FREEHOLD – Dancers from the Gallery of Dance received high-level awards, judges awards and special recognition at the Backstage National Dance Competition held in in Hershey, Pa., in July.
The Gallery of Dance troupe “The Dazzlers” production routine “Dance With Me” was awarded the Most Entertaining routine at regionals, as well as the 6-foot trophy and a free invitation to perform their award winning routine at the nationals competition.
At nationals, the girls received a High Platinum award and were invited to perform their routine in the nationals dance showcase.
The girls participating in this routine were Julia Arthurs, Erin Baker, Emily Cagan, Kayla Derby, Thea Ekizian, Isabella Federico, Emily Giuca, Jenna Grimshaw, Cailin Holley, Nicole LoBocchiaro, McKenzie Loschiavo, Madison Maine, Grace McCool, Sofia Murray, Paige Novak, Parker Novak, Madison Panza, Katelyn Peterpaul, Gillian Petro, Isabella Pierini, Brianna Roberson, Gillian Roberson, Riley Stein, Grace Tempest, Rebecca Tobenkin, Tristin Tobenkin, Izzy Tonielli, Isabella Vitali, Maggie Vilasenor, Gianna Vitali, Samantha Warenkiewicz, Sydney Weintraub and Brooke Zolezi.
The Junior team of Erin Baker, Gabriella Curcia, Gabriella Federico, Jenna Grimshaw, Madison Panza, Maggie Vilasenor and Samantha Warenkiewic was invited to perform in the nationals dance showcase and brought home the 6-foot trophy for their jazz routine “Ding Dong.”
Gallery’s tap routine “Rizumu,” choreographed by Kristy Hayes, won the Best Overall Choreography award.
The girls performing this Platinum award winning routine were Brooke Zolezi, Emily Cagan, Julia LaSpina, Katelyn Peterpaul, Riley Stein and Sydney Weintraub, soloists. Erin Baker, Kayla Derby, Isabella Federico, Cailin Holley, Grace McCool and Grace Tempest all received platinum sigh scores for their solo pieces as well as special recognition.
Sydney Friedenberg, Cailin Holley and McKenzie Loschiavo also received a Platinum award for their trio routine.
In the 11- and 12-year-old division, the tap routine “Let Me Hold You,” choreographed by Sarah Wells, received the Crisp, Clean Sounds special award. The performers in this piece were Abby Almeida, Abby Hynes, Eva Leontakis, Isabelle Eisenstein, Sarah Eisenstein, Paulina Chavez and Rachel Russell.
Studio owner Karen Dolan said, “I want to congratulate all of the students who attended the competition in Hershey as well as our teachers for all their hard work. I am excited to once again be starting our competition season with such an amazing group of dancers and choreographers,”
The Gallery of Dance, Throckmorton Street, Freehold, has been teaching area children to dance for more than 30 years.
