When we were cleaning up after Grinch of 2007, we decided to get the brooms out to sweep the floor. All of the sudden, Amy Sydes began spastically banging the broom on the floor while beat boxing. The room became silent, and everyone just stared at Amy and her broom dance. Eventually we all joined in and Amy knighted us all with her broom.

Pilar, Katie, Megan, Sydney

One stormy night at KJ, we walk into studio D and see it lit by tiny candles scattered around the perimeter of the room. Then, one at a time the six graduating seniors carefully and cautiously dipped their dainty fingers and toes into the cold, wet paint. They began to express all emotions through beautiful and inspiring movements. Slowly each individual stood up to join into one big painting improv. Then when the room was covered in paint, Shannon McGee led us outside for a quick dance in the rain. Cold, wet, yet refreshed, we ran inside to clean up the colorful mess. It was one of the most incredible times of our lives shared with our KJ family.

Shelby, Audrey, Kaitlyn

Okay, so we all arrive the first day of nationals rehearsal over the summer. We are split into two groups with Maeve and Meredith as our two leaders. Our first challenge was to come up with a team chant. As Maeve’s group clusters to brainstorm ideas, Maeve whips out twenty ninja headbands. She explains that she has already prepared an amazing chant to a Mulan song. Meanwhile, Meredith asks her group, “So...have any ideas?” Needless to say Maeve’s group won that challenge. (and most others!)

Ashley, Cailin, Alex, Allison, Lexie

It was the night of the recital. I was at the Eiseman Center. My first dance was "Flashing Lights" and I was getting ready for it. I made sure my makeup was all ready and that I had all my costume parts. Backstage I was thinking that I only had 1 dance in between to change into my "Fly on the Wall" costume. I was nervous that I wouldn't have enough time. Just then they called "Flashing Lights" to come out of our dressing room into the hall way to get ready. I kept thinking about how I was going to change quickly and was confident in myself. So I did the "Flashing LIghts" dance and right after I hit my ending pose I dashed off stage into the quick change area. I quickly started to change. I was doing fine until I had to change my socks. I was in a hurry, so I quickly unzipped one of the shoes, put the sock on and zipped it up. Then my other shoe, but as I was zipping my other shoe up my shoe zipper broke. The sock had gotten caught in the zipper. I quickly told the teachers what happened there was only a few seconds left. The teachers grabbed a roll of black duck tape and wrapped a bunch around my foot and ankle with only a few seconds to go I ran out. I danced as if there was nothing wrong and was wondering if anybody had noticed. I can't wait to watch the Take 2 recital video and see if the duck tape is visible.

The lesson learned was if you have zipper shoes and you are in a hurry, zip them slowly unless you want to end up with duck tape around them.

Samantha

One of my favorite stories............. I was sitting in the old studio with my "lobby moms" admiring my baby girl in her combo class with Ms. Kristy. There was an older gentleman sitting with us on this particular day listening to all of us "oooooo" and "aaaaaa" at each new step the girls accomplished. He was very sweet and visited with all of us. Eventually he told me he was there to take his baby girl to lunch and I said, "Awww, which one is your baby girl?" He replied, "The teacher."

Christine Spurlock, speaking of Bill Williams the father of KJ owner Kristy Ulmer.

It was our very first tap class of the new dance year, in fact, it was our first class of the new year for our new company. We were learning a very complex tap combination and we were all struggling to get the steps perfect. As groups switched off, everyone was practicing off to the side. One of our friends was furiously practicing by the window when we heard a heart stopping crash. Apparently, pull backs are more dangerous than we thought. As we turned to see what the commotion was about, we were stunned to see a huge spider web crack in the window and the hardwood floor sparkling with tiny pieces of glass. We were all laughing except for our friend who was so horror stricken and guilty she almost gave her tap shoes up right then and there. We will all remember this hilarious fiasco through the rest of our journey at KJ (Especially Miss Kristy who wrote the $700 check to fix the window!!)

Haley, Haley, Jackie, Megan, Megan, Alex

In the Mobile airport, on the way to an NYCDA convention, some of the junior company members were playing in the little kids play area. From inside the Little Tykes playhouse one of them said, “Come visit me!”. Ms. Kristy replied, “You know you brought juniors when they are playing in the play area!”.

Leasa Donovan, Pulse Mom

In company, the relationships we build are not only built in class, but they go beyond the door and walls of KJ. We've become so close that we love to spend time with each other when we are not dancing. One time, our group had a sleep over where our bond grew stronger by singing Disney songs, having a movie marathon, making cupcakes, stealing cologne from a dancer's brother, and eating leftover pasta at three o'clock in the morning. We have all grown together as a group and we look forward to growing closer in the future through our KJ years.

Erica, Sarah, Paige, Sydney, Alektra, Allie, Rachel, Meredith