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.

PCPD Show Team takes second place at Starquest competition

Congratulations to the Patel Conservatory Show Team on their exceptional performance last weekend at the Starquest dance competition held at Jefferson High School.

Their group piece, Eyes, received Platinum in the Contemporary division and 2nd place overall top score in the Teen Large Group category. In addition, instructor Kelly King was recognized as Outstanding Choreographer.

We’re so excited and proud of them for all their hard work and dedication!

The Show Team is part of the Patel Conservatory’s new Popular Dance program launched this year, in which students explore various styles of popular dance including hip hop, jazz, contemporary and our own Rockette-style class Just for Kicks.

The Show Team will perform in one more competition this month.

Check out these students, as well as students from our Popular Dance program, Patel Conservatory Youth Ballet and Next Generation Ballet, in our upcoming dance concert On the Edge on Apr. 18 in the Straz Center’s Ferguson Hall.

Show Team performs in two competitions in February

Patel Conservatory student perform a
contemporary piece in 2014 On the Edge

Best of luck to our Patel Conservatory Popular Dance (PCPD) Show Team as they compete in two regional dance competitions this month.

Show Team students will compete in Starquest at Jefferson High School this Sun., Feb. 8 and at the Dance America/ Dance Olympus competition on Sat., Feb 14, 2015 at the Straz Center.

“These types of competitions attract dance studios from all over the Tampa Bay area. It’s great exposure and experience for our students, and it helps expand their knowledge of the dance industry,” said Show Team instructor Kelly King.

The Conservatory’s Show Team is a choreography class in which students learn and rehearse dance repertoire for competitions.

“I really like the class, it’s really fun. Learning choreography helps me with other classes, too,” said longtime Conservatory student Camila Daniel.

Camila, 14, has taken ballet at the Conservatory for seven years. She’s also taken an array of other classes including tap, musical theater, hip hop, contemporary and jazz.

She says Show Team helps sharpen her skills by working on new choreography and then polishing each piece.

“Miss Kelly teaches me a lot of things that I never thought I could do. She pushes you to the maximum,” said Camila.

Students competing are: Kathryn Gutierrez, Madison Potantus, Lauren Townsend, Camila Daniel, Kristina Biglete, Gabriela Miller, Alexis Diamond, Alex Correa, Miriam Spada, Parker Espada, Helen Textor, Liam Boswell, Shayna Goodman and Daryn Diaz. They come from various schools in the Tampa area including Blake High School, Tampa Preparatory School and Land O' Lakes High School, and some are Next Generation Ballet trainees here at the Conservatory.

These student have put in extra time and rehearsals to prepare for the upcoming competitions.

Camila Daniel

“Competing is about working as a team. No matter what happens, the students know that they’ve made that journey together through hard work,” said King.

As part of the Dance America competition, dancers will also have an opportunity to participate in workshops throughout the day on Sun., Feb 15 with guest artists such as Linda Gianscapa, Sam Fiorello, Dustin Phillips, Brandon Girouard and Germaul Barnes.

“I’ve never done a competition before, so I’m excited to see what other schools are going to show and what their students are doing,” said Camila.

With the growth of the PCPD program, we’ve added a new PCPD intensive this summer from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14, 2015. Designed 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.

For more information about our PCPD program, please call 813.222.1002 or click here.