Danza! Performing Arts Academy Danzaco dance companies are wrapping up a successful season. Created with the opening of the studio in 1996, Danzaco Dance companies began to expose interested and talented students with additional training and performance opportunities. Dancers perform at a variety of community, charitable and competitive events throughout the year.
Danzaco dance companies opened their season with performances at the Dancers Give Back Event in Buffalo. Bella Danzaco dancers were the youngest dancers selected to perform in this charitable event used to raise money for cancer research. In addition to the Bella Danzaco and Danzaco Dance company performances the dancers and studio raised money to benefit the foundation. The event featured some of the largest studios in the Buffalo and Rochester area.
All of the Danzaco dancers participated in the studios annual holiday program at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House and their annual participation in the Fredonia Halloween parade. Each year the participants attend a local cheer and dance event, for the second consecutive year Danzaco Company were the Grand Champions at the Chautauqua Lake Cheer and Dance Challenge. Members of the Diva Pom team performed a first place winning quartet dance to "We Can Change the World." The Little Divas and Danza! Diva cheer teamed also performed and were awarded first and second place trophies.
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Front row: Abby Noonan. Second row: Sarah Zinni and Jillian Stonefoot. Third row: Katelyn Karalus, Miranda Harte and Sophie Stevens. (Missing: Olivia Barone).
A new addition to the performance calendar this year was the creation of the "Performance Showcase at Forestville high School Auditorium, featuring dance and vocal presentations.
Opening the Danzaco national dance competition season was their annual trip to Shea's performing arts. Danzaco Dance Company won platinum awards, with several other Danza! dancers garnering awards for their performances as well.
Next competing at the Dance Invitational event in Rochester, the studio was one of 10 selected to perform. Individual medals were given in the bronze, silver, high silver and gold levels. Bella Danzaco received an award for first in their category and fifth place overall out of all dances ages 10 and under.
Soloist Mckenna Taylor received gold for her performance, second in category and eighth overall solo out of 45 routines. Kyra Taylor was given a special judges award for "connection to prop" and first solo in the ballet category. Abigail Noonan received a gold medal and Abby was recognized as one of three performances with "Most potential" of the entire event. Danzaco dancers performed a lyrical dance to "A New Day has come," receiving a gold rating and the second highest performance in category.
The Dance Invitational has a unique scholarship program for participating studios. Each studio has its highest scoring dance invited to perform a second time to compete for a cash scholarship. Bella Danzaco took home the first place scholarship. The dancers will use this award towards their continuing dance education.
The final major dance competition of the season was held May 11-13. For Kyra Taylor and Mckenna Taylor's duet, the dancers received a first place finish and high gold trophy. The jazz trio by Macy Kawski, Taylor and Taylor received a high gold trophy and was the fifth highest scoring duet/trio in their age group in any genre.
In the advanced solo division Kyra Taylor received a high gold trophy and first place finish. Mckenna Taylor received a first place platinum award for her lyrical acro solo.
In the advanced group competition Bella Danzaco received a platinum first place finish for "Walk like an Egyptian." The quartet received a gold trophy; dancers included Sarah Meder, Macy Kawski, Kyra Taylor and Mckenna Taylor. Finishing up the junior and mini group section was the quartet "Smile," also earning a gold trophy.
Soloist Abigail Noonan performed a contemporary piece, receiving a gold trophy. Abby was first in her category and the second highest scoring solo in the advanced senior division. The duet by Noonan and Stonefoot received a gold trophy and first in category. In the group division "A New Day Has Come" performed by Danzaco received a gold trophy and first in category finish. Their contemporary jazz routine "Poker Face" also received a gold trophy. In the overall group standings Danzaco received a fourth and third place finish respectively.
In addition to competition, workshops and performances dancers also gave of their time to benefit some local schools. Each year director Krista Taylor gives a lecture, demonstration and participation class at the Ripley school system for the health and wellness day. Several of the Danzaco dancers in high school participated. Dancers are also gearing up to present an assembly at Fredonia Schools, specifically showcasing their cultural dances in Irish, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian dance.
Danzaco dancers include Olivia Barone, Miranda Harte, Sophie Stevens, Jillian Stonefoot and Sarah Zinni of Fredonia, Katelyn Karalus of Dunkirk and Abigail Noonan of Forestville. Bella Danzaco participants are Mia Barone, Macy Kawski, Kelly Lucas, Tabitha Shevlin, Kyra Taylor and Mckenna Taylor. Diva Cheer members are Daisia Draggett, Macy Kawski, Ava Kehrer, Makayla, McGinty, Sarah Meder, Tabitha Shevlin, Kylie Stanton, Kyra Taylor, Mckenna Taylor, Emma Ahlstrom, Mia Gorka, Marissa Grisanti, Mia Haase, Emily McCann and Payton Meder. Danza! Artistic Director Krista Taylor is the choreographer for the Danzaco, Bella Danzaco Companies and the Little Diva Cheer team, staff member Kelly Duliba is the choreographer of the Danza! Divas and Diva Pom groups.
The dancers are also preparing to present their annual May production at Marvel Theatre SUNY Fredonia. "Viva Las Vegas" will feature dances by students of all ages in all dance styles. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 673-3501 or visit www.fredonia.edu/Tickets.
Annual June events include performances at the Silver Creek Children's Fair and the Saint Columban's Spring Festival. Dancers will also perform their annual talent hour at the Chautauqua County Fair and participate in local parades. Summer classes will begin in July and new dancers are welcome. Classes are available for students of all ages with many class options including a vocal and dance Musical theatre Camp. For more information, call 672-5095.
