Spotlight Dance Cup 2011 (April 15-17)

Mindy's Dance Company competed in their final regional competition at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Spotlight Dance Cup adjudicates each routine with a Diamond, Ruby, Emerald or Sapphire Awards.  A competitive 1st place award will be given in each category to the winner with the highest score.  Each dancer in a duo/trio or group will also receive a recognition award. 

"Spotlight Awards" will be given in all Divisions in the following areas: Outstanding Costume, Showmanship, Technical Skill, Choreography, Entertainment and "A Cut Above."

Abbey Baker took the stage on Friday afternoon to compete her junior solo "Dream On."  Her routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  Abbey was awarded a Ruby for her outstanding performance.

Company I and Company II had their chance to sparkle and shine on Saturday.

A combination of Company I and II performed Beach Babies as an Open Large Group Entry in ages 5-6.  Dancers include Avery Arnold, Bailey Birchfield, Lydia Cooney, Braden Cooney, Paige Dernier, Stella Genge, Madelyn Kerr, Tommy Kerr, Sophia LaSala, Jack LaSala, AJ Maupin, Alex Maupin, Larissa Mikle, Cora Tyler and Lincoln Tyler.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr, Lauren Bobbit and Chelsie Klein.  Beach Babies was awarded a Ruby for a sensational surfing good time!

Company II performed Bushel and a Peck as a Musical Theatre Small Group Entry in ages 7-8.  Dancers include Lauren Bennett, Brie Bowes, Stella Genge, Madelyn Kerr, Sophia LaSala, Cora Tyler and Paige Walker.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr.  Bushel and a Peck was awarded a Diamond and a First Place Category Award.  It was also awarded a special judges award called "There's No Place Like."  The judge said that these dancers appeared to only be one place this afternoon and that was on the Spotlight Main Stage.

Company I performed Here Comes the Sun as a Lycrical Small Group Entry in ages 5-6.  Dancers include Avery Arnold, Lydia Cooney, Paige Dernier, Sophia LaSala and Alex Maupin.  The routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  Here Comes the Sun was awarded a Ruby.  The girls looked very beautiful in their golden lace costumes!

Company II performed Reach as an Open Small Group Entry in ages 5-6.  Dancers include Lauren Bennett, Brie Bowes, Madelyn Kerr, Cora Tyler and Paige Walker.  The routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  Reach was awarded a Diamond and a First Place Category Award.  It also earned a Sapphire placing Fourth Overall in the Petite Small Group Division.

Company I performed Bird Mix as an Open Small Group Entry in ages 5-6.  Dancers include Avery Arnold, Bailey Birchfield, Lydia Cooney, Paige Dernier, jAlex Maupin and Larissa Mikle.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr.  Bird Mix was awarded a Ruby.  These dancers know how to shake a tail feather.

Company II finished out Saturday afternoon by performing Boogie Bumper as a Tap Small Group Entry in ages 5-6.  Dancers include Lauren Bennett, Brie Bowes, Stella Genge, Madelyn Kerr, Cora Tyler and Paige Walker.  The routine was choreographed by Lauren Bobbitt.  Boogie Bumper was awarded a Diamond.

Company III and IV arrived bright and early on Palm Sunday to stretch and warm up as a team and get ready to perform on the Main Stage.

Company IV took the stage first performing Runaway as a Contemporary Small Group Entry in age 12.  Dancers include Abbey Baker, Emily Breck, Ashley Breck, Emma Costello and Bailey Hamilton.  The routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  Runaway was awarded a Ruby.

After a quick costume change, Company IV performed Standing There as a Jazz Small Group Entry in age 12.  Dancers include Abbey Baker, Ashley Breck, Emily Breck, Emma Costello, Meg Cunningham, Bailey Hamilton and Sophia Passantino.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr.  Standing There was awarded a Ruby.

Company III performed a Lyrical Small Group Routine in age 12 called Where You Are.  Dancers include Meg Cunningham, Taylor Egerstrom, Hannah Glover, Sophia Passantino, Jaimie Pearce and Mia Tebbe.  The routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  Where You Are was performed with great emotion and was awarded a Ruby. 

After another quick costume change, Company III performed Fever as an Open Small Group Entry in age 12.  Dancers include Maddie Duncan, Taylor Egerstrom, Hannah Glover, Jaimie Pearce and Mia Tebbe.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr and Savannah Rowland.  The dancers had great smiles and energy.  Fever was awarded a Ruby.

Finishing out the Junior Small Groups was Company IV performing Black Betty as a Tap Small Group Entry in age 12.  Dancers include Abbey Baker, Ashley Breck, Emily Breck, Meg Cunningham, Bailey Hamilton and Sophia Passantino.  The routine was choreographed by Lauren Bobbit.  The dancers ROCKED the stage and earned an Emerald.

During awards the Petite Dancers were preparing to take the second stage for Solos, Duos and Petite Miss Spotlight.

First up was Madelyn Kerr and Cora Tyler performing in a petite jazz duo called My Boyfriends Back.  The routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr.  These two dancers performed like broadway divas and were awarded a Diamond and a First Place Category Award for ages 5-6.

Next, was Brie Bowes and Paige Walker performing a fast tapping routine in a petite tap duo called Feet Don't Fail Me Now.  The routine was choreographed by Lauren Bobbit.  These two dancers had clean, sharp sounds and beautiful smiles.  They were awarded a Diamond and a Fourth Place Overall in the Petite Duo/Trio Division.

Miss Madelyn Kerr took the stage as an entry in the Petite Miss Spotlight.  She was poised and eloquent.  She performed a 15 second dance combination highlighting some of her best technical skills.  Way to go Maddie!

After a quick change of outfits, Madelyn Kerr performed Amazing Grace as a lycrical solo in the petite solo division, age 7-8.  This routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  She danced with elegance and grace.  She was awarded a Diamond and a First Place Category Award.  She also placed Sixth Overall in the Petite Solo Division.

Next, Brie Bowes performed Miss Invisible as a lycrical solo in the petite solo division, age 7-8.  This routine was choreographed by Chelsie Klein.  She danced with such emotion and beauty. She was awarded a Diamond.  She also placed Seventh Overall in the Petite Solo Division.

Finally, the entire Company took the Main Stage and performed Latin Mix as a Production Routine.  Company I, II, III and IV danced together as one having a great afternoon and great weekend at the Spotlight Dance Cup 2011.  This routine was choreographed by Mindy Kerr, Lauren Bobbit and Chelsie Klein.  Latin Mix was awarded a Ruby.

The dancers did a great job!  We said goodbye to the Overland Park Convention Center as we close our Regional Competition Season until next year. 

Next up, BRANSON, MO for Starpower National Competition.... July 11-17, 2011!

See you then....

Dining for Dancers

Join us for a night of great Mexican food from the family owned Habaneros in Lee's Summit, MO. They will be having an evening designated to The MDC Dance Company.   Please print the attached flyer and bring it with you when you dine in or take out.  A total of 15% of your proceeds (before taxes and gratuity) will be given back to our team.  Hope to see you there for a fun night of family, friends and amazing Mexican Food.

Thanks,
MDC Dance Company Crew