Local Dancers to Perform at Apollo

Eight locals girls are going to get a well-earned thrill of a lifetime in June when they perform on stage at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

The girls are all students of LaShonda Chaney, director and owner of LaChaney's Dance & Music Academy — or LDMA. Chaney is a former teacher in South Orange-Maplewood School District.

Last month a few members of the LDMA Performance Arts team were featured in a two-page spread in the NY Daily News which singled them out for their performance at the Apollo Amateur Night Auditions at the Museum of the City of New York. The Daily News also featured the girls online and in video.

The LDMA dancers were among 700 performers who lined up to audition — some coming from as far away as France and Japan. The girls outdid themselves, dancing to Willow Smith's Whip My Hair, and performing well enough to qualify for the big time — despite losing a shoe or two.

All five of LDMA's acts will be performing at the Apollo for the month of June. The specific dates are June 1, June 8, June 22 and June 29.

The local dancers performing at the Apollo are:

• Cha'Nel Ellis, 9th grader at Columbia High School
• Ama Gora, 10th grader at Columbia High School
• Okera Goodwin, 8th grader at Maplewood Middle School
• Ranelle Hodge
• Tamia Chaney
• Tajahnae Johnson
• Brionna Robinson
• Bayiannah Hooker
• Jaliah Johnson
• Dominique Swanson

And if that isn't enough good news for you, here's more: Chaney has been in the process of moving her dance studio from Union, NJ to 1747 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood. You may have noticed the or read a.

For more information on the LaChaney Dance & Music Academy, visit the website or call 973-378-3877 or email LaShonda Chaney.