Dellos Instructor: Featured Dancer on “The Oscar Awards” Show

Twenty-five year old Alexie Agdeppa originally from Rowland Heights, the advanced technique instructor at Dellos-Walnut, was recently featured on the “2010 Oscar Night Awards Show” Opening Number that featured Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin as hosts.

1. Did you meet any hosts, presenters or stars while rehearsing or on show night? Was there an Oscars after-party?

During rehearsals I was able to meet and briefly chat with Neil Patrick Harris and hosts, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. During the show I met James Taylor and got to stand by all of the nominees for “best actor” and “best actress” on stage. Adam Shankman threw the dancers and some of the crew a party at the Roosevelt Hotel after the Oscars.

2. Tell us about the audition experience. How many dancers auditioned for the few spots selected? Who were the choreographers?

The audition experience was a bit overwhelming and yet extremely exciting. There were hundreds of dancers in line when I got there, and I got there during the second call time of the day. The first cut of the audition required the dancers auditioning to show off their technique and if you made it past that cut you were asked to come back to learn a routine. They picked the dancers they wanted in the show after reviewing the audition video of the dancers invited back to learn the routine. Adam Shankman and Jamal Sims were the choreographers.

3. The costumes were beautiful! Describe them and the theme of the opening number.

The costumes were reflective of the theme of the opening number, old Hollywood Glamour. We wore tan fishnets with a skin tone colored leotard covered in rhinestones and crystals. We were adorned in jewels from head to toe, with rhinestone hair pieces, rings, earrings, necklaces, some of us even had our shoes rhinestoned! There were feather boa tails, boas attached to our arms, and some dancers held feather fans to finish off the glitz and glam. Wearing the costume with our hair and make-up done, you couldn’t help but feel beautiful and glamorous.

4. When watching your performance on Tivo, were you able to find yourself? Was it more or less glamorous on TV than in person? Is it true that your younger sister was hired as well?

I was easily able to spot myself on Tivo because I was lucky enough to be on the swing that came down with the hosts. There were only three dancers that were chosen for that part. Watching it on TV was surreal and looked just as glamorous on television as it was in person. Yes, it’s true that my younger sister was hired to dance in the opening number as well.

5. Known in the Dance Industry as a ‘working dancer’, what do you feel is ‘your edge’, that helps you to stand out among literally thousands of dancers?

I’ve been repetitively told that “my edge” is the true joy people see when they watch me dance. They can see that I’m absolutely loving what I do. I guess that joy and love is transcribed to the people watching and they feel what I feel.

6. Share with us your last year of professional dance jobs, videos, movies & live performances.

I’ve been very blessed, some of the professional dance jobs I’ve done include, music videos for the Pussycat Dolls, Charice Pempengco, and Macy Gray. I’ve done commercials for CANON and Nordstrom. I was able to perform on Paris By Night, the Oscars, various benefit shows, and was a featured finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance?” Season 6. I most recently worked on a Disney Promo with Chucky Klapow, one of Michael Jackson’s dancers.

7. What advice would you give to an inspiring young dancer who some day hopes to be a professional performer?

Always believe in your dreams, if you can dream it and you believe it, it can happen! Persistence and hard work always pay off, so keep taking classes, keep learning, and always keep your head up.

8. As you were training growing up, what were your favorite styles of dance? As an adult dancer, in what styles of dance do you feel most comfortable and why?

Growing up I loved jazz. I loved hitting all the lines, the upbeat energy it required, and I could smile as big as I wanted. As an adult dancer, I feel most comfortable in jazz and contemporary styles. With contemporary I feel my artistic self is pushed to another level.

9. Who do you want to thank for contributing to the person, dancer and performer you have become today?

I want to thank Tina D’Amato-Sidoni for contributing to the person, dancer and performer I have become today. She has been my dance teacher, mentor and friend since I was 6 and the person that initially got me into the “showbusiness” of dance.

10. Do you have a favorite phrase or motto that you live by?

You are here not to grab all you can, but to give all you are.