USA COMPETITION — Chilhowee Dance and Performing Arts Center’s Avant Garde Company dancers attended the Dance Theatre USA Competition and Convention Feb. 26-27 in Kingsport at the Eastman Auditorium and Meadowview Resort and Convention Center. In addition to performing, the dancers took workshop classes.
Dancers took workshop classes also from Lorree Rousseau, former Radio City Rockette Sonya Livingston, Mary Beth Hansohn, hip-hop choreographer, and acclaimed gymnast Quentin Bolden.
Dancers took classes in ballet, lyrical, tap, hip-hop, musical theater and jazz progressions.
Chilhowee Dance and Performing Arts Center is owned by Dr. & Mrs. Charles M. Hooper III. CDPAC Instructors, who choreographed and taught the dancers, are Nisa Hooper, Tria Montgomery, Bill Reid, Caitlyn Lynn and Mariah Voytik.
Receiving awards were:
Gold — Kyley Yarber, Macie Kate Wright, Mayo Sommers, Julia Goncalves, Makenna Baker, Nina Kerr, Tori Stepp, Kelsey Mull, Alex Wright, Caitlyn Lynn, Ashley Tate and Kyley Yarber.
Others included Allie Reed, gold and third Overall Mini Solo Division; Avery Morrison, gold and third Overall Junior Solo Division; Lexi Valliere: gold and second Overall Junior Solo Division; Presleigh Pierce, gold and first Overall Grand Champion Professional Solo Division; Avery Morrison, Macie Kate Wright and Lexi Valliere, gold and second Overall Junior Duo/Trio Division; Nina Kerry, Haley Truelove and Haven Truelove, gold and third Overall Senior Duo/Trio Division; Junior/Teen Contemporary Fusion Jazz, gold and first Overall Grand Champion Junior Line Division; Junior/Teen Lyrical, gold and third Overall Junior Line Division; Junior/Teen Acro-Contortion, gold and first Overall Grand Champion Junior Production Division; Senior Lyrical, high gold and second Overall Senior Line Division; Senior Jazz, high gold and first Overall Grand Champion Senior Line Division; Junior/Teen/ Senior Contemporary, high gold and first Overall Grand Champion Senior Production Division;
Outstanding Choreography Award, Senior Division, went to “Yellow” senior lyrical choreographed by Hooper/CDPAC owner/artistic director.
CDPAC won the Crown Sportsmanship Award. Broadway Dance Center Scholarships in New York City went to CDPAC dancers Nina Kerr, Caitlyn Lynn and Mariah Voytik.
