LIHU‘E — Excel Dance Studio returned from Bologne, Italy as the Best World Dance Studio and has the trophy to back its claim. Thursday, the 29 members of Excel who traveled to Italy prefaced the final day of dance camp
LIHU‘E — Excel Dance Studio returned from Bologne, Italy as the Best World Dance Studio and has the trophy to back its claim.
Thursday, the 29 members of Excel who traveled to Italy prefaced the final day of dance camp where dancers showcase what they learn during the week-long camp.
Sherri Sanchez-Newcomb, the head of Excel Dance Studio, said the Best World Dance Studio took into consideration the combined members as well as technical ability, attitude and choreography.
This was the first time the Kaua‘i team traveled outside the United States for an international dance competition which Sanchez-Newcomb described as very exciting.
“You know how during some performances you find yourself dozing off,” she said. “In Italy, the performances kept you on the seat’s edge from start to end. There was no dozing off.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. praised the accomplishments of the dancers, declaring Thursday “Excel Dance Studio Day” for earning the Best World Dance Studio honor along with taking first in Hip Hop and second place Overall.
Sanchez-Newcomb said the Italy trip was the seventh international competition Excel dancers have participated in.
“During the first year, we took seven dancers to Florida where the dancers earned second place,” Sanchez-Newcomb said. “The second year, we had eight dancers in Los Angeles, California for a national dance competition.”
She said in 2009, Excel was invited back to Florida to celebrate the 15th year of the international competition where the Youth group earned third place, the Junior group earned second place and its Elite group was named International Champion.
In 2010, Excel went to Las Vegas, Nevada with a Mini, Youth and Junior group and in 2011, the group traveled to New York where both its Youth and Senior groups earned first place in Hip Hop, the Youth group adding a second place Overall and a Hip Hop Hat award while the Senior group ended first place Overall.
Sanchez-Newcomb said the traveling group started at dance camp which featured 70 dancers of all ages this year.
“This is one of our larger groups and they worked hard,” she said. “Five songs and one signing song is a lot to learn, but the dancers did it, working from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with breaks for snacks and lunch.”
Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Excel-Studio/ for more information as well as photos of its Italy tour.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
