Florida Dance Masters Hosts Successful Spring Workshop
Florida Dance Masters, Inc. ended their fiscal year as they celebrated National Dance Week, at the annual "Spring Dance Workshop," held at the Marriott Boca Raton Hotel in Boca Raton, Florida, April 20 - 22, 2007. Dance classes in Acrobatics, Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, and Tap were taught by "Master Teachers" and were offered to students and teachers this year in five categories: Minis (Ages 6-8); Juniors (Ages 9-11); Intermediates (12-14); Seniors (Ages 15 yrs & up); and Teachers/Assistants (Ages 18 & older).
Florida Dance Masters Jr. Miss / Mr. Dance Scholarship Competition, and the Miss / Mr. Dance Scholarship Competitions were held on Saturday, April 21, at the West Boca Raton High School. The top (8) Finalists for Jr. Miss Dance were: Cayleigh Hydock (James Dance Center); Bella Calafiura (Center for Dance, Drama & Music); Stefanie Wright (Lyle Studios); Julia Teter-Jones (Ronnie's Academy of Dance); Claire Schirard (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); Melody Boyens (James Dance Center); Samantha Elliott (Dance Unlimited); and Jeannette Fiallo (Highland School of Dance). 2nd Runner Up, Stefanie Wright (Lyle Studios-David Hedrick); 1st Runner Up, Melody Boyens (James Dance Center-Annette DuBois); and Florida Dance Masters Jr. Miss Dance 2007 is Samantha Elliott (Dance Unlimited-Garrett Betancourt).
Finalists for Jr. Mr. Dance were: 2nd Runner Up, Andrew Dorsey (James Dance Studio-Annette DuBois); 1st Runner Up, Jordan Lyons (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); and Florida Dance Masters Jr. Mr. Dance 2007 is Craig Stonestreet (Center for Dance, Drama & Music-Edwina Anthony).
The top (6) Finalists for Miss Dance were: Kirsten Boerema (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); Stephanie Hayes (James Dance Center); Kira Townend (Dussich Dance Studio); Lyndsay Fuller (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); Molly Reimers (Donna Lee Studio); and Amanda Vieira (Dance Unlimited). 1st Runner Up, Molly Reimers (Donna Lee Studio-Danielle Mortimer); and Florida Dance Masters Miss Dance 2007 is Kira Townend (Dussich Dance Studio-Robyn Dekeyser & Debbie Townend).
Finalists for Mr. Dance were: Luke Stevens (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); Alexander Loisel (Dussich Dance Studio); Scott Curley (Miriam & Valerie's SODA); Coby Reimers (Donna Lee Studio); and Alex Jones (Highland School of Dance). 1st Runner Up, Luke Stevens (Miriam & Valerie's SODA-Helaina Vemon); and Florida Dance Masters Mr. Dance 2007 is Alex Jones (Highland School of Dance-Hayley Amis).
Congratulations to all of the Contestants, Finalists and Winners!!! *Cash Awards are given to Runner Ups and Winners. Judges for the Competitions were: Ellie Potts Barrett, Daniel Deal, Debbie Levin, Sherry Deal Lyon, and Kathy Pickle. Thanks to the Mistress of Ceremonies, Shayna Schwartz and Directors, Keli Clarke and Natalie Weld Cozzani for making both Competitions run so smoothly and for a job well done!
The "Shooting Stars Showcase," under the direction of Annette Gutches, was held between the Jr. Miss / Jr. Mr. Dance and the Miss / Mr. Dance Competitions. This Showcase is not adjudicated, but rather a performance in order to give our Mini and Jr. students a "taste" of what's to come in FDM. The Showcase is open to groups with (3 - 7 dancers) and lines of (8 or more) only, ages 6 - 12 years. These young students performed in colorful costumes, were good little entertainers and very enjoyable to watch.
FDM Title Holders for 2006, and Florida Dance Masters Performing Group, "Main Attraction," performed throughout the evening. Congratulations to all of the FDM teachers for having such talented students!
The weekend included: Education, entertainment, and fun as we celebrated "National Dance Week."
Florida Dance Masters is a Dance Teacher's Organization, which certifies Members by examination and offers continuing education through Intensive Teacher Training Sessions, Student and Teacher Workshops, Scholarship Auditions, Concert Performance Opportunities, Solo Scholarship Competitions and additional "Performance Experiences" through "Main Attraction," Florida Dance Masters Performing Group.
Florida Dance Masters continues to seek out educational opportunities for Members, Non-Members, Students, and welcomes inquiries about membership and upcoming events. For more information, write to:
Florida Dance Masters, Inc.
Loretta Snedeker, Executive Secretary
2601 Antilles Drive - Winter Park, FL 32792, www.floridadancemasters.org