By Jason Arndt
Editor
Burlington Dance Academy athletes recently completed a stellar competition season and brought home multiple accolades from each meet.
According to Jessica Blazekovic, owner of Burlington Dance Academy, about 20 dancers ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old traveled and competed at four regional meets in New Berlin and South Milwaukee as well as Rockford and Schaumburg in Illinois between mid-April and mid-May.
At the Inferno Dance Competition in New Berlin, Dance Academy representatives earned awards in the following events: Team A lyrical, platinum; Team A jazz, high gold; Team B lyrical, elite platinum, second overall high score; Team B ballet, platinum, stand out award; Team C, elite platinum, fourth overall high score; and soloist, high gold, first overall high score.
In South Milwaukee, the dance group received high marks at the Triple S Competition, with all teams receiving two stars for their performances.
Accomplishments consisted of Team A lyrical, second place, third overall in high points; Team A jazz, second place; Team B lyrical, first place, Judge’s Choice for “A Breath of Fresh Air,” second overall in high points; Team B ballet, first place; Team C, second place; soloist, first place.
At the Pinnacle Dance Competition in Rockford, Team A jazz, Team A lyrical, Team B ballet, Team C, and a soloist all earned high gold awards.
Additionally, Team B lyrical received a platinum award, earning first place in its category as well as the highest score of the entire performance.
In regard to placements, Team A lyrical finished first, Team B was second, Team C earned first, and a soloist performance notched third in their respective categories.
At Showstoppers in Schaumburg, Burlington Dance Academy brought home multiple platinum awards, with Team A lyrical, Team A jazz, Team B ballet, Team B lyrical, Team C earning achievements in their respective competitions.
Team A lyrical, Team B ballet, and a soloist who received a gold award, all finished first in their categories.
Blazekovic said the accomplishments came through continuous practices – where each athlete learned more about their routines, and a supportive environment.
“They have come a long way and some of the styles were a little bit outside their comfort zone,” she said. “Their confidence seemed to have gone up after each competition that they did. The more you get to do it on stage, the more you feel at home.”
As for the supportive environment, she credited both the dancers and parents, for showing up even when their children did not compete.
“Our dance family is amazing in what they do for support,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if they are 7 or 17 years old, they love and support each other.”
Burlington Dance Academy, 444 N. Pine St., Burlington is accessible online at burlington-dance.com.
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