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Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Teams National Champions and Senior Dance Off Champions at Elite Dance Challenge Nationals 2014

The Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Teams recently competed in The Elite Dance Challenge (EDC) National Competition in Sturbridge, Massachusetts July 9-13, 2014 and returned as National Champions and Senior Dance Off Champions. In a competition with 44 studios and almost 800 entries, the team won or placed in several categories including title and modeling, and the Teen Competition Team dance “Highway of Love” won the senior dance off. The students are under the direction of Julie Reed-Russo.

The Teen Competition Team dance “Highway of Love” won the Senior Dance Off. “Highway of Love” was one of only 20 dances selected for the dance off. The dance also scored Platinum and was sixth overall Teen Competitive Small Groups. Teen Competition Team members Stephanie Sherman, Brandi Andrade, and Victoria Holton are from Westbrook, Miles Waterbury and Sarahgrace Dwyer are from Clinton, Mara Kelley is from Old Saybrook, and Alissa Mattern is from East Lyme. The Teen Competition Team’s other two dances – “Piano Man” and “Excellent Birds” scored Elite Gold.

Holly Sader and Alissa Mattern’s duo “Thank God I’m Old” scored Platinum and won EDC National Champion Senior Competitive duo/trios. Sader is from Westbrook, and Mattern is from East Lyme. The duo’s other two dances “Haunting” and “Mamma Knows Best” scored Elite Gold.

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The Junior Intermediate Competition Team dance “Jet Set” scored Elite Gold and won EDC National Champion Teen Recreational Small Groups. Junior Intermediate Competition Team Members Charlotte Barton, Michelle Pesantez, and Corrinna Hofler are from Westbrook. Shannon Braumann is from Old Saybrook. The team’s other dance “Bop Til You Drop” scored Elite Gold.

The Petite Competition Team scored Elite Gold and was third overall Mini Recreational Small Groups with their dance “What’s The Buzz.” Petite Competition Team Members Sophia Rutkis, Madison Grady, and Gabriella Navarra are from Clinton, Sylvia Sonenstein is from Madison, and Emma Cronan is from Old Saybrook.

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The Junior Competition Team scored Elite Gold and was tenth overall Junior Intermediate Small Groups with their dance “Royalty.”  Junior Competition Team members Claire Pease and Kaylene Koelle are from Clinton, Megan Greaves and Olivia Guinan are from Westbrook, Alexandra Lee is from Madison, and Kylie Cronan is from Old Saybrook. The team’s other two dances “Circus” and “Lantern Light” scored Elite Gold.

In the solo division, Sarahgrace Dwyer scored Elite Gold and was third overall Senior Intermediate Solos with “Stronger Than Ever.” Stephanie Sherman scored Platinum and was ninth overall Teen Intermediate Solos with “You Set Me Free.” Claire Pease scored Platinum and was tenth overall Junior Intermediate Solos with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.”

Kaylene Koelle’s solo scored Elite Gold and received a special award. Koelle also received an Elite team Scholarship.

Olivia Guinan and Alexandra Lee also scored Elite Gold in their solos.

Victoria Holton, Miles Waterbury and Brandi Andrade’s Trio “Money” scored Platinum. Megan Greaves and Claire Pease’s duo “Cha” scored elite gold as did Kaylene Koelle and Alexandra Lee’s duo “Boogie Bumper.”

The Hip Hop Competition team scored Elite Gold with “Upgrade.” Megan McKeith is from East Lyme, Anna Carey is from Old Saybrook, Sader and Holton are from Westbrook and Dwyer from Clinton.

In the Title division Miles Waterbury was Runner-Up Teen Mr. Elite with his solo “No Speak Americano.” Mara Kelley was ninth runner up Junior Miss Elite with her solo “The Mad Hatter.” Kelley also received an Elite Team Scholarship.

Also in the title division, Holly Sader scored platinum in the Miss Elite division, and Alissa Mattern Elite Gold. In the Teen Miss Elite division, Victoria Holton and Brandi Andrade scored Elite Gold, while in the Junior Miss Elite division, Megan Greaves scored Elite Gold.

In the modeling division, Andrade was crowned EDC National Overall Model winner. Greaves was Runner-Up and Sader 3rd Runner Up.

In the photogenic division, Sonenstein won Mini, and Navarra was 3rd Runner Up. Greaves won Young, while Lee was Runner Up and Kelley 3rd Runner Up. Andrade won Teen, and Holton was 3rd Runner Up. Waterbury won Teen Mr. Sader won Senior and Mattern was Runner Up.

In formal modeling division, Navarra won mini and Sonenstein was 2nd Runner Up. Lee won Young, Greaves was 2nd Runner Up and Guinan was 3rd Runner up. Andrade won Teen. Waterbury won Teen Mr. Sader won Senior and Mattern was Runner up.

In fashion modeling division, Navarra won mini and Sonenstein was Runner Up. Greaves was 2nd Runner Up Young, Guinan was 3rd Runner Up and Lee 5th Runner Up. Andrade won Teen. Waterbury won teen Mr. Sader won Senior and Mattern was Runner up.

The studio also won the Outstanding Senior Studio Spirit Award.

It was the final competition of another very successful season for the Westbrook Dance Academy Competition Teams.

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