COMPANY DANCE TRAVERSE
Congratulations to Company Dance Traverse on your successful New York City Nationals Competition! The dancers looked wonderful, and were chosen as "National Class Act" Winners for the Senior Age Division. This honor was given to one company of the 46 companies from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It was earned for "Professional, quality, age appropriate pieces performed in a Class Act way." Our pieces earned Gold or Platinum Honors, with a majority earning "Distinguished Achievement" Honors. Our "Outstanding Dancers" - Nolie Gentry, Julia Krueger, Athena Perample, Maggie Milliken, and Mary VandeKieft did a fabulous job in the Gala Opening Number.
Congratulations to CDT National Scholarship Winners:
Caitlin Brown, Lane Halperin, Leah McCord, Cora Hargis, Natalie Niergarth, Caroline Carlton, Jessica Dancer, and Christina Perry.
Great work everyone!!
Serious dancers wishing for more performing opportunities may audition for the award winning Company Dance Traverse August 16th, 2006. The company, under the direction of Betsy Carr, with Associate Directors Melinda Baker, Jessica Brutlag, and Melissa Maury, is divided into four groups- First Company (High School and up), Teen Company (age 12 and up), Junior Company (ages 10-14), and Mini Company (ages 8-12). CDT performs at numerous events- "The Nutcracker", school tours, various local concerts, and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, in addition to workshops and conventions. Dance trips to New York and Chicago are also available. During the summer of 2004, we were one of 4 companies from the U.S. invited to perform on a European Tour with the Young Tanzsommer Festival. This was a trip of a lifetime, and we hope to go back sometime in the next few years. This summer, we are headed to the New York City Dance Alliance National Convention & Competition in New York City. We also will take class and compete at The New York City Dance Alliance Convention in Lansing in January, and in Chicago in February. We will perform our Company Repertory pieces in April and dance in the Spring Concert in May. We are also hoping to get the opportunity to perform in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. We have been invited each time we have adjudicated for this event. It will be a busy and exciting year for us!
Congratulations Company Dance Traverse on your Successful 2005-2006 Season!
New York City Dance Alliance Honors - Lansing, January, 2006:
"Critics Choice" - "Farewell", also "Overall High Score Teen"
"Overall High Score Teen" (tie) "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me"
"High Score Senior Small Production" - "Landmarks"
"High Score Senior Lyrical" - Wishes
"High Score Teen Small Production" - "Hollywood Party"
"High Score Junior Large Production" - "Vacation"
"High Score Junior Lyrical" - "Always There in You"
"Overall High Score Mini" - "Do You Believe in Magic"
"The Class Act" Honor (for professional, age appropriate pieces)
"The Backstage Good Sportsmanship" Honor
"The Kindness of Heart" Scholarship (in both Lansing & Chicago)
NYCDA - Chicago, February, 2006:
"Critics Choice" - "Loss", also "Overall High Score Senior"
"Overall High Score Senior" (tie) "Fix You" also "High Score Production"
"High Score Senior Solo" Nolen Joy Gentry, "Darkness & Light"
"Critics Choice Nominee" Eventful Currents
"High Score Teen Small Production" "Ooh Child"
"Outstanding Dancer" Scholarship Winners:
Nolen Joy Gentry, 4 time winner Athena Perample, 2 time winner
"Outstanding Dancer" Runner Ups:
Julia Krueger Maggie Milliken, 2 time winner
Jenny Morris Mary Vande Kieft, 2 time winner
"The Future Star" Scholarship Daniel Johnson
NYCDA Ballet Scholarships:
Nolen Joy Gentry, Leah McCord, Allison Powell, Briana Knox
NYCDA "Triple Threat" Honor Emily Spala
CDT Scholarship Finalists in Lansing & Chicago 2006:
Senior Age Division - Nolen Joy Gentry, McCall Greiner, Lane Halperin, Dan Johnson, Marley Lively, Val Lober, Leah McCord, Melissa Nerem, Laura Runstrom, Lizzie Tucker
Teen Age Division - Anna Marie Antinozzi, Layne Austin-Simescu, Rebecca Dancer, Cora Hargis, Julia Krueger, Athena Perample, Natalie Niergarth, Audrey Prisk, Emily Spala
Junior Age Division - Caroline Carlton, Jessica Dancer, Celeste Heinz, Maggie Milliken, Jenny Morris, Christina Perry, Allison Powell, Mary Vande Kieft
Mini Age Division - Allie Kessel, Aubrey Krueger, Ellie LaPointe, Madison Lutzke, Olivia Oxholm, Casey Sutherland, Madison Vomastek
West Coast Dance Explosion Competition, Dearborn
"High Score Overall Teen Duo/Trio" Athena Perample & Mary Vande Kieft
Congratulations to our Northern Michigan Dance Council Scholarship Winners:
All NMDC member's students were taught and adjudicated by guests and members of the council. After a day long audition, 8 dancers were selected for scholarships. DAA dancers earned:
Cora Hargis earned the "Top Overall Dancer" $500 Scholarship
Leah McCord earned the Meg Nutting Ballet Scholarship, sponsored by
Diva Dancewear
Sarah West earned the Ballet Scholarship
Athena Perample earned the Jazz Scholarship
Val Lober earned the Tap Scholarship
Lizzie Tucker earned the highest points for a dancer auditioning for the first time - thus, the "First Time Honor"
Madelaine Mitchell Ward won the Best Essay Scholarship
Great Work Everyone!
Here are some pictures from CDT's archives. Many of these dancers have gone on to have professional dance careers in New York, Chicago, L.A., and Toronto. Some are teaching at studios around the country. Congratulations to you all, and we miss you!!
