Dancers at Fancy Feet Dance Studio are used to traveling around the country for performances, but in March, they performed at Lincoln Center.
In front of family, friends and national counterparts, not only was Fancy Feet the only Bronx group to perform that night, it was the only one from New York City.
Fancy Feet participated in the American Alliance’s of Performing Arts Educators Fifth Annual Invitational at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on Saturday, March 26. The group was one of ten from across the country selected to perform. The show was Fancy Feet’s first time at Lincoln Center in its 30-year history.
All 70 dancers in the Fancy Feet company performed, ranging in age from six to 25 years old. They routines included jazz, tap, hip-hop and contemporary performances.
Fancy Feet founder and director Susan Mendogni said being the event’s unofficial host was a source of pride for her dancers.
“It was like they said ‘we’re from the Bronx, we’re from the New York City area and we’re so excited that you’ve come to our city,” Mendogni said.
Fancy Feet’s traveling company has performed at Disney World, on a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship and has been invited to the 2012 Olympics in London. However, the Carnegie Hall show was extra special.
“I thought it was an amazing experience to have and it was special honor to dance there,” said Mendogni’s 16-year-old daughter and Fancy Feet dancer Caitlyn Mendogni.
Mendogni said performances like the one at Lincoln Center give dancers lifetime memories and make them better at their craft.
For 11-year-old Noelle Duggins, who studies at the Allerton studio and performed at Lincoln Center, it was all about the moment.
