Fairfield Dancer, 15, Shines On Jennifer Lopez’s ‘World Of Dance’

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Ludlowe sophomore Aydin Eyikan wowed the judges, including Jennifer Lopez, on NBC’s World of Dance on Sunday. Eyikan, who advanced to the next round, also received praise from Lopez on social media.

“Aydin you're such a special soul... that performance was so magical,” Lopez said of the 15-year-old Fairfield resident in a tweet.

Lopez, who also serves as an executive producer of the dance competition series, is a judge along with Derek Hough and NE-YO. The show, which is in its third season, is hosted by Scott Evans. The series “gives dancers the platform to showcase their talents and the opportunity to receive a life-altering grand prize of $1 million,” according to its website.

“In partnership with preeminent global dance brand World of Dance, the series brings the world's elite dancers together to compete in epic battles of artistry, precision and athleticism,” the site states. “Solo dancers will compete against duos and crews in an unlimited range of dance, including hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom and more.”

The contestants are handpicked from qualifying events around the nation and thousands of online submissions.

Eyikan, who is competing in the Junior Division, studied at Flash Pointe Dance in Fairfield and joined the New York City Dance Alliance over the summer, according to the Connecticut Post.

“Being a top-ranked contemporary soloist isn't new to Aydin,” according to his bio on the World of Dance website. “He has placed in the Top 10 at every regional and national competition that he has competed in for the past five years, most notably placing first overall at the New York City Dance Alliance, a prestigious national dance competition.”

Watch more of Eyikan's performance at NBC here. World of Dance airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on NBC.