LIHU‘E — Aloha Dance Studio’s Tiffany Dick was over the moon with the accomplishments from her students.
The studio’s Elite team, including Madison Allado-Racca, Caitlin Plowman, Keisha Suga, Jaslen and Maia Valdez earned a high gold and third-place in category for their jazz routine. The Elite team also copped a high gold in their hip hop routine at the JUMP Dance convention and competition on O‘ahu.
“There were more than 500 students attending from across Hawai‘i and the United States,” Dick said. “We are so proud of our Senior and Elite teams.”
In addition to the team competition, Plowman and Valdez combined in the junior duet division to earn high gold and first place in category. Plowman went on to earn a high gold for her jazz solo routine, and Suga finished with a high gold for her contemporary solo.
The Senior Team, including members Isabella Andres, Hailee Omi, Emily Racpan, Erin Allana Teves and Xyleiah Valdez, finished the weekend with a gold for the team’s jazz routine.
Additionally, Teves earned gold for her lyrical solo.
“We at Aloha Dance Studio are so proud of all of their hard work and dedication,” Dick said. “We are also proud of our Junior and Mini companies for working hard all weekend in all of their workshop classes that were held Saturday and Sunday for five hours each day.”
Dick said that, in addition to the competition, Aloha Dance Studio members earned scholarships for each style, and Plowman, the VIP Scholarship winner, had to go through an audition process to be narrowed down to the top 20 in her class.
Plowman, with the scholarship, has the opportunity to go to nationals and take the workshop for free. She also earns a free scholarship at next year’s JUMP.
Kalahua Preston-Brown earned a ballet scholarship, and a You Rock Award for ballet that is presented to just one student in category in all ages.
Additional scholarship winners included Shalyn Vegas for jazz, contemporary and lyrical, Alexsandra Renaud for ballet and Jazzmine McGlaughlin for tap.
Kaua‘i has an opportunity to watch these dancers live when Aloha Dance Studio performers take the Kukui Grove Center food court stage this Saturday, June 4, from 5 p.m.
Additionally, Aloha Dance Studios hosts its recital Sunday, June 12 from 2 p.m. at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall. There is an admission charge of $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets are available at the Aloha Dance Studios main location behind The Home Depot, or at its Kukui Grove location adjacent to Macy’s, starting this week.
w Info: alohadancestudio.com
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
