The Expressions Dance Company, the competitive team from the Pagosa Springs Dance Academy, concluded its season at the Fluid Dance Competition and Convention in Denver, held March 27-29.
Unlike a traditional competition, Fluid offered dancers the opportunity to both compete and attend classes taught by professional dancers.
Company Director Lesley Peck selected the event not only for its competitive aspect, but for its emphasis on education, giving dancers the chance to learn and grow.
Fluid also presented a unique challenge. Rather than dividing dancers by skill level, participants were grouped solely by age, placing Expressions dancers in highly competitive categories against experienced studios from across the region. Despite this, the team delivered strong performances, earning multiple top-10 placements and special awards.
The full-company piece “Footloose” received an Exceptional Performance Award, with judges commenting on how impressed they were with the creative ideas used in the dance.
A duet by Cassidy Luke and Paige Rogacki placed third, while a trio featuring Luke, Rogacki and Merick Halterman placed fifth.
Halterman placed seventh in her solo division and also earned a special judges’ recognition award.
Additional honors included costume awards for both Leela Simpson’s solo and a duet performed by Simpson and Ember Liverett.
Executive Director Katrina Thomas and Peck expressed how incredibly proud they are of what the Expressions Company has accomplished this year, overcoming many challenges to have a successful season.
With the competitive season now complete, the dancers are turning their focus to the upcoming Pagosa Springs Dance Academy recital on May 2.
The 16 Expressions Company dancers will be joined by 82 recreational dancers to showcase both company and recreational performances in the “On Broadway” recital series, presented May 2 at Pagosa Springs High School.
The 2 p.m. matinee will feature 24 unique numbers performed by dancers of all ages, including the studio’s youngest performers. The 6 p.m. evening performance will feature 34 additional numbers across all dance genres.
Tickets can be purchased at www.pagosadanceacademy.com.
>