SYTYCD Top 10 Season 6: Jakob Karr

So You Think You Can Dance Season 6 Top 10 star Jakob Karr. (Photo/fox.com/dance)

 
Jakob Karr is one of the most talented dancers to grace the So You Think You Can Dance stage. His strong fan base was ecstatic he made the Top 10. From the very beginning he has been a frontrunner for the Final 4. Throughout the first five weeks he expressed emotion, exhibited strong technique and good partnering skills. He showcased his talent with his dynamic partner Ashleigh Di Lello and fans looked forward to their numbers. Together they moved quickly to the Top 10 without be placed in the bottom three couples or having to dance for their lives. Every season certain partnerships stand out for their chemistry. Ashleigh and Jakob were certainly one of the strongest couples in Season 6 like Joshua and Katee in Season 4 "Bollywood" "No Air" "Hometown Glory" and Jeanine and Jason in Season 5 in the "If it kills me" necklace routine.

At the beginning of the show the judges looked forward to a competition between Jakob and the gifted Julliard student Billy Bell. Unfortunately Bell came down with mono and was forced to withdraw from the show. The contemporary dancer, Nathan Trasoras has yet to be fully tested, but if things start going his way he could challenge Jakob. He and his partner Mollee Gray have been in the bottom three couples twice, but the talent is there with both dancers. Fans hope they will hit their stride with new partners.

Week 1: Jakob and Ashleigh and drew Broadway with Emmy-winner Tyce Diorio. They danced to “Hit Me with a Hot Note” from Sophisticated Ladies. There was a lot of hype surrounding Jakob and he proved why he was named to the Top 20. His personality, showmanship along with technical skills received high praise from all three judges. The judges believed Jakob would help Ashleigh grow, but they both grew and became individual standouts. By the second or third week the judges saw Ashleigh for her own strengths. Jakob proved to be a generous partner.

Week 2: Jakob and Ashleigh danced the Viennese Waltz to “At Last” by Etta James. This beautiful routine was choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin. Jakob’s beautiful lines, grace and his quick study in ballroom wowed the judges and audience. Jakob’s rise and falls in his footwork, his beautiful turns and reverse turns helped Ashleigh shine.

Week 3: Jakob had just one little problem in his jazz routine to “Relax” from Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Choreographed by Mandy Moore there was an additional challenge using a cane as a prop. At one point the cane came loose from his hand when Ashleigh was in a back bend. He quickly recovered and the rest of the performance went smoothly. It was well received by the audience and judges.

Week 4: Next was a hip-hop routine to “Whatcha Say” by Jason Derulo, choreographed by the Emmy nominated team of Tabitaha and Napoleon D’uno. Ashleigh and Jakob gave strong believable performances in a genre that was very different from their own. Although Jakob is very lyrical and fluid, he did a good job in the hip-hop number playing the cheating boyfriend who wanted her the girl back. Both dancers were synchronized and hit hard.

Week 5: Jakob and Ashleigh drew a lyrical jazz piece choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. They danced to “Time Flies” by Lykke Li. It was one of the high notes of the SYTYCD season. Ashleigh looked more like a contemporary and jazz dancer than someone with primarily ballroom training. Jakob was dynamic, controlled and beautiful. He was an excellent partner for Ashleigh. This is a partnership the fans hated to see break up. Jakob and Ashleigh had the IT factor and chemistry that many of the others could not seem to find.

Choreographer Sonya Tayeh had two hit pieces during week five. Nigel Lythgoe’s favorite dance of the night was “Time Flies.” Jakob and Ashleigh ended their run for the Top 10 with a cha-cha to “Cha Cha Heels” by Rosabel featuring Jeanie Tracy. The routine was choreographed by Jean-Marc and France Genereux. The story was about a couple fighting for a chair and the upper hand. Ashleigh showcased her abilities in her own style and nearly stole the show, but Jakob was also strong and had the Latin movement down and presented her well. Fans look forward to seeing them paired together again in future weeks on SYTYCD.

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