Slices of Life

By Jill E. Sheetz
Reading Eagle

The Cheer FX and Dance FX teams from the Academy of Movement in Sinking Spring performed prior to a tip-off of a Philadelphia 76ers game at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Cheer FX and Dance FX teams from the Academy of Movement in Sinking Spring performed prior to a tip-off of a Philadelphia 76ers game at the Wells Fargo Center.

Jennifer Caputo-Pietrobone founded the Academy of Movement in 2007 with a business partner and friend, Heather Gidusko. Caputo-Pietrobone began her professional dancing career with the MISL Philadelphia Kixx Dance Team and then continued with the Philadelphia 76ers Dance Team from 2003 to 2005. She holds a degree in kinesiology with a minor in dance education from West Chester University, where she was a member, captain and choreographer for the WCU Dance Team. 

Caputo-Pietrobone and Gidusko, who had formerly danced professionally as a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, wanted to share their passion for dance along with teaching fitness and nurturing confidence in girls and women in the community.

“We had the same concept and philosophy to provide quality movement classes that instilled fitness concepts and, more importantly, confidence in girls of all ages,” Caputo-Pietrobone said. “We were both eager to pass on our experiences to as many students as possible.”

The school has grown to include more than 400 students, ranging in age from 2 to 52, and 10 staff members, nine of whom have danced or cheered professionally.

“We offer toddler movement classes, cardio fitness-based classes, dance classes, cheer classes, tumbling classes and more,” Caputo-Pietrobone explained. “Our two newest additions to the studio are the inception of Berks County’s only all-star cheer team, Cheer FX, under the direction of Jenelle Walchek, and the studio’s new entertainment team, Dance FX, under the direction of Erica Hassler and Lauren Timek.”

Both of these teams had a chance to show off their talents and hard work during the Primetime performance. The students, ages 7 to 17, and five staff members took to the court to cheer and dance for the crowd.

“Cheer FX performed a routine jam-packed with stunting, tumbling, a jump sequence and exciting cheer-style choreography,” Caputo-Pietrobone said. “Dance FX chose a high-energy hip-hop routine. The girls were amazing. Both of the teams practiced independently for the month prior to the performance, and then a combined team practice for the first time took place the night before.”

Caputo-Pietrobone said the girls were nervous before the performance, which was to be expected. Approximately 200 of their family members and friends were in attendance to watch and support them.

“Right before they went out I told them to, ‘Take a second and take it all in. We have prepared, we have practiced, we have perfected. Now just have fun!’ ” Caputo-Pietrobone said.

A former 76ers dance teammate of Caputo-Pietrobone and director of the 76ers Dance Team, Dayne Nadler Hafetz, assisted in arranging a meet-and-greet and photo opportunity with several of the dancers and the Cheer FX and Dance FX teams.

“The girls loved every second of it, and it seemed as though everyone had a blast,” Pietrobone-Caputo said. “The meet-and-greet was definitely a highlight for some of the girls, and the support we had from friends and family was humbling.”

When asked if the Academy of Movement students have plans for a similar performance opportunity in the future, Caputo-Pietrobone responded enthusiastically, “Can’t wait to do this again at halftime of the Philadelphia Soul Game on May 11!”

AJ is The Dream Team Soulmate

Philadelphia Soulmate Amanda Jean (‘AJ’) will be representing her squad on the Arena Bowl XXV Dream Team in two weeks in New Orleans.

Before cheering professionally AJ was a member of the Junior Soulmates. She made the Soulmates the first year she was eligible, but that just happened to be the year the AFL folded.

With no Arena Football in town, she spent a season dancing for the MISL Philadelphia Kixx.

When the Soul returned in 2011, she made the team.

This past November she overcame a serious injury to not only make the team again, but earn the title and responsibility of Captain.

Local Dancer, Coach Takes Reigns of Stampede Dance Team

From HarrisburgStampede.com

Keri on the right
Keri on the right

Current Adviser to York’s Northeastern High; Danced for Philadelphia Kixx
Harrisburg Stampede Dance Coordinator Keri Wright’s dancing journey started when she was just seven and has taken her on a path through gyms and studios, college dance teams and squads in the professional ranks, coaching other dancers, and now she will take the field as a professional coordinator for the Stampede.

This Williamsport, Pennsylvania native and current co-advisor for Northeastern High School in York is motivated to shape the Stampede Dance Team for 2011 and take her dancing odyssey on yet another path, “I’m excited to get back into dancing. I’ve really missed it since I’ve moved here. Being on a team is really something special and I can’t wait to be a part of one again.”

After starting dancing at a young age, Keri says her passion for this fine art really kicked in just before high school. “[I’ve] been dancing since I was seven but really started getting more into it around 14; right before high school. I’ve always enjoyed dancing and once I wasn’t dancing all the time, I made myself find places to do it whether going to a class at the gym or teaching adult classes in the area.”

Although her high school, Loyalsock Township High School in Williamsport did not have a dance team Keri found Turning Pointe Dance Studio. From there she danced for four years with the Kutztown University Dance Team and then for two seasons with the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
She also has coached at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School of Plymouth Meeting, PA for two years before moving to Harrisburg and is currently the co-adviser for the at Northeastern High School in York.

Keri’s molding of the 2011 Harrisburg Stampede Dance Team starts on February 12th when she will conduct auditions. The auditions will take place from 1:00 PM through 5:00 PM at Gold’s Gym, located at 4251 Chambers Hill Road in Harrisburg. Gold’s Gym is the “Official” Health Club of the entire Stampede organization, including the players, dancers, coaches and front office staff.

There is a $40 registration fee for all Stampede Dance Team audition participants and Dance Team hopefuls must be 21 years of age and dress appropriately for a hard day of dancing and choreography.

One of Keri’s favorite quotes, from the movie Invincible displays her attitude toward life, an attitude she will surely pass on to the Stampede Dance Team, “Dreams are not lived on the sidelines.”