The performance troupe of the Unique Performance Arts Center (UPAC), located in West Orange on Eagle Rock Avenue, continued the early success they enjoyed at the February Showbiz Regional’s in Paramus, by earning seven “Elite Gold,” eight “High Gold” and 5 Gold medals at the recent Dancers Inc. Regional Dance Competition, held in Somerset, March 10th and 11th. The 30 member troupe (17 of which call West Orange their hometown) competed in solo and group dances during the two day competition in the categories of: contemporary, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, open, pointe and tap. The small group competition saw the pointe piece “Diamonds,” including West Orange resident Nicole Cameli, earn an Elite Gold Medal, the highest score in the Senior Group Division and the “Total Package Award.” Nicole also received High Gold and the third highest score overall for her senior lyrical solo “Take Your Time Love.” West Orange’s Emma Bigelow was awarded the “Via-Vision” Award for her junior solo tap performance “Speaking in Tongues,” which won an Elite Gold Medal and had the highest score in the group. Genevieve Duran of West Orange received High Gold, the “Future Star” Award and the “En Vision Workshop Scholarship” for her junior jazz solo “I Enjoy Being a Girl.” Overall, seven of the troupe’s 25 solo and group routines earned the highest scores in their groups. West Orange residents who compete for the studio’s performance troupe include (back row L to R): Lynsey Duverglas, Nicole Cameli, Madelyn Murphy, Dylan Contreras, Katie Field, Emma Bigelow, Genevieve Duran (middle row L to R), Gabrielle Lecour, Jacqueline Taylor, Amanda Feldman, Mariange Charles-Antonie, Kiana Bouyer, Isabelle Duran, Kiley Smith, (kneeling, L to R) Kennedy Morgan, Malia Rutherford, Christine Jean-Baptiste.
The troupe will compete again on April 8th, 9th and 10th at the Nexstar Regional Competition in Hackensack.
