An Emerson College graduate student shared second prize recently in a major dance competition that has never dazzled a Boston audience before.
Jasmine Li, 26, a first-year graduate marketing student, had been dancing with Project Nailz for less than two months when the dance troupe invited her to join the team at the World of Dance competition.
The competition organizes competitions and sets the stage for amateur dancers around the world. Its November debut in Massachusetts attracted more than 500 dancers. Li's troupe came in second out of at least 25 groups, just missing out on the $1,500 first prize. The competition attracted groups from Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey.
"Our goal was to have fun," said Li, seconds after her performance. "And I feel like I am really lonely here, so I wanted to meet new people, to network."
Before coming to the United States, Li danced for six years in her home country of Taiwan. There she earned a living teaching dance. In the fall, she visited a dance studio in Boston to observe and experience American dance culture. The dance instructors recognized her talents and passions for dance and invited her to rehearsals for Project Nailz and their entry in the World of Dance competition.
Li's all-female dance group, Project Nailz, performs an urban-style dance that mixes modern Hip-Hop and R-and-B music. Just before her performance Jasmine Li mentioned that the winning crew of the World of Dance competition will have to show the strong combination of "the best costumes and the best energy."
The first place award was given to a Boston troupe called CONcept ARTists. It also took home the Best Theme and the Best Costume awards. "I am glad that the team representing Boston got the first place," said Rony Jacques, a member of the winning troupe. "It's important for the whole Boston dancing community."
The panel of five judges consisted of well-known choreographers, such as Jessenia Velasquez and JD McLeroy.
A victory at the World of Dance show is a valuable achievement for a Boston's dance crew since the World of Dance went international in 2011, staging competitions in Canada and Great Britain. Organizers also announced a partnership with the famous Cirque Du Soleil troupe, although no details on the deal were confirmed.
Li said her performance at the World of Dance has inspired her to proceed with her dancing hobby in the USA.
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