DCDC Dancers Win Fox5 News Dance Off
Will Dance with Radio City Rockettes

(December 4, 2009, Gaithersburg, MD) Dreams came true for a group of young dancers from the Dawn Crafton Dance Connection (DCDC), in Gaithersburg, MD when they competed and won in FOX5 News’ “Rockette Dance School Dance Off”. “This is very exciting,” said Erin Kelly, studio manager and teaching faculty member at DCDC. “Every little girl who has the opportunity to see the Rockettes wishes she could one day become one. The girls were thrilled to be selected. I know it was nerve wracking for them to be on live TV, but they came through as winners. It was an excellent experience they will never forget.”

Rockettes Tiffany and Megan were 2 of the 5 judges at the event. When asked what qualities made the DCDC dancers stand out, Tiffany said, “As world famous Radio City Rockettes, we are very proud to be iconic women. We have a drive and a desire, and we saw that little twinkle in their eye.” Megan agreed, and added, “It is about the teamwork and working together, and we truly saw that in the ladies. There is no “I” in Rockette and we truly saw that. We are so excited to have the girls be able to come see the Rockette brand and our legend and our legacy.”

As winners, each DCDC dancer will receive 2 tickets to the Verizon Center to see The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, starring the Rockettes. In addition, sixteen dancers from the studio will receive private dance lessons from the Rockettes. As a way of giving back to the community, DCDC will hold a silent auction for those coveted spots to raise money for D.A.N.C.E. Partners International (DPI), a 503(c) non-profit organization that provides free dance classes to children with special needs in both the autistic and the deaf and hard of hearing communities. In addition, DPI engages in community outreach, provides financial aid, and has a children’s performing troupe that performs at local community events and venues.

Caroline Kelly, President of DPI, was delighted to hear the news. “Dancing is a passion for these girls and they feel good to be able to provide a similar opportunity for those less fortunate. It is great to have experiences like this to point the energy of young adults and children in a positive direction. We will use the monies raised from the auction to continue our work in the special needs community.” “We were not expecting to win,” said Emma McKinney, one of the winning DCDC dancers. “We just thought it would be a fun and exciting opportunity.” And a fun and exciting opportunity it was, one the young women likely will never forget.