They’re dancin? to the top!
Dancers with Center Stage Dance Company, in Oxford, recently returned home with numerous awards after competing in the Encor Performing Arts National Competition in Las Vegas. The competitive dance team, which had 45 members participate, took solos, duets, group dances and productions to the competition, held June 28 – July 3.
‘It was a lot of fun,? said owner and director Lori Phelps. ‘Besides the competition stuff, the trip was a time of bonding for the kids. We had a great time. It’s great for the kids, for the team.?
This is the second time the competition team has traveled for national competition in Las Vegas, but the first time the dancers have participated in the Encor national competition.
The highlight dancer for the trip was six-year-old Emily Busuito, who received a platinum award for her ‘Beauty and the Beast? solo character dance. Other members of the team also received top marks including several high gold, gold and high solver awards.
‘We qualified in the beginning of May for this,? explained Phelps. ‘Every dance had to qualify individually and all of our dances did.?
The qualifying competition took place at South Lyon High School, which is near White Lake. In addition to qualifying for national competition, four young ladies were honored for their talents: Kati Sands, 17, Stephanie Carrier, 18 and Felicia Jahlas, 10, each received a scholarship to attend the national convention in Las Vegas; and Katie Chernoby, 12, received a scholarship to attend the Detroit Encor Convention.
During the course of their competition season, the dancers perform in numerous contests. Following is a brief list of just a few of the season’s highlights:
n At the Center Stage Performing Arts Competition in March, Stephanie Carrier was named Miss Center Stage and was honored as the top scoring solo.
n In February, twelve soloists competed in the Dance USA Competition in Lake Orion. Once again Carrier took high honors. ‘Every competition, Stephanie took high score and sometimes the top two high score positions with her solos,? said Phelps. ‘She had a wonderful season.?
n At the Rising Star Talent Productions competition in Farmington Hills, also held this past February, The Diamonds (5- and 6-year-olds) took first place high score award in the junior class division. The group is composed of 10 girls and one little gentleman. Receiving first place high score overall solo in Angels was Katie Chernoby. Also at this competition, the team was honored with the Top Shining Star Overall Award in the junior division. ‘We’ve had a great season,? said Phelps. ‘All of the kids have worked so hard.?
Center Stage Dance Company is saying good-bye to seven senior dancers: Stefanie Ballinger, Stephanie Carrier, Emily Jacobsen, Kristin Latrell, Caroline Millis, Kati Sands and Lisa Squires.
‘We refer to them as ‘The Big Girls,?? said a teary-eyed Phelps. ‘Some of these seniors have been dancing together since they were two and three years old. ‘I’ll miss their liveliness,? she added. ‘They’re just fun. Every time they come in, one of them always has a story and they are always laughing.?
Dancers for the Center Stage Competition Team are chosen through audition only. The team is selected after a four-day workshop that leads into a two to three hour audition. Competition soloists are hand-picked and team members practice anywhere from an hour and a half to six hours a week.