Search:   
horizontal rule horizontal rule

Students shine on Star Search

By Scott Madson NewsNet Staff Writer - 27 Feb 2004
E-mail or Print this story
 

Photo courtesy of Joseph Delpriore
Stacy Johnson and Joseph Delpriore will perform a piece with lyrical, modern and jazz moves accompanied by the music of Natalie Merchant.

Search no more - the stars have arrived. Two BYU students will dance in front of millions this Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. on CBS's reality talent show "Star Search."

Joseph Delpriore, a junior from Irmo, S.C., and Provo resident Stacy Johnson, former Cougarette and reigning Miss Utah, will perform a minute and a half lyrical dance routine in search of the $100,000 grand prize.

The competition is between three groups, but only two will be shown on TV this Saturday. The third performer or group that isn't shown will be on next Saturday's show.

The two dancers first met each other a year ago through Jodi Maxfield, Courgarette director. Maxfield invited Delpriore to dance with Johnson and the Cougarettes at one of their performances. Since that performance the two have developed their skills together and performed at other shows.

"It just kind of snow-balled," Johnson said. "We did the Cougarette concert and the way people reacted to the piece surprised us even. It went over really well."

Delpriore and Johnson are not shy of the camera. Both of them have performed on TV. Johnson competed for Miss America, and Delpriore was on "Star Search" once already, when he was 12.

The duo will dance a piece with lyrical, modern and jazz elements. The title of the dance is called "Untouchable" accompanied by the music of Natalie Merchant.

"I think what's different about our lyrical or even our jazz pieces in general is that there is a lot of lifts," Delpriore said.

The two dancers feel confident about their chances of moving on in the show because dance is their element. It's what they love to do.

Maxfield said the couple has great connection with each other. She said she is not surprised that the two have come so far.

"They were born to be stars," she said. "They both have such a sense of emotion that they convey as they dance."

Maxfield isn't the only person that thinks Delpriore and Johnson will perform well.

Trudy Duker, mother of Delpriore, said her son is an example to others.

"He is a lot of fun, and I think that shows people that you can have a testimony of the gospel and still be happy and enjoy life," Duker said.

She said her son has had many opportunities to use his talent in a positive way. Duker, who lives in South Carolina, plans on having a party at her house with family and friends for the show.

Tammy Johnson said her daughter is successful for many reasons.

"She is extremely determined and focused, and she's got a lot of energy," Tammy said. "I think she does a really good job keeping things in perspective. She's very humble. She's friendly ... she's at peace with herself."

Tammy said the two have a special chemistry together when they dance. They can sense what each other is going to do. She thinks they have a good shot at winning, but she isn't sure if the judges will see their talent.







BYU NewsNet

E-mail NewsBriefs | NewsTips | WebCast Schedule | Jobs at NewsNet
  NewsNet | BYU Religion Sponsorships  |  Contact Us  |  About NewsNet  |  Copyright, BYU NewsNet