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08/18/2019 12:00 AM

Westbrook Dance Academy Takes Fifth Place at World Dance Championship


The Westbrook Dance Academy’s Senior competition team came in fifth place in its division at the World Dance Championships in New Jersey. Pictured are (front) Brooke Dellarocco (Chester) and Mara Kelley (Old Saybrook); along with (middle) Megan Murphy (Old Saybrook) and Alixandria Giannini (Old Saybrook); and (back) Brandi Andrade (Westbrook) and Kaylene Koelle (Clinton). Photo courtesy of Westbrook Dance Academy

The Westbrook Dance Academy Senior competition team recently competed at the World Dance Championship and finished in fifth place for the 15-19 Small Group Division. The World Dance Championship took place at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey on Aug. 2.

The WDA Senior team competed against qualifying dances from the United States, Canada, China, and Great Britain at the World Championship. Of the more than 300,000 routines that compete in the Star Dance Alliance, there are few teams that qualify for this event. The WDA Senior team’s dance, The Addams Family, qualified for the World Championship by virtue of its performance at the regional meet in Hartford in May.

At the World Championship, the WDA’s performance of The Addams Family advanced to the finals by finishing in the top five in the semifinal round. With 40 competing teams, this was one the largest divisions at the meet. The Senior team was also awarded the Excellence in Theatrical Entertainment Award for its performance.

In the finals, the team delivered another excellent performance en route to earning its fifth-place finish. This marked the third time in the last five years that the WDA’s Senior competition team has placed in the top five at the World Dance Championship.

The Senior competition team members are Mara Kelley, Megan Murphy, and Alixandria Giannini from Old Saybrook, Brandi Andrade of Westbrook, Kaylene Koelle from Clinton, and Brooke Dellarocco from Chester.

WDA offers programs for people of all ages and ability levels in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, pointe, hip-hop, Irish step, acrobatics, and musical theater, as well as technique workshops. WDA also offers Mommy and Me, Tiny Dancers, and Tiny Tumblers programs for younger dancers. For info or to register for fall classes, contact 860-664-4308 or westbrookdanceac@aol.com, or visit westbrookdanceacademy.com.