Studio Dance Arts (SDA) is proud to announce that it has been awarded Top Studio at the Breaking Bounds Dance Competition, held in Toronto from April 22–26, 2026.

This achievement is determined based on the highest average group scores across all competing studio entries. This prestigious award highlights the studio’s excellence in performance, but also the strength, focus, and unity of its dancers, families, and faculty. Following a temporary disruption to its home facility earlier this spring, Studio Dance Arts has continued to operate successfully across multiple locations throughout the city while repairs are underway. The studio looks forward to returning to its home base once restoration is complete.

Throughout this time, SDA has remained fully operational thanks to the incredible support of community partners, including John Rhodes Community Centre, Bay Street Active Living Centre, Aline Wellness Studio, St. Mary’s High School (Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board), and the Delta Waterfront Hotel. The studio also extends heartfelt appreciation to the Marconi Event Centre and Mane St. Company for their generosity in opening their doors and donating space during this time.

“Our focus has always been that dance training is life training, in addition to excellence in dance education” says Richard Kim, Owner and Director of Studio Dance Arts. “This season has reinforced that more than ever. Our dancers have stayed focused, adaptable, and determined, and our Assistant Director Tania Castellani and faculty/staff have shown incredible leadership through this situation. I couldn’t be more proud of our entire team. We truly have an amazing group here in Sault Ste. Marie.”

Competition directors noted the professionalism and performance quality of SDA dancers, recognizing that the team delivered with confidence and excellence throughout the event.

Breaking Bounds Competition featured 14 studios and over 900 routines, making SDA’s Top Studio win a significant accomplishment.

Competition Highlights – Breaking Bounds Toronto 2026

• Top Studio Award
• Top Studio Overall

Novice Division (1st Year Competitive)
Solo Results

• 2nd Overall Mini Soloist, Highest Scoring Jazz Routine of the Competition, Special Award “Superstar” – See Me Now (jazz) – Claire Haddy
• 7th Overall Junior Soloist – Top Hat White Tie & Tails (tap) – Emalynn Horne)
• 8th Overall Junior Soloist – Microphone (jazz) – Alicja Scott
• 1st Overall Senior Soloist – Hit Me With Your Best Shot (jazz) – Mya Stoneman-Finck

Duo/Trio Results

• 1st Overall Junior Duo/Trio, Top 12 & Under Duo/Trio – That’s Life (jazz) – Elise Hopper, Breanna Perrin, Ella Schmitt

Group Results

• 1st Overall Petite Large Group, Top Scoring Novice Group – Mambo #5 (jazz)
• Special Award “Timing and Clarity” – Shoo-Be-Do-Be (tap)

Part-Time Competitive Division (6 Hours of Training Per Week or Less)
Group Results

• 2nd Overall Junior Small Group – New York, New York (jazz)
• 3rd Overall Junior Large Group, Choreography Award (Christine Cloutier), Special Award “Teamwork” – Girls (lyrical)
• 3rd Overall Teen Small Group – H.A.P.P.Y (jazz)
• Special Award “Clean as a Whistle” – Sailors (ballet)

Competitive Division (6-10 Hours of Training Per Week)
Solo Results

• 1st Overall Mini Soloist, Special Award “You Light Up the Stage” – Sunny Side of the Street (tap) – Malia Arbour
• 2nd Overall Mini Soloist – Shy (jazz) – Kendall Hanchuk
• 4th Overall Mini Soloist – Lemonade Song (tap) – Amelia Malone
• 5th Overall Junior Soloist, Special Award “Complete Performer” – Ghosts That We Knew (contemporary) – Daniella Greco
• 6th Overall Junior Soloist – The Girl From Ipanema (tap) – Madeline Tonon
• 8th Overall Junior Soloist – Le Jazz Hot (jazz) – Charlie Mizzi
• 6th Overall Teen Soloist – Doomed (contemporary) – Aliyah Flammia
• 7th Overall Teen Soloist – Your Eyes Are Closed (contemporary) – Amia Guzzo
• 1st Overall Senior Soloist, Special Award “Powerful Performer” – For You Are Like The Moon (contemporary) – Lillian Cochrane
• 2nd Overall Senior Soloist – Child of Sun (contemporary) – Teija Lappalainen
• Special Award “Broadway Bound” – Maybe This Time (jazz) – Lucy Giordano

Duo/Trio Results

• 1st Overall Junior Duo/Trio, Top 12 & Under Duo/Trio, Special Award “Fabulous Stage Presence” – After Dark (contemporary) – Lyra Bilodeau, Alicja Scott, Madeline Tonon

Group Results

• 1st Overall Mini Small Group – Conga (jazz)
• 2nd Overall Mini Small Group – Forget About the Boy (tap)
• 1st Overall Junior Large Group – Proud Mary (jazz)
• 3rd Overall Junior Small Group – Black & Gold (jazz)
• 1st Overall Teen Small Group – No Roses (contemporary)

Line / Extended Line Results

• 1st Overall Mini Extended Line, Top 12 & Under Extended Line – Cabaret (jazz)
• 2nd Overall Mini Extended Line – Coffee Song (tap)
• 1st Overall Junior Extended Line – Dog Days Are Over (contemporary)
• 2nd Overall Junior Extended Line, Special Award “Energy Explosion” – Big Noise (jazz)
• 1st Overall Teen Extended Line, Highest Scoring Open Routine, Highest Scoring SDA Routine – Somebody That I Used to Know (open)
• 2nd Overall Teen Extended Line – Dust Bowl Dance (contemporary)
• 3rd Overall Teen Extended Line – The Mad Hatter (jazz)
• Special Award “Moving Art” – Surfing Life (lyrical)
• Special Award “Gave Me All the Feels” – Singin in the Rain (tap)

Production

• 1st Overall Junior Production, Judges’ Choice 12 & Under Costume Award, Special Award “Outstanding Production” – The World of Dr. Seuss

Choreography Awards

• Imagine (lyrical) – Tania Castellani-Greco

Scholarship Recipients

• Malia Arbour
• Kendall Hanchuk
• Amelia Malone
• Maila Sdao
• Aliyah Flammia
• Ava Sdao

Director’s Choice Scholarship

• Emma Turgeon

VIP Scholarships

• Charlee Mizzi
• Arianna Comegna

NYC Ambassador Scholarships

• Violet Piner
• Teija Lappalainen

World Dance Scholarship

• Lillian Cochrane

Studio Dance Arts now looks ahead to its upcoming Year-End Recital at the Community Theatre Centre:

Saturday, June 6, 2026

• Competitive Solo/Trio Showcase – 10:00 AM
• Competitive Group Showcase – 2:00 PM

Sunday, June 7, 2026

• Recreational Show 1 – 10:00 AM
• Recreational Show 2 – 1:00 PM

Tickets are available through the Station Mall Box Office in person or online.

Registration for the 2026–2027 season will open later this month at www.studiodancearts.com, as the studio prepares to celebrate its 24th season serving the Sault Ste. Marie community.

For more information, please visit www.studiodancearts.com or email info@studiodancearts.com