Dancer’s Studio Selects Eight Students To Participate In Dance Masters Of PA Title Competition (12/26/14)

(Submitted by Dancer’s Studio)
A-Jo Gallagher, owner of Dancer’s Studio in Clarion, PA traveled to Monroeville with eight of her student’s on October 31, 2014 to participate in the DMP Title Competition. In addition to these eight students Abbey Barron, student of A-Jo and 2014 Petite Miss Dance of PA traveled to Monroeville to fulfill her duties and crown the 2015 Petite Miss Dance of PA 2015.

(All photos courtesy of Dancer’s Studio) Abbey Barron

In the Junior Division (ages 10-12) A-Jo had four students compete Grace Matson, Taylor Aites, Morgan Hartle, and Kaylee Baumcratz. In the Teen Division (ages 13-15) three students competed, Madison Schill, Mackenzie Young and Madilyn Simpson. In the Miss Division (ages 16 and up) Ashley Barron competed.

A-Jo was so pleased with all of these students. They started learning choreography in late July and August, participated in mock interviews, and took several private lessons with in acrobatics and ballet. A-Jo would like to thank Catherine Hayes and Kassandra Wilson for all their help with ballet and acrobatics. Catherine Hayes choreographed three of these students’ routines and Alex Lawrence choreographed one. A-Jo would also like to thank you Amber Kimmel and Barbara Venanzi for interviewing all of our students. They both are amazing professionals that gave great feedback to provide the students with tools for a positive interview experience.

The competition consists of an interview, an opening number, auditions in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and acrobatics, and the dance talent portion. A-Jo was selected to choreograph the opening number routine for the Petite/Junior division. She had Shannon Peterson assist her for opening number. It was an honor to have Abbey Barron represents DMP as 2014 Petite Miss Dance of PA and Dancer’s Studio. Abbey assisted with interviews, was featured in the opening number, announced contestants, danced her farewell dance, gave an amazing farewell speech and crowned 2015 Petite Miss Dance of PA.

Dancer’s Studio – Group Photo (L-R) Kaylee Baumcratz, Taylor Aites, Morgan Hartle, Grace Matson, A-Jo Gallagher, Ashley Barron, Madison Schill, Madilyn Simpson, and Mackenzie Young

All the scores showed that Dancer’s Studio is right up where they want to be with technique and performance. One of the highlights of the weekend was Grace Matson receiving 7th runner up in the Junior Division.

Grace Matson and A-Jo Gallagher

This division had 38 competitors. It was great seeing all of the students scoring high in certain genres of dance. Each one of the dancers had several strengths to be very proud of. Several of these students have done this competition last year and their scores and performance have improved greatly. A-Jo likes to give her students the opportunity to participate in this competition to help build confidence, communication skills, handling stress, pressure, disappointment and accomplishments, good sportsmanship and expanding their dance education.

(Thanks to Dancer’s Studio for this article and photos. Great job Dancers!!!!)