Gayla’s dancers excel at nationals

Dancers from Gayla’s Dance Studio in Gallatin brought home two platinum, eight gold and four silver awards during National Competition for USA Dance held recently in Gattlinburg, Tenn.

Gayla’s Dance Studio, under the operation of Gayla Teel, traveled to Gattlinburg with 13 dancers, ranging in age from four to 18.

Girls competed against company studios from Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, and Iowa in categories of tap, jazz, and clogging. They were judged on items of costume, stage presence, technique, choreography, and difficulty of dance.

USA Dance is a professional dance company based in Las Vegas, Nev. Judges at the nationals were professional dancers from New York and Las Vegas, including a judge touring with an Ireland dance company.

Dancers receiving platinum, the highest score, were Kara Kloepping and Kelsie Parker — clogging duet to “Chattahochie” (first place in Top 5 Novice Duet/Trio); small group of Katie Jarboe, Dennelle Rhoades, Hattie Rains, Kelsie Parker, Emily Michener and Kara Kloepping — tapping to “Sing, Sing, Sing” (3rd place in Top 5 Small and Large Group Novice).

Receiving gold were Aubrey Nelson — jazz solo to “We’re From the Country”: Kaley Esbeck — clogging solo to “Some Days You Gotta Dance”; Katie Jarboe — clogging solo to “Katie Wants a Fast One”; Dannette Teel — tapping solo to “I Ain’t Got You”; Michelle Chadwick — tapping solo to “Steppin’ Out With My Baby”; Dennelle Rhoades and Emily Michener — clogging duet to “Third Rock From the Sun”(3rd place in Top 5 Novice Duet/Trio); Hattie Rains and Mandy Eads — clogging duet to “Fever”; Center Stage — large jazz group of Michelle Chadwick, Crystal Chadwick, Mandy Eads, Emily Michener, Kara Kloepping, Kelsie Parker, Hattie Rains, Dennelle Rhoades, Cindy Barker and Katie Jarboe; Aubrey Nelson — costume cowgirl; Aubrey Nelson — photogenic.

Winning silver were Dannette Teel and Kayle Esbeck — clogging to “Rockin’ to the Rhythm of the Rain” and jazz to “Lucky.”; Aubrey Nelson — clogging solo to “Man I Feel Like a Woman”; Aubrey Nelson, Dannette Teel and Kayle Esbeck — tapping to “Flintstones.”

Special judges awards went to Aubrey Nelson for “Country Bumpkin” and Hattie Rains and Mandy Eads for “Outstanding Timing.”

Gayla’s dance competitors also walked away with three of the top 15 overall performance awards, including a first place in duet/trio performances. The nationals competition gave 10 special judges awards, of 120 entries, and two of these awards were won by Gayla’s Dance Studio competitors.

The girls held many money making projects to cover expenses for their trip to Tennessee. With the help of the community, the girls were able to cover lodging expenses for their trip.

The girls will return to Gayla’s Dance Studio in September to resume dance and start regional competition in October. Gayla’s Dance Studio is beginning its 10th year of operation in Gallatin. Gayla Teel, instructor, has taught dance for 20 years. Anyone interested in signing a child up for dance, please see the studio at 1102 S. Main in Gallatin.