NEWS: TV STARS TO PERFORM POPULAR MUSIC FAVORITES IN UTAH SYMPHONY PROGRAM

TV STARS TO PERFORM POPULAR MUSIC FAVORITES IN UTAH SYMPHONY PROGRAM

SALT LAKE CITY— Dance pros from the hit TV show “Dancing with the Stars” and finalists from “American Idol’ and “So You Think You Can Dance” will join the Utah Symphony for “Ballroom with a Twist,” a live orchestrated music and dance program choreographed by Emmy-nominated Louis van Amstel.

Led by Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen, the concert will feature musical theater, R&B,  jazz and popular music favorites such as “I Got Rhythm,” “Walking in Memphis,” “The Prayer,” “I Have Nothing,” “Feeling Good,” and “Without Love,” Friday and Saturday, February 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. in Abravanel Hall. 

The show will feature dancing and vocals by ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” pros Chelsie Hightower, Dmitry Chaplin and Tristan MacManus, FOX’s “American Idol” finalists Gina Glocksen, David Hernandez and Von Smith, and FOX’s “So You Think You Can Dance” finalists Randi Lynn Strong, Legacy Perez and Jonathan Platero.

Chelsie Hightower, a fan favorite who, like Dmitry Chaplin, appeared as a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance“ before garnering a recurring ‘pro’ spot on “Dancing With The Stars,” has Utah ties, along with Randi Lynn Strong. Both female dancers lived in Utah Valley prior to their reality television careers.

Many Utahns will also likely recognize vocalist David Hernandez, who competed against Utah-favorites David Archuleta and Brooke White in season 7 of “American Idol.”

Press photos are available by contacting Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Public Relations Manager Hilarie Ashton (hashton@usuo.org, (801) 656-7385).

Single tickets for the performances range from $29 to $85 and can be purchased by calling (801) 355-ARTS (2787), in person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or by visiting www.utahsymphony.org. Season ticket holders and those desiring group discounts should call (801) 533-NOTE (6683). All ticket prices are subject to change and availability, and will increase when purchased on the day of the performance.

Cast Breakdown

“Dancing with the Stars” ProsDmitry Chaplin  (Seasons 9, 12)
Chelsie Hightower (Seasons 8-12, 14-15)
Tristan MacManus (Seasons 12-15)
 
“American Idol” FinalistsGina Glocksen (Season 6)
David Hernandez (Season 7)
Von Smith (Season 8)

“So You Think You Can Dance” FinalistsLegacy Perez (Season 6)
Jonathan Platero (Season 5)
Randi Lynn Strong (Season 5)

Dmitry Chaplin (Season 2)
Chelsie Hightower (Season 4)

About the Guest Artists

Dmitry Chaplin is a Russian dancer and Emmy-nominated choreographer, best known for being a Top 10 finalist on the TV show So You Think You Can Dance (Season 2).

Chaplin also finished in 2nd place in season 9 of Dancing with the Stars with singer, Mýa. He recently competed on season 12 of Dancing with the Stars with supermodelPetra Němcová. They were the fourth couple eliminated on April 19, 2011. Chaplin also choreographed Chelsie Hightower and Joshua Allen in an Argentine Tango to "A Los Amigos" from the Forever Tango soundtrack in July 2008; a year later he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.

Before his television fame, Chaplin partnered with Heidi Groskreutz and was a national finalist in US National Amateur Dancesport Championships in Provo, Utah that occurred on March 11, 2006.

Chelsie Kay Hightower is a Latin ballroom dancer, who is best known for being a regular dance partner, trainer and choreographer on the ABC competition showDancing with the Stars.

She began dancing when she was nine years old and received conventional training since the age of 14. Hightower performed in musical theaters across the United States. She was a U.S. Worlds finalist in 2005, and competed on Team USA. She graduated from Timpanogos High School, then attended Utah Valley University.

At age 18, she made her television debut on season four of So You Think You Can Dance. She was eliminated from the U.S. reality TV show on July 31, 2008 after making it to the top six. Hightower then joined the season eight cast of "Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer and has continued competing on the show in seasons 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15.

Tristan MacManus, born July 23, 1982, is an Irish dancer, best known for his appearances on Dancing with the Stars.

After numerous world tours and a year teaching Ballroom and Latin dancing in Boston, he returned to Europe to join the cast of “Dirty Dancing” as Dance Captain. He then went on to do a second stint on The West End stage in London. He also appeared in the film “Ella Enchanted.”

MacManus made his first appearance on the twelfth season of Dancing with the Stars as part of the "dance troupe," performing multiple dances during the results shows. In the show's thirteenth season he returned along with fellow troupe member, Peta Murgatroyd, to compete as a dance-pro partner to a celebrity contestant, and has continued competing in seasons 12, 13, 14, and 15.
 

Gina Glocksen, born July 4, 1984 in Chicago, is an American singer who was the ninth-place finisher on the sixth season of American Idol. She was eliminated on April 4,2007and previously appeared in season 5. Glocksen is the first among the few contestants to have been eliminated in Hollywood round in an earlier season and then place in a later one. During and since the show, she had become known for her rock style.

David Anthony Hernandez, born May 31, 1983 in Phoenix, is an American singer and the twelfth place finalist of FOX's seventh season of the television seriesAmerican Idol.

Hernandez began singing at age six. His grandfather took him to his first audition for a local theater company, Valley Youth Theater. David was chosen for one of the lead roles, and decided on a career singing and performing.^[3] Hernandez used to train at Voices, a vocal coaching studio, and also sang with a local Phoenix cover group called Tribe 7.

Vaughn Lee "Von" Smith, born June 15, 1986, is an American singer and internet personality. Smith gained success via his YouTube videos that garnered national attention, which led to an appearance on The View in February 2007. He soon signed a recording contract with Kon Live Distribution. In 2009, Smith auditioned for theeighth season of American Idol  reaching the Top 36. In 2012 he was featured as the ultimate "opening act" for the season finale of the United States reality show of the same name, performing as the opener at Lady Gaga's Brisbane, Australia show on June 14, 2012.

Jonathan Lee “Legacy” Perez is a 28 year old b-boy (breakdancer) from Miami, Florida. He began dancing at the age of 15 after being influenced by dancers at a local skate park. He has also appeared in the movies B-Girl and Step Up 3D. Perez also appeared in season 6 of So You Think You Can Dance with partner Kathryn McCormick. He was eliminated in Week 7 of the show along with Mollee Gray.

Jonathan Platero, born May 24, 1988, is a salsa dancer from New York City. Platero was a gymnast before he began dancing at age 16. He is a graduate of Seminole High School, was a World Salsa finalist in 2006-2007 and performed as a dancer and acrobat in “High School Musical.” He was paired up with Contemporary jazz dancer Karla Garcia in the fifth season of So You Think You Can Dance, but was eliminated in the third week. Jonathan can be seen as one of the dancers in the "Physical" number in the ABC television series “Glee” (Bad Reputation). He can also appeared as one of the principal dancers of the "Cinderella Christmas" Panto production at The El Portal Theatre for the 2011-2012 shows.

Randi Lynn Strong (formerly Randi Evans), born on August 12, 1985, is a Contemporary dancer from Orem, Utah, partnered with Evan Kasprzak in the fifth season ofSo You Think You Can Dance, and was eliminated in week 6 of the competition along with Kūpono Aweau. She began dancing at an early age and performed in the closing ceremonies at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games. She studied Elementary Education at Utah Valley University.

Program

Ballroom with a Twist

Fosse- The Look of Love

I Got Rhythm- Singin' in the Rain

Feeling Good

Five Guys Named Moe- Early in the Morning- Choo Choo Ch'Boogie

Techno Paso

Without Love

You Can't Stop the Beat

I Have Nothing

When You Say Nothing At All- With You I'm Born Again

Walkin' in Memphis

Girls Gone Wild

Intermission

The Prayer

Classical Medley

When You Say You Love Me

Italian Job- Havana

Batucada

Suavemente

Quiéreme Mucho

Guantanamera- Ran Kan Kan

Zoot Suit Riot- Swingtime Jive

Swingtime Reprise