SSDA Presents Wonderland 2021 by Stacy Pearce Creative

MAY 29, 2021 • MCMAHON AUDITORIUM

TO OUR SHELBY GIRL –

CONGRATULATIONS ON 10 YEARS OF DANCE! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. EVERY ADVENTURE REQUIRES A FIRST STEP!

2 | SOUTHSTAR DANCE ACADEMY

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

TINY TOT & LEVEL 2 RECITAL

PRE & LEVEL 4 RECITAL

LEVELS 1, 3 & 5 RECITAL

SPONSORSHIP

SUMMER DANCE

RECITAL PHOTOS & VIDEO

CAST OF CHARACTERS

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

STUDIO OWNER / DIRECTOR Emily South TEACHERS Emily South Kristie Ihler Shaelyn Smith ASSISTANT TEACHERS Peyton Davis Leah Hoyt STAGE MANAGER Kristie Ihler BACKSTAGE MANAGER Shaelyn Smith

VOLUNTEER HELP Sheri McCammon Smith BJ South BACKSTAGE HELP Lisa Whittington Jasmine White LIGHTING DESIGN Bryson Peterson SOUND DESIGN Chance Harmon PROGRAM DESIGN Stacy Pearce Creative PHOTOGRAPHY Stacy Pearce Creative VIDEOGRAPHY Taylor Fort

WONDERLAND 2021 | 3

Dear SSDA Dancers, I always conclude my dance classes by saying "thank you" to my students. Afterward, I hear a collective "thank you" in response. I'll typically have 4-5 students approach me to give thanks personally. Sometimes I'll have the older students who shout their appreciation as they leave, or sometimes I'll get a message after class. I understand why they tell me thank you. As teachers, we give a lot of ourselves to our students on a daily basis. But I'm not entirely sure my students know why I give them MY thanks and appreciation after every class. My amazing students give value to every passing day. No matter how old you get, no matter how many years ago you graduated, you'll always be one of my "kids." I'll always love you as my own. I spend more time with you than my family. You give my life purpose and I look forward to spending time with you day after day. I never get tired of walking into the studio and seeing your bright smiles and hearing your hellos. Thank you! Letting a dance teacher into your life causes change, and you allowed to challenge and push you to achieve things you never thought you could. You may have been nervous or anxious to let me in, but you did. You gave me the chance to make a difference in your life. Thank you. You dance six days a week. I know you're tired. Since the onset of the pandemic last year, I’ve been trying to put myself in your shoes. How would I respond if I, as a young(er) person, were navigating the world today? The more I think about it, the more certain I become of the answer: NOT VERY WELL. Or, at least, not as well as you are, especially when it comes TO dance training. I am so appreciative

4 | SOUTHSTAR DANCE ACADEMY

that you continued your training during this difficult time. Thank you. Dance has been my passion for as long as I remember, and I knew it would be a huge part of my career from the age of 12. But that passion was never tested, at least not like yours has been. Sure, I had my ups and downs in the studio, but … at least I was always allowed in the studio – with my face fully exposed to the world, to boot. I was never looking head on into the potential short-term economics within our industry. (My apologies for the dramatics, but after the year we’ve had, you deserve for us to tell you like it is.) Thank you. You help me become a better teacher. I learn just as much from you as you learn from me. The countless lessons and take-aways help me be the best educator and role model I can be for you. Different strategies, patterns, and phrases to keep you on your toes challenge me to stay ahead, think differently, and improve my methods. Thank you. Your sacrifice of time and a social life doesn't go unrecognized. No time for homework, no time for sleep, or for anything outside of dancing. You have weekend rehearsals, 5-day competitions, conventions, and other commitments. Yet you still make the choice to be here, working hard. You come in on your one day off to practice. You struggle to memorize your tap steps in your bedroom at midnight. You live and breathe dance. That isn't an easy feat being a child or teenager. Thank you. You never fail to bring our visions to life. No matter how crazy and out of reach they seem, you support us and our ideas. You take our concepts and bring them to life. You make my dreams a reality. Thank you.

Parents, this one is for you! SSDA parents are rockstars! They truly make it all happen. Our parents get our dancers where they need to be. They take time out of their day to make sure our dancers arrive to class on time and have everything they need to excel. On top of paying for classes, they pay for shoes, tights, leotards, costumes… the list goes on! It’s simply amazing to watch them dedicate themselves to their dancers time and time again. Thank you. Not only do our dance parents make all the logistics happen, but they also support one another. Parents, we are SO thankful for the welcoming community you’ve created at SSDA. We notice all the carpools you create to lighten the load for other busy dance parents. Our dance parents are in it together, and we notice! Thank you. The most incredible part about our dance parents, the part that fills our hearts, is their unwavering support for their dancers. Giving a child the opportunity to pursue the thing that lights them up inside is possibly the greatest gift a parent can give. It goes far beyond just driving a child to dance every day! We are thinking about those car rides home when you offer up some needed emotional support. Or the times when you peek your head in at the last 5 minutes of class with a smile on your face. All those small acts of love are not so small… they truly keep your dancer going! You support your dancer in following their passion. For that, we are so grateful, and we know they are too. Thank you. We know you may not always get a “thank you!” from your young dancers, but you certainly have our gratitude. Thank you, parents, YOU are amazing.

EMILY SOUTH started dancing at age 3 and trained in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop. She earned her BFA in Dance Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in May 2005. During this time, she was selected to be a Kaleidoscope Dance Company member where she danced for 4 years and became the assistant to the Director of Dance Jamie Jacobson. Emily was honored with the endowed Ann Shanks Outstanding Performer in Dance award. Emily furthered her dance education by attending the University of California – Irvine, where she was awarded a teaching assistant fellowship and graduated with an MFA in Choreography and Pedagogy. Following graduation, she was offered a position at UCO where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, Bollywood & African jazz. Emily also lectured on world dance studies, teaching practicum, and materials & method. From 2007-2018, she was the Co-Creative Director of R.A.C.E Dance Company, Oklahoma’s first professional jazz/hip hop contemporary company. She has taught at over 25 different universities throughout the Midwest as an American College Dance Festival guest artist. Emily has coached and trained several high school dance teams as well as the 2017-2018 Cameron University Dance Team. Emily opened Southstar Dance Academy in 2009 and serves as both owner and instructor. She has been teaching for more than 25 years and loves every second.

KRISTIE IHLER started dancing at age 3 in southern California, training in tap and tumbling. Upon moving back to Lawton, she expanded her training to include ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary/modern and hip hop. Kristie graduated from MacArthur High School in 2005, and from Cameron University in 2010 with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in psychology. Kristie worked for the City of Lawton from 2011-2016 in the Emergency Telecommunications Division. From 2016-2018 she worked as a CCMA and Surgical Coordinator at the Allergy, Ear, Nose and Throat Institute. Kristie started assisting and teaching dance at age 16 and found a home with Southstar upon their opening in 2009. She currently works full time for SSDA as a studio manager and instructor. Kristie rotates throughout the years teaching all dance genres to levels 1 through 5. In addition to managing and teaching, she can often be found coaching and working with SSDA Company teams and soloists. Over the years, many of her groups' dances and soloists have received high point awards, top overall finishes and invites to compete at the national level.

SHAELYN SMITH has danced for more than 19 years and has been with Southstar Dance Academy since 2010. She started assisting in classes at age 16, and began teaching full time for SSDA 4 years ago. Shaelyn has coached many competition dance teams which have won numerous awards including first places and overalls, entertainment awards, Judges’ Choice awards, and more. Shaelyn graduated in 2015 from Lawton High School, where she was a Highstepper and involved in many other school activities. She graduated from Cameron University with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education in May 2020. Shaelyn was a member of the Cameron University Dance Team from 20162018.

WONDERLAND 2021 | 5

JABBERWOCKY LEVEL 2 TAP

TEA PARTY

CHOREOGRAPHER

LEVEL 2 JAZZ

DANCERS

Shaelyn Smith

CHOREOGRAPHER

Shalynn Alverson, Brinkley Caudill, Lily Jung, Brianni Kimbro, Camilla Losik, Rylee Lunstrum, Katherine Olson, Brilyn Patterson, Kaden Perkins, Joycelyn Price, Emma Self, Landree Thomason, Caylee Vickers, Ariel Walker

DANCERS

CHOREOGRAPHER THE CATERPILLAR DANCERS

DRINK ME CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

DANCERS

Shaelyn Smith Peyton Davis Caylee Anderson, Jaycie Bulva, Harper Geiger, Katherine Geiger, Lily Griner, Elena Hernandez, Annistyn Lawyer, Remi Robertson, Marlee Saylor, Taylah Steele, Emma Thompson, Emerald Tillman, Gwenyth Ware, Ella Westbrook, Elizabeth Wilhite, Evan Yungandreas

LITTLE ALICE BIG ALICE

CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

CHOREOGRAPHER

Shalynn Alverson, Kennedy Baltzly, Lillie Bayne, Makenzie Bickley, Haylin Drewery, Jordyn Gluck, Lily Jung, Bently Kim, Brianni Kimbro, Caylee Long, Camilla Losik, Rylee Lunstrum, Katherine Olson, Kaden Perkins, Landree Thomason, Caylee Vickers, Ivy Ward, Alexia Yungandreas

THE WHITE QUEEN

Emily South

Caylee Anderson, Jaycie Bulva, Alexa Chavez, Harper Geiger, Katherine Geiger, Lily Griner, Elena Hernandez, Annistyn Lawyer, Remi Robertson, Marlee Saylor, Taylah Steele, Emerald Tillman, Gwenyth Ware, Ella Westbrook, Gracelyn Wiley, Elizabeth Wilhite

DANCERS

Kristie Ihler Brianna Laqua Lucy Aiku, Brinkley Caudill, Haylin Drewery, Jordyn Gluck, Camilla Losik, Katherine Olson, Brilyn Patterson, Joycelyn Price, Lucy Reeh, Emma Self, Mackenzie Smith, Landree Thomason, Caylee Vickers

HUMPTY DUMPTY TINY TOT HIP HOP

Londyn Robertson

CHOREOGRAPHER

Shelby Allen

THE KING'S MEN

TINY TOT TAP

Shaelyn Smith Rylee Gonzalez, Lily Griner, Emilisa Palumbo, Marlee Saylor, Gwenyth Ware, Ella Westbrook, Ava Young, Evan Yungandreas

6 | SOUTHSTAR DANCE ACADEMY

Peyton Davis

GOLDEN AFTERNOON

Shaelyn Smith

CROQUET FLAMINGOS

Shaelyn Smith

LEVEL 2 BALLET

LEVEL 2 HIP HOP

LITTLE ALICE BECOMES BIG ALICE CHOREOGRAPHER

TINY TOT JAZZ THE CATERPILLAR

TINY TOT BALLET

Lily Jung, Camilla Losik, Rylee Lunstrum, Katherine Olson, Joycelyn Price, Landree Thomason, Caylee Vickers, Ariel Walker

CATERPILLARS CHOREOGRAPHER

BREAD & BUTTERFLIES

Shaelyn Smith

DANCERS

Shaelyn Smith DAzeah Dugas & Victoria Lamar Melyssa Adamson, Gwenyth Ware, Gracelyn Wiley, Ava Young

FINALE & AWARDS

CURIOUS OYSTERS PRE POINTE CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

Emily South Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Leah Hoyt, Sofia Knight, Victoria Lamar, Violet Saupitty, Aubri Sloniker, Alexus Smith, Amelia Winters

THE LOOKING GLASS CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

THE WHITE RABBIT PRE BALLET CHOREOGRAPHER WHITE RABBIT DANCERS

Emily South Aubri Sloniker Blakely Allen, Stella Arnold, Harper Bordelon, Emma Burk, Olivia Campbell, Brook Christensen, Madison Dunn, Kennedi Hicks, Collins Nelson, Benjamin Olson, Patton Pearce, Sasha Ponce, Payslee Rico, Scarlett Self, Gabby Thacker, Kerrigan Thibodeaux, Daisy Ulloa, Haven Whan, Chayslee Zimmerman

EAT ME

DANCERS

Emily South DAzeah Dugas, Chloe Fisher, Victoria Lamar, Lacy Ross, Alexus Smith, Annabelle Smith, Allison Stities

BIG ALICE BECOMES LITTLE ALICE CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

BIG ALICE

Shelby Allen

LITTLE ALICE

DANCERS

PRE TAP

Shaelyn Smith Blakely Allen, Emma Burk, Brook Christensen, Maddison Dunn, Macie Galloway, Benjamin Olson, Patton Pearce, Mollie Stafford, Gabby Thacker, Kerrigan Thibodeaux, Daisy Ulloa, Chayslee Zimmerman

WALRUS & THE CARPENTER CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

PRE JAZZ Shaelyn Smith

THE CHESHIRE CAT

Leah Hoyt Blakely Allen, Tera Beard, Emma Burk, Madison Dunn, Sawyer Green, Collins Nelson, Amelia Nix, Patton Pearce, Arianna Phillips, Gabriella Rice, Payslee Rico, Chloe Ross, Mollie Stafford, Gabby Thacker, Kerrigan Thibodeaux, Daisy Ulloa, Chayslee Zimmerman

DAzeah Dugas, Victoria Lamar, Alexus Smith, Annabelle Smith, Allison Stites, Amelia Winters

PRE HIP HOP

Londyn Robertson

CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

TWEEDLEDEE & TWEEDLEDUM

THE CHESHIRE CAT

DANCERS

Haylee Clay, DAzeah Dugas, Reality Gee, C’nydra Kelly, Victoria Lamar, Lacy Ross, Hannah Santos, Alexus Smith, Annabelle Smith, Kenzie Spencer, Allison Stities

LEVEL 4 BALLET

LEVEL 4 TAP CHOREOGRAPHER

Kristie Ihler

DODO BIRDS CHOREOGRAPHER

LEVEL 4 HIP HOP

Emily South Blakely Allen, Bryx Ayers,Harper Bordelon, Madison Dunn, Layla Gatling, Sawyer, Green, Kennedi Hicks, Benjamin Olson, Patton Pearce, Arianna Phillips, Sasha Ponce, Kerrigan Thibodeaux, Haven Whan

DARK FOREST CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

LEVEL 4 JAZZ

Kristie Ihler DAzeah Dugas, Chloe Fisher, C’nydra Kelly, Victoria Lamar, Lacy Ross, Hannah Santos, Alexus Smith, Annabelle Smith, Allison Stities, Amelia Winters

FINALE & AWARDS WONDERLAND 2021 | 7

THE MAD HATTER WELCOME TO WONDERLAND

CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

THE MAD HATTER

Sofia Knight

DANCERS

POINTE CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

Emily South Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Leah Hoyt, Sofi Knight, Sarah Moore

THE MARCH HARE

LEVEL 1 HIP HOP

CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

THE MARCH HARE

Aubri Sloniker

DANCERS

TIME

Braylee Anderson, Hayden Clay, Caydence Cooper, Jaxyn Crabtree, Allan Dacci, Zoey DeForest, Emma Dickinson, Javaughna Fox, Parker Jenkins, Cal Knight, Kameron Lewis, Ashlynn Miller, Lillian Nelson, Lily Oaks, Natalia Ortiz, KaBellah Roberts, Londyn Robertson, Ryleigh Rodgers, Savanna Watters, Chasen Woods

DANCERS

Emily South Jessica Kalldin, Brionnie Mathis, Nilay Onat, Violet Saupitty, Azalayah Schiavo, Emmalyn Wadusky, Bethany Whiteeagle

THE OUTLANDS CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

Amina Adams, Braylee Anderson, Alexis Chojnowski, Caydence Cooper, Jaxyn Crabtree, Emma Dickinson, Rylie Dollarhite, Ka’Mya Fleming, Javaughna Fox, Kylee Lafayette, Danielle Lamar, Zoey Leslie, Ashlynn Miller, Lillian Nelson, Natalie Ortiz, Londyn Robertson

8 | SOUTHSTAR DANCE ACADEMY

LEVEL 5 BALLET

Emily South Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Peyton Davis, Leah Hoyt, Sofia Knight, Brianna Laqua, Sarah Moore, Aubri Sloniker

LEVEL 1 TAP CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Peyton Davis, Leah Hoyt, Sofia Knight, Brianna Laqua, Aubri Sloniker

Shaelyn Smith

Londyn Robertson

BAYARD THE BLOODHOUND

Kristie Ihler

LEVEL 1 JAZZ

Shaelyn Smith

THE QUEEN’S ROSES

LEVEL 5 TAP

VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY

Gabriella Blackwell, Andrea Brown, Kinley Burd, Jada Dugas, Gabriella Gonzales, Chloe Hale, Jessica Kalldin, Brionnie Mathis, Keemora McMillion, Emma Milan, Nilay Onat, Harley Perkins, Lily Pollock, Azalayah Schiavo, Rylie Teague, Bethany Whiteeagle, Anniyah Zeigler

LITTLE ALICE

LEVEL 3 BALLET

CHOREOGRAPHER

LEVEL 3 HIP HOP

Shaelyn Smith Braylee Anderson, Alexis Chojnowski, Haydan Clay, Jaxyn Crabtree, Allan Dacci, Rylie Dollarhite,Ka’Mya Fleming, Javaughna Fox, Cal Knight, Kylee Lafayette, Danielle Lamar, Ashlynn Miller, Londyn Robertson, Ava Thomas, McKenzie Urquhart, Chasen Woods

THE QUEEN’S TARTS CHOREOGRAPHER

Kristie Ihler

QUEEN OF HEARTS

Mackinzlee Dacci

DANCERS

LEVEL 3 JAZZ

Emri Boling, Andrea Brown, Brionnie Mathis, Emma Milan, Nilay Onat, Kendall Pultz, Violet Saupitty, Rylie Teague, Emmalyn Wadusky, Bethany Whiteeagle

THE WHITE QUEEN CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

Kristie Ihler Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Petyon Davis, Leah Hoyt, Sofia Knight, Brianna Laqua, Aubri Sloniker

MARCH OF CARDS CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

ALICE

Shelby Allen

HEAD CARD DANCERS

DANCERS

LEVEL 1 BALLET

Braylee Anderson, Anelia Camacho, Caydence Cooper, Rylie Dollarhite, Javaughna Fox, Kylee Lafayette, Danielle Lamar, Kameron Lewis, Ashlynn Miller, Lillian Nelson, Londyn Robertson, Ava Thomas, McKenzie Urquhart LEVEL 3 TAP

Kristie Ihler Brionnie Mathis, Nilay Onat, Lily Pollock, Violet Saupitty, Emmalyn Wadusky, Bethany Whiteeagle

THE QUEEN OF HEARTS CHOREOGRAPHER DANCERS

"Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that's the great puzzle!” - Alice

Sarah Moore

BILL THE LIZARD CHOREOGRAPHER

LEVEL 5 HIP HOP

LEVEL 5 JAZZ

Kristie Ihler Shelby Allen, Mackinzlee Dacci, Peyton Davis, Leah Hoyt, Sofia Knight, Brianna Laqua, Aubri Sloniker

ALICE CHOREOGRAPHER

Emily South

DANCERS

Shelby Allen

FINALE & AWARDS

WONDERLAND 2021 | 9

You are a b e au tif u l

in a field of w ildfl o w ers

We are proud of you and love you more than words. Love Auntie, Guncle, Grandma & Uncle Riley

We are super proud of your hard work! You never cease to amaze us! We love you! #workhard #doyourbest Love Mom & Dad

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Love you!

MAMA, DADDY & PIPER LYNN

10 | SOUTHSTAR DANCE ACADEMY

ENCOURAGING ALL OF OUR LITTLE ONES TO

“DANCE TO THE BEAT OF YOUR DREAMS!” THE FORT SILL APACHE TRIBE SUPPORTS LOCAL ARTS

u light up my day.

Light up the stage like yo

We love you very much! We are so proud of the dancer you have become. Even when dancing is hard, you stay with it and keep trying. May you always reach for the stars!