An exciting performance troupe comprised of young dancers, actors and tumblers — including one with cystic fibrosis — last night made it into the finals of the popular television show “America’s Got Talent.”
The Rocky Mountain Silhouettes are 42 kids from ages 3 to 19 that are technically trained in every style of dance plus acting, singing and tumbling. They are a part of the Rocky Mountain School of Dance, an award winning competitive performing arts studio from Denver, Colo.
Silhouettes member Kelsie, 17, has to deal with some challenges not faced by other members of the troupe. According to Kelsie’s biography on the Silhouettes website, she dances 30 hours a week and maintains a 4.0 GPA as a high school senior. She also has cystic fibrosis. Kelsie’s favorite phrase is “I have CF, CF doesn’t have me!”
Kelsie was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at one month old. She works every day to stay healthy. She has an intensive medical regime that includes a minimum of two breathing treatments a day. The team at the Denver Children’s Hospital has worked with Kelsie throughout her life to make sure that her dance is a priority and a significant piece of her treatment plan. It has been said of Kelsie that when she hits the dance floor she leaves everything else outside of the studio. When she enters the room it is all about the dance, she demands to be treated like everyone else. Silhouettes Director Lynne Patton has commented that the trouble with Kelsie is getting her to stop, rest and breathe! Her Rocky Mountain family is there for her whether she is flying high in the studio or spending time in the hospital. She is surrounded by unconditional support and love, and the whole team dreams of a cure for CF. Kelsie hopes that her successes in dance and life will be inspiration for other kids facing the challenges of a life with cystic fibrosis.
The Rocky Mountain Silhouettes will face three other acts in the finals of NBC’s America’s Got Talent next week. View their impressive semi-finals performance below, and mark your calendar to watch them in the finals on Tuesday, September 13, at 9 p.m. Eastern.