Three dancers from Artistry in Motion, the in house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, took home top honors at the November 9-11, 24Seven Dance competition, held at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont.
Three dancers from Artistry in Motion, the in house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, took home top honors at the November 9-11, 24Seven Dance competition, held at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont. The dancers were evaluated on technique, performance, choreography/musicality, and overall appearance. Meghan Hanrahan earned a High Gold Award in the Teen Category for “Hyperballad,” a contemporary piece, choreographed by Jamie Salas. Hanrahan also tied for third overall in the Teen Solo category out of over 50 Teen soloists. Jordin Suwalski earned a Gold Award for her Mini Lyrical solo, “Will You Be There,” choreographed by Laura Chiuve. Kim Fairhead’s Junior Solo Lyrical, “Let the Rain,” also choreographed by Chiuve, earned a High Silver award. All three dancers were awarded a $250 scholarship for a summer intensive program: Hanrahan won the Runner-up Teen Non-Stop Dancer; Suwalski won the Runner-up Mini Non-Stop Dancer; and Fairhead won the High Five Award in Tap. Hanrahan, Suwalski, and Fairhead competed against 238 dancers from studios in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
24Seven is a new convention and competition in its first year of touring. It is part of Break the Floor, a respected dance convention production company that hosts top teachers, choreographers, and dancers, many from the hit TV show, So You Think You Can Dance. “We chose these three soloists to compete at 24Seven because they have demonstrated strong technical ability, a performance quality attitude, and an interest in exploring new competitions this season,” said Chiuve. “We are very proud of their success.”
Artistry in Motion will perform their 9th Winter Spectacular, “The Nutcracker With a Twist,” an interpretation of the music from the holiday ballet, on December 14 and 15 in the Prairie Lakes Theatre. For more information call 847-391-5711 or visit www.DPParks.org.