~ Dancers take home 10 gold medals ~
PHILIPSBURG–The National Institute of Arts (NIA) travelled to St. Barths to compete in the Confederation National de Danse last week Saturday. NIA dancers and students performed exceedingly well in the competition that featured more than 100 entries in categories like ballet, jazz, modern contemporary and outré style. Ten dancers travelled to the regional competition, which also serves as the qualifying round for the nationals.
NIA dancers won gold, silver and bronze in the regional competition, as well as national ranking in different genres. Seven of the 10 dancers qualified to compete at national level and three were reclassified from amateur ranking to pre-professional.
The dancers have been hard at work for weeks preparing for this arduous and challenging event. In addition to the students’ physical and emotional preparation, their parents worked diligently to raise US $6,800 needed to go to the competition.
The competition was judged by international dance professional Carl Portal in modern contemporary, Oliver Coste in classical ballet and Bruno Vandelli in jazz.
In Contemporary Solo Category 3, NIA student Lian Borsje won the gold medal, 20/20 points, qualified for France National championship and allowed to compete in Pre-Professional Category.
In Contemporary duet category 2, Lian Borsje and Zoe van Zadelhoff won the gold medal with 19/20 points.
Mandatory Jazz Solo Category 2 went to Zoe van Zadelhoff who won the gold medal with 19/20 points. She also won a gold medal for her participation in the Ballet Mandatory Solo Category Moyen 1.
Winners of the Contemporary Group Category 2 were Naomi Janelle Warsop, Dashaun Prince, Jeremiah David, Kiara Vanterpool and Lian Borsje under the training of Peggy Oulerich. This group won with unanimous decision of the jury 17/20 points, qualifying for France National Championship in May. Jeremiah David also came out on top in the Jazz Mandatory Category 2 with a gold medal win and won a silver medal in the Other Style Solo Category 2.
Keona Inguenaud won gold for the Other Style Category Preparatory.
Ballet Mandatory on Pointe Category Moyen 2 went to Lian Borsje.
Winners of Other Style Group Category 2 were Naomi Warsop, Ray-Angel Boasman, Dashaun Prince and Kiara Vanterpool.
Contemporary Duet Category Preparatory was won by Lia-Sofyiah Lake.
Jasentha James received a bronze medal in the Ballet Mandatory Solo Category.
NIA Dancers are once again working hard to raise 13,000 euros to fly to France to compete at the National Confederation de Danse in Dijon France, May 4-7.
NIA congratulated the team of teachers Peggy Oulerich, Eolia Ada, Arlene Halley and Clara Reyes for an amazing job.
NIA students will be organising a fundraising concert soon featuring all the pieces performed in St. Barths
Source: The Daily Herald 7 NIA students qualify to compete in France
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