PCPD Show Team takes 1st in Contemporary at DANCEAMERICA competition

"The joy is in the work." - Kelly King

Congratulations again to the Patel Conservatory’s contemporary Show Team for another great competition weekend!

The group took 1st place in Contemporary, and 3rd place overall for the Intermediate Senior Groups division at the DANCEAMERICA competition on Saturday.

From left, Alex Correa, Parker Espada, Daryn Diaz, Gabriela Miller, Lauren
Townsend, Camila Daniel, Kathryn Gutierrez, Shayna Goodman, Kristina Biglete,Madison Pontanus, Miriam Spada, Alexis Diamond. In front, Liam Boswell.

Their top score qualified them for the 2015 DANCEAMERICA National Finals in Chicago in July.

“The camaraderie among the kids was so strong, they were really rooting for each other, and it was heartfelt,” said Conservatory parent Tammy Correa, whose son Alex Correa participated. “This was a wonderful opportunity for them.”

Congratulations also goes to Liam Boswell for being recognized with the Dance Power award at the competition.

Several Conservatory dancers were also recognized as top performers in the master classes held in conjunction with the competition:

Senior Division (14 and up):

Tap: Alex Correa

Ballet: Kathryn Gutierrez 

Modern: Liam Boswell

Hip Hop: Alexis Diamond

Junior Division (13 and under)

Modern: Daryn Diaz

Jazz: Lauren Townsend

Lyrical: Parker Espada

Musical Theatre: Madison Potantus and Gabriela Miller

As part of the competition, students had the opportunity to audition with industry choreographers for a two week DANCEAMERICA/DANCE OLYMPUS tour. Students selected to participate were Camila Daniel, Miriam Spada, Alex Correa and Liam Boswell.

In addition, Lauren Townsend and Gabriela Miller received junior scholarships for three days of free classes in Chicago.

This type of competition was a new experience for our students. The contemporary Show Team is part of the new Patel Conservatory Popular Dance (PCPD) program, in which students explore various styles of popular dance including hip hop, tap, jazz, contemporary and our own Rockette-style class Just for Kicks, led by Show Team choreographer and former Rockette Kelly King.

“These kids came into this class in the beginning of the year as individuals. After the hard rehearsals, weekly classes and these past two competition weekends, they walked away a team,” said King.

“They learned to support and encourage one another, and rely on one another. I tell them, ‘The joy is in the work. The reward at the end is just the bonus.’ I couldn’t be prouder of these 14 dancers.”

This summer, the Conservatory will offer a Popular Dance intensive led by King and instructor Susan Downey. For students interested in the commercial dance industry, the week-long intensive will immerse dancers in popular styles including tap, Broadway, contemporary and musical theater.

Check out our Show Team along with other great contemporary performances in On the Edge on Apr. 18.

Look for auditions dates for next year’s Show Team on our website this summer!

For more information about our Popular Dance program, or any of our dance classes, please call 813.222.1002 or click here.