From JMU to Dance War
Recent grad competes in televised reality dance show
Posted on January 24, 2008
“Happy New Year! I’m having a great time … at an undisclosed location.”
This was all the information that senior Daniel Bernier said he received this New Year’s from his older brother, Phillip, a JMU alumnus (’06). Phillip is not working confidential military missions, but participating is another kind of “war” and is currently only allowed five minutes a night of monitored phone calls.
It started with what Daniel called an “unexpected” offer from a woman scouting in Nashville for talented singers and dancers. The woman approached Phillip and his friend and asked if either of them sang or danced, and when they answered “yes,” she invited them to an audition the next morning.
“My brother was like ‘I don’t have anything else to do,’” said Daniel. “So he just up and went to this audition that he had no idea what it was for, and he just went for it and it went really well.”
As Phillip’s friends and family later found out, Phillip had auditioned and been selected for ABC’s “Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann.” The show is a hybrid of the singing and dancing competition shows “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.” “Dance War” contestants compete in both singing and dancing under the critical eyes of choreographer judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
“I got a text message saying ‘Phillip’s going to be on TV! He just entered into some…thing,’ because they didn’t really know what it was at that point,” said Daniel. “Actually it’s kind of funny because my mom didn’t think it was legit, and then she looked for it online. She was like, ‘It’s legit, it’s serious.’”
Phillip and the other contestants are now in Hollywood, but can’t disclose information about the show to family or friends. Now the six-week series is coming into its fourth week, with only 10 members of the original 14 left. Phillip remains among those selected.
“He’s always wanted to be a performer,” said Daniel. “He’s always had a passion for music. He was a music industry major, and his instrument through the music program was his voice.”
Phillip’s drive is being tested, since Daniel said the contestants are practicing for 12 hours a day.
Phillip’s friends and family aren’t worried. Daniel says that Phillip has always “had that ability to have that watchable way. He’s definitely charismatic.”
While a student at JMU, Phillip participated in intramural sports, theatre productions, played drums for InterVarsity worship, wrote and performed music with his brother Daniel and played a part in “Prank-a-Tour 2005.” He moved to Nashville to work his way into the music industry.
Senior music major Jackie Maloney, a friend of Phillip’s who participated with him in JMU’s theatre program, agrees that his charisma will help him to go far on the show.
“He’s super quick at picking up the dances, but all these other people are doing these tricks and all kinds of leaps and stuff, and so Phil is in the back doing these one handed push-ups with his open vest, like winking at the camera,” Maloney said.
She describes this as “so Phil.”
“He’s a ham,” she said. “He’s very smart about what he does, too. He knows to go work with the judges.”
Phillip’s charm has attracted much attention from America and judge Bruno Tonioli, and certainly from his fan base here at JMU. His appearances on Monday nights have sparked buzz on abc.com’s message board, inspired multiple Facebook groups and Maloney said there are fans who TiVo performances on Monday nights to watch and support him.
Phillip’s talent and charisma are not the only things that his friends and family believe make him stand out as exceptional. Phillip’s former roommate and fellow JMU alumnus (’06) Ryan Joyce knows he’s got potential.
“He is an incredibly quiet and humble guy,” Joyce said. “I guarantee you will not see him get involved with any gossip or drama while on the show. He will put his head down and work hard, and produce great results. I think Bruno, and America, will really like that.”
Daniel knows his brother’s personal goals better than anyone.
“He just wants to do his best,” said Daniel, “and if he gives it his all then he’s done everything he can. As far as actually what his goals is, it’s to glorify God regardless of what he does. He’s gonna want to let that be known.”
“Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Anne” airs 8 p.m. on ABC and voting information is online at abc.com.
