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A stellar season for the Infinity Dance Academy finally comes to an end

Submitted Photo The Infinity Dance Academy poses for a picture in some of their costumes. Infinity had an incredible season, and they hope to continue to be successful in the future.

Infinity’s 2018 competitive season began at the Imagine Dance Challenge held at the UB Center for the Arts. Their group piece, “River,” featuring Rhianna Nasal, Kristina Jewell, Bella Manning, and Allie Pchelka earned five stars and took first place overall out of 16 entries. Their group pieces “Move” and “Believe” also earned five stars while placing first and placing second overall out of ten group routines. On top of that excitement, “Move” earned the 12 and over entertainment award! Infinity’s beginning competition routine “Faith” earned four stars for their first competition, placed first overall, and won a special high score award for all the novice level. This is a great accomplishment. The competitive trio, “Way Down We Go,” featuring Mia Gullo, Kristina Jewell, and Rhianna Nasal earned five stars and placed first overall as well. Their soloists also kicked off the season with high scores and overall placements. Rhianna and Kristina placed third and second overall, respectively, out of 21 entries. Infinity ended the Imagine competition with a bang when both “River” and “Faith” earned golden tickets to the Star Dance Alliance Dance Worlds in the Meadowlands. This is a huge honor and they are very excited to attend this summer.

Next, Infinity’s competition season took them to the Niagara Falls Conference Center to compete at the Legacy Dance Championship. Once again “River” received a platinum and first overall. “Move,” “Million Reasons,” and “Believe,” also received platinum with “Believe” winning first overall and a $250 Dance Dream scholarship for all dancers involved. “My Boy Lollipop” earned an elite gold and first in their category. The duet “Sail” received an elite gold and placed first in their division. Soloists Jazmyn Bertino and Hannah Powell earned a platinum and elite gold while placing first and second in their category. Hannah also was selected for the “Little Miss Sass” judges’ award. Rhianna earned a platinum and placed first out of eight while Kristina, Bella, Mia Gullo and Adriana Rosati all placed first, second, third, and sixth overall out of 12. Emily Bowers and Allie Pchelka both received a platinum and placed first and third overall.

Infinity then traveled to Medina, New York where they participated in the Groove Dance Competition and Convention. Competitors were invited to take free master classes taught by the judges where a select few were hand selected to receive scholarships and awards. This was a wonderful opportunity for their dancers. The competition was tough to say the least, but the dancers prevailed and still pulled through with 12 first place awards and seven first overall awards.

Finally, the Infinity dancers traveled to Buffalo where they competed on the beautiful and prestigious Shea’s Performing Arts Center stage. The routine “Million Reasons” featuring Emily Bowers, Adriana Rosati, Mikayla Christopher, Maddie Manning, and Jaelyn Davis scored a platinum, won a special costume award and placed third overall. “Move” and “Believe” both scored platinum and scored second and third overall out of 15 entries. “Move” also won a costume award and “Believe” won an “Awesome Attack” award. Once again “River” received a platinum, going first in their category and fourth overall out of 24 entries. This routine was also selected for a special “Explosive Execution” award. The trio “Way Down We Go” also received a platinum and first overall out of 11 entries. Infinity’s soloists ended their season with amazing performances and high scores. Mia Gullo received a platinum and sixth overall out of 40 dancers. Allie Pchelka and Emily Bowers both earned platinum and fifth and eighth overall with 36 dancers in their division. Hannah Powell received a platinum and Jazmyn Bertino earned a high gold and both placed fourth and fifth overall. Rhianna Nasal and Kristina Jewell both earned platinum medals and placed second and fourth overall out of over 20 routines. These dancers work hard throughout the year and truly enjoy what they do. Infinity’s next adventure will take them on a competition cruise to the Bahamas. This is optional for all competition dancers and families, but they are very excited to travel and try new things.

Summer dance sessions at Infinity begin July 10. For registration or questions please call (716) 679-6679. For questions regarding the Infinity competition team please talk to Cheryl or Emily. Summer dance is required for all current and perspective dance team members.

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