Artistry in Motion Shines at Starbound
Artistry in Motion, the in-house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, competed at the Starbound Regional Talent Competition May 5-6. Over fifteen studios presented 327 jazz, modern, hip-hop, ballet, tap, lyrical, and contemporary routines. Saturday, May 5, the event was held at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, and included the Petite, Junior, and Teen Solo performances. On Sunday, May 6, Duets, Trios, Group Productions, and Senior Solos competed at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. Artistry in Motion earned three Elite Gold, eight High Gold, and 20 Gold awards, and one High Silver award.
The Elite Gold Winners were Meghan Hanrahan's Solo Jazz "Uprising,” choreography by Mary Williams; Hanrahan's, Solo Modern "Invisible,” choreography by Cecilia Ferguson-Bell; and Jordin Suwalski's, Solo Lyrical "Blood Brothers," choreography by Williams.
The eight High Gold awards went to: Megan Swanson, "Sort Of,” a Solo Lyrical, choreography by Williams; Hanrahan, "Carmen,” a Solo Pointe, choreography by Anne Gollenberg; Kim Diebold, "Sigh No More," a Solo Contemporary, choreography by Ferguson-Bell; Diebold, "Someone Like You," a Solo Lyrical, choreography by Williams; Nataley Grimmer, Kayla Reeves, and Greta Sorensen, "Moses," a Trio Tap, choreography by Laura Chiuve; Diebold and Hanrahan, "Machine" - a Duo Contemporary, choreography by Ferguson-Bell; Erika Hahn and Swanson, "Remain Nameless," a Duo Jazz, choreography by Ferguson-Bell; and Diebold, Hanrahan, and Suzanne Kukec, "Fix You," a Trio Tap, choreography by Chiuve.
Suwalski also placed Second of the Top Three Junior Petite Soloists for “Blood Brothers.” In the Top Ten Teen soloists, Hanrahan place first for “Uprising,” Second for “Invisible,” and tenth for “Carmen”; Diebold placed 7th for “Sigh No More. ” In the Top 5 Senior Duo/Trios, “Fix You” placed 5th.
“We aim to give our dancers a well rounded experience of performance and competition. This season has taught the company how to stay positive under stress, feel good about themselves, build teamwork, and have fun,” said Nancy Suwalski, Cultural Arts Supervisor.
Artistry in Motion will open and close all six School of Dance year-end recital shows, Dancing on Air, June 9 and 10, in the Prairie Lakes Theater. Tickets are on sale at the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St., and at the door, the day of the shows. For information about auditioning for Artistry in Motion, summer dance classes, and Dance and Arts camp, call 847-391-5711 or visit www.DPParks.org.