Palacios places second in Alaska dance competition

NATHAN Palacios, born and raised on Saipan, won second place in the Alaska Fil-Am Showtime dance competition on Feb. 22, 2015.

Palacios was among the 48 competitors. On Saipan, he participated in dance competitions and was a choreographer at the Saipan Music and Dance Studio. He took all that he has learned about dancing on Saipan and brought his best moves to the competition in Alaska.

After auditioning on Jan. 30, the 48 dancers in the Alaska competition were whittled down to 20 for the semi-finals on Feb. 9.

Palacios was among the top 20 and was featured in the reality TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

“It is my dream to be on national television and especially get the chance to represent the island of Saipan,” he said.

Prior to the competition, Palacios was freestyle dancing at a mall in Alaska when he was approached by a man who told him to try out for the event.

With the encouragement of family and friends, he went through with it without expecting he would make it that far.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my loved ones, especially with the support from back home (Saipan). Salbahe’ sent me shirts as well to showcase I was representing the island, always,” Palacios said.

Heading into the top 20 was nerve-wracking, he added.

Palacios had to create another dance routine by himself. He incorporated hip hop, break dancing, krumping, and popping.

He combined the music of dub-step, the Mario Brother’s theme song and sound effects from the horror film, “The Conjuring.”

Palacios wowed the crowd which gave him a standing ovation.

He wants to send out a special thank you to Salbahe’, DJ Kaipat, FruitNinjazKrew, and Saipan Music and Dance Studio.

“If it wasn’t for Saipan Music and Dance Studio, I wouldn’t have gained my stage presence and great confidence to perform in front of such a huge crowd,” Palacios said.

“This was a stepping stone to where I want my dancing talent to take off to, national television. I honestly couldn’t wait to perform and carry Saipan wherever I go, especially on ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ ”