Printer Friendly Version - Astra Wins Big at Imagine Dance Challenge

Six dancers from Astra Studio competed at the Imagine Dance Challenge in Providence, Rhode Island, where they turned in several performances that yielded a slew of awards. Pictured are Emerson Alexy (Old Saybrook), Emma Elgart (Old Saybrook), Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry), Elleyana Barbieri (Old Saybrook), Jillian Pernal (Old Saybrook), and Vivi Heiser (Chester). Photo courtesy of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts

On March 6 and 7, six company dancers from the Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts performed at the Imagine Dance Challenge. The event was held at the VETS Auditorium in Providence, Rhode Island. Astra’s six dancers earned multiple high scores, judges’ awards, and scholarships with their performances at the Imagine Dance Challenge, as well as a Golden Ticket to the World Dance Championship.

Performing together on three routines for Astra were Old Saybrook residents Jillian Pernal, Elleyana Barbieri, Emma Elgart, and Emerson Alexy, along with Chester resident Vivi Heiser, and Gales Ferry resident Emma Golembeski. The dancers competed in the contemporary, open, and ballet routines at the event.

Astra’s contemporary routine of Ring Around the Moon earned five stars, took first place in its category, claimed third overall in the 12-14 age division, and was also honored with a scholarship to Wild Dance Intensive. The open routine Wash Away scored five stars, while the ballet routine Strike Up the Band scored 4¾ stars and finished first in its category.

Barbieri, Elgart, Golembeski, and Heiser scored five stars and placed first in their category with the jazz routine Steppin’ to the Bad Side. They placed first overall in the 9-11 division, received a special judges’ award called Step Into the Spotlight, won a Golden Ticket to attend the Star Dance Alliance World Dance Championship at the New Jersey Meadowlands in August.

The tap company of Barbieri, Golembeski, Heiser, and Pernal turned in a performance of Hair at the Imagine Dance Challenge. They earned 4¾ stars, finished first in their category, and received a special judges award called Hip Hair-ography.

Alexy, Golembeski, and Pernal worked together on a jazz trio called Big Noise. They earned five stars, first in their category, and sixth place overall in the 12-14 duo/trio division.

The lyrical duo Some Things Are Meant to Be was performed by Barbieri and Golembeski. The duo scored five stars, finished first in their category, and took first place overall in the 9-11 duo/trio age division. The judges honored the duo with a special award called And the Oscar Goes To.

Soloist Barbieri performed an open routine called Don’t Rain on My Parade. She earned five stars, first in her category, and first place overall for the 9-11 soloist division. Barbieri received a $100 PowerPak scholarship for her performance.

A contemporary routine entitled Parting Words was performed by Pernal. She scored five stars and finished sixth overall in the 15-19 age division. Pernal also earned a PowerPak invitation for her performance.

Heiser performed a lyrical solo to All That Matters. She received five stars and finished sixth overall in the 12-14 age division. The judges presented her with a special award called Beauty and Grace.

Soloist Golembeski performed two solos for Astra. Her contemporary routine to Mr. Sandman earned five stars, was first in her category, and eighth place overall in the 12-14 age division. Golembeski’s Musical Theatre routine of Money scored five stars and placed first in her category. She was honored with a PowerPak invitation for her performance of Mr. Sandman.

The company ballet routine was choreographed by Emily Benzi of Westbrook. All the other routines were choreographed by Brittany Wigglesworth, the artistic director of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts. Astra Studio is located in Old Saybrook. For info on summer classes and future performances, contact 860-304-4314 or info@astrastudioct.com.

The lyrical duo of Elleyana Barbieri (Old Saybrook) and Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry) finished in first place overall for the 9-11 duo/trio division with their performance of Some Things Are Meant to Be at the Imagine Dance Challenge. Photo courtesy of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts

Old Saybrook’s Elleyana Barbieri took first place in the 9-11 soloist division with her rendition of Don’t Rain on My Parade for Astra Studio at the Imagine Dance Challenge in Providence, Rhode Island. Photo courtesy of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts

Astra Studio’s quartet of Emma Golembeski (Gales Ferry), Elleyana Barbieri (Old Saybrook), Emma Elgart (Old Saybrook), and Vivi Heiser (Chester) claimed first place in their division after performing the jazz routine Steppin’ to the Bad Side at the Imagine Dance Challenge. Photo courtesy of Astra Studio of Dance and Performing Arts