Clinton resident and Eliot Middle School seventh-grader, Kaitlyn Maurais recently placed as a top ten finalist at the prestigious Dance Masters of America (DMA) national title competition, in Anaheim, California. Kaitlyn currently holds the state title, Junior Miss Dance of Connecticut 2012. Miss Maurais was among thirty contestants, from across the United States and Canada, competing for the Junior Miss. Dance of America 2012 title. At the dance convention, Kaitlyn dazzled the audience with her tap solo "I Got Rhythm", choreographed by Catherine Branigan. Along with her tap performance, Kaitlyn also competed and excelled in judged dance classes and a personal interview. This was Kaitlyn's second appearance at a DMA national convention. Two years ago, she was crowned Junior Miss Dance of CT 2010 and competed for a national title in San Antonio, Texas. Twelve year old Maurais has been dancing since the young age of two at Back Stage Dance Center in Killingworth, under the direction of Michelle Cretella and Stacey Nagel Lankarge.
Also representing Back Stage Dance Center at the Dance Masters of America national title competition was Killingworth's Samantha Hogan, Miss Dance of Connecticut 2012. At Nationals, Sam performed her jazz routine, "What Lola Wants" also choreographed by Catherine Branigan. Hogan is a sophomore at American University in Washington, D.C. where she studies journalism and the arts. Samantha is also a member of the American University dance team.
