Mantua – Candance Dance Academy’s Competition Team closed out an exciting and successful competition season the weekend of April 15th. The team, consisting of students ages 8 to 18, began training in Mantua last July. This season the team competed in multiple categories and genres at four nationally recognized competitions: FLY, the weekend of February 17th in Cuyahoga Falls; THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT, the weekend of March 4th in Youngstown; RISING STAR, the weekend of March 17th in Columbus; and ALL OUT, the weekend of April 15th in Youngstown.
Their hard work, talent, sportsmanship, and passion for the art of dance paid off as they earned several Platinum level adjudications, top overall placements, and special awards for their studio as well as their individual and group performances competing against dozens of other studios from Ohio and neighboring states. High honors awarded to the Team this season include: THAT’s ENTERTAINMENT’s Studio Award for passion; Laila D’Amato’s solo performance earned 1st place overall, Platinum adjudication and RISING STAR’s Runner Up Title of Miss Teen Rising Star; MacKaye Sanwald’s solo performance earned top overall placement, RISING STAR’s Tap Tastic Award and THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT’s Elite Invite; Katie Sanwald’s solo performance earned Platinum adjudication and THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT’s Intensity Award and Elite Invite; Lia Smargiasso’ solo performance earned top overall placement in multiple competitions and THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT’s Sassy Award; Katie Sanwald and Laila D’Amato’s duet performance earned multiple Platinum adjudications and overall placements; MacKaye Sanwald and Lizzy Zoller’s duet performance earned Platinum adjudication and RISING STAR’s Super Smiles Award; Zoe Gribble, Katie Sanwald, and Leah Vojtko’s trio performance earned Platinum adjudication and overall placement; Lyla Sawchik, Piper Hrubik, and Ali Slade’s trio competed in two genres, earning top overall placement in multiple competitions and RISING STAR’s Amazing Images Award; Amelia Rurak’s solo performance earned 1st place overall and Platinum adjudication; Mckynleigh Grifa and Morgan Montali’s duet performance earned 2nd overall in multiple competitions and THAT’s ENTERTAINMENT’s Great Team Work Award; Lainey Vojtko, Lia Smargiasso, and Amelia Rurak competed as a trio in two genres which each earned top overall placements in multiple competitions; the team’s junior group competed in three genres, each earning top overall placements in multiple competitions as well as RISING STAR’s Own The Stage Award and THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT’s Sassy Award and Entertainer of the Year Nomination; the Team’s senior group competed in multiple categories and genres earning several overall placements, Platinum adjudications, RISING STAR’s Incredible Images Award, THAT’s ENTERTAINMENT’s High Energy Award, and ALL OUT’s 13 & over Entertainment Award.
The Academy’s competitive team instructors: Candace Szarka (Director), Reanna Izquierdo, and Meghan Freeman commented on the season by saying, “We are so proud of our dancers and their performances! At Candance Academy, we strive to offer our students more than just great dancing. Our Team did an outstanding job representing our studio’s mission by not only beautifully executing their talent and technique but also building stronger confidence, relationships, and self-respect”. Dancers on this year’s competitive Teams include students from Aurora, Bio-Med, Garrettsville, Crestwood, Kenston and Streetsboro Schools: Amelia Rurak, Adelina Grifa, Lainey Vojtko, Lia Smargiasso, Emily Kennerknecht, Mckynleigh Grifa, Morgan Montali, Lauren Sandrick, Natalie Istenses, Sadie Mayle Claire Williams, Lizzy Coburn, Lyla Sawchik, Piper Hrubik, Ali Slade, Leah Vojtko, Katie Sanwald, Lizzy Zoller, Zoe Gribble, Mackaye Sanwald, Madelyn Tessean, Laila D’Amato, and Abby Chevrier.
Next up, these dancers prepare to showcase their performances and celebrate the studio’s 15th anniversary at the Academy’s annual recital on May 13th at 1:00pm and 6:00pm at Cuyahoga Falls High School.
