Lake Forest, Lake Bluff Dancers Take Stage at CLC This Weekend

Dancers from Jenny’s Dance Centre’s award-winning competition company will showcase their talents at the studio’s recital Friday and Saturday at the College of Lake County’s Mainstage Theatre in Grayslake.

Friday's show starts at 7 p.m.; Saturday's is at 2 p.m.

The company recently wrapped up a banner competition year, bringing home 25 platinum awards and numerous special awards from the International Dance Challenge regional competition in Appleton, Wis.

Lake Forest resident Sammy Shipp received the highest score for her contemporary solo, earning the title of Senior Female Solo Challenge Champion. Soloists Anna Volkman of Lake Forest and Emma Fath of Lake Bluff garnered second and third places, respectively.

Seven other soloists received platinum awards – the highest ranking given to soloists –including Lauren Basgall, Allegra Griffin and Caleigh Silver, all of Lake Forest; Emma Stockert, and Maggie Rogers, both of Lake Bluff, and Jillian Campbell and Cassie Austin, both from Libertyville.

Soloists earning high gold awards were Molly Dasso and Sydney Golde of Lake Bluff, and Kelsey Hutten and Cassie Campbell of Libertyville. Lake Forest resident Emily Poth received a gold award for her solo.

Lean on Me, a lyrical group number performed by the entire 38-member dance company, earned overall high score at the competition and the title of Senior Ultimate Challenge Champion. The team also garnered special awards for precision, technical execution, and presentation. JDC members competed in jazz, hip-hop, ballet, modern, lyrical, musical theater, and tap divisions.

At Detroit’s Onstage New York regionals earlier this year, the team swept that competition, earning 16 Platinum, 10 High Gold and eight Gold awards. The group also took home special awards for entertainment, showmanship, precision, high score, choreography, control and the coveted Critic’s Choice award competing against studios from dance studios throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan and Minnesota.

The rest of the dance company includes:

Clarisse Austin, Brenna Bradley, Gillian Bradley, Ashley Bates, Nell Dasso, Meredith Delaney, Zoe Draznick, Louisa Fan,  Marissa Giangiorgi, Georgia Griffin, Sarah Kuetemeyer, Daniella Martino, Lizzie Meulbroek, Claire Milligan, Nina Montalbano, Lilly Neil, Mackinzie Nolan, Madeleine Ryder, Bria Slobodnik, Kate Smith, Nicolette Stern, Amy Stouffer, Anna Volkman and Olivia Witmer.

Dancers who would like more information about the studio and becoming a member of this elite team may contact director Jenny Campbell at Jenny’s Dance Centre, 13980 W. Rockland Road, in Green Oaks, or call the studio at (847) 932-4070.