Dancin’ in Branson - Dance Craze competes at Nationals

By MICHELE BURRIS

It was a time to shine for 21 Dance Craze dancers at the Stage One Nationals Dance competition in Branson, MO last week.  The Dance Craze ship set sail Wednesday morning as dancers and their families headed south for what would become a memorable trip. 

On Thursday, seven soloists competed in the junior and teen divisions.  The Dance Craze landed two spots in the Top 5 for Overall High Points in the Junior Division, which includes Jaylee Welcher (3rd) and Payton Ritter (5th).  Caitlin Kimminau claimed 5th place in the Top 10 Overall of the Teen Division.  Later in the competition, Taylor Gifford finished in the Top 2 of the Senior Solo Division, earning a 2nd place trophy.

Back to the big stage on Friday, the Junior Division dancers returned for Small Group Day with four routines.  Again, The Dance Craze fared well with three Top 10 Overall High Points routines, including 1st, 2nd and 10th places.  The Dance Craze awards continued as Jaylee Welcher was named the 2010 Junior Division Miss Photogenic.
 
In the Petite Division, the Dance Craze achieved 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th places overall. The large group routine to “Captain’s Crew”, which includes the Power Starz (three competition teams combined), wowed the crowd and their families with a strong production performance.  They received a 4th Overall High Points Award for their routine.  Two Dance Craze competition teams earned a 3rd Place Overall High Points Award and the Judges Choice Intensity Award for their performance to "Enter Sandman".
 
A Dance Craze team of youth, teens, parents and teachers left Branson with trophies, plaques and pride.  But what the dancers gained from the experience is far greater than their winnings, as evidenced by the words of Taylor Gifford:  “It was an amazing experience I will never forget. Everyone was very supportive and I’m really blessed to have been able to go.”

Pictured right: A Dance Craze foursome achieved the title of Stage One National Champions with a first place win: Payton Ritter, Brianna Greene, Taylor Edmiston and Ashlee Burris.

Pictured far right: Twenty-one Dance Craze dancers competed at the Stage One Nationals Dance competition in Branson last week.  Front row: Drew Burris, Kaycee Thompson, Olivia Smith, Haley Kurian, Emma Thompson, Madison Markel, Jayke Welcher, Brantley Dennison. Middle row: Ashlee Burris, Bailey McMillan, Brianna Greene, Payton Ritter, Taylor Edmiston, Dance Craze Instructor/Owner Jenny Welcher. Back row: Taylor Gifford, Taryn Gregg, Jaylee Welcher, Marissa Markel, Sheldon Tallman, Caitlin Kimminau, Maddie Moore. Not pictured: Lexie Ward.