The Senior solo National Title was awarded to Mckenna Taylor who had both the first and second highest scoring solos with her Contemporary piece “Medicine” and Lyrical “Never Enough”. First runner up in senior division was Danza! Junior Tabitha Shevlin. In the teen age category Taylor Thompson was first runner up with her lyrical piece “Beautiful Life”.

In group action Junior/Senior Danzaco won the National title for the second year in a row with their contemporary piece “Lanterns Lit”. National Senior top duet/trio title was awarded to Danza! for “Hometown Glory” a contemporary piece performed by Taylor, Shevlin and Emma Forthman and the contemporary duet to “Found/Tonight” by Taylor and Thompson was awarded first runner up.

Danzaco dance Company was created to give interested and talented local dancers extra performance opportunities. The group participates in charitable and community events as well as competition.

In the 2020-21 regional season dancers had five competitive events, giving them a chance to perform on stage for a panel of judges. In group divisions several overall awards were received in the Junior/Senior division. Dancers performed a traditional jazz dance to “Black Cat”, a musical theatre piece to “Mein Herr” from “Cabaret” and a contemporary piece to “Lanterns Lit”.

From left are: Marissa Grisanti, Emma Forthman, Mckenna Taylor, Tabitha Shevlin, Danielle Krajewski, Taylor Thompson and Ella Pacos.

Led by Fredonia Senior Mckenna Taylor, dancers include Tabitha Shevlin, Emma Forthman and Marissa Grisanti of Silver Creek, Ella Pacos of Cassadaga, Taylor Thompson of Westfield and Danielle Krajewski of Gowanda. Dances were choreographed by Danza! director Krista Taylor.

Numerous overall awards were also received in the acro division. Performing “Gorilla” Taylor, Shevlin, Grisanti and Thompson were recognized with special awards for their talents. Also competing in the Hip hop division were Taylor, Shevlin, Pacos, Grisanti, Krajewski and Thompson. “Lose Control” was choreographed by Mckenna Taylor and placed first in division.

In duet/Trio action in each event Danza! won first and second overall with “Hometown Glory” and “Found/Tonight”. Placing high with platinum awards in duets were Grisanti and Shevlin with a jazz dance to “Emergency” and Krajewski and Pacos with “I’m a Lady”.

Soloist Mckenna Taylor was crowned the Title winner of NYSDC and Summerdanse (which is for the highest scoring solo in every age and genre) and also received the coveted judges technical award at every competition. She had both the first and second highest scoring solos in the competitive senior level at competition and received several special awards.

Tabitha Shevlin won division for both her acro and lyrical pieces, received special judges awards for strength and control at two separate events in addition to placing first runner up at Nationals. Emma Forthman received first overall for her contemporary lyrical solo “You Say” with platinum ratings. She was also awarded costume awards for her custom piece. Taylor Thompson, first National runner up in the teen division performed both a jazz and lyrical piece receiving platinum ratings and several overall placements. Twice she was given a special judges awards for her strong turning technique. Marissa Grisanti performed a high energy jazz solo with numerous acro tricks placing with platinum ratings.

The studio received several choreography awards for “Lanterns Lit”, “Black Cat” and “Medicine”.

In their debut season Petite Danzaco performed a high energy jazz dance to “Kung Fu Fighting”, complete with karate inspired kicks and acro tricks. Dancers include Autumn Clark, Mary Coppolla, Siyah Drummond, Morgan Kuras, Savannah Stein and Zuleymarie Torres. The dancers earned first overall and several platinum and high gold ratings. Petite soloist Savannah Stein performed as a first time soloist to a jazz dance to “Make it Shine”. She placed in the top 3 in overalls in every regional competition.

Dancers are currently beginning a new season. The studio also hosts a recreational dance program where there is a class for everyone. New students are welcomed and encouraged to join, contact the studio at 672-5095.