Cathy and Vivi-Anne :(

About Cathy and Vivi-Anne

 

ya I know any real dancemoms fan wouldn't care too much for cathy but what ever

 

 

 

 

 

Cathy has been involved with dance her whole life. She has performed in a ballet company and as a semiprofessional cheerleader. For years, Cathy has been a dance instructor at her own studio. Since she has had a passion for dance her whole life, she thinks it only makes sense for her daughter to be involved. Cathy has taught Vivi since she was just a toddler, but recently decided to bring her to Abby's studio so that Vivi could get some outside coaching from a teacher who is not afraid to be honest and blunt with her daughter.

About Cathy
Cathy's favorite style of dance to watch:
Ballet.
What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
Golf, reading, designing vintage decorations, gardening, but most of all shopping!
What's your profession/current job?
I own my own dance center. I am a dance educator.
What do you think your child is learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country? Competition teaches confidence, poise, teamwork, commitment, discipline, and to be a gracious winner and good loser.
What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
Abby's teams are very similar to mine in that they are very technically trained and groomed. I think I've learned I don't have to always have my dancers wear red lipstick. I can branch out in color, and I've learned to apply Vivi's eyelashes.
About Vivi-Anne, age 6 ½
Favorite style of dance to perform?
Tap.
Favorite style of dance to watch?
Shake it up.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
Performing.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Swimming, cooking, playing with Patch/stuffed dog, eating.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
I would like to help teach at the dance studio.
If you don't end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
Doctor.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
To learn choreography in one day, and go out and perform.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Science.
What's your favorite color?
Blue.

Jill and Kendall

About Jill and Kendall

Happily married for 19 years, Jill has three beautiful daughters and two of them are currently enrolled in the Abby Lee Dance Company. A dancer at heart, Jill was very involved in dance and gymnastics as a young girl and took up competitive cheerleading in high school and went on to cheer for the University of Pittsburgh. Jill is a strong believer that dance gives her children a sense of empowerment when it comes to self esteem and teaches them self discipline at a young age.
About Jill
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Lyrical.
What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
As a mom of three there isn’t much free time, but loves to read, shop, play tennis, play golf and travel.
What do you think your child is learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country?
She is learning how to overcome adversity, deal with strong overbearing personalities, how to manage her time wisely, how to know when to sit back and just listen and when to stand up for herself.
What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
I believe I am learning those same life lessons!
About Kendall
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Contemporary.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
All types of dance, but if I had to choose one, it would be contemporary.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
I just love to perform onstage and learn new routines.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
I love to play tennis, but I spend all of my free time dancing. I also love my puppy and guinea pigs, and I love to dress up and put makeup on.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Yes I want to be on Broadway one day!
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
I would either work at Subway (ha ha) or be a Dentist!
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
I am learning how to pick up choreography fast and perform it on stage in a day or two. I am also learning about each city we travel to, how far from home it is and what makes that specific city special.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Science.
What's your favorite color?
Purple.

Holly and Nia

About Holly and Nia

Holly is the mother of three, and her only daughter, Nia, is enrolled in the Abby Lee Dance Company. Holly has never danced professionally. However, she danced as a child with Vicki Sheer in the Bronx, and in college she was in Kusika, the African dance company at Williams College. Inspired by her dance experiences growing up, Holly thinks dance can bring Nia the same joy and confidence..
About Holly
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Acrobatics-Jazz.
What's your occupation?
For close to 20 years I have worked as an educator in an independent school setting. I am currently a principal at a middle school.
What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
Reading, traveling and spending time with family.
What do you think your child is learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country?
Expect the unexpected. You never know what will happen.
What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
Surprisingly, like many aspects of life, dance is political. Dance can be beautiful and dance can be ugly— sometimes at the same time.
About Nia
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Acrobatics.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Jazz.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
Dance is great exercise, it is energetic and you can never stop doing it.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Karate, swim team, playing instruments (drums and piano), chess, arts and crafts, playing with my friends and my pets.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Yes, I want to be a Rockette so I can do those high kicks.
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
I would love to be an artist.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
I am learning that every competition is different. You never know if the judges will like the dance or not. You never know what is going to happen.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Spelling
What's your favorite color?
Pink, pink, pink—any shade of pink, at any time.

The Hyland's

About Kelly, Brooke and Paige

Mother of three Kelly's two daughters are currently enrolled in the Abby Lee Dance Company. It's now a tradition in her family to dance for the Miller family, as Kelly was taught by Abby's mother from three to 14 years old and was one of the first members of the Abby Lee Dance Company the year it started.
About Kelly
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Acro and jazz—I like to watch this because this is what I did was I was young, so I like to critique it the most.
What's your occupation?
Housewife, mom, Dance Mom and chauffeur.
What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
Shopping.
What do you think your children are learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country?
My children have learned from some of the best choreographers in the world, but I think the most important thing is how many friends they have made around the country.
What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
I think I have learned how to be organized. Having two children [competing], I have to be able to have both of them dressed, hair changed, makeup changed and onstage, sometimes in two minutes. That is very difficult with two kids.
About Brooke
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Dark.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Acro.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
My favorite thing about dance is spending time with my friends, but the beautiful costumes are nice, too.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Playing with my friends.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
I would like to be in a Cirque show.
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
I don't know what I want to do yet.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
We have learned great choreography.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math.
What's your favorite color?
Purple
About Paige
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Musical theater.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Acro.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
My favorite thing about dance is spending time with my friends, but the beautiful costumes are nice, too.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Playing with my friends.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Yes, I hope to be a Rockette someday.
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
If I don't dance, I would like to be a physical therapist.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
We have learned great choreography.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math.
What's your favorite color?
Pink

Christi and Chloe

About Christi and Chloe

Christi believes that it is extremely important for young children to be physically active. In fact, she owns a children's fitness franchise, where they teach preschoolers health and fitness. Christi has two daughters: Chloe, who is enrolled in the Abby Lee Dance Company; and Clara, who is only one, and while she doesn't dance yet, she does love to watch, and sneaks into the studio when she thinks no one is looking. Christi has never danced professionally, but did take a few classes as a child, and she thinks every little girl belongs in dance class.

About Christi

What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
All! I love anything that tells a good story or is entertaining. And I appreciate watching a good technical dancer, no matter what the style.

What's your occupation?
I own a children's fitness franchise. We teach preschoolers health and fitness.

What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
My dirty little secret is that I like to sew.

What do you think your child is learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country?
Confidence!

What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
The real competition happens backstage.

About Chloe

What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
I love to perform musical theater, because you get to use many different faces and personality. I also like to perform lyrical, because it is soft and gentle and sometimes dramatic, and it tells a good story.

What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
Jazz, lyrical and musical theater.

What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
I don't have time for anything else! Although in the summer, I like to swim (and if our hotel has a pool, that's a bonus)! I also love to read and write stories.

Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Of course! I want to be the center Rockette! I would also like to be in a dance movie like "Center Stage."

If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
Pediatrician.

What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
Hard work pays off! And I have to be super organized to dance while I keep up with my schoolwork.

What's your favorite subject in school?
Reading, writing and dismissal!

What's your favorite color?
Pink and red.

The Zieglers

About Melissa, Maddie and Mackenzie

Divorced mother of two Melissa has both of her daughters enrolled in the Abby Lee Dance Company. Melissa danced for fun in her youth, and has always been a fan of dance outfits and performance costumes. She is a busy homemaker, and Melissa's daughters are dedicated and always at the top of their dance class, which leaves the family little time for other hobbies.
About Melissa
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
ALL!!
What's your occupation?
Homemaker.
What are your hobbies and interests besides dance?
Hobbies? Dance Moms don't have time for anything but dance!
What do you think your children are learning most about while competing in dance competitions around the country?
I think it is so amazing how good the dancers are on the West Coast compared to the East Coast.
What have you learned most about while being involved with this dance company and traveling to the competitions?
Our kids are amazing. However, the West Coast kids are just as amazing as our kids.
About Maddie
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Lyrical and tap.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
ALL.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
I just love to perform onstage and learn new routines.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Voice lessons; no time for anything else.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Most definitely!!
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
Broadway star and a choreographer.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
Different parts of the country have such different dance styles that they are good at.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math.
What's your favorite color?
Neon blue.
About Mackenzie
What's your favorite style of dance to perform?
Acro and jazz.
What's your favorite style of dance to watch?
ALL.
What's your favorite thing about dance?
I just love to perform onstage and learn new routines.
What other hobbies and/or sports do you participate in?
Voice lessons; no time for anything else.
Do you hope to be a professional dancer one day?
Most definitely!!
If you don’t end up being a professional dancer, what other job would you like to have?
Broadway star and a choreographer.
What do you think you are learning about most from this experience dancing in these competitions around the country?
Different parts of the country have such different dance styles that they are good at.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math.


Cred: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms/cast/melissa-maddie-mackenzie

What abby's really like

About Abby Lee Miller

Originally from Pittsburgh, Abby got her love for dance from her mother, Maryen Lorrian Miller, who is a 50-year member of Dance Masters of America. Maryen owned seven dance studios in Miami, Florida, prior to marrying George L. Miller of Pittsburgh and giving birth to Abby. Maryen taught classes all over the city before opening her main studio in Penn Hills. Abby took classes at her mother’s studio throughout her formative years. After traveling with her mother to several national dance conventions, she was inspired and captivated by the newest “dance craze” competitions! At just 14 years old, she started the Abby Lee Dance Company. In 1980, she opened her own dance studio and estimates she has taught 3,000 to 4,000 students throughout her career. Now known for her incredible dedication, discipline and passion, Abby is one of the most sought-after dance teachers in Pittsburgh, as she has turned out numerous professional dance stars.
Abby explains her history with dance:
Obviously, I took classes all my life at my mother’s studio. Intuitively my mother chose not to push me or let me hang out at the studio. My dad took me to my class each week in addition to Girl Scouts (how much fun can you have for a quarter a week?), clarinet lessons (really hurt right after your braces were tightened), roller skating, ice skating, sewing lessons at Sears, swim team in the summer, ski club in the winter, and let’s not forget Charm School!!! I was lucky to accompany my mom and her staff every summer to several national dance conventions — I learned from some of the most amazing originals, pioneers in the dance world. I became interested in this new thing forming called “DANCE COMPETITIONS!” At the age of 14 I started the Abby Lee Dance Company, and the rest is history!
I hate to be onstage; never enjoyed performing — that’s one reason why I am a great teacher … I don’t envy or compete with my students. My dreams for them are sometimes greater than their own but never confused with mine.
Highlight performances of Abby’s dance instructor career:
The first day “Footloose” moved into its home on the Great White Way and one of my students stepped on a Broadway stage. Without his knowledge, I snuck into the theater and was granted permission to watch rehearsals. My friend AC Ciulla was the choreographer. He sat down on the steps next to my aisle seat and asked my opinion of the choreography … that was a moment. Another would be attending the Tonys! All the awards and titles my students have won over the years are very important to me.
Abby’s former students who have gone on to become professional dancers:Mark Myars — First job: “Carol of the Bells” solo at Radio City in the Christmas Spectacular. First Broadway show: Original cast, “Footloose,” and he went on to become the dance captain for “Wicked.” Now he is the dance supervisor for the casts of “Wicked” in London, Tokyo, Amsterdam and Belgium. This year alone he was called in to swing principal tracks in the Broadway casts of “Wicked,” “Come Fly with Me” and “West Side Story.”
Asmeret Ghebremichael — First job out of high school: Principal swing for three different tracks for “Footloose” on Broadway. She went on to perform in “Spamalot,” “Lion King,” “Aida,” “In the Heights,” “Legally Blonde” and “Book of Mormon.” I drove her butt to NYC myself four times for callbacks for “Footloose.”
I have had dancers in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for 26 years. I have had 13 dancers contracted to work in Japan at Tokyo Disneyland. I could go on and on …
Does she still keep in touch with these former students?
Yes, of course, I still take their butts to dinner! They don’t send me any percentage of their earnings — I’ve wised up! I know that I am with them in spirit every single time they step on a stage or into a class.
What Abby has learned most from having a career as a professional dance teacher:
It takes 15 years to make an overnight success!
What inspires Abby most about dance:
The entertainment value, the ability to make something so difficult look so easy and the raw emotional execution.
What she hopes to teach her students about the performing arts:
Survival skills. Absolutely everything they need to know to be employable professional dancers.What skills Abby thinks most of her students will walk away with after completing her classes:
Proper dance technique, as well as a realistic look at life, an understanding that everyone is replaceable and everything is possible! They should be able to stand taller, speak confidently and be comfortable in front of a mirror or on a stage.
What Abby loves most about teaching dance:
I love the joy in a child’s face when they achieve a goal or master a trick for the very first time.

cred to: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/dance-moms/cast/abby-lee-miller
 

Fun Facts

Some facts I found hope they help!!

Instructors

• Abby Lee Miller: Owner of her self-named dance company in Pittsburgh, which she started at age fourteen.^[3]
• Gianna "Gia" Martello: Abby's assistant. She does much of the choreography when Abby is working with other girls.

Mothers

• Melissa Ziegler-Gisoni: Mother of Maddie and Mackenzie. She previously worked at the front desk at ALDC.
• Christina "Christi" Lukasiak: Mother of Chloe
• Holly Frazier: Mother of Nia. She is a principal.
• Kelly Hyland: Mother of Brooke and Paige, Kelly attended ALDC herself as a child, but quit to become a cheerleader.
• Cathy Nesbitt-Stein: Owner of Candy Apple’s Dance Center in Ohio and mother of Vivi-Anne. Vivi used to attend ALDC, however quit near the end of Season 1.
• Jillian "Jill" Vertes: Mother of Kendall. She first appears in Season 2.
• Leslie Ackerman: Mother of Payton. She is not a part of the 'regular group'.
• Shelly Serigne: Mother of Ally. She appears in season 3.
• Kaya "Black Patsy": Only appears in one episode;

Dancers

• Madison "Maddie" Ziegler: Daughter of Melissa. She models for Cicci Dance.^[4]
• Mackenzie Ziegler: Daughter of Melissa. She is the youngest dancer in the group. She models for Cicci Dance.^[5]
• Chloe Lukasiak: Daughter of Christi, born May 25, 2001.^[6]
• Brooke Hyland: Daughter of Kelly, age 14. Brooke is the oldest dancer in the group. During the second season of the show, Brooke quit dance to become a cheerleader, but later returned to the dance group. She models for Cicci Dance.^[7]
• Paige Hyland: Daughter of Kelly, age 11. Paige is the younger sister of Brooke. She models for Cicci Dance.^[8]
• Nia Frazier: Daughter of Holly, age 11.
• Kendall Vertes: Daughter of Jill, age 9. She models for Cicci Dance.^[9]
• Ally Serigne^[10]: Daughter of Shelly, age 13. She made the cut at Abby's open audition.
• Vivi-Anne "Vivi" Stein: Daughter of Cathy, age 7. Vivi left ALDC near the end of the first season to be enrolled in her mother's dance studio, Candy Apples Dance Center.

Cast selection

In an interview after the first season, Abby Lee Miller claimed that the production company interviewed "23 families to choose those mothers. The children were never auditioned."^[11] However, mom Christi Lukasiak claimed that Miller's statement was false. "The children absolutely auditioned, too. I have Chloe’s audition tapes saved on my computer!!."^[12]
cred to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Moms