Local Dance Teacher Advances on "So You Think You Can Dance?"

"Be honest, be yourself, do your best and hold your head high."

That was the advice Doris Davila-Jaime gave her son, Ricky Jaime, on Wednesday in anticipation of his performance Thursday on So You Think You Can Dance?

The show aired on the Fox Television Network (Channel 13) at 8 p.m. The 19-year-old, who teaches at Carrollwood's Centerstage Dance Academy, 12914 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is one of six dancers remaining on the show.

"Today has been nerve wracking," said Davila-Jaime. "They choose the four dancers that had the least votes from last night's show, and they have to dance in front of the judges. Then the judges decide which two to eliminate."

Despite criticism last night from judge Nigel Lythgoe, Davila-Jaime said her son remains confident.

"Last night he did a jive dance, which is a really hard style, and a hip-hop dance, and he's not comfortable with either style. He's much more comfortable with contemporary dance, but you don't have a choice of what dance you do. Thank God my boy has done what he can with anything he’s given and that’s what I’m proud about."

Jaime was just 9 years old when he first showed a talent for dancing.

"I got married in September 2000 and, during the reception, Ricky went up to the DJ and asked for a song. He then surprised us with a dance. He was amazing," said Davila-Jaime.

Afterward, the youngster who played baseball and football wanted to dance.

"He always had a lot of energy and my family members suggested I sign him up for dance classes, so I did," said Davila-Jaime. "I had no clue where the talent came from. But I found a dance studio for him and, from Day One, he was amazing."

At one point, his instructors advised him to take ballet.

"He hated it at first but I told him he needed ballet to become a well-rounded dancer," Davila-Jaime said. "Now he loves ballet. His goal is to join a ballet company."

At the age of 13, he competed in a world dance championship in Germany, bringing home two gold medals.

Living in Miami, he then enrolled in performing arts middle and high schools, and continued his dance education.

"We moved to Riverview his sophomore year and he began attending Newsome High School," Davila-Jaime said.

She said it was Jaime's idea to try out for cheerleading, and he subsequently became the high school's first male cheerleader.

"He got a lot of kidding from the other boys, but it didn't bother him," his mother said. "He knew who he was."

But dance continued to be his first love.

"Once you see him on stage, you could see this is what he loves," she said. "He now teaches dance and people talk about my son being an inspiration to their kids. Ricky has touched so many people’s hearts. But he stays humble and is never the type to think he’s better than anyone else."

While Lythgoe panned Jaime's performance, guest judge Lady Gaga loved it, complimenting Jaime on his smile and saying she had a soft spot for him.

As his mother sat in the studio audience in Los Angeles, the rest of Jaime's family attended a party at Buffalo Wild Wings in Riverview, where they watched Jaime's performance on big-screen TVs and made sure everyone cast their votes for Jaime.

"I haven't talked to him today," said Davila-Jaime. "He's been in rehearsals since 5 a.m. this morning. But I know he must be nervous about tonight."

Davila-Jaime said, even if Jaime is eliminated on tonight's show, she's proud that he's come so far in the competition. 

"I know a lot of doors will open for him even if he doesn’t win," she said. "I'm super proud. He's worked hard for this."

Check Patch next week for updates on Jaime's progress on the show.