The Jazz category is always fascinating at any dance competition, but the excitement hits a fever pitch at The Dance Worlds. Jazz is one of the most interesting divisions because the interpretations of the style can vary so greatly. 

There were over twenty performances in today’s Senior Small Jazz Semi-Finals, and the range of creativity was remarkable. We saw elements of Jazz from the early 1900’s all the way to the most modern of movements. At the end of the day, the cream rose to the top to claim spots in Finals. 

After Semi-Finals, the reigning World Champions, Dance Mania, are back on top once again. Using a theme centered around time and clocks, the beat of a clock ticking drove the entire performance to near perfection. There were several times during the routine where they hit moments of musicality so hard that I found myself holding my breath in anticipation of what was coming next. Even in the individual highlight moments, it never felt as though the team was separated. They were all in one moment throughout the routine, and it made the performance that much sweeter. 

Dance Mania

Semi-Finals Score: 94.8

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The 2021 bronze medalists, Dancin Bluebonnets, find themselves slightly behind the leaders, and they will be looking to close the very narrow gap in Finals. Where Dance Mania was precise, the Bluebonnets brought the DRAMA. Every single second of the performance was emotional and dramatic, while still being pure and excellent. With beautiful lifts and timing that were as close to perfection as we have seen all day, this team will be a force for the gold medal in the Finals round. 

Dancin Bluebonnets 

Semi-Finals Score: 94.46

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Rounding out the top five are three teams that will all be able to make a case for the podium when it counts. The Vision Dance Center used a 20’s/Flapper dress experience to bring in the third-best score of the day. Their light, fun vibes will help them to stand out in Finals. 

The Vision Dance Center

Semi-Finals Score: 93.24

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The Vision Dance Center has a little more than a point of a lead over the fourth-place team, 2021 silver medalists, Brookfield Dance, A Brio Studio Co. Dressed as black widow spiders, they brought a haunting, dark vibe that captured the entire room.

Brookfield Dance Co.

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 In fifth, less than a point behind them is Champion Legacy, whose performance radiated joy through absolute beauty and grace.

Champion Legacy

Semi-Finals Score: 91.38

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Eight more teams also punched their tickets to Finals, putting themselves in contention for a globe. South Coast Freestyle, Power of Dance, Foursis Dance Academy, Dance Dynamics, and Powerworx Dance earned spots 6-11, respectively, and Dance Precisions, 5678! Dance Studio, and Dynamic Dance snagged the last three spots. Some highlights included South Coast Freestyle’s very unique (some might call it “funky”) style that really worked for them, Power of Dance’s highlighted partner work, Powerworx’s solid acro ripple at the end of their routine, and 5678!’s rock vibe with a strong feminine twist. 

Every single team in the top 10 managed to score over a 90, showcasing the absolute class and depth of the field. The leaders have set themselves apart, but with improvement in the synchronization and execution, any of the teams heading to the Finals could challenge for a medal. The top spot should be hotly contested as the top two teams are neck and neck. Be sure to tune in to The Dance Worlds 2022 LIVE on FloCheer to find out how the Senior Small Jazz Finals play out.

Written by: Thomas Parrott