KANE — Hard work paid off this weekend for the Studio K Dance Force, directed by Kate Undercoffer.
The SKDF dancers showed their stage presence and technique April 29-30 at the Ticket to Broadway Competition in Akron, Ohio.
This year, the SKDF boasts dancers from Kane, Wilcox, Bradford and Smethport. Eighteen dancers have worked together since October to present 22 routines, including lyrical, tap, jazz, musical theatre, hip hop and acrobatics. Each dance scored well and received high praise from the judges in all adjudicated categories.
Highlights from the weekend include Sarri Swanson, daughter of Tammy and Bill Swanson of Kane, being selected as a National Circle of Stars Dancer for her acrobatic routine, set to the spoken word Maya Angelou poem “Still I Rise.”
Swanson and her long-time duet partner, Kaarina Hemdal, daughter of Barb and Tom Hemdal of Kane, were awarded the highest adjudicated award, best in tap and highest scoring duet or trio of the competition for their routine “Sissy That Walker.”
Also in the duets and trios, Studio K was represented well by Angela Cecchetti, daughter of Missy and Jim Cecchetti, and Sydney Huntzinger, daughter of Sue and John Huntzinger, all of Kane. Cecchetti and Huntzinger took the stage for the musical theatre duet, “Big Finish.” They walked away with the third highest score of duets and trios.
Hemdal continued the winning streak when she later performed two solos. Hemdal first showed off her musicality and sense of timing while performing a creepy lyrical routine called “New World Coming.” She later took the stage again with her routine to the song “Pulled” from the
“Addams Family Musical.” She placed fifth and fourth overall soloist and was awarded “Miss Broadway,” the title award for the teen division. Hemdal was also named a national Circle of Stars Dancers.
Rounding out the weekend, Cecchetti entertained with her interpretation of the song “Calm” from the musical Ordinary Day. Her technique, coupled with stage presence, netted her the highest score in the entire senior division of competition and the Miss Broadway Senior Title.
The judges complimented the Studio K dancers about how well prepared, technically advanced and well-rehearsed they were.
The highest compliment came from competition director Karen Shapiro, who commended their sportsmanship, demeanor and behavior. She was impressed that the entire weekend, the dancers gave standing ovations to high scoring routines, congratulated other dancers, were courteous to competition employees and other dancers and left an impression of kindness and humility on the Ticket to Broadway staff.
According to Kate Undercoffer and the Studio K staff, there is no higher award than being complimented on being good people.
Studio K Dance Force Dancers include: Angela Cecchetti, Sydney Huntzinger, Kaarina Hemdal, Sarri Swanson, Baylee Fitzsimmons, Jenna Gregory, Hailey Slater, Hannah Bechakas, Anna Nannen, Alec Huckabone, Emily Hipolito, Breanna Bernhard, Madeline McDermott, Audree Meyer, Rory Undercoffer, Jenyka Hearst, Emerson Mohney and Madalyn Huber.
To see the SKDF in action, catch the Studio K Recital “Curtains Up!” May 20 and 21.
For more information, visit Studio K School of Dance on Facebook.
