By Emma Rosenbaum
Sports Editor
A lot can change in nine years. Jordan Johnson attended his first dance class as an eight-year-old boy. After nine years of dedication, Johnson is an accomplished dancer who is competing in international competitions as one of the best dancers in his field.
Johnson took his dancing skills to the regional talent competition “Spotlight,” a statewide contest for youth expression through visual arts, dance and music. Hundreds of students compete in “Spotlight.”
After auditioning last year and receiving a scholarship of $600 for excelling at a contemporary piece, Johnson looks to go even farther in this year’s competition.
“Right now I am one of 14 other high school students in Southern California to make it to the regional finals. I am already a lot higher in the competition than I was last year,” Johnson said.
With the finals of the competition coming up on Feb. 16, Johnson has been spending many long hours perfecting his routines.
“I spend about 15 hours a week at my dance company, rehearsing and learning new things,” Johnson said.
Over the summer, Johnson brought home a third-place trophy for his performance in a national dance competition, Kids Artistic Review. Making it so far in both competitions requires perseverance that several of Johnson’s fellow dancers see in him every day at his dance studio, Mather Dance Company.
“Jordan works ridiculously hard. Every time we learn something new, he won’t stop working on it until he’s got it down perfectly. He has such dedication to dance, never missing rehearsals or showing up late. These qualities just add power to his dancing,” Mather Dance Company member Maddi Burg said.
Burg was also involved in choreographing the contemporary dance solo that Johnson used to audition for “Spotlight” competition. Her knowledge of Johnson’s capabilities and skills allowed her to choreograph the dance to his strengths.
“Jordan’s dancing is very strong and masculine, as opposed to many other male dancers,” Burg said. “He looks powerful no matter what style of dance he is performing.”
Johnson is trained in a variety of different styles, including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical, tap, ballet, ballroom and contemporary among a few others.
“My personal style is a form of contemporary dancing, which is why I love dancing so much. Dancing is an amazing form of artistic expression that not a lot of people have an opportunity to share with others. It is a great connection that dancers share,” Johnson said.
Artistic expression is not the only part of dancing that inspires Johnson. The emotional connection to other dancers also interests him.
“There is such physical strength and power that comes with working hard at dancing. It’s amazing to know that whatever interesting way that I can move my body, dancers around the world can do so as well,” Johnson said.
Such passion for dance did not grow out of nowhere; Johnson’s parents were both dancers for the majority of their lives and even met through dance. Johnson’s sister Jillene is a strong dancer as well, who is getting a degree in dance too.
Johnson also has musical talents which he displays as a strong member of the the Mira Costa vocal ensemble. He will be featured in this year’s spring musical “All Shook Up.”
With his ability to perform a multitude of dance styles, Johnson hopes to make it to the top in the “Spotlight” competition.
“Jordan has progressed more than anyone in just this year alone,” Burg said. “His technique and movement just keep pushing upward. But it is not just his determination that makes his dancing dreams believable; it is his great attitude and over all enjoyable persona as well.”
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