Seventh Annual Des Plaines Dance Idol Spotlights Local Talent
Over 400 dancers from eighteen studios and three independent dancers participated in the annual Des Plaines Dance Idol Competition on Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8, at Prairie Lakes Community Center. "This is the seventh year of Dance Idol and it is exciting to see how this dance convention has become what it is today." said Nancy Suwalski, Cultural Arts Supervisor for the Des Plaines Park District. "I look forward to this event each year and this year beat my expectations," Suwalski added.
The two-day competition began with six hours of workshops taught by professional dancers/instructors. Several dancers were awarded summer scholarships to attend summer intensive programs provided by Inaside Chicago Dance, Dancewerks, and jorsTAP Chicago.
Dance For Me Performing Arts Center in Elk Grove Village, Dreams Gymnastics and Dance in Glenview, Elmhurst Park District, HOTT Productions Dance Company in Schaumburg, I Twirl Dance in Chicago, Mohler Dance Academy in Bloomingdale, Naperville Park District, North Shore School of Dance in Highland Park, Pavillion Dance Centre, Rise Up Academy in Arlington Heights, Saint Charles Park District, Stars Dance Company in Buffalo Grove, Stephanie's Academy of Dance in Montgomery, Studio North Academy of the Performing Arts in Wilmette, Urban Beat Dance Company in Skokie, Vibe Dance Company in Chicago and Artistry in Motion, the in-house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, competed in five categories: solo; duo/trio; small group; large group; and production.
Dancers were judged in each of four age divisions: 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18; by industry professionals: Martin Bronson, independent master class instructor specializing in tap; Robert McKee, faculty dance instructor at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago and master teacher for Chicago National Association of Dance Masters; and Nell Heflin, a company member of Inaside Chicago Dance and a dance teacher/choreographer throughout Chicagoland. Corinne Reggio, an instructor at the West Chicago Park District School of Dance also presented Specialty Awards in categories such as Presentation, Precision, Passion, and Future Idol. A wide variety of dance styles and genre were represented including Jazz, Modern, Tap, Lyrical, Open, Musical Theater, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. Each dance performance was scored and presented with a First, Second, Third, or Merit Award based on points.
"We congratulate all the dancers and participating studios at Dance Idol 2015. We believe that while competition is a necessary element of serious dance training, it is only one part of their overall education. We strive to expose young dancers to the artistry and beauty of all forms of dance and make dance a lifelong learning experience. We welcome all of these talented dancers back again next year," concluded Suwalski.
For more information about Artistry in Motion's Spring Showcase, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5711.