The Senior Tap Team performs “Jumping Jack.”

The Senior Tap Team from Dance Dynamics in Tryon took their fifth consecutive  Overall Highest Score, all groups 13 and over, with their tap routine, “Jumping Jack.”  The group also won their age division and was awarded Most Entertaining by the judges. The Senior Tap Team features Sydney Case, Nora Contreras, Caitlyn Cooper, Makayla Cooper, Annamelia Hooper, Katarina McConnell, Kati Joy Shanahan, Hannah Watkins and Madison Yellen.

Bethany Smith took top honors for her second consecutive year, receiving Overall Highest Score, all soloists 12 and under, with her tap routine “Dr. Jazz.” Bethany also won first overall in her age group, 9-10.

Also taking top honors, with her jazz routine “Cooler Than Me,” Makayla Cooper finished Overall Highest Score, all soloists 13 and over. Makayla also finished first overall in her age group, 13-14, and was awarded the Future Star Award.

Other top finishers were Caitlyn Cooper, first overall 15-16 Solo and third overall 13 and over solo, with her tap routine “Groove.” Caitlyn also received the Tops in Tap Award.

Nora Contreras’ tap routine, “Swing with Me,” placed second overall, 13 and over solo. Madison Yellen finished her day with two top finishing numbers. Madison clogged her way to fourth overall, 13 and over solo, and the Crowd Pleaser Award with “Don’t Stop the Party” and tapped into seventh overall with her “Bang Bang” routine.

Emily Bartlett concluded her first solo competition finishing eighth overall, 12 and under, and winning the Fabulous Feet Award with her tap routine “Getting in the Mood.”

Four additional routines were awarded special judge’s awards. Katarina McConnell received Most Entertaining Award for her hip hop routine “Dolls,” and Bethany Smith received the Future Star Award for her Acro/Jazz routine, “Sassy.”

The Senior Team also received the Most Original Judges Pick Award for their Jazz routine “Black and Gold.” The Junior Tap Team received the Tops in Tap Award for their routine “Trashing the Camp.” The Junior Tap team features Emily Bartlett, Bridgette Hicks and Marleigh Hunt.

Platinum winners from the weekend included “Dr Jazz” for Bethany Smith, Tap; “Getting in the Mood” for Emily Bartlett, Tap; “Cooler Than Me” for Makayla Cooper, Jazz; “Swing with Me” for Nora Contreras, Tap; and “Groove” for Caitlyn Cooper, Tap.

High Gold winners include “Sassy” for Bethany Smith-Acro/Jazz; “Don’t Stop the Party” for Madison Yellen, Clogging; “Bang, Bang” for Madison Yellen, Tap; and “Jumping Jack” for Senior Team, Tap.

Gold winners from the weekend include “Something Bigger than Me” for Mallory Rogers, Lyrical; “Mambo #5” for Gracie Roberts-Acro, Jazz; “The Cup Song” for Bridgette Hicks, Tap; “Dolls” for Katarina McConnell, Hip Hop; “Youth” for Kati Joy Shanahan, Contemporary; “Heal” for Annamelia Hooper, Contemporary; “Black and Gold” for Senior Team, Jazz; “Zoot Suit Riot” for Senior Team, Tap; and “Trashing the Camp” for Junior Team, Tap.

High Silver winners were “Colors of the Wind” for Marleigh Hunt, Jazz; “Groove is in the Heart” for Tap Trio Ada Kelley, Bethany Smith and Gracie Roberts; “Rotten to the Core” for Jazz Trio Ada Kelley, Bethany Smith and Gracie Roberts.

All routines were choreographed by Missy Fincher, Alyssa Fincher and Katie Holbert. Each instructor expresses what an honor it was to have the highest scoring soloist of the day, in both 12 and under, 13 and over, and the highest scoring group 13 and over. “Our Competition Team works hard and has fun!  We are proud of each and every one.”

Missy Fincher is certified through Dance Masters by Test to Teach. Only Dance Master Members may compete. She is secretary of Southern Council of Dance Masters and owner of Dance Dynamics, dancedynamicsnc.com.

-Submitted by Missy Fincher