By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc,
This year, Becky’s Dance Step Studio took four teams to compete at the Platinum National Dance Competition in Jacksonville. The competition was March 4 – 6 and was help at the University of North Florida’s Performing Arts Center. There were 23 studios in all represented during the Jacksonville regional competition.
Becky’s Dance Step Studio teams consisted of 18 members, ranging from 8 – 18 years old. They prepared and performed seven dances for this competition. After the scoring was done the dancers took home four Platinum and three Gold awards for their outstanding efforts.
Pazlei Jenkins, Amelia Blanton and Celina Quintana performed “Ballet Russe.” This dance won the Judges’ Choice Award for Terrific Ballet Technique. They also won a Platinum Award and First Place Overall in the Recreational, Senior, Duet/Trio, Ballet (ages 13-14) category.
The dances were then grouped together by age and size of group, where all genres of dance competed against each other (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip hop) for overall titles. Five out of the seven entries for the team placed in the top five in the overalls for each age group and size.
The Judges’ Choice Award for Terrific Ballet Technique was given to Amelia Blanton, Pazlei Jenkins and Celina Quintana for their classical ballet dance, “Ballet Russe.”
All seven of the dances qualified for the National Finals for Platinum National Dance Competition which tours 18 cities throughout the U.S., holding regional dance competitions throughout the 2010 – 2011 dance terms. The National Finals will be held in Panama City & Myrtle Beach, S.C. in June.
The 18 talented and hardworking members of the 2011 team from Becky’s Dance Steps Studio were: Junior Team (ages 9 – 10): Desirea Alexander, Savanna Edwards, Ansley English, Erin Jarvis, Kaylie Rogers, Zaria Straughter and Savanna Wilford. Junior Team (ages 11 – 12): Brittany Edwards, Stephanie English, Summer Langell and Haley Rogers.
Senior Team (ages 13 – 14): Amelia Blanton, Pazlei Jenkins and Celina Quintana. And the Senior Team (ages 15 – 16): Elainie Jarvis, Ashley Skipper, Ashlyn Welch and Kendal Wilson. The team was co-directed by Toni Norris and Becky Robinson with rehearsals that started in early January.
Congratulations, Becky’s Dance Step Studio 2011 Dance Competition Team! Good luck at National Finals.
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