Chapel Hill natives out to prove Mama can dance

Keeping secrets is hard, especially when it's from a close family member. That is exactly what Carol Uphoff of Chapel Hill struggled with when her son, Erick "E-Rock" Uphoff, told her that he was auditioning for what he thought was a show called "Dance Nation."

Erick Uphoff's mom knew the show's big twist: The show he was auditioning for was Lifetime Television's first dance competition, "Your Mama Don't Dance," and she would be his partner.

"I was shocked," said Erick Uphoff, an East Chapel Hill High School alumnus. "It blew me away. I had no idea."

Erick and Carol Uphoff are competing against nine other father-daughter and mother-son duos for the chance to win $100,000 in cash and prizes.

"I am really excited for them. … He has taken a big risk by going out to L.A. by himself," said Ellen Ambrose, a UNC sophomore who danced with Erick at Triangle Youth Ballet.

"He is starting to get his dream."

Marisa Dorchock, Erick's girlfriend and Los Angeles dance partner, said she knows the difficulty of breaking into the entertainment industry.

"It's going to open a lot of doors for him," Dorchock said. "He gets to work with top choreographers and other top dancers."

The show's lead choreographer, Marguerite Derricks, designed the Uphoffs' first contemporary dance, which is a mix of modern, lyrical and jazz styles.

Derricks has taught many celebrities their dances for movie roles, including the tango between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

She said throughout her career her job has required her to choreograph dances for both professionals and celebrities with little prior dance experience.

"I kind of treat the parents like the stars," Derricks said. "The kids are the icing on the cake."

Erick, who she assumed was primarily a hip-hop dancer, surprised her with his classical training, and Carol has a natural artistic ability, she said.

"I was really blown away the first day I walked into the studio and saw them dancing together," Derricks said.

But someone recognized Erick's talent long before Derricks saw him perform.

According to Erick, his sister, Emilie, is his biggest fan. She sends out mass e-mails, starts Facebook fan groups and makes announcements about his dancing career in her classes at Western Carolina University.

"It's always fun to see him dance," Emilie said. "I know he's been a great teacher for my mom."

The first time the mother-son team danced on the same stage was in the Triangle Youth Ballet performance of "The Nutcracker." He played the title character, while she played the part of a party guest.

Erick said he is excited about the duo reuniting on stage.

"I am definitely excited to show America my mom can dance."

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.

WATCH THE SHOW Time: 9 p.m. today Channel: Lifetime Network, channel 66 on campus Info: www.myLifetime.com/on-tv/shows/your-mama-dont-dance