On Stage America: Grand Nationals Spectaculaire
Even the rain didn't dampen the July 4th explosion at On Stage America's National. From July 5th to July 8th, the Bethesda Hyatt Regency's Ballroom was host to dynamite dancing!
As always, this year's Grand Nationals showcased dancers from all over the nation. Many of the dancers have toiled year long to perfect their routines, boy does the hard work pay off! With this in mind, it becomes obvious that the toughest job at the competition is the one of the adjudicating panel. The panel, a trio of highly qualified judges each having extensive dance backgrounds, included Joey Dowdy from Hollywood, California, Mary Jo Scanio from Tampa, Florida, and Hope Specht from Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
In addition to the competition, dancers were able to participate in workshops taught by our distinguished judges. The workshops were free of charge and gave tips on how to improve on the many aspects of dancing. One of these workshops was the "Mock Audition" headed by Joey Dowdy. This workshop allowed dancers to get a flavor of what is expected of them in an actual audition. As if competing and attending workshops was not enough to quench their thirst for dancing, many chose to participate in the making of the closing number that would be performed at the awards banquet. The enthusiasm at these functions was contagious and the atmosphere only got livelier as the events progressed into the big party for all on the evening of the July 7th and the awards banquet on July 8th.
The competition started with a blast as the dancers of the pre-qualifying rounds showcased their numbers. The weather may have been cool in the Washington metropolitan area but inside the Hyatt, the dance floor was getting HOT HOT HOT! After the pre-qualifying rounds, the juniors showed that they could keep the flame blazing with performances that really set sparks flying. An honorary Petite Miss On Stage America title was given to the adorable Allie Parsons for her outstanding performance in Rockin' Robin. This was a number that really makes you wonder how a 5 year old could have so much talent! The winner of the Junior Solo and a whopping' $500 was Natalie Labricciosa from McHenry's Dance Center performing When I Get My Name in Lights. The runner up was Gina D'Amico in Anitra's Dance, followed by Jennifer Lyons, Miranda Labricciosa and Kitty Snyder taking third, fourth and firth places respectively.
Junior Duo/Trio competitors made the sizzle up with their showcase numbers. Jacob Stewart and Elizabeth Oliver from Debbe Manoly's Academy of Dance led the winners' circle and took away a cash prize with their red-hot number She Bangs. Jasmine Pearson, Epiphany Herbert and Danish Bro took second and close behind were the little Elvis twins Spencer and Michael Russell taking third.
All the Junior Group contestants were working hard for the money but after the fierce showdown it was Power of the Dream from Long Island Dance Force who danced off with the $1,000.00 check. In second place Just Got Paid got paid a nice cash prize of $500.00, and Sharp Dressed Man can keep updating his wardrobe with his third place cash prize. In fourth with a wild and thrilling performance was Welcome to the Jungle, and I Feel Good in fifth.
Not to be out danced by the juniors, the Teens were ready to set-off some fireworks of their own. Leading the pack was Laura Dublisky with her enchanting solo Let Me Dance for You. Trailing only by a few points was Jennifer Gyecsek in I Can't Give You Anything But Love. Kerry Talbert's Satisfaction was more than satisfactory, and Ashley Buccellato's Jumpin' nearly shook the house down.
The Teen Duo/Trio winners kept the crowd grooving and swinging with their music and magic. Laura Dublisky again took first place but with this time with sister Jessy in Swing Brother Swing. The runner up was Artistry in Rhythm another sister-sister team Jacqui and Dana Gatto.
The dancing just gets more and more creative as the large groups took their turn in the spotlight. The winner of this big $1000.00 check was a tap number that had...bells! The dancers of this number not only had to tap on time but ring their bells on time. Talk about coordination! This number was the one and only Josephina from McHenry's Dance Center. Next in the winners circle was Most Girls, Fire Starter, Pssst...Be Quiet, and I Don't Need No Doctor. With all the excitement in the house it was hard to picture an atmosphere that could be livelier.
The next day held that same energy as the seniors arrived to make their marks in the dance hall of fame. The senior solos were truly breathtaking each filled with uniqueness and overflowing with statement. Melissa Vella from McHenry's Dance Center won the honors of first place with her ritzy performance in Hit Me With a Hot Note. Nicole Klett from Terry's School of Dance was honored with second place in her touching performance of Angel. Rounding out the top five was Samantha Duboff, Laura Burns, and Neal Mateo.
Among the Duo/Trios, the number that kept the crowd and the judges dancing was the performance by Melissa Vella and Danielle McGillan from McHenry's Dance Center in We're Dancing. The runner-ups held their ground with equally spectacular performances in Crazy Train featuring Laura Burns and Samantha Duboff, Hound Dog featuring Kate Barlow, Jennifer McMahon and Amanda Nunn and Fever featuring Nicole DeGiso, Amy Fish and Kim Allenson.
Senior Groups came in with a boom knocking everyone's socks off with jam packed thrills and low down groove. The judges had too keep a keen look out as the groups took their place because with the high quality of dancing, it was sure to be tough to pick out the winner. In the end the dancers at Terry's School of Dance smoothly picked up their $1000.00 check while performing their energetic tap number Pick Up the Pieces. A close favorite was from Miss Edie's Dancin Feet as they unleashed their talent with Unleash the Dragon. The other favorites in the division included other booming tap numbers Cotton Eyed Joe, Caravan and It Don't Mean a Thing.
In a league of their own were the dancers that competed in the Novice Division. Not only did these dancers have to compete against other very talented dancers but also for many, they had to battle with the nerves of dancing their first competition. Novice is a division for dancers whom have been
competing for less than two years and for many this was their first National competition! The novice of the year Duo/Trio was awarded to Slaughter on19th Ave featuring La Toya Eason, Dahlia Snyder and Alexandra Sweet from Dance Etc. School of Arts. Coming close in second and third were Mix Masters Jasmine Pearson, Epiphany Herbert and Danisha Brown and Reflections again featuring Jasmine Pearson and Epiphany Herbert. The Novice of the Year Group was awarded to the eerie and spine chilling performance of Nightmare from Dance Etc. School of Arts.
The judges and the audience members were spell bound as they were graced by the performances of the Pro/Am division. Long Island Dance Force made a clean sweep of the awards in this division. The plaque for Duo/Trio was awarded to a touching performance by Marcy Illuminato and Thomas Anthony in The Prayer. The honor of winning the Pro/Am group award was given to She Bangs. Get the Point, Lets Dance won Pro/Am Production and Pro/Am Large group was awarded to Suffer the, Innocent.
Just as one begins to think that things couldn't get better, the dancing moms took the stage to show that talent does run in the family! These groups, all from McHenry's Dance Center, made the crowd go wild. The group leading in the winner's circle was PA 6-5000, followed by Baby Likes to Rock It, and Independent Women. Congratulations to all the dancing moms for their amazing performances!
After the day was over all the dancers were awarded the next day with a break from competition and a day of workshops and a huge dance party in the evening. Here the dancers got to unwind and loosen up a bit as the prepared themselves for the Challenge of Champions Dance Off, the Circle of Diamonds and the final awards banquet that would take place on Sunday, July 8th. For the time being though, they would just have fun and enjoy the party!
Sunday was a day full of anticipation. Who would win Challenge of Champions? What was going to be performed at the banquet? With just a few days of practice, how would the closing number look? What about the Mock Auditions? All this would soon be answered as the Juniors again took center stage. After the 10 finalists had all performed the adjudicating panel had to put their heads together in making the tough decision of who would lead the top five. After much brain storming the decision was made, the award would go to the dancers of Welcome to the Jungle from Dance Theater of Rhode Island. The runners up include Sharp Dressed Man, Just Got Paid, Power of the Dream and Workin' Day and Night.
Judging the Senior Dance off was an equal challenge. With dancers all full of enthusiasm, and determination the judges were again brought to the edges of their seats. The winner chosen again from the 10 finalist was Unleash the Dragon from Miss Edie's Dancin Feet with Pick up the Pieces, Cotton Eyed Joe, Caravan and At Last following close on their heels. The finalist of both Junior and Senior division went home with a three-foot tall trophy and tons of memories!
As if judging the Challenge of Champions wasn't hard enough the judges also had to pick out a winner from dancers who would participate in the Circle of Diamonds. This is a group of dancers that in each regional competition, received a score of Diamond...the highest score in the On Stage America scoring system. In other words these are the dancers that performed near perfect numbers all competing for the title and of course the diamond pendant! After mesmerizing us with her dance, Nicole Klett was honored as the winner of the Circle of Diamonds with her performance in Angel. The runner-up was Melissa Vella in Hit Me With A Hot Note.
To round up the Awards Ceremony, trophies were given this time not to the dancers but to the choreographers. There ended up being a tie in the Best Choreography in the Junior division so the title was awarded to both Power of the Dream from Long Island Dance Force, and Dance Theatre of Rhode Island's Welcome to the Jungle. Best Choreography in the teen division was to the McHenry Dance School for Josephina. Strangely, Best Choreography in the senior group was also tied with Nightmare from Dance Etc. and Suffer the Innocent from Long Island Dance Force. Finally, all awards were distributed it was time for some good food!
It was a long four days of nothing but hard work and dance dance dance but to many it was four very memorable days. As the dancers packed up their many awards and prizes for home they packed along with them a time of their life! Like the fireworks display, each dance was short in duration but each moment left a defining mark. Although their feet may be sore and their bodies heavy with exhaustion, their minds would be filled with memories enough to uplift the tired soul to dance on!