Printer Friendly Version - Astra’s Dancers Shine Like Stars at National Competition

The Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts turned in several solid performances and collected plenty of awards at the Starbound National Finals Competition at Foxwoods. Pictured are (front) Sadie Heiser (Chester) and Elleyana Barbieri (Old Saybrook); (back) Emma Elgart (Old Saybrook), Vivi Heiser (Chester), Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry), Victoria Le (Clinton), Callie Andrews (Clinton), and Jillian Pernal (Old Saybrook). Photo courtesy of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts

Students from the Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts performed at the Starbound National Finals Competition that took place from June 22 through June 27. The competition, which was held at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, featured dance schools from across New England and the tri-state area.

Astra’s dancers were honored to receive the prestigious Entertainment Award for their tap routine, Mario Kart. This was the only Entertainment Award that was presented at the event. Mario Kart went on to also receive the Costume Award for ages 12 and under.

Elleyana Barbieri of Old Saybrook was crowned Little Miss Star of Hope at the competition. The Miss Star of Hope event is run by the Dancer’s Care Foundation, in conjunction with Starbound. The Dancer’s Care Foundation was created in honor of The Bald Ballerina and is dedicated to cancer research.

Astra Studio’s acro company performed an open routine in the Junior Competitive Small Groups Division. The routine scored a high gold award and finished in 10th place in the division. The company members are Barbieri, Emma Golembeski of Gales Ferry, Sadie Heiser from Chester, Victoria Le of Clinton, and Jillian Pernal from Old Saybrook.

Astra’s lyrical jazz company performed two routines at the national finals. The company performed Through the Eyes of a Child, which earned a high gold award; and Proud Mary, which also earned a high gold. The company’s members are Callie Andrews of Clinton, Barbieri, Emma Elgart from Old Saybrook, Golembeski, Sadie Heiser, Vivi Heiser of Chester, Le, and Pernal.

The tap company performed Mario Kart and earned a high gold award. The company members are Andrews, Barbieri, Golembeski, Sadie Heisier, Vivi Heisier, Le, and Pernal.

Barbieri performed her open solo routine, Zero to Hero. The routine earned an elite gold, which is Starbound’s highest adjudicated award. Barbieri took third place overall in the Junior Petite Competitive Solos Division.

Pernal performed an open solo routine, Once Upon A Dream. She scored a high gold and placed seventh overall in Senior Competitive Solos.

Golembeski performed two solos at the meet. Golembeski’s Musical Theatre solo, Model Behavior, scored a high gold award. She also performed a non-adjudicated lyrical solo, Baby Mine, in honor of her grandmother, for the Dancer’s Care Foundation.

Andrews performed two solos: Sing (tap) and The Last Goodbye (lyrical). Both routines earned high golds. Le performed an open solo, The Story Never Ends, and scored a high gold. Vivi Heiser performed a lyrical solo to Wanderer’s Lullaby and also earned a high gold award

The Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts is under the direction of Brittany Wigglesworth. To learn more about the new season’s recreational or competitive dance classes, contact 860-304-4314 or info@astrastudioct.com.