Statesville Dance & Performing Arts named Top Studio at American Dance Championships (Photo Gallery)

Special to IFN

Statesville Dance & Performing Arts (SDPA) was awarded the prestigious Top Studio honor at last weekend’s American Dance Championships.

SDPA’s 42-member Competition Team delivered an exceptional weekend of performances, earning numerous platinum awards, 1st-place finishes, and overall titles. The Top Studio award is presented to the studio with the highest combined group routine scores—recognizing excellence across an entire team rather than a single performance.

“The Top Studio award is such a meaningful recognition because it reflects the strength, consistency, and dedication of our entire team,” said Haley Price, marketing manager for Statesville Dance & Performing Arts. “Our dancers showed not only incredible talent, but also heart, discipline, and teamwork on that stage. We are beyond proud of the work they put in and the way they represented our studio and community.”

Notable Group Awards

• Junior Lyrical “Iris” – 3rd Overall, Special Judges Award: Elevated Emotion
• Teen Lyrical “Work Song” – 2nd Overall, Special Judges Award: Future Force
• Contemporary Line “Dawns” – Golden Buzzer Award (one of only three awarded all weekend)
• Received the only Diamond placement of the entire competition
• Highest-scoring routine of the entire competition

Soloist Highlights

• Dwa Carson – Overall winner, Title entry winner, invited to perform in the Opening Number at ADC Nationals
• Catherine Severson – 1st Overall out of 42 entries, Senior Title Winner, invited to perform in the Opening Number at ADC Nationals, and invited to audition for the Team USA World Cup Championship Team
• Josie Shoemaker – 3rd Overall, invited to perform in the Opening Number at ADC Nationals, and invited to join the Team USA World Cup Championship Team
• Lillie Shew – Invited to perform in the Opening Number at ADC Nationals

The Top Studio award at American Dance Championships is the event’s highest honor, celebrating a studio’s overall excellence, performance quality, and competitive achievement across all group routines. SDPA’s recognition as Top Studio, as well as receiving multiple judges awards and special recognitions, highlights the studio’s continued growth and commitment to both technical excellence and strong team culture.

“Our dancers continue to raise the bar each season,” Price said. “This award is a testament to their passion, our dedicated instructors, and the supportive families who make it all possible. We left the weekend feeling incredibly proud and grateful, and we’re excited to finish our competition season strong.”

LEARN MORE

For more information about Statesville Dance & Performing Arts, follow @StatesvilleDance on social media or visit www.statesvilledance.com.