Competition wrap-up: summer 1997 - dance competitions

Dance Magazine, Oct, 1997 by Claudia Busto

The best competitors from hundreds of regional competitions are selected to attend summer finals held all over the U.S. The young dancers compete for titles, trophies, awards, and scholarships; take classes in jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop, and theater dance; and enjoy an exciting summer holiday. Following are the results from thirteen of the national competitions.

DANCE MAKERS

The 1997 Dance Makers Competition produced the following winners: Seniors, First Place: "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" from Young Dance Academy; Second Place: "Reach" from Young Dance Academy; Third Place: "Astaire" from Julie Rogers Studio of Dance. Juniors, First Place: "Smooth Criminal" from Julie Rogers Studio of Dance; Second Place: "Cotton-Eyed Joe' from D'Ann Danse Studios, Inc.; Third Place: "Gangster" from Julie Rogers Studio of Dance. Petite, First Place: "I Keep Waiting for You" from Rockford School of Dance; Second Place: "Sing Along" from D'Ann Danse Studios, Inc. Third Place: "Fools Fall in Love" from Rockford School of Dance.

DANCE OLYMPUS/DANCEAMERICA

The Dance Olympus Dancer of the Year contest was held June 30 to July 4 in conjunction with the 1997 DanceAmerica National Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over two thousand dancers and their teachers attended. The 1997 Dance Olympus Dancer of the Year finalists are, Dancer of the Year: Bryan Molina from Fishback Studio of the Dance; First Runner-up: Annie Polack; Second Runner-up: Robert Knowles; Third Runner-up: Lori DiLibero; Fourth Runner-up: Cathy Duncan. The 1997 DanceAmerica High Score and Special Award Winners are, Solo: Bryan Molina; Duo/Trio: Some Like It Hot from Denise Lester Dance Academy; Small Group: Behind the Walls from Dance Artistry; Large Group: Mission Impossible from Wynn Twins; Line: Casali School of Dance; Production & Jules Stone Award for Overall Highest Score: Rennae's School of Dance.

HEADLINERS

Headliners National Championship took place July 13 to 17 at the Radisson Grand Resort in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The following titles were awarded: Miss Headliner, Mayumi Miguel from Dance World Academy; Teen Miss Headliner, Lon Ann Ferreri from Dance World Academy; Teen Mister Headliner, Jeff Wahl from Danek School of Performing Arts; Junior Miss Headliner, Jacqueline Geier from Rolann's School of the Dance; Junior Mister Headliner, JP Ferreri from Dance World Academy; Petite Miss Headliner, Molly Galbraith from Dance Arts Academy; Master Headliner, Rory Freeman from Hope Specht School of Dance. The Platinum Circle Champions and the recipients of the Capezio Award for Excellence are Sara Means and Christian Tworzyanski from Calvert Brodie Studios.

I LOVE DANCE

I Love Dance Championships were held in Orlando, Florida, July 15 to 17 and in New York City at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Orlando results for the Overall Highest Scores of the Year are, age 18 and up: "Hold On Tight," taught by Debbie Poland; age 15-17: "Fly," taught by Kimberly Kay Frey; age 12-14: Tera Primm, taught by Shelleh Harkcom; age 9-11 : "Strings," taught by Kimberly Kay Frey; age 18: Miranda Durbin, taught by Kimberly Kay; age 3-5: Candice Strauss, taught by Krista Kay. New York results for the Overall Highest Scores of the Year are, age 18 and up: Lindsay Hartung, taught by Cheryl Ohlemacher; age 15-17: "Fabulous Feet," taught by Denise Mele; age 12-14: Lisa Ho, taught by Anabel Ho; age 9-11 : Jennifer Russell, taught by Robin Dawn; age 18: Susanne Theriault, taught by Judi Demers-Bavin; age 3-5: "Shopping," taught by Judi Demers-Bavin.

NEW YORK CITY DANCE ALLIANCE

Over 1,200 dance students attended New York City Dance Alliance's 1997 Season Finale! at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, July 7-11. NYC Dance Alliance 1997 National Awardees are, Senior Outstanding Dancer: Cody Green from Visions Dance Company and Jessica Holker from The Dance Club; Junior Outstanding Dancer: Nick Lazzarini from Dance Attack! and Randi Lynn Strong from The Dance Club. The Dance Club swept the Senior Awards, winning High-Scoring Solo (dancer Jacki Dowling), Duo/Trio, Group, Line, and Small Production. Larkin Dance won both Senior Extended Line and Senior Large Production. The Junior High Score Awards are, Solo: Danny Tidwell from Denise Wall's Dance Energy; Duo/Trio: Ool-Ya-Koo from For Dancers Only; Group: Irish Pas de Quatre from Academy of Dance Arts; Line: "The Entertainer" from For Dancers Only; Large Production: "Fascinating Rhythm" from Encore Performers.

RHEE GOLD'S AMERICAN DANCE AWARDS

American Dance Awards National Championships 1997 were held in Boston, July 2-8. National Dancers of the Year 1998 are Heidi Sutherland from Betty Gundersen Studio of Dance and Jeremy Cox from Gloria Jean's Studio of Dance. Teen Dancers of the Year are Katy Spreadbury from Diane Kelley Dance Studio-and Joseph Corella from Spizak Dance Academy. Junior Dancers of the Year are Elise Doran from P & P Dance Centre and Eric Lilienthal from Miss Tina's Studio of Dance. The Bill Como Memorial Award was presented to the Jersey Cape Dance Center, the Gold Family Award was given to Gloria Jean's School of Dance, and the Diamond Award/ Sherry Gold Memorial Award for excellence in choreography was awarded to Brenda Barna from Studio Dance Slipper for Threshold.