Calisthenics Victoria’s Elite Performance Team dance up a storm in Los Angeles

In July 2016, the Calisthenics Victoria Incorporated (CVI) Elite Performance Team arrived in Los Angeles for a 10 day performance tour, as part of Dance Around The World.

40 team members came from Calisthenics clubs across Victoria, including Ballarat and Geelong, and performed on stages at Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Hollywood Boulevard and took a class at the Abbey Lee Millar Dance Company. The team’s Coaches Natalie Bond-Hamon, Samantha Lukey, Kimberley Jellis, along with their Assistant Coaches Alicia Lecky, Kate Bennett, Carly Mckenzie, Jessica Germain and Katelyn Pinal worked with the team for six months to prepare them for this experience.

The team also performed in two Disneyland Parades and were chosen by Disneyland choreographers to lead both of the parades. The routines incorporated unique calisthenic skills and techniques, including our two apparatuses, the rod and clubs, along with acrobatics and strength based movements.

To maximise the positive reputation of Calisthenics overseas, the Elite Performance Team launched a video bid to appear on the popular America TV chat show 'Ellen' and meet Ellen DeGeneres.

The video, featuring 8 year old Chloe and 10 year old, Brooke, and a team of dancing calisthenic Ellen’s, went viral on social media reaching over 252,270 people across 45 different countries in under one week. The video bid has received over 1300 likes, 1235 shares, been viewed by over 60,000 people and was featured on Ellentube - Ellen DeGeneres’s specific YouTube channel. Our video was also featured on Channel 9 News and the Leader Newspapers across Victoria. The video can be viewed on the CVI YouTube Channel.

Calisthenics Victoria Incorporated, President, Angela Wijeratne says, “This is the first year calisthenics has sent an Elite Performance Team to America, and we were so proud to watch these performers onstage at such iconic venues. This opportunity has developed the confidence of team members and we know these memories will stay with them forever. Thank you to our team’s sponsor La Porchetta along with the dedicated Elite Performance Team Committee, the CVI office staff and all of their families.”

Calisthenics is uniquely Australian and promotes team work, self-confidence and friendship. Team members develop an appreciation for music, dance, acting, strength, flexibility and performance skills. Currently in Victoria, there are over 8160 registered calisthenic pupils, 105 Calisthenic clubs and 800 Calisthenic coaches.

For more information visit the CVI website on www.calisthenics.asn.au or email [email protected].

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