Local dancers excel at ‘ultimate' competition

Hamburg - Members of the Hamburg-based Dance Expression Dance Company performed in the “Cathy Roe Ultimate Dance Competition” on Saturday, March 18, in East Rutherford, and came away with numerous honors and awards. “A Chorus Line,” the production number choreographed by Lisa Simko, Dance Expression director, received a platinum award and the overall high-score award for a production number, along with a special award for “real jazz.” Caitlin Potosnak and Nicole and Colette DeGrezia of Vernon received a platinum award for their modern trio, “La Canta de las Americas,” as well as a special award for spectacular staging. Soloists receiving platinum awards included Megan Murdock, of Hardyston, for her lyrical solo, “Beautiful Child,” Gina Forder, of Branchville, for her modern solo, “Person vs. Nature,” and Caitlin Potosnak for her modern solo, “For Casey.” The senior lyrical group’s, “Time After Time,” and senior modern group’s, “Only You,” were also awarded platinum. High gold awards were given to Rachel Nass and Leigh Ann Lorenzetti, of Hardyston, and Shelby Drake, of Wantage, for their modern trio, “Shiny, Happy People;” Katelyn McElkenny and Renea Rossi, of Vernon, for their duet, “Shake Your Groove Thing;” Rebecca Beltramine, of Wantage, for her junior modern solo, “Here Comes the Sun;” Megan Murdock, of Hardyston, and Kaleigh Hayes, of Wantage, for their modern duet, “Allegra;” Tina Forder, of Branchville, for her modern solo, “Let You Down;” and Katelyn McElkenny for her junior jazz solo, “Build Me Up Buttercup.” Groups receiving high gold awards included the junior jazz group, for “Devil with the Blue Dress;” senior small tap group, for “Shake Your Thing;” senior jazz group, for “Agua;” senior musical theatre group, for “Seussical;” senior jazz group, for “Breakdown;” senior modern group, for “Everyday;” senior jazz group, for “One Rhythm;” and the senior modern group, for “Hymn to Sacred Hills.” The dancers included Karina Velez, Colette DeGrezia, Nicole DeGrezia, Caitlin Potosnak, Morgan Parker, Adrianna Velez, Ashley Whelan, Tara Gasparovic, LeighAnn Kabatra, Gina Forder, Tina Forder, Chloe Jaretsky, Deena Spaner, Rachel Nass, Samantha Chastain, Morgan Tarantino, Shelby Drake, Katelyn McElkenny, Megan Murdock, Leanna Grennan, Kaleigh Hayes, Michelle Imparato, Brielle Crowe, LeighAnn Lorenzetti, Brittany Pakestein, Brianna Smith, Renea Rossi, Rebecca Beltramine, Samantha Lorenzetti, Stephanie Montemurro, Erin Garrity and Maria Iacopelli.