Florida Dance Masters Host Outstanding Spring Workshop “Smashing Success!!!”
Florida Dance Masters annual Thanksgiving Convention was held at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Seaworld, November 23 - November 26, 2006...There were classes given daily by a superb Faculty: Lisa Leone - Ballet; Johanna Sapakie - Jazz; Nick Bowman - Tap; Steve Rooks - Modern; Kristin Liu - Hip Hop; and Kimberly Beck Thomson - Acrobatics. The Mini Student Faculty included: Karolyn Mantuano - Ballet; Annette Gutches - Jazz; Danie Beck - Tap; Kimberly Beck Thomson - Acrobatics; and Kristin Liu - Hip Hop.
The Florida Dance Masters "Twinkling" and "Rising Star" Solo Competitions were held on Thursday evening, November 23rd. Finalists & Winners for Miss "Twinkling Star" are: 2nd Runner Up, Susiann Akapelwa - Teacher, Miriam Rye Doktor; 1st Runner Up, Brielle Thomson - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Miss "Twinkling Star" 2006 is Ashley Thomas - Teacher, Miriam Rye Doktor...Finalists for Mr. "Twinkling Star" are: 1st Runner Up, C.K. Anderson - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld; Mr. "Twinkling Star" 2006 is Brent Townend - Teacher, Liz Bevilacqua...Finalists for Miss "Rising Star" are: Kayla Follensbee - Teacher, Kathy Follensbee; Alexis Blanco - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Hollyn Ricker - Teacher, Miriam Rye Doktor; Allison Goolsby - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld; Raquel Gonzalez - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Gabriella Olsen - Teacher, Nancy Dunn/Stephanie Zlockie; Rachel Gonzalez - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Jessica Bryant - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Victoria O'Mara - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld; Jennifer Levy - Teacher, Gillian Davis; Melanie Gonzalez - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Carmia Wynn - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld. 3rd Runner Up, Allison Goolsby - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld; 2nd Runner Up, Victoria O'Mara - Teacher, Valerie Rye Weld; 1st Runner Up, Melanie Gonzalez - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson; Miss Rising Star" 2006 is Raquel Gonzalez - Teacher, Kimberly Beck Thomson...Finalists for Mr. "Rising Star" are: 1st Runner Up, Jarrett Reimers - Teacher, Victoria Gonzalez; Mr. "Rising Star" 2006 is Curtis Holland - Teacher, Edwin Holland. Congratulations to all contestants, finalists and winners! These competitions have become a very beneficial part of dance education for FDM's younger students, ages 8 - 13. Though only a small percentage of these youngsters will pursue a professional career in the Performing Arts, they encourage personal achievement, overall confidence, and have helped to make many dreams come true.
The "Royal Dance Festival", featuring Florida Dance Masters "Best Dancers," was held on Friday evening, November 24th. There were junior and senior groups of students performing in the various forms of dance. *This is a non-adjudicated event, so that the students will relax and enjoy their dancing without the competitive factor being present...Florida Dance Masters Performing Group, "Main Attraction" performed, "It Don't Mean a Thing," choreographed by Ilene Danek.
The Annual Gala Banquet was held on Saturday evening. Great food, with dessert, created especially for Florida Dance Masters; Dance Performances by Solo Competition Title Holders; Florida Dance Masters Performing Group, "Main Attraction;" and Scholarship Award Presentations...Mary Ann Cataldo, Banquet Chairman, did a wonderful job of organizing this very special evening.
Florida Dance Masters, Inc. provides members and non-members with Dance Workshops and Intensive Training Seminars, led by some of the top dance professionals in the country. Thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded to aspiring dancers each year, to the students of members. FDM welcomes new member teachers into the organization. Examinations in all subjects of dance are given periodically in various locations throughout the State.
*For additional information regarding membership, please contact: Loretta Snedeker, Executive Secretary of Florida Dance Masters, Inc., 2601 Antilles Drive - Winter Park, Florida 32792, (407) 786-5678; www.floridadancemasters.org