Fourth Annual Des Plaines Dance Idol Spotlights Local Talent

Over 290 dancers from twelve local studios participated in the fourth annual Des Plaines Dance Idol Competition on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25 at the Prairie Lakes Community Center. North Shore School of Dance in Highland Park, Palatine Dance Company, Dancepiration in Crystal Lake, Mundelein Dance Company, Dance Connection of Grayslake, Xposure Dance Studio in Highland Park, Studio North Academy of the Performing Arts, LLC in Wilmette, Kristina's Studio of Dance in Buffalo Grove, The Itasca Park District, Urban Beat Dance in Skokie, Independent Dance Instructor, Katina Burke, from Glenview, and Artistry in Motion, the in-house dance company of the Des Plaines Park District competed in solo; duo/trio; and small and large group categories.

Dancers were judged in each of three age divisions: 7-9, 10-13, and 14-18 years; by industry professionals: Craig V. Miller, Inaside Chicago Dance Company member; Angelina Grima, Co-artistic Director of Design Dance Company in Chicago; and Christina Merrill, instructor at the Pavilion Dance Centre in Elk Grove. A wide variety of dance styles and genre were represented including jazz, tap, ballet, modern, lyrical, musical theater, and hip-hop. An overall First, Second, and Third Place trophy was awarded in each age group, as well as several Specialty Awards including Performance Presentation, Costumes, Choreography, Energy, Technique, and Emotional Execution.

In the 7-9 age group, First Place went to Jordin Suwalski and Rose Kurutz from Artistry in Motion Dance company for “Work.” In Second Place was “Think Good Thoughts" performed by Artistry in Motion Dance Company. In Third Place was "Something That I Want" performed by the Mundelein Dance Company. In the 10-13 age group, First Place was awarded to Artistry in Motion for “Drummer Boy.” Claire Doyle, from Studio North Academy of the Performing Arts, LLC, claimed Second Place for "Acceleration Waltz." Third Place was awarded to “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” performed by Dance Connection. In the 14-18 age group, First Place went to Meghan Hanrahan from Artistry in Motion for “Uprising.” Second Place was awarded to “Fix You” performed by Hanrahan, Suzanne Kukec, and Kim Diebold, of Artistry in Motion and Third Place went to Hanrahan and Diebold of Artistry in Motion for “Machine.”

Winners were invited to perform at the Artistry in Motion Spring Showcase 2012 on April 13 and 14 in the Prairie Lakes Theatre. “We congratulate all the dancers and participating studios at Dance Idol 2012. 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 hope to see all of these talented dancers back again next year,” said Nancy Suwalski, Cultural Arts Supervisor for the Des Plaines Park District.

For more information about Artistry in Motion's Spring Showcase, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5711.