Spotlight Dance Cup 1999 National Championship Finals

 

The Spotlight shines on National Finalists! 

 

Spotlight Dance Cup concluded a phenomenal season with their 1999 National Championship Finals.  Nearly 600 dancers from 37 studios throughout the country experienced the thrill of being “spotlighted” on the performance stage at the beautiful Cashman Center Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 13-16^th.

 

“Spectacular, spellbinding, and inspiring are just a few words that come to mind to describe the outstanding talent witnessed during Nationals 1999”, says Michelle Kresge, Director and Co-founder of Spotlight Events, the parent company of Spotlight Dance Cup.  “It gives me great pleasure to witness the results of the dedication and hard work of the dancers and teachers. Their commitment to excellence is inspiring, and I congratulate each and every performer for their accomplishments!”

 

Spotlight Dance Cup National Championship Finals included numerous fun-filled and exciting activities for dancers, teachers, and spectators alike.  The week was kicked off with a “Champagne and Dessert Reception”, honoring all participating teachers and directors.  “Spotlight Night at Roxy’s Diner”, an evening of 50’s style singing and dancing received rave reviews from attendees.  Participants attended “Breaking into the Entertainment Industry” and “Stage Makeup” seminars, Spotlight VIP Night at the Luxor’s Imagine, Wet “N” Wild Water Park, and master classes by expert instructors. 

 

“Spotlight Dance Cup Championship Extravaganza” served as grand finale to a sensational week of learning, dancing, and good times.  It featured a showcase “spotlighting” each and every attending studio and dancer, as well as each National Spotlight Title competitor and Regional Dance Down winner.  Spotlight Production Assistant, Kaydee Francis, and Choreographer of the Year, Kandee Allen, beautifully choreographed this fabulous production number, “Dancing Through the Decades”.

 

During the Championship Extravaganza, the top three solos, duos/trios, small groups, large groups, and National Spotlight Title competitors in both Junior and Senior Divisions as judged thus far in the competition were afforded the opportunity to compete once again for the National Titles.  All previous scores were cleared and National winners were selected based solely on the scores from four judges during that evening’s show.  In addition, an enthusiastic audience cheered the outstanding performances by the National Novice, Adult, and Production Division Champions, as well as the Dance Down Finalists.  The awards ceremony was a spectacular conclusion to a thrilling and exciting week of events.  National winners were showered with confetti, spotlights, giveaways, fabulous trophies and prizes, together with thousands of dollars in cash awards. 

 

Participants throughout the country continue to comment on the professionalism of Spotlight Dance Cup competitions.  An e-mail message from Portland, Oregon, says, “Another awesome and professional job by Spotlight and staff!  Friendly and courteous staff, the competition was timely, and very well organized.  BRAVO to you all!”  In a letter from a Denver, Colorado, Director, “I heard rave reviews from students, parents, and teachers!  I am impressed with your organization, efficiency, and friendliness.  Everything runs smoothly and on-time.”  Competitors in San Diego, California, said, “Just wanted to let you know our dancers truly enjoyed your competition!  Thank you for providing a wonderful memory for all of them”, and from Seattle, Washington, “The judges and organizers were very friendly and made you feel comfortable.  The competition ran perfectly!”

 

Kresge continues to focus on what the participant wants in a competition.  “We have recently surveyed dance teachers, students, and parents via telephone and internet to get their feedback on important issues such as awards, master classes, and what makes an event fun.  We appreciate all of the great ideas,” comments Kresge.  “Spotlight is committed to providing an exciting, fun, caring, and well-organized event.  Participant feedback is valuable to ensure we achieve our goal.”

 

“Each and every Spotlight competition is staged as a professional theatrical production and run on schedule by a friendly staff.  To my knowledge, Spotlight is the first company in the industry to provide a real-time, computerized judging system, which enables the judges to always keep their eyes on the dancers.  We will continue to take steps such as these to ensure we remain an industry leader in the new millennium!” concludes Kresge.

 

1999 CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS WINNERS AND TITLEHOLDERS ANNOUNCED:

Thirty-five Regional Finalists and Titleholders competed for the prestigious National Spotlight Titles.  Jr. Miss Spotlight was awarded to Miss Jacee Smaldino of Dance Rage in Fresno, CA, while the title of Teen Miss Spotllight was presented to Miss Lauren Last, Turning Pointe Dance Center, Woodinville, WA.  Miss Carly Brooks of Dance Impressions, Bountiful, UT, was crowned Miss Spotlight, and Mr. Spotlight was awarded to Mr. Michael Pena, Studio Del Sol, Bakersfield, CA. Spotlight Dance Cup congratulates these fabulous dancers along with the following exceptional performers:

 

JUNIOR DIVISION

Overall 1999 Junior Soloist- We’re In Love, performed by Brett Bailey, Carlsbad Dance Centre –Carlsbad, CA , Jamila Abreu, Choreographer - Ginya Sherlock, Director                                                           

 

Overall 1999 Junior Duo/Trio- Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, performed by Amy Morrison, Lindsay Sainato, Brett Bailey

Carlsbad Dance Centre-Carlsbad, CA, Jana Romaine, Choreographer- Ginya Sherlock, Director

 

Overall 1999 Junior Small Group- Feel Good, performed by Dana Amodt, Caitlin Draney, Makinzee Love, Alyssa Martinson, McKenzie Oldham, Lindsay Peterson, Whitney Wray, Dallas Tennant, Dance Impressions- Bountiful, UT, Kandee Allen, Choreographer- Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors

                                                                       

Overall Junior Large Group- Dance Little Sister, performed by Everardo Hernandez, Mickelle Bean, Mickelle Coleman, Stephanie Cornejo, Whitney Haslam, Mallorie Love, Katie Murphy, Devin Wood, Dana Amodt, Caitlin Draney, Megan East, Makinzee Love, Alyssa Martinson, McKenzie Oldham, Lindsay Peterson, Whitney Wray                                                   , Dance Impressions-Bountiful, UT, Jacki Dowling, Choreographer- Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors

 

Overall Novice - First Steps, performed by Kristen Wallace, Studio One, Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Chor./Director

                                                                       

SENIOR DIVISION

Overall Senior Soloist- I'm Losing You, performed by Stacey Aung , West Coast School Of The Arts-Chino Hills, CA, Amy Bates, Choreographer- Paula Kessinger, Director                                          

 

Overall Senior Duo/Trio- Ave Maria, performed by Sara Antich, Crystal Wosik, Studio One - Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Choreographer/Director

                                                                       

Overall Senior Small Group- Ghosts of Paganini, performed by Sara Antich, Crystal Wosik, Breann Dow, Heather Disman, Erin Atkins, Danielle Howard, Tiffany Hyt, Studio One - Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Choreographer/Director

 

Overall Senior Large Group- Passenger 11, performed by Allyson Bryant, Jacque Caul, Erin Cheney, Leslie Croghan,

Stacie Croghan, Sara Manougian, Jennifer McKay, Jillian Meyers, Sarah Sherman, Briana Van Acker, Studio One Dance Academy- Clackamas, OR, Erin Lee, Choreographer- Diana Redding, Director

 

Overall Production- A Riveting Tap, performed by April Biederman, Ana Macias, Gina Schober, Julia Selfridge, Anna Smith, Danielle Vigil, Elizabeth Carmagnola, Megan Casaday, Marcie Christophe, Stefanie Figone, Marisa Macias, Nicole Ratilainen, Christina Smith, Gina Figone, Heather Nault, Adena Young, Janey Boothe, Susie Bradley, Lisa Craig, Suzie Eagle, Shelley Figone, Mary Ruth Kelley, Joyce Kirstein, Lisa Macias, Linda Pringle, Sherrie's Dance Studio- El Sobrante, CA , Sherrie Fultz, Choreographer/Director

 

Overall Adult Division- Baby Face, performed by Janey Boothe, Susie Bradley, Lisa Craig, Suzie Eagle, Shelley Figone, Mary Ruth Kelley, Joyce Kirstein, Linda Pringle, Sherrie's Dance Studio- El Sobrante, CA, Sherrie Fultz, Choreographer/Director

 

OVERALL JUNIOR MISS SPOTLIGHT CONTESTANTS

Titleist Winner- Miss Jacee Smaldino – Dance Rage- Fresno, CA, Veda Burton, Director, Main Event- Brandy Gibson, Choreographer

Runner up- Miss Chantel Hopper- Studio One – Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Director, Trouble - Inez Mourning, Choreographer

Runner up- Miss Katie Noesen – Dance of Iowa- Iowa City, IA, Michael Kohli, Director, Ms .Monotony - Michael Kohli, Choreographer

 

OVERALL TEEN MISS SPOTLIGHT CONTESTANTS

Titleist Winner- Lauren Last- Turning Pointe Dance Centre- Woodinville, WA, Jackie Mitchell, Director, Snowbird- Tricia Mitchell, Choreographer

Runner up- Stacey Aung- West Coast School of Arts- Chino Hills, CA, Paula Kessinger, Director, I’m Losing You- Amy Bates, Choreographer

Runner up- Kim Crane- Dance Impression- Bountiful, UT, Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors, Papa Can You Hear Me? - Kandee Allen, Choreographer

 

OVERALL MISS SPOTLIGHT CONTESTANTS

Titleist Winner- Carly Brooks- Dance Impressions- Bountiful, UT, Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors, Cirque- Autumn Hernandez, Choreographer

Runner up- Sara Antich- Studio One- Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Director, Angel- Inez Mourning, Choreographer

Runner up- Staci Flatness- Dancespirit- Carson City, NV, Sandy Scheer, Director, Arriba-Sandy Scheer, Choreographer

 

OVERALL MR. SPOTLIGHT CONTESTANTS

Titleist Winner- Michael Pena- Studio Del Sol- Bakersfield, CA, Dak Eubanks, Director, Forbidden Temple- Mark Marino, Choreographer

Runner up- Brett Bailey- Carlsbad Dance Centre- Carlsbad, CA, Ginya Sherlock, Director, We’re In Love- Jamilia Abreu, Choreographer

Runner up- Stephen Canova- Dance Action- Scottsdale, AZ, Joni Pepperell, Director, One Song Glory- Joni Pepperell, Choreographer

                                                                       

OVERALL JR. DIVISION DANCE DOWN WINNERS

Diamond Winner- Mackinzee Love-Dance Impressions-Bountiful, UT, Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors

Ruby Winner – Jennifer Tuggle-Studio One, Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Director

Emerald Winner - Whitney Wray-Dance Impressions-Bountiful, UT, Kandee Allen & Vivian Colobella, Directors

 

OVERALL SR. DIVISION DANCE DOWN WINNERS

Diamond Winner - Crystal Wosik-Studio One, Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Director

Ruby Winner - Sara Antich-Studio One, Las Vegas, NV, Inez Mourning, Director

Emerald Winner - Lauren Last- Turning Pointe Dance Centre- Woodinville, WA, Jackie Mitchell, Director

Sapphire Winner – Sara Manougian – Studio One, Clackamas, OR, Diana Redding, Director

 

“Spotlight Events congratulates each and every dancer that stepped onto our performance stage this past season.  Every performance opportunity is a chance to develop skills that will last a lifetime, and we are proud to be a part of this growth.  I’d like to express our appreciation to all of the participating dancers, teachers, and parents.  We recognize that your support is a big part of our success!” concludes Kresge.

 

In celebration of the 21^st century, Spotlight Dance Cup’s 2000 season includes 21 regional competitions, with 21 giveaways at each location in addition to thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.  In addition, 21 free group entries will be given away to the spectacular National Championship Finals held in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 5-8, 2000.  To request a brochure or for additional information, phone 1-800-650-0446, or visit our website at www.spotlightevents.com.  Spotlight invites you to “Dance your way through Y2K” in the “Spotlight”.