Just ahead of the Independence Day holiday, more than 800 dance acts descended into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for the Platinum National Dance Finals and 38 young ladies from Michigan’s Great Southwest were part of that grand affair. A number of them returned flying the National Championship flag as performers from the local Fusion Dance Company of Benton Harbor.
Fusion Center for the Dance, located on Plaza Drive behind the Fairplain Plaza, is owned and operated by Christine Okon-Waterhouse, and she is beaming brightly following their stellar performances from June 26th to July 2nd near Gatlinburg.
Her 38 young dancers. ranging in age from 4 to 18, competed in tap, contemporary, hip hop, jazz and musical theater throughout the course of the championship week, performing at the intermediate and elite levels and bringing home numerous trophies, special judge’s recognition and awards.
Among the award winners on the Fusion Dance Center team were:
- Mikaela Lies performed a contemporary senior intermediate solo dance to the song Close to You, choreographed by Grace Hilarides. She received the highest rating, earning a Platinum Plus as well as a third place finish in her category and 7th overall.
- Alyssa Swanson performed a comical hip hop routine in the senior intermediate division, also choreographed by Grace Hilarides, called Hey Shalyssa! Receiving Platinum and 18th overall.
- Jordan Moyer performed a lyrical solo to She Used To Be Mine, choreographed by Miss Jennifer Loy, Director of Dance for the Fusion Center for Dance. Jordan received a Judges Award for Wonderful Interpretation, Platinum, 18th overall in the Senior Elite category.
- Maddie Gelesko, graduating senior and preschool dance teacher at Fusion Center for Dance, placed 19th overall with her musical theater rendition of Lovesick, choreographed by Jennifer Loy.
- Uno, Dos, Tres! danced by Brye Waterhouse, Paige Lies, and Bekah Siri took Platinum and 5th overall for duet/trio in the Intermediate Junior category.
The highlight of the week proved to be the performance by the Junior Group in the elite division. Their dance to the song DARE, choreographed by Fusion instructor Stephanie Carrier-Ohme not only won their category but they were also invited to the final gala performance, where they placed first, making them NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. The winning dancers included Bekah Siri, Paige Lies, Breckyn Bussey, Brye Waterhouse, Ashley Dent, Fernada Vallejo, Darby McLoughlin, Lauren Vegter, and Estelle Spira
Fusion Dance Center Director, Jennifer Loy says, “I am so incredibly proud of all of our dancers. They truly left their hearts on the stage and after only two years of competing with Fusion, they were competitive at a national level. We are so excited to bring this level of dancing to Southwest Michigan.”
Fusion Dance Company will be accepting new members this August for the 2017-18 season. Team workouts begin August 1st with a mandatory intensive August 21-24 with auditions on the 25th. Dancers should have had at least one year of experience and a passion and commitment for dance. Ages 3-18 are eligible to participate. If you are interested in learning more, click the link below or call 269-985-8144.
Fusion Center for Dance is located at 2162 Plaza Drive in Benton Harbor. There they will conduct an open house for fall class registration on August 18th from 11:00am to 7:00pm. All are welcome to tour the 10,000 square foot facility that houses 4 different dance studios, a snack barre, separate student locker room, large lounge and waiting area with free Wi-Fi as well as En Avant Salon.
