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Featured Dancer: Eyllah Babbitt

 

“What Dance Means To Me”

I consider dance as a very important aspect of my life, not only because it has been in my life for such a long time, but because it has allowed me to grow out of my shell. Ever since I was little I’ve always wanted to move my feet and jump around so when I was three years old I was put in a dance class and from that moment on it’s been an integral part of my life.  Each dance class I have taken has been a new opportunity for me to learn something about myself and the different things I want to explore in movement and in life, and it truly means the world to me.  For me, dance goes far beyond the preliminaries. Yes, dancing teaches us valuable life skills about responsibility, humility, and tolerance but for someone like me who is fortunate and lucky enough to live inside the movement of my body, dance is beyond that. It is interwoven into my life and has connected one moment to the next for me. From dance class where I can let go and share this beautiful art form with everyone in the room, or in an audition setting where everyone is fighting for the same spot, whatever the experience, I love them all.

 

“What Extensions Means To Me”

Before Extensions my Saturday mornings were pretty free. I would wake up, have breakfast and proceed to watch Netflix for the majority of the day. But one day my mom told me we were going to try a class at Extensions. I was pretty nervous. I wore a maroon leotard, pink tights, and a not so tight bun. When I walked into the dance studio I was immersed in a whole new different type of atmosphere. People we were talking to my right, practicing turns to my left and suddenly Lizzie Mackenzie walked in. Class had begun, and when Lizzie started showing plies I knew I was home. I wasn’t treated like an 11 year old; I was treated like a pre-professional dancer. By far I was the worst in the class; I didn’t know any combinations and I didn’t have any technique. But next week I came back, and I came back again and again. Until finally I decided to join the Extensions Dance Company. This is my fifth year on the company and each year is better than the last. Dancing on a team has not only taught me cooperation but also basic life skills that will prepare for the real world. I learned how to work together and push through difficult problems with the people around me. My Extensions company mates are my family, and they will be with me my entire life. Supporting and encouraging me through every step of my life. At Extensions we learn to lift each other up not put each other down. Before Extensions I had never been part of a youth dance company like this, and I was very scared at first. I came to realize that Extensions is an encouraging place that welcomes everyone. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my personal goals through the mentorship of Lizzie Mckenzie. I owe all of my accomplishments to the faculty and staff at Extensions Dance Center, and most importantly Lizzie Mackenzie.

 

“What I Aspire To Do After I Graduate”

Personally I have no idea what I want to do with my life; I know that I want dance to be a part of my life either in a major or small way, and I know I definitely want to go to University. I think it would be really cool if I become a United Nations representative and travel to different countries to provide dance programs. Dancing has helped me gain confidence to express my opinions in everyday situations. In school I have gained the confidence to share my own opinions in front of the entire class. I want to translate my success onto other kids around the world, providing them with the same opportunities I was able to have. I also love to travel so it would give me the opportunity to see the world and live new experiences. I also think it would be amazing if I got into college for dance, and purse a BFA in dance. I would then go one to join a company or maybe even start my own. I could go to rehearsal during the day and teach on the side. I think there are so many different pathways I could take and it’s all about finding out what I really love. All I know is that I love to dance and my plans for the future are wide open.

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Happy pride month from all of us at Extensions!!! Happy pride month from all of us at Extensions!!! 

We are a safe place 
♥️🧡💛💚💙💜
#allarewelcomehere
Senior announcement #4 is the wonderful @jordiland Senior announcement #4 is the wonderful @jordilandry. Jordi will be attending Florida State University on an out of state tuition waiver and is currently undecided, but will likely pursue something something on the pre-vet track.

From Jordi: “College is a big word and something I always imagined as so far away, but here we are. The next chapter in my life is going to be very transformative, and something I plan to take full advantage of. Florida State University seemed at first to be an incredibly hard choice among several other fine schools. Looking back, however, it now appears to have been no-brainer. This institution will allow me to explore many areas of academic study, including veterinarian sciences which currently sparks my interest. I also hope to continue with dance while there. I plan to audition for a fosse part in next year’s theater play, and for the FSU Golden Girls or Seminole Dance Force team.  So many options and did I mention it’s Florida…and it’s warm! I am both anxious and excited! Preparing me for the journey ahead I owe credit to not only my parents, but also the fierce training I received at Extensions Dance. I remember so long ago walking into the studio and instantly feeling like it was home. The past seven years training under Lizzie Mackenzie has prepared me well for this new chapter. The passionate, kind, and driven EXD faculty have help me gain confidence in myself and develop characteristics that know will contribute to the many successes ahead. While being a part of EXD company was far from easy, it definitely has taught me some lifelong lessons. Without Extensions, I would not be who I am today. I greatly appreciate Lizzie’s guidance, mentoring, sometimes tough love, and absolute unwillingness to accept anything less than my best efforts. I will take the many valuable skills learned at EXD with me for the rest of my life.” We can’t believe you’re graduating from Extensions, you were so little just yesterday! We can’t wait to see what you do, and follow your journey!!❤️❤️

Photography by @chloealexisham
Senior announcement #3 is our beautiful @__kendall Senior announcement #3 is our beautiful @__kendallscott! Kendall will be attending Texas Christian University 
with a major in health sciences on the pre-pa track selected as a faculty scholar.  

From Kendall: “When I began my college search, I wasn't really sure where I wanted to spend my next four years. Did I want a big school? A small school? Did I want to study dance? Did I want to go really far away? I truly didn't know. Ironically enough, the first school I visited was TCU, and when I stepped foot on campus, I knew that I'd be back. It's not only a beautiful school, but it has many opportunities that excite me. And even though I will be studying medicine, I plan to audition for the TCU showgirls, which will allow me to continue performing and sharing my love for dance. While I'm super excited for what's to come, I've also found myself a bit anxious. With high school and dance winding down, reality has started to set in and the thought of moving 836 miles away from my family and community kind of scares me. I'm not sure if I'm ready to leave my bubble yet. However, I often remind myself of the lesson Lizzie Mackenzie has taught us in our contemporary class. She always told us, “You have to get comfortable in the uncomfortable.” This is just one of the many lessons I've learned throughout my time at Extensions that I will carry with me. As I look back, I fondly think about how the past four years at Extensions have been so meaningful. Never in my thirteen years of dance have I been at a studio that has truly made me recognize my personal growth. I have learned not only how to become an incredible student but also a person as well. A special thanks to all of the faculty, especially Lizzie Mackenzie, for creating such a supportive and inspiring group of dancers. Thank you for giving me my lifelong best friends and a second home. I will miss everyone dearly.” We are so proud of you and everything you have accomplished! We will miss you so much, but cannot wait to see what the future holds for you💜💜

Photography by THE @chloealexisham
Senior announcement #2 is the gorgeous @chihiro_ta Senior announcement #2 is the gorgeous @chihiro_taira! 

From Chihiro: “For the upcoming year, I’m excited to take a gap year to explore my options and to pursue my interests. When I first joined Extensions, I was still new to the dance community. I worried about the difficulty in transitioning from figure skating to dancing. However, with the help of my amazing teachers, I was able to grow as both a dancer and a person. My teachers taught me to be confident in the choices I make and to always strive towards improvement. Through Extensions, I learned not only how to implement my own style into the way I dance, but also how to implement the creative aspects of dance into my personal life. Being in a healthy, supportive community like Extensions is rare, and I will always cherish the moments I spent there. Thank you to Lizzie and Lauren for always supporting me in my creative endeavors. I’m excited for the next chapter of my life to see whatever new opportunities come my way!” We are so proud of this girl for all of her hard work and amazing growth throughout her time at Extensions. We continue to be amazed by her, and are so excited to see where life takes her❤️❤️

Photography by @chloealexisham ✨
Senior announcement #1 is our beautiful @s.menaker Senior announcement #1 is our beautiful @s.menaker who will be attending Princeton University next year! She will persue a concentration in molecular biology and a certificate in dance! 

From Sally: “I am absolutely thrilled to be attending Princeton in the fall! While I plan to take a pre-med track, I was really drawn to Princeton because of the way it encourages students to explore any and all of their academic interests. This was especially important to me because I have never been able to narrow my interests to a single academic field. My time at Extensions has taught me that I shouldn’t have to, and will be stronger for not doing so. Lizzie has always asked us to refrain from putting ourselves in a box and thinking of ourselves as one type of mover. She instead encourages us to simply take all of the “tools in our toolbox”, whether they be from a somatic-based improvisation or classical ballet class, and apply them to whatever the task is at hand. I plan to carry this mentality with me as I head to Princeton in the fall. While I am somewhat overwhelmed by the breadth of new opportunities before me, I feel confident that by using the skills of deep listening, investigation and perseverance that I have acquired at Extensions I will be able to make the most of all that the future holds. I can’t thank Lizzie and all of the Extensions faculty enough for teaching me to approach dance in a completely new way and for all of the support and love they have offered me over the last few years. When I joined Extensions I knew that I would leave a stronger dancer. I realize now that I am leaving as a stronger person as well. I will miss the extraordinary Extensions community that welcomed me with open arms and I will definitely be back to visit as much as possible! I have so much love for each and every one of you!” We are so proud and excited to continue to be a part of Sally’s journey and hear all about her endeavors at Princeton🧡🧡

Photography by the brilliant @chloealexisham
As we approach our last competition of the season, As we approach our last competition of the season, we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. We are so excited to compete our pieces once more before Showcase and for our Petite Company’s debut @headlinersdance!

We found a highly requested video of “Scraping By” from our 2016-2017 senior company at Headliners, choreographed by the one and only @mitchellmovement. We couldn’t resist posting it in honor of our countdown to this weekend!
We finally have our permanent reminder of @livserg We finally have our permanent reminder of @livsergot installed over the door to the front studio at Extensions. Every day we will all remind ourselves to “Live Life Like Liv”… with grace, passion, tenacity, hope and love.  We miss you, beautiful soul. 🤍
Breaks during rehearsal days are 🔥 @_nicole_noe Breaks during rehearsal days are 🔥 @_nicole_noe @fiona.doy @_miagooch
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