Dancers from Center Stage Dance Company have returned home from national dance competition with national titles. The 80 competition dancers and their families traveled to Savannah, Ga., July 11— 16 for Encore Competition Of The Stars national event.
Big winners were the dancers in the hip hop number “New Workout Plan.”This number received the highest placement diamond award, outscoring over 150 other dances for the junior number of all solos, duet/trios, small groups and large group numbers for the event. The dancers in this number received a 5-foot national trophy and cash prize for their performance. This group has also placed first overall at three other regional competitions during the 2012 season.
Dancers in this highest scoring junior number for Encore Nationals include Addison Wise, Brianna Haynes, Brooklyn Lewis, Charly Small, Chloe Bolick, Chloe Patterson, Cierra Stubbs, Dillon Stevens, Gabby Potvin, Hailey Overcash, Hannah Stevens, Kaley Knight, Liza Eller, Madyson Jenkins, Makenzie Waller, Mollie Goss, Moya Errant-Wolfe, Parker Stelmack, Rebekah Lippard, Ryley Corriher, and Rylie Stewart. Center Stage instructors for this number are Jonathan Matthews and Sydney Overcash.
Also taking top prize in the junior duet trio division were Parker Stelmack and Hannah Stevens with their open competitive number “On A String.” This pair received the highest scoring diamond award for their performance and ranked first overall for junior duets and trios at the event. The pair was instructed by Sydney Overcash for this number.
In the petite division, taking the first overall spot were the young dancers performing in “Brand New Girlfriend.” These dancers received the elite diamond award for their number and finished first overall in the petite division.
Dancers performing in “Brand New Girlfriend” were Anderson Moore, Aubrey Honeycutt, Brianna Hargrove, Caitlin Brackett, Corie Jones, Ella Doby, Ethan Scarborough, Heather Young, Landry Stewart, Lauren Haynes, Makayla Waller, Molly Graham, Sarah Parker, Seleia Kerr, Shelby Harrison, Zander Rabon, Zoe Rabon, and Zoey Nichols. Center Stage instructors for this group are Katherine O’Dell, Jonathan Matthews, and Sydney Overcash.
Numerous dances from Center Stage received the coveted diamond award for their presentations and ranked in the top five of their divisions for the national event. Dances receiving the diamond award from Center Stage included “The Kissing Booth,” “I Need A Hero,” “Tilt Ya Head Back,” “Mean Girls,” “Fireflies,” “I Now Pronounce You…,” “Like A Boss,” “There! Right There!”
Soloists Parker Stelmack and Cierra Stubbs both received diamond placement awards for their solos in the junior division. Parker received a diamond award and placed third overall for her open solo to “Lately” while Cierra received the diamond award and ranked fifth overall for her tap solo to “Showtime.” Featured performers from all over the nation gave numerous performances of a special opening number during the event in Savannah. Representing Center Stage were soloists Parker Stelmack and Hannah Stevens for 2012. Receiving special recognition in a performance during the event went to Rylie Stewart as she was recognized in a group number for outstanding performance.
The dancers from Center Stage currently hold titles for the state of North Carolina as well as national titles for the 2012 competition season.
Artistic director at Center Stage is Sydney Overcash. Choreographers are Jonathan Matthews, Katherine O’Dell, and Sammie Abernathy. Director at Center Stage is Sandy Overcash.