For the Reporter
Kent’s Allegro Performing Arts Academy recently took home a pair of Industry Dance Awards, one of only two dance studios in the country to capture two categories.
Allegro won in the novelty/musical theater and hip-hop categories.
Eddie Strachan choreographed Allegro’s musical theater piece, “Master of the House”, and Cameron Lee choreographed its hip-hop entry, “PURE Adrenaline”.
“It was a huge honor to just be nominated in two categories, let alone win both,” said Tonya Goodwillie, owner and co-director of the studio. “To have two pieces out of 125,000 from one studio win awards is an amazing accomplishment and one the kids who performed and the leaders of the studio won’t quickly forget.”
Goodwillie accompanied co-director Tiffany Miles-Brooks to Los Angeles to attend the third annual awards program.
The event was created to honor and celebrate the dance industry leaders who promote and elevate the art of dance into mainstream culture. Its mission, beyond promoting the dance industry, is to support and raise funds for cancer awareness and research.
The gala, “I’m a Dancer Against Cancer,” raised more than $100,000 for four nonprofits: The Keep a Breast Foundation; Breast Cancer Angels; Bright Pink; and the Circle of Hope Foundation.
The gala is made up of performances and presentations by upcoming and seasoned members of the dance community. Celebrities such as Nigel Lithgoe, Adam Shankman, Paula Abdul, Kenny Ortega, and Napoleon and Tabitha were in attendance as award winners and presenters.
The IDA membership is made up of eight competition companies that travel the United States, judging amateur dance every year. The IDA Awards are given out to honor the top dance pieces in the United States.
Out of 125,000 competition dance pieces seen this year, only 76 nominations were given for the top performance in categories of dance including jazz, open/ballet, lyrical, hip hop, novelty/musical theater, tap, people’s choice, choreography of the year, and best performance of 2014.
Allegro Performing Arts Academy is known throughout the region for excellence in training and technique for all its students ages 3 to adult. To learn more, visit www.allegrodance.com or check out its Facebook page at Allegro Performing Arts Academy.
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