PERFORMERS FROM THE DANCE CORNER NAMED REGIONAL GRAND CHAMPIONS AT THE STARPOWER COMPETITION

Local dancers representing The Dance Corner of Killingworth competed this spring in a number of regional dance competitions. Competing against schools from across the northeast, The Dance Corner took home a number of awards this season. Most notably are the team’s achievements at the Starpower Regional Talent Competition in Hartford, CT March 25th- 27th. The Dance Corner Company competed with over 600 entries and the Junior Jazz Company’s performance of “Topsy Turvy”, choreographed by Samantha Welch, was named Regional Grand Champion. They received 5 Stars and 1st place overall in the All Star division age 9-11 groups. “ Topsy Turvy” was also awarded the Entertainment Award and received an invitation to World Dance Championship. Dancers in Topsy Turvy are Rachel Delvecchio, Olivia Dunsmore, Erin Lomonaco, Olivia Papa and Grace Pendleton.

Along with being named a Grand Champion with her “Topsy Turvy” jazz group, Grace Pendleton of Clinton also earned high marks for her jazz solo, “Carefree, “ choreographed by Welch. She earned 5 stars and was awarded 1st place overall in the age 12-14 All Star Solo division and the special Judges’ award, “Breath of Fresh Air”.

The Dance Corner’s Mini Company dancers, the youngest competitors in the company, performed a jazz dance, “Be Our Guest”, choreographed by Samantha Welch at Starpower and earned 4 3/4 stars. They placed 2nd overall in the Star division age 8 and under small groups. Also at the Starpower regionals, the Jr Tap Company dance “Hot Chocolate” received 5 Stars, 1st place in category, 2nd place overall All Star division age 12-14 small groups and they earned The Dance Corner a second invitiation to World Dance Championships!

At the Energy National Dance East Haven,CT regional competition May 1st through 3rd The Dance Corner received the Outstanding Technique Award and first place Overall Senior group award for the tap dance, “Take the A Train” choreographed by Allyson Coughlin and performed by the Senior Tap Company dancers- Anna Dam, Mary Darin, Dakota Dione, Leianna Dolce, Samantha Dunsmore, Marie Emerson, Catherine Florentine, Heather Kenney, Theresa Pasqualini, and Treasa Plumley. Also at the Energy National Dance Talent Competition, the senior jazz company comprised of Mary Darin, Samantha Dunsmore, Marie Emerson, Trinity Hughes and Heather Kenney earned a Platinum and First place overall in the Power Teen Small group division for their dance, “Believin’” choreographed by Jennifer Etter.

The Dance Corner’s Senior soloists did very well at the Energy regional competition. Graduating High School senior,Haili Stevenson of Killingworth, received a Special Judges’ Award for “Emotional Execution” in her solo “Coming Home” choreographed by Jennifer Etter and 8th place overall. Another class of 2015 dancer, Catherine Florentine of Madison earned 6th and 7th place respectively for her solos one a Lyrical solo, “Ordinary World, “ choreographed by Welch and the other a Ballet Pointe solo titled, “Rose Concerto,” choreographed by Savanna Bodnar. Treasa Plumley of Killingworth received 2nd place overall and a Platinum award as well as the “Outstanding Performance” award for her musical theater solo, “My Own Little Corner, “choreographed by Peterson. Leianna Dolce of Haddam was the big winner in East Haven, she took home the 1st Place Power Senior Solo award for her tap dance, “Sunny Side of the Street”, choreographed by Allyson Coughlin.

Special Congratulations to Dance Corner class of ‘2014 Alumni, Brooke Cotter of Killingworth who who won the Miss Energy title! Brooke Cotter was the highest scoring Senior female soloist and was crowned “Miss Energy” for the second year in a row.

At the Step Up 2 Dance regional competition in Southbury, CT, March 7th and 8th. The Dance Corner Company was recognized by the judges with several special awards. The Precision and Performance Award was given to the entire team for the variety of styles exhibited, poised and polished performances, precision, energy and age appropriate choreography. The junior Lyrical duet “Only Hope” choreographed by Welch and performed by Olivia Dunsmore and Grace Pendleton won first place overall out of all the duets entered in the competition!

Additionally at Step Up 2 Dance, Tthe large group jazz dance, “I Want Candy” choreographed by Nicole Peterson received a Platinum award placed 1st overall in the Classes division. The Senior Lyrical company dance, “Vienna”, also choreographed by Peterson, received 1st place in their category. The Senior Jazz company”Go For It!” Took 3rd place in their category. The Junior Tap group “Whodunit?” was awarded 2nd place for their performance, and senior jazz company “Black Cat” earned 1st place in their category and 5th place overall for their age division.

These are only a few of the awards The Dance Corner received this season. Dancers in The Dance Corner Company train and compete under the direction of Carrie Smith as well as The Dance Corner instructors/ choreographers Savanna Bodnar, Allyson Coughlin, Jennifer Etter, Alison Hammell, Nicole Peterson and Samantha Welch. “I am so impressed with the level of talent we see from all the dancers, not just ours, at these competitions. Our dancers really improved as artists and technicians this year and it showed on stage,” said Carrie Smith, Director of The Dance Corner, “I have a very talented staff of instructors/ choreographers who are dedicated to helping our kids become great performers. I think the results from this year’s competitions really show that. Competition requires dedication, hours of extra practice and a commitment to excellence. I’m very proud of all the students for proving that hard work really does pay off.”

The Dance Corner Company is: Zoe Balkan, Audrey Board, Anna Dam, Rachel DelVecchio, Dakota Dione, Mary Darin, Leianna Dolce, Olivia Dunsmore, Samantha Dunsmore, Marie Emerson, Thomas Emerson, Catherine Florentine, Ava Frost, Sarah Gaetano, Nicole Grief, Trinity Hughes, Jenny Judge, Heather Kenney, Hannah Leyhausen, Erin LoMonaco, Cameryn Ludwin, Elizabeth McCann, Abigail Marciniec, Gillian Miller, Madison Moriarty, Grace Murphy, Olivia Papa, Tessa Pasqualini, Kayla Pellegrini, Grace Pendleton, Treasa Plumley, Emma Rosenquist, Hannah Schilling, Margaret Singer, Haili Stevenson, Leah Walton, and Sophie Winikur.

The Dance Corner, LLC, located in Killingworth, CT, is dedicated to providing its students with a well-rounded education in all facets of dance. Their 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 to enjoy the art of dance. 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 20 years.

Fall classes are enrolling now. Programs are offered for students ages 14 months to 18 years. Online registration is offered at www.thedancecorner.com or you can visit the studio in person and try a free class at Try-It Days, 8/26, 8/30, 8/31 and 9/1. Visit TheDanceCorner.com or call 860-663-3738 for more information.