Ziegler dancers begin new competition season with success

Vernon - The “Z” Dance Troupe from Ziegler Dance Centre in McAfee recently started their new season, attending the Dance Rave talent competition in Somerset and the Nexstar talent competition in Hackensack. The troupe came home with many trophies and awards. At the Dance Rave competition only the solos, duets and trios of the troupe attended. Character routine soloist Brittany Piela received 10th place overall in the elite division. Musical theatre duet, Charissa Hom and Matt Tiberi, earned sixth place overall in the elite division. Alexsis Hipper received a “Broadway Bound” award for her musical theatre solo. The Dance Rave judges invited some of the “Z” Troupe dancers to join their “Team Rave.” Team Rave performers come from many states to perform at events throughout the year. Ziegler members invited to join Team Rave are Alyssa Morrissey, Adrianna Vicino, Jenifer Baxter, Rich Baxter, Leia Campbell, Amanda Peslak, Kristie Kretz, Jennifer Ruchalski, Alexsis Hipper, Tara Kolakoski, Brittany Piela, Stephanie Keller, Matt Tiberi, Charissa Hom, Brianna Pappas, Lauren Dittmeire and Samantha Weiner. At the Nexstar competition, “Beauty and The Beast,” the production routine choreographed by Renee Ziegler, received a platinum award and a fifth place overall award. The large jazz group’s “Devil You Know” earned first place overall, and “Heartburn” received second place overall in their division. Peggy Ziegler, director and choreographer at Ziegler Dance Centre, received a choreography award for the eight and under tap group, “Together Again.” Charissa Hom was named “Outstanding Vocalist of the Competition” for her solo, “Gimmie, Gimmie,” and Mike Van Vliet was given a “Gene Kelly” award for his musical theatre solo. The Nexstar staff and judges recognized the members of the “Z” Dance Troupe for their excellent performances off the stage as well. All were presented with a “Sportsmanship Award.” The troupe members are Hannah Alford, Stephanie Bahamonde, Tara Bailey, Jenifer Baxter, Richard Baxter, Codi Beauvais, Courtney Berado, Danielle Berado, Ashleigh Berge, Kevin Berge, Megan Blust, Amber Blanchard, Mackenzie Bolt, Rebecca Boutillette, Stephanie Brock, Leia Campbell, Jamie Campbell, Catrina Casper, Courtney Cholminski, Gabrielle Conte, Laura Coppolla, Brittany Crispino, Jared Crispino, Brittany Dassatti, Caitlin Dean, Chelsey Devens, Juliette DiBartolo, Gabriella DiMartino, Isabella DiMartino, Michelle DiMartino, Lauren Dittmeire, Allyson Doyle, Casey Doyle, Lindsey Dunn, Jennifer Dupre, Heather Fuduli, Gabrielle Garcia, Aubry Hablitz, Samantha Hall, Michelle Hemberger, Alexsis Hipper, Charissa Hom, Marissa Huttner, Katie Insolera, Brianna Keller, Stephanie Keller, Cara Kelly, Tara Kolakoski, Tristan Krause, Kristie Kretz, Amanda Losco, Brian Losco, Sarah Lund, Ashley Maggio, Kelsey Maggio, Danielle Marushan, Sarah McIlvaine, Elisabeth Montanaro, Emily Moreno, Alyssa Morrissey, Larissa Oakley, Brianna O’Loughlin, Brianna Pappas, Chassidy Pappas, Sydney Panaccione, Ashley Papa, Brittany Papa, Christine Papa, Shelby Parrish, Amber Paulison, Joey Perez, Amanda Peslak, Brittany Piela, Kaitlin Rago, Noelle Roberts, Jennifer Ruchalski, Jessica Rueger, Lauren Ruggiero, Brooke Stanton, Sierra Struble, Ansley Stuart, Lindsey Sumpman, Emily Tanis, Matt Tiberi, Kayla Tlatelpa, Mike VanVliet, Ryan VanVliet, Emily Vanderhoff, Tami Vargas, Adrianna Vicino, Marisa Walker, Samantha Weiner, Brianna White, Danielle Zaremba.