Dancer wins national title
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Jacob Artist, 14, of Williamsville, performs at the American Dance Awards last month in Florida. A student at David DeMarie, Artist was named National Teen Male Dancer of the Year.

Jacob Artist had three minutes to prove he was one of the best dancers in the nation - he did.

Artist, 14, was named the National Teen Male Dancer of the Year at the American Dance Awards held the first week of July in Orlando.

"I thought I had a good chance of being in the top five," he said. "I was waiting and when they finally say your name you breathe a sigh of relief. It was the most unreal feeling."

When he was named the winner of the male teen category, for 13-15 year olds, the representatives from his studio, David DeMarie in Clarence, were screaming he said.

Artist, a Williamsville resident, was also judged throughout the week during classes the dancers had to participate in. His winning solo performance scored a 285 out of a possible 300.

His solo, choreographed by Broadway dancer Tiger Martina was a bit of a change for the dancer. Artist said he was used to an upbeat jazz dance but this time around he nailed the "toned down, slow jazz" style dance.

In order to compete at the national level, dancers had to win a regional competition. Artist took first in the same category at regionals held at the University at Buffalo in April.

Although he learned the solo late, not until March, due to Martina's schedule, Artist was prepared when it came to show time.

"During regionals I felt good. I nailed all the choreography ... I felt I did my best," he said.

Named first among the field, Artist won himself a bid at nationals.

His entire family, parents Darrell and Judy, and sister, Jenna, 7, traveled with him.

When he took the stage he did so before a large crowd, on a huge stage, with enormous screens on either side of it, broadcasting his performance. Before his song, "You Won't Be Mine" started, a documentary on Artist's journey introduced him.

Hearing this gave him an adrenaline rush. "I knew it was the last time I would be performing the solo so I had to make it good," he said. "It was even better than regionals. I was more into it, had more energy."

That was even visible by the crowd, his dad said.

"When he got into the solo you could see the confidence. I knew he would do well, his performance was outstanding," Darrell said. "When he nailed a couple moves there were screams from the audience."

He added that he and his wife Judy were squeezing their hands in anticipation, probably more nervous than Artist was.

"Once it came to announcing the awards they named fourth runner up, third, second and they called the first runner up's name and I thought that was his biggest competition so we kind of knew ... but you don't know until his name is called. I almost blacked out," Darrell said about his reaction to his son winning.

Artist said his mother always says that he came into this world dancing so when he was 2 years old and asked for tap shoes the answer was "of course."

He trains five days a week in studios, taking tap, jazz, ballet and various other types of dance.

Artist has been chosen for the Chautauqua Institution School of Dance summer session, and the New York State Summer School of the Arts which is run by the New York City Ballet.

He is the second dancer from David DeMarie to win the title. Neil Haskell of Clarence Center won the ADA's 2005 Dancer of the Year award.

DeMarie is now a finalist on the popular TV show, "Do You Think You Can Dance."

Having already won a title, Artist can not compete at National's again but he is invited to the competition next year in Boston to permit as an all star in the opening act.

He will be a sophomore at South High School in the fall and already knows he wants to continue dance in college. He hopes to one day dance on Broadway and possibly open his own studio.

"I love competition and being on stage with it all lit up and people screaming. I just perform my heart out," Artist said.