Two Auburn Dance Academy Teams Compete in Disney Channel 'Dance Off' Program Tonight

When local viewers tune in to Disney Channel's "Make Your Mark: Shake It Up Dance Off" program, which premieres tonight, there will be a gigantic party in an an unassuming dance studio in an unassuming strip mall in Auburn.

Why? Out of nearly 100,000 dance videos submitted to producers this past summer from across the country, only six finalists will be featured on tonight's television program. And two of them were submitted by young dancers who train at Auburn Dance Academy.

What are the odds, right?

According to Disney, the other finalists hail from South Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania and California, but it's the brother-sister dance team of Starley and Chris and the five-boy posse, BX5 Crew that the studio's owner Jennifer Carrington, of Bonney Lake, will be supporting.

Maybe it's because three of her children are in both teams: Starley, 14, Chris, 16, and younger brother Levi, 10, in BX5 have grown up accompanying their mother to and from the dance studio and naturally developed the urge -- and passion for dance. Starley and Chris currently attend Bonney Lake High School and Levi is at Bonney Lake Elementary.

The remaining boys who make up BX5 are Jalen Forward, Anthony Morigi, Brady Moore and Marcus Rasmussen, who are all from the south King/Pierce county area as well. Everyone dances with the studio's competitive dance team that has garnered many awards over the years on display in the studio's lobby area.

"It's extremely exciting," Carrington said of her young pupils. "It's incredible. I'm so blessed to have the teachers we have who work with these kids."

The kids themselves were also quick to thank their instructors for helping them reach this point in the contest.

"We'd like to thank our choreographer, Zsa Baysa, and our mom, Jennifer Carrington," Starley said, "and our family for supporting us."

Brother Chris continued, "without them, none of this would be possible. We wouldn't be where we are right now."

Marcus, 11, of BX5 also shared his studio-mate's sentiment. "We'd like to thank Jennifer Carrington, Chris Carrington and Zsa Baysa for helping us learn the dances."

Wait? Chris helped choreograph his competition's routine?

Of course, big brother said. The contest is for fun but at the end of the day, the studio's own supports each other. "Whatever happens, happens," he said.

More about Auburn Dance Academy

Auburn Dance Academy website

Auburn Dance Academy YouTube channel

Watch Tonight

Debby Ryan ("Jessie") and Roshon Fegan ("Shake It Up," "Dancing with the Stars") will host the popular talent competition for kids and three-time "Dancing With the Stars" champion Derek Hough, platinum recording artist Cher Lloyd and top celebrity choreographer Rosero McCoy are set to judge the finalists, in the first of two episodes that premieres tonight, Friday, Oct. 19 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel.

The telecast includes a special appearance by Olympic by gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas.  

Following Friday's show, viewers will have up to two hours to vote for their favorite finalist at www.DisneyChannel.com/DanceOff, by texting their vote to DISNEY or by calling toll free to finalists' numbers.  Viewers can vote up to five times on each device – online, text and phone.

The grand prize winner will be revealed during a telecast on Sunday, Oct. 21 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT), and that winner will soon perform on Disney Channel’s hit series "Shake It Up."

"Austin & Ally" star and Hollywood Records recording artist, Ross Lynch will perform during the competition on Friday. The results telecast on Sunday will feature a performance by "Shake It Up" stars Bella Thorne and Zendaya.