#MIKidsCanDance Winners Rock the Palace
| 2 min read
Earlier this year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan called upon youth dance teams to show off their best moves on Instagram for a chance to perform with the Detroit Pistons Mob Squad. We Are STARZ dance team of Oak Park-based STAR II Center for Dance was chosen as the #MIKidsCanDance contest winner.
After a two-week public voting period, a panel from Blue Cross and the Pistons evaluated the semifinalists on choreography, concept, musicality, execution, showmanship and performance to select the top three entries.
Eight dancers from the winning studio, ages 9 – 15, performed alongside the Pistons’ hip-hop dance team in a Missy Elliott tribute during halftime on March 24 when the Pistons hosted the Toronto Raptors.
Before the game, the dancers trained with the Mob Squad and their choreographer, Oscar Hernandez, to perfect their performance. This summer, the team will also be invited to participate in a one-day dance event known as “The Drop” taught by a select group of top industry choreographers.
The Westwood High School dance team from Ishpeming was named first runner-up, also earning the opportunity to participate in “The Drop.” Grand Blanc-based L&L Dance Studio placed as second runner-up. All three teams were awarded tickets to attend the game at the Palace.
Andy Hetzel, vice president, Corporate Communications for Blue Cross, was among the many fans cheering the team on at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
#MIKidsCan encourages kids to adopt healthy habits early in life that are more likely to be carried into adulthood. Childhood obesity is an epidemic, impacting a third of Michigan’s children.
Check out our #MIKidsCan page for blog posts, contests and upcoming healthy community events, or follow #MIKidsCan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn more about Blue Cross’ effort to improve childhood health.
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Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
