Local dance academy shines in competitions

HighlAND LAKES — Pizazz! Dance Academy, locared in Highland lakes, recently competed in three Star Dance Alliance regional competitions: Starpower, Imagine and Nexstar. The Pizazz! Elite Team won twenty-one Overall High Score awards, seventeen 1st Place in Category awards, five Judges' Awards, two World Dance Championship Invitations, Regional Championship, SDA Entertainment Award and Choreography Award for Amanda Mudrick.
"Witch Doctor" Small Jazz Group (Emyleen, Grace, Haydee and Kaylen) won 1st Place at all three. 1st Place Overall at Starpower and Imagine Dance Championship and a 2nd Overall at Nexstar. They were the highest scoring 11 & under novice group, Regional Champions, SDA Entertainment Award and an Invitation to the World Dance Championship.
"Wind It Up" Jazz Group (Cassidy, Devan, Emily, Katie, Morgan, Samantha, Stephanie and Talia) received two 1st Place awards, 8th Overall at Starpower, 1st Overall at Imagine and 2nd Overall at Nexstar. Choreography Award was earned at Starpower. A Judges' "Funky Fresh" Award and World Dance Championship Invitation at Nexstar.
Warrior (Devan, Katie and Talia) won 1st Place awards at all three, 2nd Overall at Starpower and 3rd Overall at Imagine. Nexstar awarded Platinum, 1st Overall and Judges' "Happy Ending" Award.
Devan Meggiolaro's solo "Whistle While You Work It" won 1st Place at all three, 3rd Overall at Starpower and 2nd Overall at Nexstar.
Katie Molini's solo "My Big French Boyfriend" earned 1st Place at all three, 1st Overall at Starpower and Nexstar, and 6th Overall at Imagine. She won Starpower Judges' "Born to Entertain" Award, Imagine Judges' "Bright as a Star" Award and Nexstar Judges' "Ooh La La Lovely" Award.
Morgan Mulvanney's solo "Keep On" won 1st Place at Starpower and 2nd Overall at Starpower and Imagine.
Stephanie Longo's solo "Cruella De Vil" earned 1st Place at Imagine and Nexstar and 5th Overall at Starpower, 9th Overall at Imagine and 1st Overall at Nexstar.
Talia Greenwood's solo "Evil Like Me" won 4th Overall at Starpower, 9th Overall at Imagine and 3rd Overall at Nexstar.
Founded 2010 to provide affordable, fun and skilled dance instruction in a friendly, stress-free environment. With the belief that "every child deserves the chance to dance", Pizazz! operates out of Barry Lakes Clubhouse. Further information about Pizazz! and dance competitions can be found online www.pizazzdanceacademynj.com or call 201-452-4282.
(right to left) Haydee Orr, Kaylin Byra, Stephanie Longo, Cassidy Baker, Morgan Mulvanney, Talia Greenwood, Emily Baker, Katie Molini, Devan Meggiolaro, Samantha Barnable, Emyleen Oorthuys, Grace Lamattina