It was another milestone week for Studio West Dance under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
The Ladner Village dance school just returned from the Dance Awards – the national finals for North America.
Studio West had 26 dancers at the competition/convention at the Palazzo Las Vegas with several competing in group and solo competitions. The event encompassed competitions, classes and a gala show at the end of the event. There were 3,000 dancers competing.
The school placed four dancers in the best dancer competition including Parker Arundel (mini), Jayda Ayach (junior), Ava Burgham (junior) and Harrison Last (teen male). Last finished in the top 20 in his category.
“This is the first time we have been at the Dance Awards and qualified solos as well as four groups competed in the finals,” said Studio West director Jyla Davis. “It is really awesome for the kids to be taking classes from these star-studded faculty and industry professionals. Travis Wall, Mandy Moore who choreographed La La Land and Stephen Laurel (tWitch Boss) who is the DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show - these are the types of people who are teaching and working with the dancers, so it is just super inspiring to be there and experience it.”
Studio West continues to teach classes and summer camps as they prepare for the competition season to start up again in the fall.
One dancer though will continue to compete this summer.
Burgham is off to Los Angeles for the Beat Squad – comprised of a small group of dancers from across North America.
“You are chosen from a number of different competitions,” said Davis. “She is one of a handful of kids who will be at DancerPalooza as part of the Beat Squad. She will be specializing in lyrical contemporary dance. It’s just a chance to really take advantage of real close nit, specialized coaching.”
Davis said this is a first for Burgham and Studio West.
“She is our first ever dancer to make the Beat Squad. She works so hard outside of class,” said Davis. “She is training with us, competing with us and then goes outside to train and compete. She has a really passionate and driven attitude for dance. We’re very proud of her.”
