Clinton Dancer Named National Champion for the 2nd Year

Grace Pendleton, a 16-year-old Clinton resident and student at The Dance Corner of Killingworth was named Starpower 2019 Intermediate Senior Champion at the Starpower National Championships, July 9th at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

Pendleton received 5 stars and 1st place overall for her solo jazz performance titled “Colors." Pendleton also received special recognition from the judges with the “Light up the Floor” award. The upbeat routine was choreographed by Dance Corner instructor, Samantha Welch Hermann. This is the second year in a row Pendleton and Hermann have won the Starpower National Title. Pendleton also won the title in 2018 with an emotional lyrical solo, “Somebody’s Someone,” also choreographed by Hermann.

Additionally, on July 2nd Pendleton competed at the Turn it Up National competition at Foxwoods and was awarded the Turn it Platinum Pro award and special judges award for "Phenomenal Performance Perfect Package.” She also received the Turn it Up "Excellence in Technique" award and a $100.00 scholarship. To top it all off Pendleton was named the 2019 Turn It Up Intermediate Senior 1st Place Overall Winner.

The Dance Corner Studio Director, Carrie Smith said, “Grace is one of the hardest working dancers I have ever met. She takes advantage of every opportunity to practice, learn and grow as an artist and athlete. Grace is a self-motivated, goal-oriented young woman who is not only a talented performer, she is also a fantastic role model, mentor and teammate. She has worked hard to earn these titles and all of us at The Dance Corner are extremely proud of her.”

Pendleton will start her Junior year at The Morgan School in the fall and has been performing and studying dance for thirteen years at The Dance Corner. In addition to jazz, she also studies ballet, lyrical, tap, contemporary and acrobatics. Pendleton plans to pursue a career as a special education and dance teacher.

The Dance Corner welcomes students of any age or level to take a free trial dance class. The studio is currently accepting new students into their 2019-2020 Fall-Spring session as well as offering Free Dance Days, August 20th- 21st. Try a free class or mini-camp during this fun free summer event. To register or find out more about our dance classes, camps and events. visit TheDanceCorner.com.

The Dance Corner is in it’s 26th year of providing excellence in dance, cheer and tumbling training. Classes are designed to increase confidence, build self-esteem and develop coordination in an interactive, group environment. With instruction for all ages and levels of experience, The Dance Corner is committed to providing its students with a positive learning environment. The Dance Corner has been providing students from Killingworth, Madison, Clinton, Deep River, Chester, Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Haddam, Higganum, Westbrook, Guilford and East Haddam with quality dance training for over 20 years.