Perkins Rowe was buzzing with excitement Sunday as young dancers competed for a chance to audition in front of the producers of FOX’s hit show “So You Think You Can Dance.” Fox44 hosted the contest, and the winner received a guaranteed audition in front of the producers of “So You Think You Can Dance” on March 16 in Memphis, Tenn., along with a round trip flight to Memphis provided by Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. In the end though, Daniel Masterson, teacher at Jean Leigh’s Dance Academy, won. “It feels great to win,” Masterson said. “I was nervous, but I came here thinking that I had a good chance. I just wanted to show everyone everything that I have to offer.” This won’t be Masterson’s first time auditioning for “So You Think You Can Dance.” In season three Masterson made it all the way to the top 20 but was then sent home.”That gave me a good taste of what I needed to do,” Masterson said. “This time I’ll know what to expect.”Despite the possibility of a free trip and national recognition, not many people took advantage of the opportunity.Only 10 contestants braced the cold and auditioned in front of the three judges   — Molly Buckman, Garland Wilson and Leonard Augustus Jr. Buckman is the co-owner of Dancer’s Workshop and a profesional-in-residence for the University’s theatre department. Wilson is the co-founder and artistic director of Of Moving Colors Productions, and Augustus is an award winning dancer and choreographer. A temporary dance floor was set up in front of the Cinemark Theatre. People shopping couldn’t help but notice the commotion, and as the day went on the audience grew. The first act of the day was a hip-hop duo from Lafayette who called themselves “Rhythm, Flash, Soul.” Tyler Wilson and Terrance Morgan used a combination of dancing and comedy to impress the judges and entertain the audience. “I have to give it up to you guys. You have mad skills,” Augustus said about the duo’s performance. After “Rhythm, Flash, Soul” performed, there was a string of contemporary routines. Among the contestants who danced in contemporary style was Jordan Brejean, kinesiology freshman. “I think I did all right considering I made it all up on the spot,” Brejean said. Brejean’s friend Katlyn Johnson performed right before her and received wonderful praise from the judges. Johnson, University High School senior, was nervous despite her good critique because she thought the cold may have affected her performance. “I think I did well, but my feet were really cold,” Johnson said. After all the contestants had performed the judges left to tally up the scores and determine a top five. After some deliberation, the judges announced Tyler Wilson, Jake Guidry, Katlyn Johnson, Daniel Masterson and Kendall Washington as the top five. The top five were given a two-hour break and at 4 p.m. returned to perform a second time. The top five came back and brought all their energy and heart for their second performance of the day. The judges were blown away by each of the five, making the final decision extremely difficult. “Among the three of us, we have each judged many competitions but this was one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make because they all have such great talent,” Buckman said. ——Contact Nichole Oden at [email protected]