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The Dance Corner is Racking Up the Awards

Local dancers representing The Dance Corner of Killingworth competed this spring in a number of regional dance competitions. Competing against schools from across the Northeast, The Dance Corner took home a number of awards, including a first place overall senior group award at the Energy National Dance's Regional Competition in Vernon for the tap dance "Broadway, Here I Come," choreographed by Samantha Welch and performed by the Senior Tap Company dancers of Brooke Cotter, Anna Dam, Dakota Dione, Leianna Dolce, Catherine Florentine, Treasa Plumley, and Emma Rosenquist.

Also at the Energy National Dance Talent Competition, graduating Haddam-Killingworth senior Cotter was the highest scoring senior female soloist and was crowned "Miss Energy." Cotter received a platinum medal for her self-choreographed solo tap performance titled "Flyin'." Additionally, Cotter was recognized as the winner of the Outstanding Choreography Award. She will continue her dance training at Naugatuck Valley Community College this fall and plans on pursuing a career in performing, choreographing, and teaching dance.

The Dance Corner Company also competed at the Starpower Regional Dance Competition in Hartford. Starpower was the first time on the competition stage for the Dance Corner's Mini Company dancers. Their tap dance "Shake a Tail Feather" was awarded four 3/4 stars and earned first place in the Star division tap age 7 category. They also placed sixth overall in the Star Division age 8-U small groups.

Other notable achievements at Starpower included those by soloist Grace Pendleton of Clinton. Grace earned five stars for her jazz solo "Get Your Sparkle On," choreographed by Welch. She also was awarded first place overall in the age 9-11 Star Solo Division and the special judges' award, "Cute, Clean & Crisp." Grace and her fellow dancer, Olivia Dunsmore of Madison, were awarded five stars and first overall age 9-11 Star Duo/ Trio Division for their duet, "You've Been a Friend to Me," choreographed by Welch.

At the Starquest competition in Waterbury, the Dance Corner Company was recognized by the judges with several special awards. The large group jazz dance, "Marry You," choreographed by Nicole Peterson, placed tops in the Nova Level Teen Large group category and received the "Great Hands" award from the judges for performing the entire dance with bridal bouquets in hand. The Junior Jazz Company's dance, "At the Hop," choreographed by Peterson, received the Costume Award of Distinction. Also at Starquest, the Senior Company Jazz dance, "It's Oh So Quiet," choreographed by Peterson, earned first place in Classic Level Senior Small group and the Senior Company's tap dance, choreographed by Allyson Coughlin, "Mr. Sandman," was first in the Classic Level Teen Small group category.

The junior companies, "Fiesta!" and "Jungle Jam," both choreographed by Welch, were also in the top five at the Starquest competition. The jazz dance "Fiesta!" earned runner-up and the tap dance "Jungle Jam" was fifth in the Nova Level Junior Small group.

"I am so impressed with the level of talent we see from all the dancers, not just ours, at these competitions. Our dancers really improved as artists and technicians this year and it showed on stage," said Carrie Smith, Director of The Dance Corner. "I have a very talented staff of instructors/choreographers, who are dedicated to helping our kids become great performers. I think the results from this year's competitions really show that. Competition requires dedication, hours of extra practice, and a commitment to excellence. I'm very proud of all the students for proving that hard work really does pay off."

The Dance Corner Company is Brooke Cotter, Anna Dam, Kristen Dean, Rachel DelVecchio, Dakota Dione, Anna Dam, Mary Darin, Leianna Dolce, Olivia Dunsmore, Samantha Dunsmore, Marie Emerson, Thomas Emerson, Catherine Florentine, Ava Frost, Nicole Grief, Isabelle Hansen, Shana Holloran, Trinity Hughes, Jenny Judge, Heather Kenney, Hannah Leyhausen, Erin LoMonaco, Cameryn Ludwin, Abigail Marciniec, Gillian Miller, Madison Moriarty, Grace Murphy, Chloe Nelson, Olivia Papa, Tessa Pasqualini, Kayla Pellegrini, Grace Pendleton, Treasa Plumley, Deming Rohlfs, Emma Rosenquist, Gracie Scaniffe, Margaret Singer, Haili Stevenson, and Leah Walton.

The Dance Corner has been providing students from Killingworth, Madison, Clinton, Deep River, Chester, Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook, Haddam, Higganum, Westbrook, Guilford, and East Haddam with quality dance training for 20 years.

Photo and information courtesy of Carrie Smith