Your 2016 Buffalo Bandettes!

Your 2016 Buffalo Bandettes!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Supporting the Jills and Bandettes

At the Buffalo Pro Cheer Blog, we try to do more than just share pictures and videos. The ladies who make up the Jills and the Bandettes put in a huge amount of work to do what  they do and deserve all the support that people can muster. In some cases, that should go above supporting what they do, or have done, on the sidelines. Sometimes, they've gone into business for themselves or do something else in the spotlight besides the Jills. Last year, Katherine (2007-08 Jills) and her husband were on TV Sunday nights competing in The Amazing Race on CBS and could be brought back on an All-Stars season. They did finish in 2nd afterall and only missed out on winning it all due to some bad luck on one challenge.
Fusion Dance Studio is run by Jills Choreographer Kelli Wagner and she has a variety of classes to fit various needs. Learning direct from Kelli can also give a young lady a leg up if they plan to try out for the Jills. Every choreographer has a different approach and Kelli's choreography is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fusion-Dance-Studio/23098310177
Expression Dance Arts is run by Jills alum Elizabeth Morgan in 3 separate locations in Ontario. Elizabeth is also the Toronto-area consultant for Going Pro Entertainment, an organization that, among other things, preps young ladies for tryouts in the pros. http://www.goingproentertainment.com/2013/12/meet-consultant-elizabeth-morgan-toronto.html
While I'm on the topic of tryouts, here's a bit of advice for anyone thinking about trying out for the Jills this spring. Check out videos of the Jills in action to get a feel for Kelli Wagner's style of choreography. Learning that can be a huge help. Christie Artinger, the Ref Squad Director of the Gotham City Cheerleaders, did it when she tried out for, and made, the squads she cheered on. Jills alum Natalie B (2010-11) also made a point to see videos of the Jills in action prior to trying out...she happened to not only make the squad, she made dance rookie of the year in 2010. The 2013 Buffalo Jills can be seen in action at http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ4bx8bcLQTAzw2vnFkZrAChV6vyZ51vx
If you want to really keep your finger on the pulse of what's happening in the dance industry in Buffalo, check out the Buffalo Dance Examiner at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Buffalo-Dance-Examiner/207901625931323 If anyone knows what's going on, 3rd year Bandette Lauren K is sure to be the one.
There are many others who have businesses that aren't related to dance as well.
The Teasers music group, based out of Lockport, NY, features 2003 Jills alum Aimee L as their singer and they do an outstanding job on hits from several years ago as well as today's hits. There are a few songs, when they come on the radio, I imagine Aimee's voice instead of the original singer's. Hopefully we'll have some photos and video up soon from an upcoming gig.
If you're in the Louisville, KY area and need a wedding planned, contact Maggie at http://www.myweddingwarrior.com/ Even while she was on the Bandettes, she talked about doing wedding planning and she's been doing a great job with her business the last few years.
If you need professional painting done in the Rochester area, contact http://rpmcustompainting.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CookiesandCupcakesOhMy is a new business started by a Mother-Daughter duo who love to bake and be creative.
If you're looking for a spray tab, look no further than https://www.facebook.com/angelinaspraytan
Dream of a Disney vacation? Bandettes alum Meghan F will set you up with what you need at https://www.facebook.com/meghanfoxdctv
Hair accessories for mothers and daughters can be found at https://www.facebook.com/maddilouhoo
Jills alum Hannah J (2006) has https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Sweet-Spot/184402174944292 to handle your dessert needs in the Boston, Massachusetts area.
Last, but certainly not least, 8-year Jills alum Jenn Chodora (1997-2004) is one of the co-chairs for the BvB Buffalo organization. Going into its 6th year raising funds to help fight Alzheimer's, they raised over $90,000 last year alone and if I know Jenn, they'll be pushing to top 100K in 2014. Learn more about the BvB at http://www.bvbbuffalo.com/