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PARKERSBURG – The Premier Company Dance Team from PACE (Performing Arts Connection and Education) of Parkersburg will be competing at the USASF Dance Worlds in Orlando, Fla., this month.
The local team was invited to Florida after competing as Ohio Valley All-Stars at the Buckeye Open Dance Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, against teams from New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The local dancers earned an invitation and $300 per dancer to compete at the USASF Dance Worlds in Orlando.
AmeriDance extended invitations to two teams performing “Anne,” depicting the story of Anne Frank. “Anne” was the highest scoring routine of the Ohio competition, winning a National Champion Trophy and High Point Award.
The United States All-Star Federation (USASF) sponsors Dance Worlds. Premier dance teams throughout the world compete at regional competitions to earn bids to qualify for the annual event held in Walt Disney World, according to a press release. Teams from 40 countries, including Japan, China, Germany, Colombia, Australia and France, compete on April 23 for an opportunity to perform again on April 24 as part of the World’s Top 10.
This is the local team’s fourth trip to Florida and second partially paid bid. Judges chose last year’s team for finals, and they finished 14th in the world.
Members of this year’s team come from nine area schools and will continue training as Ohio Valley All-Stars at PACE over six hours a week in preparation for this opportunity.
Their journey can be followed on pacewv.com. Team members are Kelsi Anderson, Jade Bailes, Hannah Farish, Lexie Florence, Lexi Holden, Tonea Houser, Anthony Houser, Macy Jones, Kassidy King, Molly Leach, K.T. Macchia, Kaitlyn Moyer, Jill Myers, Sarah Noorbakhsh, Jillian Poe, Juliet Wanosky and Gillian Wanosky.
The Premier Company will host its annual showcase on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta. This is an opportunity for the community to see this group of dancers perform “Anne,” as well as the other competitive routines the company performs throughout the season.
There will be information available at the showcase for anyone interested in becoming a member of the Premier Company for the 201617 season. Call 304-422-0311 or visit pacewv.com for more information.