BETA

‘’Dance Stars 2008’’ is Europe’s biggest dance competition, which took place on 6th September in Croydon, in Fairfield Hall, in the presence of the actresses Suganya, and Uma Riaz, as well as Sethu. The winners of ‘’Dance Stars 2008’’ are Dance Lab!!!
This was a very special day for me as I took part in this competition, along with my group ‘’Dance Lab’’. Our group name was chosen by my great dance teacher Mrs
Marshida Usman, who says the reason she named the dance group of such was, because a lab is where you discover new things, so our group is where the future stars and their talents are discovered. The members of Dance Lab which took part in Thaalam 2008 are Mrs Marshida Usman, Mylvaganam Vasanthakumar, Zhaganna Gunapalan, Alexandre Stanislaus, Aazil Ahmed and myself of course Flora Stanislaus.I am really proud to say that I’m part of Dance Lab, it’s honestly an amazing dance group, which is so vibrant. This competition is and will always be an unforgettable memory for all of us, a day which our dream came true. We really worked so hard for the past 3 months, non stop. But I would like to add that everything was not going perfect for us, we had to face so many hurdles down our way, but still God blessed us, and we fought and kept on fighting and got through to the finals, and won the 1st prize, and fame of 2008 DANCE STARS!!! As a group we are all so relieved that we have made our great teacher’s dream come true, and made her proud of us. In this competition 6 groups were there. The names of the groups are Phoenix Girls, Spring Wise, Dancing Stars, Dance Lab (us of course), Kamathenu, and the Crazy Dancers. In total there were 3 rounds, and 4 performances. But at each round, judges had to make choices, so for the 2nd round they had to choose 4 groups, then for the final round 2 groups. It was an incredible feeling to take part in this competition. In fact, this was my first competition ever, and to know that we’ve won, is just so great! I would like all of you out there to know about our great choreographer, she’s a very talented dancer, I mean the energy she has in her, is just so unbelievable. Basically, dance runs in her blood 24/7, she has been working so hard day and night for our success. Mrs Marshida I know you’re reading this, special message to you: We all love you so much, and would like to thank you so much, as you are the reason behind our victory. Without you, we would not have made it, you went through so much pain to train us, every time, wherever you went we were always on your mind. All you use to think about all the time was us, and really to be honest all our dances were perfect from top to bottom, you had planned it all very carefully. Thank you so much for making us succeed. We are so proud to say that we are your students. Honestly, you would never ever get a great dance teacher like Mrs Marshida, she is the best of all, and will always be.
Dance Lab really enjoyed dancing on that stage, we were all so over the moon. The stage was really fantastic, with all those lights, and effects. The whole program was well organised, and everything went according to the plan smoothly. Some of the members in Dance Lab, including myself get stage frights, but amazingly none of us got scared, we were so happy, and so confident, and put our full energy into the dance. The judges were very kind, and really encouraged all the groups. At the end, all the groups had an opportunity to dance with the film industry stars, now that was thrilling!!

Individual comments from the winners of Dance Stars 2008:

Comment from our great choreographer Mrs Marshida Usman: ‘’I am so thankful to God for Dance Lab's victory in the Dance Stars 2008 competition. Each dancer of Dance Lab deserves this victory for their hard work, commitment and sacrifices showed throughout. Our victory is a true example of good teamwork. Dance stars 2008 was very well organised, non-biased and fairly judged event and they took very good care of every detail in the backstage and treated all performers very well. It was a solid platform for upcoming talents irrespective of age, religion and race. It was a most memorable experience for us to perform in front of a huge supportive audience. Thanks to my students for having faith in me and for standing by me and all my helpers who made our dream come true.’’
Comment from Alexandre Stanislaus: ‘’I can’t believe we won! We got a massive trophy! Mrs Marshida is one of the best dance teachers in the world. She has got amazing talents, for example she will make dance steps, which we would have never thought of. Mrs Marshida is a very loving, caring and very good dancer. Even though we struggled so much, we never gave up and won! Especially my parents really gave me great support, and they are another main reason behind my success!’’
Comment from Flora Stanislaus: ‘’I am extremely overjoyed that we won! It’s a dream come true for me & Dance Lab. This is my 1st ever performance on such a big stage. To take part in Europe’s biggest dance competition and to have the fame of Dance star 2008 is such a marvellous feeling. I really would like to thank all those behind my success, especially my parents who supported me all the way through, and my dance teacher, you all really encouraged me a lot, and were always there by my side supporting me, and being positive! Thank you so much! I would also like to add a very special thank you to Mr Mustafa Usman, because you have given us great support to us, as well as for your loving wife. To be honest, our dance group is so lucky, to know that our dance teacher’s husband is so positive and encouraging! ’’
Comment from Aazil Ahmed: ‘’Saturday was one of the Best Days. I really enjoyed it! I’m really thankful to God and my Teacher for giving me this opportunity, and making me feel so proud of myself.’’
Comment from Mylvaganam Vasanthakumar: ‘’I am so grateful to my dance teacher and Dance Lab, as this was my first ever stage performance, and even though I was a new joiner into the group, Mrs Marshida had faith me, and gave me this special opportunity to take part in Europe’s biggest dance competition. I’ve actually never gone up even on small stages, so to have had such chance, really means so much to me.’’
This Dance stars 2008 was a real success, and it would be great, if it carries on every year. This event will really encourage the youngsters, and will also motivate them. As dance stars are to perform in a group, so it’s all about group work, and cooperating with your group members.
In addition I would like to say that all the groups did really well, and beautiful performances were shown on stage. I would like to take this opportunity, as a group member to thank all the organisers of Thaalam 2008. Thank you all we really felt special, and had a really good time. As well as thank you judges, for making our day, well for fair judgments, and everybody else involved, who made Thaalam 2008 happen.
If any young girls or boys would like to join Dance Lab, please do not hesitate to contact us on info@dancelab.co.uk. The website is www.dancelab.co.uk. Phone number: 07502302342. Do join you will love us, and trust me you will never regret joining our dance group! Thank you!