Printer Friendly Version - Astra Studio Finds Gold on Broadway

The Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts won multiple gold medals with some top-notch performances at the Access Broadway event in Mystic. Pictured from the studio are (back) Amanda Pernal (Old Saybrook), Mackenzie True (Westbrook), Samantha Sharpe (Westbrook), Emma Brockett (Essex), Vivi Heiser (Chester), Callie Andrews (Clinton), and Juliette Linares (Chester); (middle) Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry), Jillian Pernal (Old Saybrook), and Charlee Brockett (Essex); and (front) Isadora Souza (Westbrook), Julie DeSousa (Westbrook), Sadie Hesier (Westbrook), and Elleyana Barbieri (Old Saybrook). Photo courtesy of Nancy Lyn-Lockwood

Students from Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts attended the Access Broadway event in Mystic from Jan. 12-14. Students competed among more than 600 participants from schools in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Astra’s new Mini team earned high gold for its ballet and jazz routines, with the routines placing sixth and fourth overall, respectively, in the division. The Junior team earned a gold for jazz and a high gold for contemporary, with the contemporary routine placing fourth in the division. The Senior team earned two golds for jazz and contemporary, and the Tap team comprised of Juniors and Seniors earned a high gold.

Soloist Charlee Brockett from Essex performed an open routine that earned a high gold, first place in her category, and third overall in her division. Emma Brockett of Essex scored a high gold for her lyrical solo. Old Saybrook’s Jillian Pernal received a high gold for her open solo. Old Saybrook’s Amanda Pernal (lyrical) and Emma Golembeski (musical theatre) from Gales Ferry both received golds for their solo routines. A lyrical duet performed by Emma Brockett and Chester’s Vivi Hesier scored a gold, and a lyrical duet performed by Westbrook’s Samantha Sharpe and Mackenzie True earned a high gold.

Astra’s Mini team members are Elleyana Barbieri from Old Saybrook, Julia DeSousa of Westbrook, Sadie Heiser from Westbrook, and Isadora Souza of Westbrook. The Junior team includes Charlee Brockett, Emma Golembeski, Vivi Heiser, Samantha Sharpe, and Mackenzie True. The Seniors are Callie Andrews from Clinton, Emma Brockett, Juliette Linares of Chester, Amanda Pernal, and Jillian Pernal.

Astra Studio, under the direction of Brittany Wigglesworth, is located at 210 Main Street in Old Saybrook, between AAA and Fantasia Consignments. For info, visit www.astrastudioct.com, or contact 860-304-4314 or info@astrastudioct.com.