From Hometown to Hollywood

T WAS

ALL DANCE OR NOTHING,”

says Cory Jones about his life growing up in Paducah. It began with the toe-tapping tutelage of Lisa Hill at Center Stage Dance Academy when Cory was a boy of ten. It didn’t take long for his parents to see that dance was more than something for Cory to do in his extra time. His exceptional talent and his passion for making smooth moves on the dance floor quickly became apparent. By the time he reached fifth grade, Cory’s parents, Carol and Ralph Jones, still Paducah residents, decided he should be home schooled so that he could travel and devote himself to dance.

Cory worked in Paducah at Chuck E. Cheese’s and TJ Maxx during his younger years to save up for his big dream – a move to Los Angeles. When he was 18, he snagged a spot in the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. “I was so excited to get a call after I auditioned in Cleveland to hear I got the part!” Cory recalls. He also worked with several dance conventions for a few years with long-time friend and dance partner Eve Mason. The dancing duo ultimately decided to form their own business. Then it was on to the mecca of all things entertainment—the bright lights of Hollywood, where Velocity Dance Convention was born.

Velocity Dance Convention in Hollywood, California, has been educating and inspiring young dancers from ages 5 to 18 since 2013, when the season finale of its first tour took place in Las Vegas. Now in its eighth season, this successful dance company works with hundreds of young dancers annually, offers thousands of dollars in scholarships, and provides a safe, positive environment for kids who want to follow their dancing dreams.

Dance conventions are events that consist of many different classes from various choreographers who are usually well known in the dance world. Taking class from a different choreography can assist students in coming up with their own unique styles, as well as teaching them about dancing outside of a local studio.

“Kids and parents spend so much time and money on dancing. We wanted to bridge the gap between the convention world and the working industry, offer opportunities to kids, and allow them to ‘See the possibilities,’ – one of our taglines,” Cory stated.

Well-established dancers comprise the Velocity faculty, who tour major cities across the country from November to May, teaching eight competition genres – ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, open, musical theater, and hip hop. Age groups include Mini (5-8), Junior (9-10), Intermediate (11-12, only for competition level), Teen (13-15), Senior (16-18), and Pro-Am (19+).

Over a weekend, a main stage is set up and classes and competitions are held for young dancers who hope to qualify for nationals and the Season Finale in Vegas in the spring. Of approximately 1,400 students, about 450 will be selected as top dancers from regionals who will get to compete in Vegas. The majority of students they see have hopes of dancing professionally, and Velocity gives dancers the necessary experience to help them achieve that goal.

Cory expressed how rewarding it is to work with aspiring dancers. “Kids need motivation and to be around positive people who are big influencers, doing big things. They’re so vulnerable and exposed to so much through social media and what they are expected to live up to. We provide that safe environment where they can work hard and not be discouraged.”

While the dancers practice in ballrooms with their peers where they can be focused, parents are encouraged to attend seminars led by Velocity’s life coach. She teaches parents how they can help their children manage social media and their perceptions of themselves and how to communicate better with their kids. Cory says these sessions are extremely eye-opening for parents, showing them how to get on their kids’ levels.

Taking a leap of faith into something full of possibility helps propel you forward not only in dance, but in life. Cory Jones believes every moment matters and that you have to “work your booty off” to make it in the dance industry, but fully believes, “If you follow your passion, the hard work you put in now will pay off in the end.”