Anyone that knows me well, knows my passion for dancing. Over the years I've (somewhat irregularly) attended dance classes in a range of styles from Latin and Ballroom to Jazz and Hip Hop. Prior to that, I always just had fun on the dance-floor from my self taught, signature moves. So up until a few months ago, I thought I could dance, but that all changed as began to watch So You Think You Can Dance from the very beginning of Season 4.
So You Think You Can Dance is a reality TV talent show doing for dance what American Idol did for singing - making a career in dance (or in AI's case singing) something anyone can have a go at, but proving it takes pure, real talent and hard work to make it week after week to the final. With the season finale having just wrapped up, I thought I would put together a compilation of my favourite dance routines from the show for both those feeling nostalgic about this season and those that didn't realise what they were missing.
Every week, two contestants were eliminated from the show, culminating in a finale of the remaining four dancers. Below are what I consider to be the three best or most interesting dances performed each week. There were of course a few other good ones which didn't make my final cut, but to my mind these are the ones to watch and to remember.
Top 20
Chelsea T. & Thayne - Cha Cha
This sexy number from the Top 20 show was in my mind one of the best Latin numbers of the season. While I found Thayne's cheesy smile particularly irritating while he was on it, he proved himself to be a talented dancer.
Chelsie H. & Mark - Contemporary
The name of the song dance to is called Beautiful and that really is the best way to describe this "Tim Burtonesque" wedding themed routine. After seeing this, Mark became one of my favourite contestants for his unique kookyness that he brought to the show.
Katee & Joshua - Hip Hop
For me this "Lyrical Hip Hop" choreography really is what I like best about the show and this routine is arguably one of the best routines of the season. It set the tone for the longest lasting partnership on the show (Katee and Joshua both made it to the finale) and shows both mainstream appeal Hip Hop dancing can have and the amount of skill/strength to pull off some of the moves (Joshua's reverse step must have taken crazy leg power!)
Top 18
Courtney G. & Gev - Contemporary
Another one of my favourite couples from the show, Gev's crush on Courntey was made clear from the beginning and this piece just really showed some of that raw emotion. Danced beautifully by both, what you should keep in mind is that Gev is a break dancer with NO classical training, yet throughout the show he actually proved himself to have a natural talent for dance of all styles.
Susie & Marquis - Salsa
As a Salsa dancer, Susie was really in her element for this routine and she was clearly leading Marquis a bit, but it's still a great routine with a couple of nice tricks.
Kherington & Twitch - Viennese Waltz
"Twitchington", another of the show's good pairings performed beautifully in this routine, it was made more emotional by the touching story of the choreographer's disabled daughter (You can see the longer version of this video here).
Top 16
Courtney G. & Gev - Rumba
Although Gev should have been a stronger lead in this piece, it still goes to show how sexy Latin dance can be when performed well (and evocative outfits never hurt either).
Chelsie H. & Mark - Hip Hop
Another great show of Lyrical Hip Hop and Mark's ability to play characters (in fact he's usually lost without a character to play). The story of a husband going off to work and his wife trying to stop him plays out fantastically over Leona Lewis' fabulous Bleeding Love.
Katee & Joshua - Samba
The power pair show that they've got what it takes to be sexy too with nice little Latin number, although some tricks would have been nice.
Top 14
Jessica & Will - Lyrical Jazz
Jessica and Will finally hit the nail on the head (so to speak) with this highly passionate piece over Heart's Alone. The use of Jessica's shirt showed how much a prop can add to a dance.
Kherington & Twitch - Contemporary
"Twitchington" show their sensitive sides in this well choreographed lyrical piece.
Katee & Joshua - Contemporary
Another of the season's best routines shows the absolute trust one needs to have in his or her partner, and how much practice it takes. From Joshua catching Katee without even looking, to the magical assisted run and jarring jump stop, this is a must see!
Top 12
Katee & Joshua - Viennese Waltz
They can do no wrong in my eyes, but I think they have also been shown favouritism by the choreographers in giving them great songs and routines to dance to. Just the fact they're dancing to Iris made me love it before it even started.
Chelsie H. & Mark - Broadway
While I'm not really a fan of Broadway on the whole, I think these two pulled of a very nice routine and work very well together.
Katee & Joshua - Bollywood
Their second routine of the night was a significant one as the first Bollywood routine to ever appear on the show. While I don't think it was nearly as good as a real Bollywood dancing and I particularly don't like what they are wearing, I think it was great that the show finally had the opportunity to introduce America to this significant style of dance, much appreciated in the UK.
Top 10
Comfort & Twitch - Hip Hop
After Comfort's surprise return to the show (Jessica had to leave because of injury), she performed what is undeniably her best choreographed routine on the show alongside the unstoppable Twitch.
Courtney G. & Joshua - Rumba
Courtney does it again in another sensual Rumba over Enrique Iglesias' Hero. Joshua shows that even without any proper training he can pull off absolutely anything the choreographers throw at him.
Katee & Will - Pas de Deux
The two most technically advanced dancers show their skill and flexibility in this unique abstract style and although they have a hiccup or two, they still do a good job.
Top 8
Courtney G. & Will - Hip Hop
Another nice lyrical piece depicts a mourning woman haunted by her lost love.
Katee & Twitch - Contemporary
This routine makes good use of a door as a girl tries to win back her man.
Chelsie H. & Joshua - Disco
Disco didn't feature much on the show this season, and when it did, it wasn't generally that noteworthy. Chelsie and Joshua show how fun it can be with a couple of tough tricks to boot.
Top 6
Courtney G. & Mark - Jazz
A somewhat dark routine shows Mark and Courtney both on top form in twisted character roles.
Katee & Joshua - Contemporary
Everyone's favourite couple was emotionally reunited with Celine Dion's All By Myself.
Katee & Joshua - Paso Doble
Powering on, things got dramatic in this bullfighting based style.
Top 4 - The Final Performances
Katee & Joshua - Lyrical
In their last ever performance together, Katee and Joshua were clearly emotional as they hurled themselves across the stage pulling and pushing each other to and fro.
Joshua & Twitch - Trepak
Everyone was paired with everyone for the season finale and the rivalry between Twitch and Joshua was made clear as they battled it out through a Russian Trepak.
Courtney, Katee, Joshua & Twitch - Contemporary
The final dance of the season was performed by all four finalists over a fast paced string instrumental. As far as I am concerned any one of the top four deserved to win the competition and they were all my favourites from the outset.