CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Dance Bright, a dance studio in Plainview, recently traveled to Cedar Rapids, IA, June 18-21, to compete at the prestigious Starz National Dance Competition. The studio took a “Nationals Team” of 28 dancers and had seven routines compete. Among the dancers on the team are Evynn Kumm and Clara Steinkraus of Osmond.
Dance Bright is coming home with a National Championship title as well as a Grand National Championship and two Grand National Runner Up titles. Along with these, judges' choice awards, high point placements and overalls were achieved.
Dancers spent three intensive weeks in the studio rehearsing and polishing routines. The road to nationals takes commitment, dedication, and perseverance. Director and studio owner Brighton Meuret is proud of the teamwork the “Nationals Team” demonstrated in preparation for the nationals stage.
“We supported each other and pushed ourselves. Their success is a testament to their passion for dance and our bond as a team.”
Soloist Karley Cole started the nationals journey on Wednesday, June 18, with her acrobatic routine “Bam Bam.” She earned a platinum rating, judges choice award called “Fantastic Facials,” was the category winner and placed 12th overall in the top 15 out of 54 total routines in her division.
The Plainview studio then had soloist Olivia Rentschler take the stage with her musical theater routine, “You Can't Stop the Beat," and soloist, Berkleigh Dvorak, perform her clog- ging routine, "Hustle".
Both routines earned a platinum rating and Olivia came home with third in her category. Berkleigh earned a special invitation at Starz's regional competition to perform in the “Standout Dancer” opening number routine for Grand Nationals on Saturday, June 21.
“We were so proud to see one of our very own in this routine and receive this well deserved recognition at Nationals,” Meuret said.
Wednesday's routines were con - cluded with the trio, "Hit the Road Jack,” which included dancers Addie Hodson, Emma Sauser and Olivia
Rentschler. The trio earned a platinum rating, judge's choice award called “Sole Power,” second overall in the top 5, and earned a spot to recompete in the Grand National Competition on Saturday, June 21, and secured a Grand National Runner-up overall placement.
Soloist Zoey Heiss competed Thurs day, June 19, with her jazz routine, “Superbad,” and earned a platinum rating, third out of 17 in her jazz category and placed fifth overall out of 34 soloists. Her high placement earned her an alternate spot in the Grand National Competition.
Friday, June 20, consisted of two group routines, “Throwback” and “Queen B.” Both hip hop routines received national recognition. Routine “Throwback,” consists of nine danc- ers: Camryn Cole, Ella Nincehelser, Evynn Kumm, Karley Cole, Kirbee
Doerr, Lola Clausen, Raegan Lam- brecht, Raelyn White, and Zoey Heiss.
This small group routine danced their way to a NATIONAL CHAM PION title while also securing a platinum rating, judges choice award called OSMOND DANCERS SHINE BRIGHT AT NATIONALS
“Fun and Fierce,” and the invitation to recompete in the Grand National Finals where they earned the Grand National Runner Up award.
Routine “Queen B,” is the line routine which included 21 dancers: Adalyn Dummer, Addie Hodson, Aleia Lilly, Aleigha Ogden, Aniston Schmidt, Belle Anson, Berkleigh Dvorak, Calla Mitchell, Clara Steinkraus, Daphne Mitchell, Ella White, Emma Sauser, Evynn Kumm, Jordyn Osborne, Karley Cole, Kinley Hodson, Macie Darnall, Olivia Rentschler, Paisley Mitchell, Tessa Weber and Fenne Van Winkel. This routine earned a platinum rating and third overall, which placed them in the Grand National Competition on Saturday where they secured the GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPION TITLE.
“To say I’m proud is an understatement,” says Meuret. “We had a dream, worked as a team, grew as dancers, and couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to travel and compete against amazing talent. We left feeling inspired and ready for the 25-26 season. We want to extend another thank you to those who supported and donated to the Nationals team.”
