gendance gets up close with Andrew Holtz, who works for STARBOUND National Talent Competition, and performs live in special cities with his band.

How old are you?
I just turned 28

Is that young for a musician to have 2 CD’s recorded and another on the way? 
I don’t know, I don’t think of it as a timeline; everyone moves at a different pace.  When I was in HS and college I made CDs with other bands, but with HOLTZ, I’m comfortable with the pace I’m at. I made my first record in ‘03, 2nd record last year, and hopefully what I’m working on now, will be out sometime next year.

How did you get connected to the dance industry? 
Well, funny thing. My drummer has been working with Starbound for years and he said I should try it out.  It seemed like a cool thing, I tried it and it ended up working out great. I got lucky when Sandy started incorporating my band at Starbound Nationals and Dancers Care Foundation benefits.  This is my 3rd season doing this.  It’s been so much fun.

Do you write your own lyrics & music?
Yes, I’m a strong writer before anything.

What is your motivation and where are you heading?
My motivation is always to create a career for myself as a musician and that takes on many different roles including songwriting, recording, producing records and performing live.  For me to be able to do this on a daily basis is a blessing.  It’s the goal I’ve been seeking since I’ve started.

Has dance influenced your writing?
In alotta ways, it has.  Performance wise, it’s opened me up to the possibilities of movement on stage.  I’ve actually worked with some of the choreographers to help me with my own movement.  Not with dance moves, but with overall appearance of a music production.  In terms of writing, I write a lot of ballad-type songs and I’ve been influenced by lyrical numbers. …I can’t wait to hear one of my songs with lyrical dancers and see someone competing to it. HINT HINT, teachers!!

Do you ever think about producing a video with dancers? 
That would be an awesome.  I always wanted to do a video and have a bunch of dancers come out and do a lyrical number performing with me on stage. I hope to pull it together sometime soon.

Has MySpace influenced your dance/singing career?
Whenever I play at a dance competition, the very next day I get a bunch of messages and comments from dancers requesting me to be their friend, so it’s been really exciting and a great tool for me in that sense.  (Pssst.  Ladies, his site is: www.myspace.com/holtz)

What’s your next album called?
I don’t know yet, but I promise it will be something really good.  Maybe like Thriller or Slippery When Wet, or Greatest Hits Volume II.

Do you like to dance? 
Is this on the record or off the record?

On the record.
Ok, well, then…I LOVE TO DANCE!!!  Actually, I never danced a day in my life, but being around all these dancers, I’ve realized that in another life I was a hard core dancer…. I learn a lot from the kids; hip hop, ballet moves, jazz, tap, clogging.  I’m really into clogging. Sometimes I put on the shoes and walk around my house just to hear the sounds. …and the costumes, I love the costumes too.

What’s your favorite dance music video?
The one by OK Go…the one where they’re on the treadmills…it was a youtube sensation. (Click to Check it out) I’m waiting for someone to do this and pull out some treadmills on stage at Nationals.  Sandy would have a field day with that.