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His pageant experience spans 24 years as a pageant and fashion show director, producer, emcee, judge, pageant wear consultant, and photographer. The past thirteen years he has worked as an individual pageant instructor for Gowns & Crowns, LLC., a pageant preparation studio he owns and operates in Columbia, South Carolina. Gowns and Crowns specializes in the TOTAL PACKAGE! Cy and the Gowns and Crowns Team can assist a client in all areas of preparation from interview, on-stage speaking skills, proper walking techniques for swimsuit and evening gown, stage modeling routines, over-all stage presence; wardrobe selection, physical fitness, talent presentation, make-up artistry, to platforms and community service. Understanding you can't buy confidence, but you can build it Cy teaches individual classes giving each client the freedom and privacy to discover their own individuality through pageantry. Cy feels individual attention is a necessity for young women to recognize weaknesses and learn to showcase their best qualities and attributes. Cy is proud of his client base which include: National: Amanda Pennekamp Bluestein/ Miss Earth United States 2006 (top 16 at the International Miss Earth Pageant in the Philippines) and 1st Runner-up to Miss USA 2006 (representing South Carolina); Shelly Hennig/ Miss Teen USA (representing Louisiana 2004); Margaret Anne Carter/America's Perfect 2009 and MTV's Super Sweet Sixteen Teen, Ally Townsend/America's National Teenager 2009; Stephanie Rozier/Miss United States Teen 2009, Gariann Gunter/ Miss United States 2009;Qiana Henton/Miss Junior Black America 1994;Jill Rowland/Ms. Global International 2002. State: Kaity Rodriguez/ Miss New Jersey USA 2009; Mary Helen Caver/ Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2009; Stephanie Horton/ Miss South Carolina USA 2003; Lauren Caitlin Upton/ Miss South Carolina Teen USA 2007 (3rd Runner-up to Miss Teen USA) and YouTube sensation; Brooklyn Garrett/Little Miss South Carolina 2009 (over all winner); Sara Platt/ Little Miss South Carolina 2008 (over all winner); Rebecca Kelly Little Miss South Carolina 2005 (overall winner); Jordan Dawkins/North Carolina's Perfect Miss 2009); Kaleigh Hill/ South Carolina's Perfect Miss 2009;Ashley Williams/ Miss South Carolina USA 2002 (top 10 finalist); Amanda Pennekamp Bluestein/ Miss South Carolina USA 2004 (1st runner up Miss USA); Lacie Lybrand/ Miss South Carolina USA 2006 (top 10 Miss USA); Ashley Zais/ Miss South Carolina USA 2007 (top 15 Miss USA);Jamie Hill Miss South Carolina USA 2008 (top 15 Miss USA); Elizabeth Carty/ Miss North Carolina Teen USA 2004; Elizabeth Shirk/ South Carolina's Junior Miss 2002 (Top 16 Finalist/ America's Junior Miss); Daniell Wilson/ Miss Teen South Carolina 2003; Maggie Hill/ Miss Teen South Carolina 2006 (top ten finalist America's Outstanding Teen); Crystal Garret/ Miss South Carolina 2007 (top 15 finalist Miss America); April Moschella/Miss Drugfree South Carolina/America 2003); Ashley Witt/ Miss United States Junior Teen 2008; Megan Matthews/Miss South Carolina United States 2010; Courtney Turner/ Miss South Carolina United States Teen 2010; Shannon Ford South Carolina Opry Queen 2010; Sutton Metz/South Carolina's Perfect Junior Teen 2010; Stella Groome/South Carolina's Perfect Supermodel 2010; Jackie Wells/ Mrs. Pennsylvania International 2000(top 10 Mrs. America International); Celeste Springer Mrs. South Carolina 2006; Tammy Johns/Mrs. South Carolina United States 2010; Kathleen Brand/North South All-Star Homecoming Queen 2009; Courtney Hardin/ Miss North Carolina Teen World 2010. Notables: Clark Gilmer/ top 10 Miss South Carolina USA 2009 and America's Next Top Model Finalist; Lindsey Holton 3rd Runner-up Miss South Carolina USA 2008 and Professional Elite Model/Chicago;Stephanie Monroe National Seventeen Magazine Cover-girl Winner; Lori Flower/Mrs. South Carolina 1985 (top ten finalist Mrs. America) and top 3 finalist for More Magazine Model Search (from 10,000 women). For complete listing and photos please visit my gallery Cy is active in the community serving on many charitable organizations such as the Festival of Trees to Benefit the Children's Hospital (Festival 17 years and Chair/3 years); Co-Chair for The S. C. Fur Ball to benefit Project Pet (Chair/2 years); The Animal Mission Board under the direction of Sony from Hootie and the Blowfish; The First Ladies Walk....Steps Against Breast Cancer; a Columbia City Ballet Board Member under the Artistic Direction of world famous dancer and choreographer, William Starrett. Cy is recipient of the Key to the City of Columbia by the honorable Mayor Bob Coble in recognition of his charity work, voted a 2002 Hero for Children by Governor Jim Hodges. Cy has been inducted into the Lugoff-Elgin High School Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to his high school alma mater.
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| Amanda Pennekamp Bluestein is a graduate of Newberry College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre and Speech Communications, and has a scholarship in her name, the Amanda Pennekamp Bluestein Performing Arts Scholarship. Amanda was Miss South Carolina USA 2004 and went on to become First Runner-Up in Miss USA 2004. She was crowned Miss Earth United States 2006 and was a Top 16 overall finalist, as well as the Top 15 in the swimsuit competition, among 82 countries! She has also held the titles of Miss Sun Fun, Miss Newberry College, Miss Lake Murray, and was crowned Homecoming Queen at Newberry College. A professional Model and Actress, Amanda has also modelled since the age of 14 with the Millie Lewis Model and Talent Agency of Columbia, South Carolina where she appeared in Seventeen Magazine, Young Miss, and Cosmopolitan. Amanda spent 3 years in New York City with Wilhelmina Models, Wilhelmina Creative divisions, as well as Funny Face Model Management where she booked numerous commercials including Bioforce Fitness Equipment, The Zone Diet, The Driving Force, and WWE. She has also appeared on billboards in New York City for ALLURE Magazine, and has appeared in print editorials for Cosmopolitan Magazine, SuperModels Unlimited, Aquafina, La Perla, and GE . Amanda also had an appearance on One Life To Live, The Dr. Keith Ablow Show, films such as Juwanna Mann and Music and Lyrics! Amanda is currently a V Babe named "Ava Vavoom" for the Vegas Entertainment Network in which she hosts her own internet show, "The V Fixxx", which is all about Las Vegas and airs on www.thev.tv. Amanda travels to Vegas often and has interviewed celebrities on the red carpet such as James Denton, Tony Parker, Carrot Top, Mark Martin and Carl Edwards (she is a HUGE NASCAR fan!), and Michael Clark Duncan to name a few. While travelling between Vegas and a satellite studio in Charlotte Amanda is beyond thrilled to be at Gowns and Crowns to assist in helping pageant competitors to achieve a hot and fun swimsuit walk and pose, mock interviews, and providing tips in make-up applications! |
| Cory King / Make-up Artist (A BRUSH WITH BEAUTY, LLC) Gowns and Crowns first heard about Cory after he worked with Our very own Amanda Bluestein (instructor) on a Cover Shoot/Fashion Spread for a lifestyle magazine. He has make-up experience in : Fashion ,Print, Runway, Theater, International Campaigns and Film . His attention to detail and eye for beauty made him a natural fit to be added to the team of Gowns and Crowns.
He has over thirteen years of experience in the beauty industry. Working with reputable plastic surgeons and a former Spa Director, he understands a clients needs like no other artist. Cory specializes in bringing out the natural beauty of every client insuring they will look their best in person and on stage.
He has training with several make-up lines and loves sharing his knowledge while instructing to help clients learn how to recreate their perfect look: in an educational, comprehensive, fun environment. In his session you learn while using the make-up you already have.
Cory also designs personalized pageant kits for Gowns and Crowns. He looks forward to seeing you soon, for your brush with beauty!
While he works with many actresses and models his most notable pageant clients to date are Amanda Pennekamp Bluestein, Lissie Smith, Rachel Law, Erika Powell.
Please call 864-561-7744 for your professional consultation today!
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Tammy Johns Are you looking for expert Dance Instruction to help you showcase your talent in the next competition? Let me help you bring out your best with provide personalized competition assistance. |
Crystal A. Garrett (Vocal Coach for Gowns and Crowns) is a senior at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music where she is a voice major and a theater minor. Ms. Garrett has served as Miss Charleston 2007 and Miss South Carolina 2007. In July 2007, not only capturing the crown, Crystal was also blessed to win the Miss South Carolina overall talent award. In January 2008, Crystal placed in the top 15 in the Miss America Live 2008 competition in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was seen for the entire month of January in 2008, on the Miss America Reality Check reality show on TLC! Crystal was the 2006 Columbia, South Carolina Palmetto Idol, which allowed her to audition for American Idol producers in Memphis, Tennessee. She sang the nationwide jingle for Harris Teeter grocery store in 2004. She also appeared in a Food Lion commercial and was an extra in the Asylum movie in 2006. Crystal has been in print editorials in SuperModels Unlimited and Four Points Magazine. Crystal has recently joined thev.tv team as “Crystal…..just Crystal” appearing on Ava Vavoom’s show, the Vfixx. In December 2008, she will perform as a principle singer in the off Broadway, Brad and Jennifer Moranz Christmas show in Charleston, South Carolina. Crystal will also appear as a principle singer in their Valentine’s Day show in February of 2009 as well! Crystal looks forward to many more vocal opportunities in the near future! Crystal was diagnosed with allergy induced asthma at the age of three. Her childhood doctors told her that she would never be able to sing or participate in sports because of her low lung capacity. Some of Crystal’s doctors did not even expect her to live long enough to turn twenty one years old. But through voice lessons, cardiovascular activities, and taking all medications as directed by her doctors, she has achieved the unexpected. Crystal has built her lung capacity to a higher level, strengthened her vocal abilities and was fortunate to turn twenty-one years old on June 12th of 2007! She has also played sports her entire life and now sings on a daily basis! Sharing her personal experiences of how she has become a champion of asthma has enabled her to give the gift of hope and song to many. Crystal has been an example of how everyone is more than capable of turning dreams into realities. Her disease has truly proved to be a blessing in disguise! Crystal feels so blessed to continue to empower others to implement dedication and preparation characteristics to their everyday lives through music as the new Gowns and Crowns voice instructor! |
Fit For A Crown offers women in the pageant industry a new, fun, positive, and realistic approach to each woman's individual goals! Get ready to be serious about achieving that swimsuit body you have always desired!
Brian Bluestein, your Fit For A Crown trainer, is well versed in the fitness world. He has studied physical fitness and is a certified trainer. He has been training clients since 2003. He worked in New York City as a fitness model and actor and supplemented personal training in with the mix at New York Sports Club.
This led him into a deeper passion for training those determined and excited about health, fitness, and body confidence! What better place to find people like this than the powerful women of the pageant industry! His first experience in training one of these pageant women suggested that he would be great at working with these women like her... and she was right!!
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Kyle Taylor (Booking Agent and Wardrobe Consultant). Kyle will be happy to assist you in booking your classes for your next competition. You can reach the Gowns and Crowns Booking Agent at 803-254-1220.
Kyle is originally from Georgia. Currently a resident of South Carolina he has attended Newberry College and The University of South Carolina. He has the ability to assist in pageant styling which includes costuming, wardrobe, and dress design. He is trained in minor alterations and has a willingness to shop with you and give creative input to make your pageant wardrobe complete. Kyle has won numerous awards for many of his creative designs.
Kyle is very passionate when it comes to this favorite charities and is very active in the community. He loves to plan events, participate in walks, aid in fund raisers, and help in the theater. Kyle has been a assistant costumer for two major wardrobe undertakings in theater, the Musical Auntie Mame, and the french play Dangerous Liaisons (Les liaisons dangereuses). One of Kyle's most memorable events was a Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion show for Badgley Mischka, where he worked as their executive assistant backstage for the show. Kyle gave a helping hand to the Imperial Court of New York's Night of a Thousand Gowns in New York City. Other events and charities include the Fur Ball to Benefit Project Pet, and the Festival of Trees to benefit the Children's Hospital, Party Animals to benefit the Animal mission of South Carolina and served on the board of The South Carolina Aids Benefit Foundation for five years where he was responsible for decor for three years, and one year of assisting with the auction.
There is a line form the famous Broadway musical "Wicked," that says, "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are lead to those who help us most to grow if we let them, and we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you." It is Kyle's belief that this line has sums up his life. He feels extraordinarily blessed and feels it is a great honor to have a part in helping to train and influence a clients experience in pageants and most important....Life!!!
Sabrina Lercara: Intern: Is an active high school student that has participated in pageants for 2 years. She is an intern for Gowns and Crowns. Sabrina a volunteer at Lexington Medical Center Extended Care Facility which helps her promote her platform of Alzheimer's Awareness. She is very involved in her high school where she is President of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), Yearbook Business Editor and Treasurer of the entire Student Body. Some titles Sabrina has earned are American Image National Teen, Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore, Miss Gilbert Jamboree, National American Miss South Carolina Jr. Teen, National Image Miss South Carolina Teen, Miss Gilbert Middle School just to name a few. Sabrina would like to go on to attend the University of South Carolina and would like, in the future, to continue to work in the field of pageantry as a coach and a gown shop owner.