The Collage Performing Arts Center of Fredonia announces the results of its four competitive dance teams participation at the National Dance Championships in Orlando, Fla., recently. The Collage Dance Teams have qualified and competed at the UDA national event for the past 14 years.
The NY Majestic senior dance team performed in the semi-final pom dance competition the first day at Nationals and earned the qualifying score to progress to the final round. The team made it to the final round of competition and was awarded fifth place in the UDA National Pom dance division. The team of 23 Chautauqua County dancers was filled with excitement to have made it to the finals in the highly competitive pom dance division. The dancers wore a purple and white collegiate-style uniform with their trademark name "Majestics" embroidered on the front.
The senior team placed sixth in the jazz division with only 1.3 points separating them from the third place team. The senior team received the award for outstanding choreography. In addition to a top five finish at the UDA National Dance Championships, the senior team have experienced a very successful competition season by earning the Dance Division Grand Championship at the Blue Devils competition, Spirit on Ice Championship, Fire & Ice Championships, Galaxy Championships at JCC, and the National Champions at Battle of the Bay.
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Submitted Photo
Dazzlers Dance Team, front row, from left: Olivia Schrantz, Kassidy Incitto, Mia Gullo, Shelby Genovese, Jenna Gabel. Second row: Sofia Russo, Valeri Nasca, Layla Seneca, Gabi Loeb, Zoe Loeb. Third row: Jenna Salisbury, Rachel Radack, Lauren Hill, Marissa Cash, Kaylee Hamm.
This year's Senior team is led by team captains Mariah Wojciechowski and Cara Barnes. The team is coached by Jenna Lee Mansfield, who also choreographed their performance piece. Senior Dance team members are Annie Barnes, Lauren Cunningham, Naomi Greenstein, Sarah Hill, Andrea Hobbs, Janelle Jasinski, Marissa Michalski, Torrie Nasca, Jackie Richir and Meaghan Tederous.
The junior Majestic dance team earned sixth place in the junior jazz dance division. The dancers were elated with their place as they celebrated their highest place at nationals in the past 10 years. Score sheets credit the team with excellent technique and execution of technical skills. The junior jazz dance performed was to the song "Snap Shot" and the dancers wore a red and black sequin costume with crystal accents. The junior team captains are Sarah Hill and Sarah Koning. The junior Majestic's earned first place finishes in all local competitions preparing them for their performance at nationals.
The team is coached by Marci Williams-Hadley. Junior dance team members are Sydney Bajdas, Mary Barnes, Emily Bartholomew, Stefanie Briggs, Heather Dorler, Sarah Hill, Sarah Koning, Mary Polvino, Samantha Pucci, Nicole Roth, Averey Simmons and Emily VanWey.
In the youth division, the Collage PAC was represented by the Hot-Shot dance team. The Hot-shots performed a sassy jazz dance to the song "I Hate Boys." The dancers wore black and hot pink taffeta tutu costumes. The team earned fifth place in the jazz division and fifth place in the pom division. The team has consistently earned top honors in their divisions this year including one Grand Championship award.
Melissa Berg and Mary Barnes served as team captains. Members of the Hot-Shot dance team are Alizee Dziduch, Hannah Fetterick, Jordan Gabel, Kaelyn Hadley, Hannah Koning, Catie Roth, Emma Seiders, Averey Simmons and Maya Vecchio.
The CPAC Dazzlers Dance Team lit up the dance floor with their jazz dance to "Wild Child" and dazzled the judges with their hot pink leopard print costumes. The team of 15 demonstrated their splits, kicks, jumps leaps and turns with enthusiasm and earned sixth place in the pom division and seventh place in the jazz division. Lauren Hill and Layla Seneca serve as team captains and the team is coached by Williams-Hadley. Dazzler Team members are Marissa Cash, Jenna Gabel, Shelby Genovese, Gabi Loeb, Zoe Loeb, Valeri Nasca, Rachel Radack, Kassidy Incitto, Kaylee Hamm, Jenna Salisbury, Sofia Russo, Mia Gullo and Olivia Schrantz.
The Collage Competitive dance teams were the highest scoring dance team from New York state at the largest national dance competition in the United States for the fourth consecutive year.
The New York Majestic Junior and Senior Dance teams travel to Orlando annually to compete with the best dance teams from all over the United States. The national competition is produced by Universal Dance Association and will be televised on ESPN in April.
The Collage PAC dance teams qualified for the national dance championships in July at the northeast regional dance championships in Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, seniors earning first place in the pom and jazz division at the regional Championships. The top three scoring teams from the regional championships are eligible to compete at the national competition. The Junior team earned first place in the pom division and second place in the jazz division at the qualifying meet.
The Hot-Shots earned first places and the Dazzlers qualified with two first place trophies at the regional qualifier.
Each team selected two dancers to receive the additional honor to represent their team on the UDA All-Star Performance Team. The Collage-selected dancers for 2012 were Layla Seneca, Lauren Hill, Sarah Koning, Nicole Roth, Averey Simmons, Emma Seiders, Janelle Jasinski and Mariah Wojciechowski. These dancers joined 150 all-star dancers and performed a four minute routine in the ESPN opening dance number that will be aired at the opening of the telecast in April.
Competitive team dancers are required to enroll in ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tumbling classes at the Collage Performing Arts Center year round. The dancers receive their ballet training from certified instructor Karen Schrader, hip-hop instructor Jennifer Russo, jazz instructor Jenna Lee Mansfield and director Williams-Hadley. Team members train approximately eight to 12 hours per week in dance classes and team practice.
The Senior CPAC team is currently preparing routines to compete at the Starbound dance championships held in New York City in April. The teams have a chance to qualify for Nationals in San Diego, Calif., in July.
Following the culmination of the competition season, dancers will be preparing for their many performances in the Collage annual dance recital. This year's production "Let's Get Glam" will be held at the SUNY Fredonia Marvel Theatre May 31 through June 2.
