All She Wants To Do Is Dance!

step it up and dance

Most of us remember a favorite teacher who inspired us to follow our dreams, watched us progress along the way, and never doubted that we would succeed. For dancer and Shrewsbury-native Adriana Falcon, this teacher was Andrea Sacco, better known as Chickee.

After listening to a kindergarten classmate rave about dance class, Falcon, then 5, begged her mom to sign her up for lessons. By the time she was 7, Falcon began competing in regional and national dance competitions and fell in love with performing for an audience.

"My days at the studio increased, "said Falcon, "expanding my training to encompass ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and Pointe."

By age 12, she was assisting "Chickee" in the Worcesterbased studio and realized she loved not only the art of dance, but also teaching it to others.

The hours of practice and dedication paid off. Now at age 26, a commercial, theatrical, and concert dancer, Falcon resides in New York City and has danced and acted in a number of independent films, appeared on The Today Show, and performed in dance festivals in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

And this spring, Falcon was one of only 12 dancers chosen around the country to participate on Bravo Networks' dance competition TV show Step It Up and Dance.

 

"This was the first season of Step It Up and Dance, explained Falcon, "so we really didn't know what to expect ... I appeared in episode 1 and returned to do a Salsa in episode 7 which was absolutely amazing. We also got to work with Vincent Patterson, one of the judges from the show, on original choreography from Michael Jackson's Thriller music video."

Teacher Andrea "Chickee" Sacco believes Falcon always remembers where she's from. "She's an amazing person and dancer. She is very humble and is such a great role model for kids who want to become professional dancers, moreover, an inspiration. She's a hometown hero."

Chickee clearly can picture Falcon as a young girl, who excelled at tap from the get-go. She described her fondly as "beautifully awkward."

Today, she uses photos of an 11-year-old Falcon on a tri-board in the studio to show her progress throughout the years and to prove what hard work and practice can produce. "I say, 'Look at her feet, they were totally flexed, not pointed."

Sacco, who opened Chickee's Dance World 25 years ago, said it feels like yesterday. Today, Chickee's Dance World boasts over 5,000 square feet in which students enjoy jazz, tap, ballet, Pointe, lyrical, and hip-hop.

What's important to Sacco is the idea of mentoring in her studio. Her students look at her as a role model, and now also look up to Falcon. Sacco is proud to see her students working together every day, whether it's on the floor or before class in the foyer where older students help younger students with their homework. It's important to her that students are well rounded and she states emphatically, "Homework always comes first."

During her career as both student and teacher, Sacco has continuously given back to the community. Upon celebrating 20 years as a dance instructor, she was awarded a key to the city. Chickee's promotes dance as enjoyment, working with the Adams Street School, and the Belmont Nursing Home. This month, the studio will participate in the Walk for the Cure for the 10th year. Equally importantly, Sacco understands teaching itself is a learning experience and finds and provides choreography and dance jobs for her students, presenting them with priceless opportunities.

This past summer Falcon came home and collaborated with Chickee on a choreography project.

"Chickee has always provided a place where her students feel welcomed, whether it's your first day or (like so many of us) you practically live there. Her warm demeanor and encouraging words have helped in my successes as a professional dancer here in New York City. I was so fortunate to have such a strong support system and tight knit community that shared the love of dance and performing in common," Falcon said. "Chickee's Dance World is and will always be part of my family. I appreciate not just the dance lessons that I received there but also the important life lessons that were instilled in us very early on - dedication, hard work, perseverance, trust, and so much more. I am grateful to have found my passion early on and found a place that could nurture that passion and give me the confidence to follow my dreams"

Leslie Castillo is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer, and a frequent contributor to Bay State Parent magazine.

FACTS ABOUT Adriana Falcon

 

Favorite Dance Move: "I loved the early 80's and 90's and a big fan of the Running Man! Oh, and the pirouette into the middle splits! You remember what I'm talking about!"

Favorite Dance Moments: "Memories made at Chickee's Dance World will remain close to my heart. Competition weekends, sleepovers, rehearsing in the studio, recitals … .I met my best friends at CDW (including NYC roommate Melissa)! … Also, I just performed for the opening of a new studio in NYC and the legendary Luigi was in the audience and that was an exciting moment."

Favorite professional dancers include: Oh there are many! I am inspired by professional dancers in my classes at Broadway Dance Center, Desmond Richardson of Complexions, Savion Glover, and the late Gregory Hines."

Nickname: "Everyone who knows me well calls me by my nickname which is Adri."

Alma Mater: Received a B.A. in English/ Secondary Education from UMASSAmherst, where she was Captain of the UMASS Dance Team

Biggest Dancing Surprise: "Upon moving to NYC, I thought that dancers had to retire after they hit a certain age. But you can definitely have a long career in dance as long as you are dedicated, stay versatile and open, and take care of your body!"

In five years I will: "Dance in more film and television along with performing in company and concert work. I will start my own non-profit organization for single parents in need, and I will travel and see the world with dance as my lens!"

ABOUT Chickee's DANCE WORLD

Director: Andrea "Chickee" Sacco

Contact: 67 Millbrook St., Worcester (508-792-0959)

 

Facts: Center has 200 students, 4 parttime instructors. Offers lessons in ballet, tap, jazz, Pointe, lyrical, hip-hop, etc.