NPAA Dance Trio Qualifies for National Competition

NEWBURGH – Sometimes dreams do becoming reality. Three Newburgh Performing Arts Academy dance members have been living their dream since they were little girls. Recently, it just got a little brighter for each of them.

Newburgh Free Academy students Iliana Lopez, Pearlasha Cook and Taina Caballero have each been dancing most of their lives and loving every, precious moment of it. Lopez and Cook found their dance passions at age three; Caballero caught the bug a little later at age seven. Their dance connection has evolved into many things: a second family, new found confidence, a form of creative expression and an unbreakable bond of friendship, both at the Academy, where they average practicing 15 hours a week, and outside of it. In March that list of dance dividends got even bigger, as the threesome attended a dance competition in Torrington, Connecticut. Securing first place, while beating out over 40 teams, in the Trio Category, the youth dancers earned themselves a select, invitation-only qualification to the KAR Hollywood Dance Invitational in Hollywood, California, later this year, from December 27-30. Here, they will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete against thousands of other talented dancers while being exposed to several professional opportunities, including a shot at a Disney dance audition. Although each one of the NPAA dance trio possesses immeasurable talent, it was Lady Luck that they believed to be the decisive factor in their national dance competition qualification.

“It was shocking and even confusing to find out we had won, beacause right before we performed we were panicking because we didn’t have an ending for our dance routine,” recalled a smiling Cook. “The song was “Get Ugly,” so we quickly decided to come up with an ugly pose together, sprawling out all over the floor together, and it definitley paid off.”

Even more impressive about the girls’ quick thinking was the fact that their coach, veteran dancer Ralph Williams, was unable to be on hand. That resilience to persevere in the face of any challenge can be seen in all aspects of each of the girl’s lives. Honor students, who are each musically inclined and regularly give back to their community, they are well-rounded teenagers, who all of their teachers and those who know them speak highly of, a testament to the good that continues to reside in many of the Newburgh youth. They have everything it takes, talent, dedication, and passion to make their City proud at the December competition. They are just lacking one pivotal piece: the funding needed to make the trip to Hollywood. Each of their mothers (along with other family members) has stepped up and started the funding journey; a GoFund Page, under the heading of “Three Girls, One Dream” is up and running, a Comedy Show is slated for July 22 and catchy logo  tee-shirts will soon be available for purchase. And, this upcoming Saturday, July 9, from 12-8pm at the Boys and Girls Club on Liberty Street in the City of Newburgh there will be a Danceathon, aimed at raising more much needed monies for the Dream Trip to Hollywood.The dance event is asking participants to commit to a certain amount of hours and collect pledges for that effort. The dancer with the most pledges will win a $200 cash prize. Funding can also be given at the door in the form of a $10 donation. Regardless of how the contribution is made, any gesture at all will be greatly appreciated; it will support a dream and purpose very close to the hearts of all three girls.

“Dance is a way of expressing myself because I’m normally very shy,” explained Caballero. “Being at the Academy has helped me show my feelings in a creative way and really helping me feel good about myself and what I am able to do.”

Lopez shares those same sentiments. She also can’t stop smiling when she considers the idea of being involved in the Hollywood Invitational.

“Dance has been a part of my life forever, so to have the opportunity to meet new choreographers and people in the dance industry will really help build us so much as dancers,” said Lopez.

It would even be a chance to add to something that already creates intense emotion in her mother whenever she sees these girls perform their craft.

“Every time I watch these girls dance I cry,” said Doris Lopez. “They put their hearts and souls into everything they do; it’s just so absolutely beautiful and graceful to see.”

Another mom, Stephanie Cook, views the girls’ dancing as something symbolic beyond sport and self-expression; it has the potency to reveal the genuine good and limitless potential that resides in many of the Newburgh youth. According to Cook, too much of the negative is highlighted about the young people in her City; it’s time to show everyone, there is hope, and it starts with these three dancers, right here, right now.

“They are going to make it. showing Newburgh, all things are possible,” affirmed Cook. “I just know it’s going to happen for them; your dream is what you make of it, and they are making the very most of what they have.”

Anyone interested in finding out more details about participating in Saturday’s Danceathon or any of the other upcoming fundraisers aimed at assisting the Hollywood dance competition trip can contact Maritza Caballero at (845) 913-6085.