Artistry in Motion Dance Company Continues its Winning Ways at National Competition
Artistry in Motion, the in-house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District, took home record top honors at DanceAmerica Grand Nationals, July 2-6 at the Renaissance in Schaumburg. Artistry in Motion Dance Company was one of 31 dance companies, from Michigan, Iowa, New Jersey, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, New York, Oklahoma, Missouri, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Canada. The dancers competed over the course of 5 days with 53 entries out of a total of 764 dances. The Company dancers earned twenty two First Place, seven Second Place, six Third Place, one Fourth Place, two Fifth Place, and two Merit Awards.
In the Primary/Junior division, Dock of the Bay, a duet performed by Anna Wozniakowski and Jordin Suwalski, choreographed by Laura Witter, was awarded the Overall High Score in the Duo/Trio category, as well as the Overall High Score in the entire Primary/Junior division group routine earning them the prestigious Art Stone Award. In addition, Dock of the Bay also received a Special Award for Best Technical Execution. Jordin Suwalski won Overall High Score Primary/Junior Female Solo for Creep, choreographed by Jamie Salas. Love Runs Out, choreographed by Mary Williams and performed by Jordin Suwalski, Anna Wozniakowski , Rose Kurutz and Kim Fairhead received 2nd Runner Up Overall High Score in the Small Group catagory.
In the Intermediate/Senior Division, In This Shirt, choreographed by Jamie Salas and performed by Meghan Hanrahan, Jessie Starzynski and, and Natalie Sanchez won Overall High Score in the Duo/Trio category. Second Runner Up in this category went to Natalie Sanchez and Mathew Skorupski for their performance of Never Give Up on You, choreographed by Sarah Ford and Marcus Hardy. Finally in this division, Counting Stars, choreographed by Jamie Salas, won Overall High Score Production.
Special Awards went to Boogie Man, choreographed by Rich Ashworth and performed by Kiley White for Best Presentation of a Solo.
Seven soloists qualified for the Dancer of the Year Top 13 including in the Petite Age Group: Ashlinn DeMonte, Makayla Allen, Madison Rentner, and Kiley White, with White earning 2nd Runner Up; in the Teen Age Group: Kim Fairhead and Jordin Suwalski, with Suwalski earning 1st Runner Up; and in the Senior Age Group: Mathew Skorupski won 4th Runner Up.
"The 2015 Artistry in Motion competition season was a year full of amazing growth for our dancers. Their achievements went above the many outstanding recognitions they received, and can be seen in the improvement of their technique, their commitment to performing and telling a story on stage, and how they have come together to dance as a team. The staff and I could not be more proud of them. We are looking forward to continuing our dancers' journeys in 2016," said Witter.
Registration for fall dance classes begins August 17 for residents and August 24 for non-residents. The Des Plaines School of Dance offers three levels of dance: performance, pre-performance and recreational. Check out the Des Plaines School of Dance at our annual Open House, Saturday, September 5. For Open House location and times visit DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700