Dancers bring home 35 trophies and awards

Pictured left to right, are, front row: Kailey Elbert, Sadie Wilson and Aubrey Nelson; second row, Ashley Burns, Sydney Elbert and Maggie Ward; back row, Kara Kloepping, Dawn Stark and Emily Michener.

Olivia Nelson and Molly Ward danced to “What I Like About You.”

Students of Dance Essentials and The Dance Company competed June 17-20 at Talent on Parade National Dance Competition in Wichita, Kan. The 13 girls ranging in age from two to 16 competed in divisions of tap, jazz, clogging, pom-pon and hip-hop.

The students were awarded adjudicated trophies from top second to elite top first, the highest award that could be obtained. A special Judges Award was given to the studio for the “fancy feet” in tap. Category top cup trophies were won by the studio in all divisions: tap, jazz, clogging, pom and hip-hop.

Top 10 overall awards were won by solos, jazz, open, clogging, tap, tap duet, small groups, pom-pon and clogging. Kara Kloepping was also chosen at regionals and performed at nationals in the Senior Top Starz opening number. Kaley Esbeck was chosen as the National Photogenic winner for 12 and under.

Two dance entries, eight and under duet tap and 11-12 small group were chosen by the judges to compete in the Dance Off Finals. The Dance Offs were given to only 35 entries throughout the four days of competition of 500 plus entries.

Talent on Parade in their seventh year of national finals, hosted 60 studios for the Midwest finals. Teachers accompanying the students from Dance Essentials and the Dance Company included Paul Bruinsma and Cara Bechtel. Studio owner Vera Nelson also traveled with the competition team.

Studio representation brought home over 35 trophies and awards. Eight students from the studio are now bound for Showstoppers Nationals in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in July.