday after their house routine, a complex dance with the feet and body moving to different rhythms.
One of those judges was Canadian ballet legend Karen Kain, who raved about the couple in a low-key understated way.
"What really struck me is that you both are so unbelievably convincing at your joy in performing,” said Kain, a former principal dancer with the National Ballet, a member of the Order of Canada and highly respected advocate for the arts in Canada.
American guest judge Dan Karaty, a regular on the American version of the show, told the pair "you guys made that look so easy. It just looked like you were having a good time up there. You guys rose to the occasion.”
A contemporary dancer, Popowich has drawn the toughest genres out of the hat in the opening weeks of the competition which the superstitious 20-year-old said Wednesday was good luck.
“Everything happens for a reason. We’re getting all the hard ones first. Hopefully, we’ll eventually pull contemporary out of a hat.”
Popowich was awestruck at facing Kain on the judging panel Tuesday.
“I’ve been watching Karen Kain since I was a kid; it was the most unbelievable experience. I was so starstruck just watching her, it was weird.”
All four judges, including permanent ones Tré Armstrong and Jean-Marc Genereux, gushed about the pair which should make them a safe bet to make it to the Top 10 when viewers will determine dancers’ fate.
The house routine performed by Popowich and Smith was the first time the genre was ever attempted on any version of the series and Karaty said the reason is because of the complexity of the steps and rhythm.
“It is really difficult but I had the time of my life,” said Popowich, just hours before the results show last night.
“It’s not easy especially when it’s not your genre. I’m a contemporary dancer which is about being free and telling a story.”
Popowich was prepared, if she and Smith finished in the bottom three of viewer votes, to perform a solo as a last-ditch attempt to impress the judges.
Dancers only have three days to learn and master new choreography for each performance show, a gruelling schedule which has them working behind the scenes right up until they step into the spotlight.
“You’re going full-out,” added Popowich, who says she’s thrilled with the overwhelming support she’s received from southern Alberta.
“Tell everybody ‘thank you so much’ for all their support. I’m crying happy all the time.”
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