Westbrook Dance Academy Places Third at World Dance Championship

The Westbrook Dance Academy Senior Competition Team finished third in the 12 and Up Small Group Division at the World Dance Championship in Secaucus, New Jersey August 5-8, while the Junior Competition Team competed in the 11 and Under Small Group semifinals. The teams competed against qualifying dances from across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. Of the over 100,000 routines that compete in the Star Dance Alliance few qualify for the World Dance Championship. The Junior and Senior Competition Teams qualified in March at the Hartford, CT regional. The students are under the direction of Julie Reed-Russo.

The Senior Competition Team Dance “Hello” finished in Third Place in the 12 and Up Small Group division. The team advanced to the finals by finishing in the top five in the semifinal round in the largest division at the World Dance Championship against teams from across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. In the finals the team delivered an amazing performance en route its third place finish. Senior Competition Team members Holly Sader, Stephanie Sherman, Victoria Holton, and Brandi Andrade are from Westbrook, Miles Waterbury and Sarahgrace Dwyer are from Clinton and Mara Kelley is from Old Saybrook.

The Junior Competition Team Dance “Hip to be Square” competed in the semifinal round. The team delivered a great performance against teams from across the United States and Canada. Junior Competition Team members Megan Greaves and Olivia Guinan are from Westbrook, Kaylene Koelle and Claire Pease are from Clinton, and Alexandra Lee is from Madison.

This marked the first time that Westbrook Dance Academy competed in the World Dance Championship.