In the first two posts, I tried to keep it to my top 3 dances for each style, but to try and do that for Contemporary, Jazz and Broadway would be mind-boggling, so I went with the top 10 (or top 8 in the case of Jazz).
Broadway
Up until this season, Tyce DiOrio was the only Broadway choreographer used, and his routines can be kind of hit or miss. I’m glad to see new blood this season, and I hope they keep bringing in different choreographers for this style, like Adam Shankman (who choreographed a group routine last season) for instance.
10. Martha and Travis - Season 2
I was not a Martha fan, and I don’t think I really liked this routine as much as the judges did during Season 2, but looking back at it, it’s well-danced and might have been their best routine.
9. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
What a way to be introduced to Twitchington!
8. Courtney and Gev - Season 4
This routine reminded me of Gene Kelly, my favorite dancer of all time.
7. Donyelle and Benji - Season 2
The only thing I didn’t like about this routine, was Donyelle’s costume. It kind of reminded me of Little Bo Peep.
6. Katee and Joshua - Season 4
5. Heidi and Benji - Season 2
When these two danced together, it was always awesomeness.
4. Melody and Nick - Season 1
When I think of Season 1, this is the routine I think of first. One of the top routines of the season.
3. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
If Mark can sing, he’d be a natural on Broadway.
2. Sabra and Pasha - Season 3
They had a great week between this and their Quickstep.
1. Lacey and Kameron - Season 3
This is the routine that I always think of first when I think of Broadway on So You Think You Can Dance.
Contemporary
Somewhere along the way during Season 1, they stopped calling this style Lyrical and started calling it Contemporary. Not sure what that was all about, but I combined the two to come up with my top 10 for this style.
10. Melody and Allan - Season 1
This is not the best dancing in Season 1, but to me it was the most memorable Contemporary routine of the season - in fact, it was the only one that I remembered when I went back to watch routines for this post. For that reason, and because big old cuddly Allan and tiny little Melody were a most unlikely couple, it gets a spot.
9. Kherington and Twitch - Season 4
Twitch with no shirt. ‘Nuff said.
8. Jason and Aleksandra - Season 2
These two didn’t go very far in the competition, but their dance from the first week is still one I remember with a smile.
7. Sabra and Dominic - Season 3
There is something so sweet about Dominic in this dance. And in his sharing that he shaved his toes.
6. Allison and Ivan - Season 2
I think Season 2 is still my favorite season, and these two and this dance is one of the reasons.
5. Danny and Neil - Season 3
Mia Michaels is a love it or hate it choreographer for me, and this dance is one that I would normally probably hate, and in fact in my original review, I wrote that the lighting annoyed me and there was way too much testosterone for me. But in rewatching it, I enjoyed the crazy, wicked, wildness of it.
4. Katee and Joshua - Season 4
This was just beautifully danced.
3. Jessica and Will - Season 4
There is something so primieval and carnal about this piece. And Will with no shirt doesn’t hurt either.
2. Lacey and Neil - Season 3
The amazing thing about dance is the emotions it can bring out. I cried the first time I saw this and I’ve cried every time I’ve seen it since. That is powerful.
1. Heidi and Travis - Season 2
Mia Michaels won an Emmy for this routine. It’s still one of the most beautiful dances I’ve ever seen on this show.
Jazz/Lyrical Jazz
If you’re curious why there’s nothing from Season 2 on this list, it’s because there was only one dance classified as Jazz, and it wasn’t that good.
8. Ashle and Artem - Season 1
Not much to choose from in Season 1, but this was the one I remembered the most.
7. Jessi and Pasha - Season 3
I loved the quirkiness of this.
6. Lauren and Neil - Season 3
When this dance first aired, I didn’t really care for it at all, but when I rewatched it for this post, I enjoyed Wade Robson’s bizarre choreography and storyline and Neil’s performance.
5. Sara and Pasha - Season 3
I loved Sara and Pasha together and I really enjoyed this routine.
4. Jessica and Will - Season 4
We’ve already talked about Will without a shirt, so I won’t mention that again. *cough*
3. Chelsie and Mark - Season 4
It’s too bad Wade Robson is not choreographing this season. I’d love to see what he could come up with for Mark. They seem to be a match made in quirky heaven.
2. Sabra and Neil - Season 3
This is another of the most memorable dances on the show. And they danced it perfectly.
1. Jaimie and Hok - Season 3
One of my all-time favorites. The mind of Wade Robson would be a fascinating place to explore.
Pas de Deux
There’s only been one Pas de Deux to date, but there is no way it can’t be on a Best of post, so here is Season 4’s Katee and Will and their breathtaking Pas de Deux:
The great thing about art is that everyone’s opinion is different on what is the best or what is beautiful or what touches them. That said, I’m sure I left out some of your favorites. Tell me which ones in the comments!
Other posts in this series:
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