Young Audiences of San Diego: June 2013

Show Us You Can Dance!

Thirty, 4th through 9th grade students from Young Audiences' Arts Partner schools were invited to participate in the Carrie Anne Fipps Memorial Scholarship Event on Saturday, May 25th.

Students competed to become the 2013 Carrie Anne Fipps Scholar which includes a one year's unlimited dance scholarship to a dance school of their choice.

Now in it's fourteenth year, the Carrie Anne Fipps Memorial Scholarship was created in the memory of a beautiful young dancer whose brilliance and dedication to the art of dance was cut short at the age of 15. Carrie was one of the founding dance students of City Moves! and performed under some of San Diego's most respected choreographers. In her memory, the City Moves! community and Fipps family have created a scholarship fund, hosted by Young Audiences, where students are invited to participate in and compete for the scholarship.

Reflection on Carrie:

Has it really been that long?

Impossible it seems

I can still see her smile

All her hopes and dreams

From the time she was born

To the time she was gone

She brought joy to us all

As time went on..

With her beautiful face

And those melt-your-heart eyes

Her giggle of glee

As she danced on by

She touched us all

With her talent and strength

Never giving up

Striding to great lengths

Danell Nichols
Carrie's “Aunt”

Carrie Event Dance Instructor

Cybele Nieman-Pena, Young Audiences teaching artist, professional dancer and past dance student with Carrie Anne Fipps taught a fun warm-up and dance choreography that gave students a chance to learn some dance technique skills and show off their own favorite dance moves.

2013 Panel of Judges:

Every year, a new panel of judges are invited to represent the Carrie family, the dance community, the school community and Young Audiences.

(left to right)

Rolando Gadiano, Carrie's Uncle
Jessica Curiel, Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher
Sylvia McGrade, Principal, Adams Elementary
Susan Nichols, YA Board Member

Carrie Event Entertainment:

While judges were convening, student dancers and families were treated to two inspiring performances and one passionate speech.

Emily Phelps

Nick Gilberson

PGK Dance Project

Student Performance: SCPA Senior, Nick Gilbertson who is also a family friend of Carrie performed a beautiful contemporary solo that showed off his passion for dance and extraordinary dance training.

The 2012 Carrie Scholar, Emily Phelps gave an inspiring speech about her training at Eveoke Dance Theatre and her message,

"Don't give up on yourself, it took me three auditions to become a scholar, and if you work hard, you can accomplish anything."

Professional Performance: The PGK Dance Project invited their pre-professional dance ensemble to perform 'Tagi-Na' an intense, technical and dynamic piece that left the audience in awe of the performance quality of one of San Diego's premier dance companies.