Pittsburg Family YMCA Academy of Dance recently wrapped up its competitive season, participating at regional competitions in Joplin, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla.
“All of our companies won numerous awards at regionals, and all of our dancers qualified for nationals,” said Shelley Van Shaar, YMCA dance director. “I am so proud of the progress they have made. We are known for having great technique and a passion for dance, and it shows in our dancing.”
Van Shaar took over the YMCA dance program five years ago, and noted that, at that time, many students came in with little technical training.
“As we have worked with them to give them a solid technical foundation, the results have been amazing,” she said. “I feel confident that many of our company dancers are good enough now to be hired professionally if they ever wanted to be. I am so proud of them.”
Most of the YMCA dance companies did not compete at nationals because of busy summer schedules. However, the Stars company did compete at the Stage One National Dance Competition in Branson, Mo. They won eighth place overall in their division for their tap dance “Can’t Hurry Love,” and fifth place overall in their division for their jazz dance “We’re Gonna Rock.”
Also competing at Stage One Nationals were soloists Kylee Freeman and Liz Hayes. Freeman received a high gold trophy and sixth place in her division. Hayes also received a high gold trophy.
Two other soloists, Emily Rawlings and Jenna Perez, were chosen at Talent on Parade Regional Competition out of hundreds of dancers to be named TOP STARZ. They were invited to the Branson Nationals to work with TOP choreographers and learn a dance that they performed for the opening of the national awards ceremony.
Rawlings and Perez also competed at Talent on Parade Nationals against students from 112 studios from 12 states. Rawlings won first place for her clogging solo, and Perez earned Diamond Elite Top Firsts on each of her three solos — student choreography, jazz and lyrical. All were choreographed by her. She earned the category cup for student choreography, ninth place in high point and fifth place in top entertainer.
Members of the YMCA dance companies were as follows: Stars, Abby Dainty, Alaina Purdon, Cameron Ratzlaff, Coral McWhirt, Katey Freeman, Katie Arnold, Kayla Clark, Kayte Keller and Kelsey Fuchs; Rising Stars, Emily Rawlings, Katie Richey, Kyla Massey, Morgan Plank, Taylor Brumbaugh, Victoria Yartz and Heather Thomas; Rockstars, Brie Moore, Elizabeth Hayes, Gracie Spencer, Haley Drenick, Hannah Zafuta, Jennifer Scholes, Jordan Patterson, Kayla Nance, Kelly Clark, Kelsey Mitchelson, Klair Parsons, Kylee Freeman, Mollie Stephens and Olivia Laidler; and Superstars, Brittany Wilde, Jenna Perez, Marlie Barnes and Sydney Ray.
YMCA Academy of Dance company auditions for the 2009-10 season will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. Anyone needing additional information on the Academy of Dance classes and auditions may call the YMCA at 231-1100 or e-mail info@ymcadance.net.
“We welcome new students in the community to join our program,” Van Shaar said. “We know they will have fun learning in a positive, professional atmosphere and that we can help them reach their full potential as dancers.”
PITTSBURG —
