Uniontown dancer enjoys his time alone in the spotlight
While others his age are active in team sports, 14-year-old Justin Wirick of Uniontown is in the spotlight alone, just as he prefers. Wirick, the son of Brian and Linda Wirick, captured the title of Mr. Junior Dance America 2003 last summer in national competition at Orlando Fla. But, according to Wirick, it’s a great honor that came easy because it’s what he loves to do.Wirick said it all began more than eight years ago. ” I always had an interest in dancing. I used to watch gymnastics on TV and always wanted to be able to do what they were doing. And then I started to take classes,” said Wirick, a ninth-grade student at Laurel Highlands High School.
At the Ginny Tanner Dance Studio in Uniontown, where Wirick is still enrolled, his dance instruction eight years ago included jazz, tap, ballet and acrobatics to name a few, and according to one of his dance instructors, he stood out from the crowd from the first time he moved in the dance studio.
“From the time he stepped into the studio, I knew he was special. And I can honestly say today that he’s one of the most talented young men that I’ve ever worked with,” noted Ginny Tanner, who owns and runs the dance studio.
Tanner explained that his talent and dedication to dance allowed him to take part in the national competition where he won his dance title.
She explained that she and her staff belong to Dance Masters, a professional organization that holds both regional and national competitions, which allows the talented youths to compete against one another from city to city and state to state.
“Dance Masters has local contests and if you win there, you get to go to nationals,” Tanner said.
Last February Wirick competed locally in Pittsburgh. He won first place and advanced to the national level at Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.
During the competition, he competed in three categories, including interview, class scholarship auditions and talent. The contestants were judged in jazz, ballet and acrobatics. He received the class award for both ballet and acrobat and also tied for first place in personal interview.
Wirick said the competition brought out the best in him.
“It was great to get to compete in Pittsburgh, but Florida was the best. I was so excited to get to dance on that stage and be around so many other male dancers like myself,” said Wirick.
He noted that it’s not often that he’s around so many other male dancers and added that he takes some harassment from his peers at school for being a dancer.
“I just pretend it’s not there. I love to do it, and I’m good at it, so, I don’t care what other people think. My goal is to dance on stage in New York City and entertain people with my ability, not to worry about the ignorance of others,” he explained.
Apparently, Wirick is doing just that. With a grade point average of 4.0, his mother Linda said that he’s one of top students in his class.
“We’re very proud of him and all that he’s accomplished,” she noted. She said he works extremely hard at everything he’s involved with.
According to his mother, Wirick has taken 20 hours per week of dance lessons for many years and has also taken summer dance classes at Point Park College in Pittsburgh.
“He usually gets to take his summer classes at Point Park College for free. He’s won scholarships for the past three years,” she added. “He stays extremely busy no matter what time of the year, but that’s what he loves to do.”
She recalled the moment in Pittsburgh when she knew her son was going to compete against 14 of the top male dancers in the country.
“I got really nervous and at one point I just said to myself that it wasn’t happening. I was really, really nervous,” she said.
But the nervousness didn’t rub off on Wirick.
“I just went out there and did my best. It was a lot of fun and challenging and I got to show off what I have. The competition was tough, but I liked to get into the competition phase. I liked the mind set,” Wirick noted.
Wirick said he stayed focused throughout the competition just as he was trained to do at the Ginny Tanner Dance Studio. He said he just couldn’t believe it when he was announced the winner and attributes his success to his dance instructors and his family.
“That’s where my inspiration came from: Ginny Tanner dance studio and my parents. They all help me with everything, and I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them.
“My parents keep me going. They remind me of who I am and they give me a lot of support and love no matter what I choose to do,” he added.
Wirick said that even though he’s already received one of the most prestigious dance awards that a young man his age can receive, he plans to keep dancing at the local level and hopes that he’ll make it to New York City as a professional.
And, meanwhile, he’ll keep practicing.
“There’s always room for improvement,’ said Wirick.