Helping make magic
Dancers are sterling
by Christopher Key
When I wrote about the astounding young magician Sterling Dietz last week, I mentioned in passing that his show included a troupe of dancers. I saw the show again tonight and wanted to give the dancers their own moment in the bloglight.
Dance instructor Elliott Scott not only choreographed the dance moves performed by Sterling and his assistant Jessica Gassman, he put together a dance company that adds to the magic of local performances.
Scott and his company, Gayle Staker, Steven Hererra and Hannah Niemier open the show with an energetic number that features some mind-boggling break dance moves. It’s a great way to prepare the audience for the mind-boggling magic that is to come.
But they do more than just dance. They are also an integral part of an illusion later in the show that features some elegant ballroom dancing. The choreography is seamlessly woven into the show and adds to the impression that this production just blew in from Vegas.
Scott began dancing 11 years ago in middle school and took hip-hop lessons from Gayle Staker. What goes around comes around. Later, Scott was a member of Nonstop Breakers of Bellingham Washington. That association with other gifted dancers inspired him to make it his career by teaching break dancing and hip-hop.
Teaching led him into Ballroom and Latin dance. He has since acquired four professional certifications in Ballroom in addition to being a competitor and performer. He now teaches individuals and groups throughout the Puget Sound area.
The immense popularity of Dancing with the Stars had led to a huge demand for instruction in this field. If you’re ready to get out on the floor and do something besides sway back and forth a lot, Scott can be reached at (360) 739-1296 or ElliottTheDancer@gmail.com.
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