Westbrook Dance Academy Grand Champions at Elite Dance Challenge Nationals

The Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Teams recently competed in The Elite Dance Challenge (EDC) National Competition in Providence, Rhode Island July 7-12, and returned as National Grand Champions. In a competition with 40 studios and over 800 entries, the team won or placed in several categories including title and modeling, and the Senior Competition Team dance “Hello” won the Dance off Grand Championship. The students are under the direction of Julie Reed-Russo.

The Senior Competition Team dance “Hello” won the National Dance Off Grand Championship. “Hello” was one of only 20 dances selected for the dance off. The dance also scored Elite Platinum, was second overall Teen Competitive Small Groups, received the Senior Entertainment Award, and a special award. Senior Competition Team members Holly Sader, Stephanie Sherman, Brandi Andrade, and Victoria Holton are from Westbrook, Miles Waterbury and Sarahgrace Dwyer are from Clinton, and Mara Kelley is from Old Saybrook. The Senior Competition Team’s other two dances – “What Is Love” scored platinum, and “From The Air” scored Elite Gold.

Holly Sader and Stephanie Sherman’s duo “Medicine” scored Platinum and was third overall Senior Competitive duo/trios.

The Junior Competition Team scored Platinum with their three dances, “Boyzz,” “Hip to be Square,” and “Breakable,” and were second, third, and fourth Young Intermediate Small Groups. “Hip to be Square” also received a special award. Junior Competition Team members Claire Pease and Kaylene Koelle are from Clinton, Megan Geaves and Olivia Guinan are from Westbrook, and Alexandra Lee is from Madison.

Alexandra Lee, and Kaylene Koelle’s duo “Gift of a Friend” scored Elite Gold and was ninth Young Intermediate duo/trios.

The Petite Competition Team scored Platinum and was second overall Mini Intermediate Small Groups with their dance “Survivor.” Petite Competition Team Members Sophia Rutkis, Madison Grady, and Gabriella Navarra are from Clinton, and Sylvia Sonenstein is from Madison.

The Teen Competition Team dance “Do Your Thang” scored Elite Gold and was ninth Teen Intermediate Small Groups. Teen Competition Team Members Charlotte Barton, Zoie Murphy, Michelle Pesantez and Corinna Hofler are from Westbrook, Shannon Braumann is from Old Saybrook and Caroline Bowe is from Madison. The team’s other two dances “Calm Under The Waves,” and “Mamma I’m A Big Girl Now” also scored Elite Gold.

In the solo division, Gabriella Navarra scored Platinum with her solo “Sleep,” and was sixth overall Mini Intermediate Solos. Holly Sader scored platinum with her lyric solo “Breath of Life,” Victoria Holton scored platinum with her musical theater solo “100 Easy Ways.” Miles Waterbury and Claire Pease also scored platinum in their solos. Stephanie Sherman, Brandi Andrade Sarahgrace Dwyer, Mara Kelley, Kaylene Koelle, Olivia G., Megan Greaves, Alexandra Lee, Maddie Greaves, Alissa Mattern, Victoria Holton (Tap), and Holly Sader (Jazz) all scored Elite Gold.

The Hip Hop Competition team scored Elite Gold with “Dead Silence.” Megan McKeith is from East Lyme, Holly Sader, Stephanie Sherman, and Victoria Holton are from Westbrook and Sarahgrace Dwyer is from Clinton.

In the Title division Miles Waterbury was Runner-Up Teen Mr. Elite with his solo “Come Together.”

In the modeling division, Megan Greaves was crowned EDC National Overall Model. Holly Sader was Runner Up, Alexandra Lee was 2nd Runner Up, Miles Waterbury was 3rd Runner Up, and Claire Pease was 4th Runner Up.

In the photogenic division, Sophia Guinan of Westbrook, won Mini, and Gabriella Navarra was 1st Runner Up. Megan Greaves won Young, while Sylvia Sonenstein was 2nd Runner Up, Alexandra Lee 3rd Runner Up, Olivia Guinan 4th Runner Up, Claire Pease 7th Runner Up and Mara Kelley 8th Runner Up. Brandi Andrade was 1st Runner Up Teen, and Victoria Holton was 3rd Runner Up. Miles Waterbury won Teen Mr. Holly Sader won senior.

In formal modeling division, Sophia Guinan won mini and Gabriella Navarra was 1st Runner Up. Claire Pease won Young, Alexandra Lee was 1st Runner Up, Megan Greaves was 2nd Runner Up, Olivia Guinan was 3rd Runner up and Sylvia Sonenstein was 4th Runner Up. Victoria Holton won Teen. Miles Waterbury won Teen Mr. Holly Sader won Senior.

In fashion modeling division, Gabriella Navarra won mini and Sophia Guinan was Runner Up. Claire Pease won Young, Olivia Guinan was 1st Runner Up, Alexandra Lee was 2nd Runner Up, Megan Greaves was 3nd Runner Up, and Sylvia Sonenstein was 4th Runner Up. Victoria Holton won Teen. Miles Waterbury won Teen Mr. Holly Sader won Senior.

It was another very successful season for the Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Teams.