Local Dance Students Receive Top Awards in Regional Dance Competition

Dancing Arts Center is proud to announce that five students received top honors at the Dance Educators of America regional competition in Quincy, Massachusetts. DEA judges give a variety of medal placements from high gold through platinum.

Pre-Professional DAC student, Nicoletta Agostino, from Sherborn, received the Special Award for Ballet along with a platinum score and top placement in the Teen Semi-Professional category. She placed third for her Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, second for her Clarity contemporary dance, and first for Variation from Giselle.

Lizzy Aldrich, from Holliston, also received a platinum score and took top honors in the Pre-Teen category. She placed second for Blue Bird Variation from The Sleeping Beauty, and took first place for Variation from La Fille Mal Gardée.

Skylar Altamari, from Hopkinton, received a high gold score and placed fourth for Variation from La Fille Mal Gardée.

Nicole Groussis, also from Hopkinton, received a gold score for Variation from Paquita.

Ainsley McKenna, from Sherborn, received a gold score and took third place in the Pre-Teen Category for her dance, Lost (Contemporary Solo).

Aldrich, Altamari and McKenna also received a platinum score for Torn (Trio). In addition, they received a special Innovative Choreography award for Torn and were selected Winner of Best Choreography (for all Trios & Duets at the competition). They also received full scholarships to Dance Educators of America’s summer workshops.

“The professionalism these dancers showed was extraordinary,” says DAC Co-director Patrick Notaro. “We are proud of how hard they worked and how well they represented DAC.”

DAC staff and students are now preparing for their Spring Concert, which will be held Saturday, June 18 at The Norwood Theatre at 4 p.m. This performance showcases what DAC students have focused on all year. Tickets will be on sale soon.

Dancing Arts Center provides world-class instruction in classical ballet, modern dance, improvisation, jazz, and choreography, and is proud to include the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum. Located in the Metrowest Boston area, DAC has professionals from around the world, New England and the U.S. teaching dance to students of all ages with the mission of creating a deep understanding of dance through in-depth instruction, creative expression, and exploration. Its variety of performance opportunities through the year, extended summer program, and exposure to professional companies provides a foundation for dance that encourages emotional, physical and intellectual growth. For more information about the Dancing Arts Center contact DAC Directors, Patrick Notaro and Gregg Saulnier at 508-429-7577 or dancingartscenter@gmail.com, or visit www.dancingartscenter.com.