News-Press NOW
Dancers from The Dance Arts Center in St. Joseph earned numerous awards at the recent Heart of America Chapter 28 regional competition and earned the right to compete against dancers from across the United States and Canada in July at the 138th Dance Masters of America National Competition and Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Over 100 dance students from Dance Masters of America chapters in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma competed in the regional competition.
All competing dance students submit a fact sheet about themselves and are then interviewed by the judges.
They then take dance classes and students, age 12 and under are scored in ballet, jazz, tap and acrobatics while students age 13 and over students take classes and are scored in ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatic dances and modern dances. Finally, each student performs a pre-choreographed solo dance and are judged on technique, performance, choreography and overall impression.
Solo Title Winners from The Dance Arts Center were Sam Ward, age 11, Junior Mr. Dance 2023. Sam’s solo was a Contemporary dance, “From Beginning”. He is the son of Russ and Summer Ward.
Lily Phillips, age 14, was awarded Teen Miss Dance 2023. She also earned High Scores in Ballet, Modern Dance, and overall High Score in the Teen Miss Class. Lily performed a Contemporary dance, “HALO”for her solo. She is the daughter of Kyle and Tia Phillips.
Atticus May, age 15, Teen Mr. Dance 2023. Atticus performed a Contemporary dance, “SO WILL I” for his solo. He is the son of Dr. Nathanael May and Michelle Rautmann.
Claire Phillips, age 17, won Miss Dance 2023. She also earned the Interview High Score as well as High Scores in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern Dances along with Overall High Score for the Miss Dance Class. Claire performed a Contemporary dance, “SOMETHING IN THE ORANGE”. She is the daughter of Kyle and Tia Phillips.
Other Dancers from The Dance Arts Center receiving Class Awards and Honorable Mentions were Elina Sherman, age 15, High Score Interview and High Score Tap Dancing along with 3rd Runner up for Teen Miss Dance. Elina is the daughter of Gary and Renee Sherman.
Estelle May, age 18 received the Miss Congeniality Award and was 3rd Runner-Up for Miss Dance. Estelle is the daughter of Dr. Nathanael May and Michelle Rautmann.
Dance Masters of America, Inc. is an International Non-Profit Educational Organization of dance educators, who have been certified by test to teach; have had a professional dance career; have a degreed certification from an approved institution of higher education; or have successfully passed an exam in an approved professional dance organization.
Dance Masters of America has been certifying and setting the standards of dance education since 1884.
The Dance Arts Center has been a member since it was founded in 1985.
The Dance Arts Center is has been teaching art, discipline and joy of dance in St. Joseph for over 38 years. Classes include Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Pointe and Tumbling for youth ages 3 and up along with adult tap, ballet, and yoga classes. The studio has grown to offer classes at two locations, 1902 Jules and 2300 Frederick Avenue. The Dance Arts Center is owned by Marla Heeler.
News-Press NOW
St. Joseph and Chapter 28 of the Heart of America DMA Chapter was repre- sented at the 2021 Dance Masters of America National Title Scholar- ship Competition at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee by three dancers from The Dance Arts Center.
The DMA Heart of America Chapter 28 include studios from Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Dancers representing The Dance Arts Center include Mr. Dance regional winner, Caleb Keling, son of Troy and Brandi Keling; Miss Junior Dance regional winner, Lily Phillips, daughter of Kyle and Tia Phillips; and Mr. Junior Dance regional winner, Atticus May, son of Nathanael and Michelle Rautmann May.
Caleb Keling performed a lyrical dance titled “Smile” choreographed by himself and Marla Heeler; Lily Phillips performed “Higher Ground,” a jazz dance choreographed by Kealey Mathieson; and At- ticus May performed “Feel Good,” a tap dance choreographed by Marla Heeler.
Dance Masters of America was founded in 1894 and is a professional, certified membership organization of artists and educators committed to the elevation of the art of dance and to provide innovative artistic experi- ences for the advance- ment of dance worldwide.
It awards over $200,000 in scholarships to aspir- ing dancers and teachers annually.
The Dance Arts Cen-ter has been teaching dance to youth and adults for over 35 years and is owned by Marla Heeler of- fering classes for boys and girls 3 years old and up through seniors in high school featuring Ballet, Tap, Pointe, Jazz, Contem- porary, Hip Hop and Mu- sical Theater along with classes for adults which include tap and yoga.
Local dance studios were heartbroken when they had to close down in March and cancel recitals and competitions, but now they’re getting back to normal classes.
The Dance Arts Center and Darcee’s School of Dance both shifted to virtual classes in the spring. Marla Heeler, owner of the Dance Arts Center, is continuing to offer virtual lessons despite most of her students returning to the studio.
“Kids are quarantined every other minute right now with school so they’re able to still Zoom in if they need to and we have cameras that can take both angles of the classroom and we’re mic’d up,” Heeler said. Read more...
The wonders and utter magic of a classic novel are uniquely making their way to dance floors in Northwest Missouri this year.
Students with The Dance Arts Center, 1902 Jules St., performed a special sneak peek Sunday afternoon of their version of the C.S. Lewis favorite, “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.” The three Narnia-themed performances in “Tea With Tumnus” served as the kick-off to the center’s 2020 season, with the full show set to occur over the next few months.
Marla Heeler, the center’s owner and director, said rehearsals every Saturday have been a constant since September. The studio itself has been around for some 35 years, and she’s been at the helm for the past 15 years. Read more...
Copyright © 2008 – 2024. All Rights Reserved. The Dance Arts Center, LLC | 1902 Jules Street | Saint Joseph, Missouri 64501 | 816.233.5442
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.