On March 4-6, the Competition Team from Catherine’s Dance Studio took part in the weekend-long Nexstar dance competition. The competition was a first-time experience for a significant number of those on the competition dance team. Besides preparing for the actual performance, the dance students who competed discovered a positive bond with one another over the weekend as they supported, cheered for, and shared the ecstasy of receiving awards, setting goals for the future, and being proud of their “first-time” experience.

The entire competition team was at Nexstar on the last day. Allie McMichael and Laura Richey Duet- This duet received a Special Judges Award for their performance of “I am a Good Girl.” This performance was a sassy, upbeat performance in hot pink costumes. Getting this award made all the work and preparation extra meaningful. Check what they placed in their category and overall.

The dances at Catherine’s Dance Studio received several Judges’ Awards. These awards are extra- special as the judges only hand out a limited number of them, and it is difficult to earn a Judges Award. These awards are given right after a performance. The Judges Award is highly sought after. The performers are touched by these awards as they signify that the performance stood out for the judges.

Middle School Small Group Dance Group Gets First-Time Nexstar Award

Miss Sam arranged the choreography for their dance, “Nothing Better to Do,” which placed 4th in this Small Group. “They did very well for their first time completing. said Catherine Stephenson, owner of Catherine’s Dance Studio in Parkville, MO. Catherine was also very pleased with their stage presence. The high school team was there to support and give encouragement both backstage and during the performance.

Next was the High School Small Group performing “The Garden,” which took the 1st place prize for their performance. Except for Alley McMichael and Laura Richey, this was the first time competing for this group.

High School Small Dance Group Gets Award

“To get up on that stage is awesome and it takes a lot of guts,” said Catherine.  “The added adrenaline during a competition is different than performing at a recital as you know you are being judged.”

For Catherine, one of the best parts of the Nextstar competition was having the girls spend time together. During the long break between the group and solo performances, the competition team watched other studios perform and took advantage of the time to be together for some much-needed bonding. Like any team, this benefits everyone on the competition team.  This important bonding process helps girls “dance as one person, ” bringing them closer and more connected. This can be evident in the way the judges dance and interact with one another on stage. Watching other studios whose dancers have been competing for years helped the girls set new, bigger goals for themselves and their dance teams.

The Solo Performance by Alley McMichael called “Emergency” placed 1st.  This was Alley’s first solo competition. (She had previously completed a duet with Laura the day before, and placed 2nd with “I’m a Good Girl).  McKenna’s Flaugher’s solo, “Elastic Heart,” earned her a 3rd place award.  Laura Richey placed 4th at the intermediate level in her solo, “Feeling Good.” All the competition dancers felt confident about their performances, and Catherine reported that the performers did amazingly well for their first competition. Catherine knows that being together and performing together made it all worthwhile.  She, along with the members of the competition team, is confident that they will only get better. Awards

Nexstar Awards

Intermediate:

  • Solo: Laura Richey, 4th place for Feeling Good
  • Duet/Trio:  2nd Place I’m a Good Girl

Novice:

  • Solo: Maddie White, 5th place, Heads will Roll
  • Solo: Alli McMichael 1st Emergency
  • Solo: Makenna Flaugher 3rd Elastic Heart
  • Duet/Trio: 1st Bravado – Chrissy and Avery
  • Small Group 4th Nothin’ Better to Do- Middle School
  • Small Group 1st The Garden- High School