The Performing Arts Academy Wins Big In Atlantic City!

The Performing Arts Academy (Pompton Lakes/Lincoln Park) recently participated in the United States Tournament of Dance (USTD) in Atlantic City. The PAA dance company once earned top honors during the week-long event, winning awards and recognition for individual and group dances, as well as choreography.

Title winners included: Alexandrea Corrado (Petite Miss Acrobat of the United States), Sophia Miguel (Junior Miss Acrobat of the United States), Jolie Schaub (Teen Miss Acrobat of the United States), Karley Flynn (Miss Acrobat of the United States), Scott Dudas (Mr. Acrobat of the United States and Mr. Dance of the United States), and Delaney DeStefano (International Princess of Dance). Taylor Wagner was crowned Miss Dance of the United States, a title which came with a $10,000 prize.

JUNIOR DIVISION AWARDS:
High Score Tap Routine (9-10 age group) – “Hush”
National Tap Choreographer of the Year – Meghan Frayne for “Hush”
Emerald Award (Highest Scoring Acrobatic Routine) – “Incantation,” choreographed by Meghan Frayne
High Score Acro Routine (11-12 age group) – “Incantation”
National Acrobatic Choreographer of the Year – Dawn Laviola-Schaub for “Via Dolorosa”
High Score Acro Routine (9-10 age group) – “Via Dolorosa”
Overall Excellence in Flexibility & Contortion – “Via Dolorosa”
Overall Excellence in Acrobatic Technique – Mia Corigliano
High Score Solo – Delaney Destefano for “Home,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Duo/Trio – “A Mother’s Prayer,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Small Group (9-10 age group) – “Ship in a Bottle,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Small Group (11-12 age group) – “Before It Breaks,” choreographed by KC Castellano
High Score Large Group – “Unwritten,” choreographed by KC Castellano

SENIOR DIVISION AWARDS:
Ruby Award (Highest Scoring Tap Routine) – “Consequence of Sound,” choreographed by Alicia Monaco
High Score Tap (13-15 age group) – “Decked Out,” choreographed by Alicia Monaco
High Score Tap (16-19 age group) – “Consequence of Sound,” choreographed by Alicia Monaco
Emerald Award (Highest Scoring Acro Routine) – “Geishas,” choreographed by Meghan Frayne

Overall Excellence in Acrobatic Technique – Scott Dudas
High Score Solo – Taylor Wagner for “Already Gone,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Duo/Trio (13-15 age group) – “Send in the Clowns,” choreographed by KC Castellano
High Score Duo/Trio (16-18 age group)– “Jealous of the Angels,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Small Group – “Fading Memories,” choreographed by KC Castellano
High Score Large Group – “Rage on Rage,” choreographed by Dawn Laviola-Schaub
High Score Line – “The Capital,” choreographed by KC Castellano

Throughout the week of competition, talent scouts also observed and selected competitors to become members of the United States Dance and Acrobatic Team, an all-star team that represents several states and dance schools across the nation, and provides young dancers the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden, The Prudential Center, Hershey Park, Walt Disney World, Radio City Music Hall, and many other prominent venues. They have also been featured on several television programs. Dancers who are chosen for this team exhibit exceptional technique and showmanship, as well as the ability to pick up and retain new choreography quickly.

This year, 31 PAA students were asked to be part of this prestigious team. Destiny Benway, Ella Corigliano, Mia Corigliano, Alexandrea Corrado, Marisa D'Amico, Delaney DeStefano, Scott Dudas, Cara Flahive, Hayley Fleming, Karley Flynn, Alexis Garcia, Allison Gasnick, Sydney Heltzer, Brianna Hentschel, Shannon Johnson, Danika Lobosco, Emma Macmanus, Maddie McCabe, Gaby Meyer, Catie Meyer, Rachel Meyer, Sophia Miguel, Samantha Murphy, Julia Ouritskaya, Morgan Riley, Lauren Sahu, Jolie Schaub, Jillian Schear, Emma Schneider, Giovanna Vespi, and Taylor Wagner will represent PAA as members of this elite group.

Additional awards and scholarships were presented to PAA students throughout the week, including a $1000 scholarship to the Relativity school in Los Angeles, awarded to Danika Lobosco & Scott Dudas. In addition to the awards and honors won by students, PAA teachers and choreographers were also acknowledged for their hard work and tremendous talent. Choreography awards were presented to James Tabeek, KC Castellano, Mary Kate Felber, and Dawn Laviola-Schaub. To close out a week of stellar performances and accomplishments, Peforming Arts Academy was awarded Top Studio for 2016.

Under the artistic direction of Dawn Laviola-Schaub, PAA is entering its 26th year of exceptional dance instruction this fall. For your convenience, we have studios in both Pompton Lakes and Lincoln Park.

For more information about this award-winning studio, please contact us at (973) 839-7800, or visit www.thepaa.com. We are extremely proud of our students and teachers, and we look forward to hearing from you!