Thursday, August 13, 2015

2015 Nationals in Hollywood Beach, Florida


Whatever you do, do it well.  Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will bring others and show them how well you do what you do.
-Walt Disney


It was truly an interNATIONAL competition with dancers from the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Ecuador participating in American Dance Awards National Championships.  After months of rehearsals, all of our company dancers ages 7-19 years were excited for a week of competitions, classes, performances, and awards.


The Petite Company's "Rescue Me" and "Sweet Escape" placed Overall 2nd and 3rd respectfully.  They continued to inspire the older members of their dance family by having ALL of their group dances (The Clapping Song, Sweet Escape, My Own Two Hands, Freeze Frame and Rescue Me) make it to the 9 and Under Dance Off!  Payton Bourassa received a Special Costume Award in the 12 and Under Category.  "Rescue Me" continued to deliver by receiving a Special Award for "Outstanding Acro."


The Petite Company used their excitement and energy by the ocean to Leap for Linda

The Mini Company', "Men of Snow" placed 6th place high score in the 10-12 year large group category, while "Over the Rainbow" placed 9th in the 10-12 year duo/trio category,   "Swing the Mood" placed 1st in the 10-12 year class category and was invited to perform in the 12 and Under Dance off, along with "Ants Marching" and the Junior Company's "Alice."  

Posing with hand hearts for Shannon, these Ants marched right to the Dance Off!

Andrew McKenzie had an awesome week, participating in the Junior Dancer of the Year Title Competition.  We were all so proud of him!  .. he was followed by his "groupies" from Petites to Seniors!  
Andrew's team came to support him, along with staff and seniors!
That smile says it all... GREAT JOB!



The Teen Company continued the sparkle with High Scores for "How" placing 8th and "Everything at Once" placing 9th, both in the Large Group Category.  



12 and Under Gala

Following in their fellow company dancers' footsteps, the Junior Company's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" placed 3rd in the Extended Category and was invited to compete in the 13 and Over Dance off, along with "Dare You to Move."  "Las Chicas Fabulosas" also placed 8th in the Duo/Trio Category. Juniors Ellen Marshall, Jenna Dunphy and Victoria Rego placed 4th, 5th, and 6th for Overall High Scores in the Teen Solo Category. Ellen Marshall also received the Best Costume Award in the 13 and Over Category, as well as a Special Award "Making Something Big Out of Something Small."  "Bridge Over Troubled Water" received a Special Award for "Light as a Feather/Precision Tumbling," while the Trio "One and Only" received one for being "Dare Devils."  "Las Chicas Fabulosas" received a Special Award for "Academy Award: Best Actress in Musical Theater." 






Pause

The Senior Company placed high scores in Duo/Trio with 4th Place for "Pause," in Small Group with 5th Place for "M'adorer," in Large Group with 5th Place for "Blue Ocean Floor" and in Production with 1st Place for "Black Parade."  Senior Elyssa Sena placed 6th for Overall High Score in the Teen Solo Category, while her teammate, Devon Larcher placed 2nd for Overall High Score Solo.

"Forget Me Not" 
Devon was also acknowledged for his choreography in "Forget Me Not" with a Special Award for "Great Choreography & Storytelling and Great use of Foreshadowing."  




















Invites for the 13 and Over Dance Off went out to Pause, M'adorer, Blue Ocean Floor, Forget Me Not, Black Parade and Devon Larcher for his Solo.


13 and Over Gala


Devon Larcher competed in the Male Dancer of the Year Competition and won the Jazz Class Award, Modern Class Award, and Ballet Class Award.....as well as being named ADA's 2015 MALE DANCER OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!  We couldn't be prouder of the way he represented the studio on and off the stage...




Best of luck to Devon in his next adventure...as part of the Dance Company performing on Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas!



It came down to the final award of the evening....in the Production Category... and First Place went to "Black Parade!!!"  What a way to end our week!

Oh, what a night!  Oh, what a week!
It was a week of dancing, hard work, celebrations, and FUN...here are some dance memories being made:


Little dancers, BIG fun!

Fireworks on the beach...Happy 4th of July!
Celebrating with friends!

All dressed up and having some fun!
Showing our GREEN spirit.
Especially when the teachers join in...
Posing with Scott Fowler!



And you're NEVER too old to join the fun...






Best of luck to our graduating SENIORS...you'll forever be shamrocks!  Ivy Gowans, Sarah Carter, Brette Chartier, Kayla Colson and Sloan Kinney...........











A special THANK YOU to Mitch Gowans and Melanie Plante for transporting our props to and from Hollywood Beach, Florida! 


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