Sonshine Academy's Xtreme Dance Force participated in the Kids' Artistic Revue Regional Dance Competition in Memphis on April 25-27.
Three competition teams attended and received all-top first and elite-top first awards. Xtreme Dance Force dancers received a special judge's award, and won four cash prizes. They placed first overall four times, placed in the top-five nine times and placed in the top-10 once. Sonshine's dancers were named KAR Kids' four times, which is an invitation-only program that allows them to participate in master classes with the Rockettes and study at prestigious studios such as Steps on Broadway and The Broadway Dance Center.
Lauren Howell received elite top first awards for her tap and open solos, "Hit Me Up" and "It Don't Mean a Thing," in the intermediate 17-18 year old solo division. She placed fourth overall with her performance of "Hit Me Up." She also received a top first trophy for her musical theater performance of "I Can Hear the Bells," and won first place overall in the photogenic category.
Taylor Bell was awarded an elite top first for her musical theater performance of "I Can't Say No" which was choreographed by Michelle Green. She also placed first overall in the intermediate 17-18-year-old solo division and won $50 in cash prizes.
Hannah Blaylock was given an elite top first trophy for her tap solo, "Chantilly Lace," and also placed third overall in the Secondary 11-12-year-old solo division. Hannah was one of the many Sonshine students invited to go to New York as a KAR Kid.
Haley Harmon received an elite top first award for her jazz solo, "Business of Love." She not only was invited to be a KAR kid in New York, but also placed second overall in the Secondary 13-14-year-old solo division.
Michala Roberts won an elite top first trophy for her musical theatre piece, "Don't Rain on my Parade" while placing fifth in the Secondary 13-14-year-old solo division.
Becca Schneider was awarded a top first for her tap solo, "Right Now," and placed fifth overall in Primary 15-16-year-old division.
Maria Kramer won an elite top first trophy for her classical ballet performance of "Annen Polka". She placed third overall in the Secondary 15-16-year-old division.
Sarah Dixon received a top first award for her lyrical performance of "Stand Still and Look Pretty" and placed eighth overall in the 11-12-year-old Primary division.
Haley Harmon and Lauren Howell received an elite top first for their performance of "Drill Instructor," which placed second overall in the Intermediate 15-16-year-old duet division.
Ansley Mathis and Maggie Wells won a top first for their musical theatre performance of "Popular", choreographed by Michelle Green, which placed first overall in the 13-14-year-old duet division. They also won $50 in cash prizes.
"Stray Cat Strut", choreographed by Michelle Green, received an elite top first, placed first overall in the Secondary 15-16-year-old small group division and won $100 in prize money. The dancers in this number were also invited to go to New York as KAR Kids. Participating dancers were: Samantha Bland, Haley Harmon, Maria Kramer, Kelsey Castleberry, Taylor Bell, Lauren Howell, Kayla Moix, Rosemary Wright and Haley Stone.
"Storm" won an elite top Trophy and also took home a special judge's award called "Beauty in Motion." Dancers in this number were: Samantha Bland, Haley Harmon, Maria Kramer, Kelsey Castleberry, Taylor Bell, Lauren Howell, Kayla Moix, Rosemary Wright and Haley Stone.
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", also choreographed by Michelle Green, took home an elite top first along with $100 in prize money and the honor of the 1st place overall high score in the 13-14-year-old large group division. Dancers in this number were: Maria Kramer, Ansley Mathis, Maggie Wells, Michala Roberts, Macy Stone, Sarah Dixon, Haley Harmon, Sarah Jo Wright, Becca Schneider and Kayla Moix.
"Dueling Divas," choreographed by Lisa Woods, earned an elite top first. Participating dancers were: Maria Kramer, Ansley Mathis, Maggie Wells, Michala Roberts, Macy Stone, Sarah Dixon, Haley Harmon, Sarah Jo Wright, Becca Schneider and Kayla Moix.
"Adding to the Noise, choreographed by Lisa Woods, was awarded a top first and placed fourth overall in the 11-12-year-old line division. Participating dancers were: Annabelle Bland, Hannah Blaylock, Jill Pettit, Madelyn Wilhite, Mikaela Roberson, Alyssa Walter, Haley Harmon, Tacara Easterwood, Emyle Moore, Mollie Moore, Miranda Palmer, Ericka Rimmer, Lauren Ellis, Marykatherine Deem, Cameron Roberts, Julia Kramer and Libby Speck.
"Little Bitty Pretty One," choreographed by Michelle Green, received a top first and placed second overall in the 11-12-year-old line division. Dancers participating were: Annabelle Bland, Hannah Blaylock, Jill Pettit, Madelyn Wilhite, Mikaela Roberson, Alyssa Walter, Haley Harmon, Tacara Easterwood, Emyle Moore, Mollie Moore, Miranda Palmer, Ericka Rimmer, Lauren Ellis, Marykatherine Deem, Cameron Roberts, Julia Kramer and Libby Speck.
"Knock You Out" received an elite top first, placed second overall in the Production Category and received a KAR Kids invitation. All Xtreme Dance Force members participated in this number.
Choreographers who contributed to the success of these dancers were Michelle Green, Lisa Woods and Hui Cha-Poos. Sonshine Academy of Dance is under the direction of Michelle Green.
