Submitted story and photographs.
12 April 2023 (OPELOUSAS, Louisiana) – Elite Academy of Dance, located in Opelousas, Louisiana, traveled to Houston, Texas March 31st through April 2nd to compete in the Starpower Regional Dance Competition. Company Members, including Isabella Fruge, Addison Joubert, Alexis Joubert, and Loren Lejeune, received qualifying scores with all eight routines performed, which will advance them to the Starpower National Dance Competition.
These four young ladies were excited to come back home with the following awards:
- 15-16 Jazz Solo – 5 Stars, First Place in Jazz Solo Division, Fourth Place Overall High Score in 15-19 Solo Age Division
- 17-19 Musical Theatre Solo – 5 Stars, First Place in Musical Theatre Division, Third Overall High Score in 15-19 Solo Division, $1,000 Discovery Talent Scholarship
- 17 – 19 Duo/Trio Musical Theatre – 5 Stars, First Place in Duo/Trio Musical Theatre Division, Second Place Overall in 15-19 Duo/Trio Division
- 15-16 Open – 5 Stars, First Place in Open Division, Third Place Overall in 15-19 Duo/Trio Division
- 9-11 Solo Musical Theatre – 5 Stars and $1,000 Discovery Spotlight Scholarship
- 9-11 Duo/Trio Lyrical – 5 Stars, First Place in Division, and Fifth Place Overall High Score for ages 9-11.
- 12 – 14 Small Group Lyrical – 5 Stars, $300 Scholarship for Battle of the Seas, and Starpower Golden Ticket
With only three scholarships available and over 150 dancers in the 12 & Under Division as well as the 12 & Over Division, Isabella Fruge and Alexis Joubert both received a $1,000 Discovery Talent Scholarship. Scholarships are given out for outstanding performance and dedication.
Out of over 300 entries, twenty “Golden Tickets” were awarded to dancers to join and represent “Team USA” at the World Dance Championships in the Meadowlands, which is a Prestigious Invitation given to the top-scoring routines in the Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior Categories.
The competition weekend rounded off with Elite Company Members receiving a $300 Scholarship to perform on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in January for “Battle of the Seas,” which is by invitation to perform on Royal Caribbean International Cruise Ship, sailing round trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to the Bahamas visiting Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s Private Island Coco Cay.
Company Dancers Alani East and Kaylee Roberts, both from Opelousas, were unable to attend the Competition at the last minute but deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.
Company Dancers will be hosting fundraisers and seeking donations to assist with travel expenses as they represent their hometowns of Opelousas, Lawtell, and Washington. If you would like to make a donation or assist with fundraising, please contact Brandi or any of the dancers.
