The Dance Slipper in Southwick, Massachusetts owned by Brenda Barna, competed at the American Dance Awards National Competition in Hollywood, Florida, from July 9 – 14, 2012. This national dance competition involved approximately 60 studios and dance teams from across the US, Canada, and South Africa.
The Dance Slipper’s Junior Competition team won second place at the National Championship with an overall high score and second place for Age 12 and under Extended ensembles for their performance “Jury Duty,” an extended tap number choreographed by Lori Haftmann. This group also received first place for Overall High Score Extended ensembles (age 10 – 12), a special judge’s award for “Great Telling of a Story.” This tap team consists of local youths ranging in age from 9 to 18. They include: Reece Couture, Amberly Goyette, Shannon Green, Mackenzie Green, Lexie Klinkowski, Brittany Levitt, Jalyn Sedor, Katie Eufemia, Sara Labodycz, Julianne Wendzel (all from Southwick, Mass.), Delanie Rybacki (Otis, Mass.), Hannah Carrier (Westfield, Mass.), Madison D’Ostuni, Lauren Johnson, Ally Lewis, Jackie Rupp (all from Suffield, Conn.), Essie Balboni, Rachel Balboni, Madelynn Brown, Gabrielle Sturgeon, Katelyn Sweetland, and Maddy Wilson (all from Granby, Conn.).
The Dance Slipper also won:
2nd Place Overall High Score for Age 10 – 12 Production — “The Big City” a group number involving jazz and acrobatics choreographed by Brenda Barna and Lori Haftmann.
3rd Place Overall High Score for Age 10 – 12 Class (18 or more dancers) — “Cats” an acrobat number choreographed by Brenda Barna.
3rd Place Overall High Score for Age 13 – 15 Duo/Trio and 5th Place Overall for Age 13 & Over Duo/Trio — “Dock of the Bay” a tap trio choreographed by Lori Haftmann.
3rd Place Overall High Score for Age 10 – 12 Small Group — “Happy Feet” a tap number choreographed by Lori Haftmann.
4th Place Overall High Score for Age 16 and Over Small Group — “Take Off With Us” a jazz number choreographed by Lori Haftmann.
5th Place Overall High Score Solo for Age 10 year olds – “Hush” a lyrical solo by Vanni Morellor choreographed by Brenda Barna.
8th Place Overall High Score for Age 10 – 12 Large Group — “Cellmates” a jazz number choreographed by Lori Haftmann.
