Studio Dance Arts is thrilled to announce the remarkable achievements of its talented dancers at the prestigious Candance Competition 2024, held at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario, from April 5th to 7th. A total of 82 competitive dancers from Studio Dance Arts showcased their passion and skill, competing against over 500 entries from 13 participating studios for top honors. The team demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication, earning multiple awards across various categories. The results for Studio Dance Arts dancers are as follows:

OVERALLS TOP 10
Novice Mini/Junior Soloists
-> Charlee Mizzi: 3rd overall
-> Madeline Tonon: 4th overall
-> Stella Kelly: 5th overall
-> Ariana Comegna: 7th overall
-> Daniella Greco: 8th overall

Novice Teen Soloists
-> Ava Sdao: 1st overall

Novice Mini/Junior Duo-Trios
-> Down With Love (Ember Dillabough, Adelyn Juby, Madeline Tonon): 2nd overall
-> Que Sera (Olivia Dias, Grace McBride, Maila Sdao): 3rd overall

Novice Mini/Junior Small Groups
-> Spell On You: 2nd overall
-> Lollipop: 3rd overall

Pre-Competitive Mini Lines
-> Spoonful of Sugar: 1st overall
-> Sea Cruise: 2nd overall
-> Going To The Chapel: 3rd overall

Competitive Junior Soloists
-> Amia Guzzo: 6th overall, and 5th Runner Up Junior Miss Candance
-> Samantha Pavoni: 8th overall, Tap Workshop Scholarship winner, and 7th Runner Up Junior Miss Candance

Competitive Teen Soloists
-> Teija Lappalainen: 6th overall, and 5th Runner Up Teen Miss Candance
-> Aliyah Flammia: Soul Convention Scholarship winner

Competitive Senior Soloists
-> Mitchel Hopf: 4th overall, and Senior Mr. Candance Winner
-> Alexis Guzzo: 7th overall, and 4th Runner Up Senior Miss Candance
-> Kirsten Dubien: 8th overall, and 5th Runner Up Senior Miss Candance
-> Shannon Solomon: ADAPT Teacher Scholarship winner
-> Sophie Flammia: ADAPT Teacher Assistant Scholarship winner

Competitive Mini Small Groups
-> Walking Papers: 3rd overall

Competitive Mini Lines
-> Sing Sing Sing: 1st overall
-> Welcome To Havana: 2nd overall

Competitive Junior Large Groups
-> On Broadway: 1st overall

Competitive Junior Lines
-> Destiny Remix: 1st overall

Competitive Teen Small Groups
-> Americano: 1st overall
-> Chicago: 2nd overall

Competitive Teen Large Groups
-> Sully’s Song: 3rd overall

Competitive Teen Lines
-> Piano Man: 1st overall

Competitive Senior Small Groups
-> Hallelujah: 1st overall
-> Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: 2nd overall

Competitive Senior Large Groups
-> Stuck In The Middle: 1st overall
-> Toxic: 2nd overall

Competitive Senior Lines
-> Lola: 1st overall
-> I Have Been A Fire: 2nd overall

SPECIAL AWARDS
Pre-Competitive Highest Scoring Group
-> Spoonful of Sugar

Epic Awards (Top Score In Each Dance Style)
-> Top Jazz: Lola
-> Top Tap: Sully’s Song
-> Top Lyrical: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
-> Top Open: Piano Man

People’s Choice Award (12yrs & Under)
-> Americano

Judges Choice Award (13yrs & Over)
-> Lola

Joe Noce Memorial Award For Entertainment
-> Sully’s Song

GRAND FINALS DANCE-OFF
The top 3 scoring groups from each studio who received a Diamond score (95+ average from all 3 judges), re-competes on the last day of the event at the Diamond Dance-Off. The winners were:

Junior Diamond Dance-Off (12yrs & Under)
-> Destiny Remix – 3rd Place

Senior Diamond Dance-Off (13yrs & Over)
Winner: Piano Man

“A huge congratulations and thank you to the exceptional teamwork of our dancers, parents, costumers, guest-artists, and SDA teacher/choreographers, including Tania Castellani-Greco, Kim Greco, Pam Robins, Cassandra Lepore, Hannah Egerland, Daniella Rossi, and Alexis Guzzo. The hard work, dedication, and pursuit of excellence has been incredible so far this season. We really do have an extraordinary team,” says studio owner/director Richard Kim.

With the recent announcement of another local studio Soo Dance Unlimited closing after 30 years, and merging with Studio Dance Arts, the school is excited to introduce a new and exciting Pre-Competitive stream of study for the 2024-2025 dance season, as well as expand on its Recreational and Adult program offerings.

Studio Dance Arts year end show runs June 8-9, 2024 at the Sault Community Theatre Centre. Tickets go on sale at the Station Mall Box Office starting May 4.

With 21 years of serving the community and 3 studio locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Marquette, Michigan, and Munising, Michigan, Studio Dance Arts continues to be a leading provider of dance education for the beginner to advanced level dance student.

For more information about Studio Dance Arts and upcoming Summer and Fall programs, please visit www.studiodancearts.com or email: info@studiodancearts.com