STUDIO 88 DANCERS SHINE AT VIP DANCE COMPETITION

PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE SUN



By KRYSTAL SHEPPARD Staff Writer

Dancers from Studio 88 Dance Productions of Crawfordville recently attended the VIP Dance Competition at the Osceola Performing Arts Center in Orlando, Florida.  This was their final competition of the season, and it was a long and exciting weekend filled with travel, costume changes, makeup, hair, performances, award ceremonies, laughter, and much excitement. Between their performances the dancers had the opportunity to observe and support the talented dancers from other dance schools and dance studios as well.
Studio 88 dancers from Mini, Little, Junior and Teen companies performed over 20 different dances for the judges, including large group, small group, duos, trios and solos, and won multiple awards throughout the weekend.
Studio 88’s Production dance, which incorporated multiple costume changes and featured all dancers from Mini, Little, Junior and Teen companies was Hallow’s Eve. Their energetic and “haunting” performance received a Diamond, Entertainment Award and 2nd in Production VIP List.
Teen Company was on fire, with a stellar performance of Hit the Road Jack, a high energy jazz dance that received a Diamond, 1st in division, 2nd teen MegaStar large group and 3rd on VIP list.
Another favorite was little company’s adaptation of the famous King of New York, or “Newsies” which earned Diamond, 1st in division, 1st mini hot shot large group and a Judges Choice Award for “character and energy, and use of props.” The Wakulla Sun is honored to have been represented in this dance, as the dancers’ props included copies of The Wakulla Sun, and their adorable class photoshoot took place with The Wakulla Sun building as their backdrop.

The many other award-winning performances included:
Oh So Quiet
• Platinum and 1st in division  
• Costume Award
• 3rd overall Little BigWig
 
It’s Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
• Platinum and 3rd in division  
• 5th Place Mini Hot Shots
 
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
• Platinum and 1st in division
• 6th place Mini HotShots
 
Meet The Flintstones
• Platinum and 1st in division  
• 1st in Little BigWig Large Groups

Route 66
• Platinum and 1st in division
• 1st in Little Big Wig Duo/Trio
 
Inspector Gadget
• Platinum and 1st in division
• Judges Choice “Creative Cuties. So entertaining, adored choreography and costuming”
• 2nd in Mini Bigwigs duo/trio
 
Beautiful Sound
• Platinum and 1st in division  
• 3rd Place Mini HotShot Duo/Trio
 
Singing in the rain
• Platinum and 1st in division
• 1st in Little BigWig SuperGroup
 
Jump Jive n Wail
• Diamond and 1st in division  
• Stand out award (Technique and Execution)
• 2nd place Junior MegaStar duo/trio
 
Scooby
• Platinum and 1st in division  
• 5th Mini HotShot
 
Legs
• Diamond and 2nd in division  
• Entertainment award
• 4th place Junior MegaStar small group
• 7th overall in MegaStar category
 
Oh My God You Guys  
• Platinum and 1st in division
• 2nd place jr hotshot large group
 
Shapeshifter
• Platinum and 3rd in division
• 6th overall hotshot  
 
Us
• Platinum and 2nd in division  
• 4th overall hotshot
 
I Enjoy Being a Girl
• Platinum and 1st in division
• Entertainment award
• 3rd overall hotshot  
 
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
• Diamond and 2nd in division
Judges Choice “Incredible jazz solo. So much energy, radiating joy, connecting the song with movement and expression.”
 
Cold Hearted
• Diamond and 1st in division  
• 8th overall teen MegaStar solo
 
Sunday Kind of Love
• Platinum and 1st in division  
• 6th in senior MegaStar solos
 
Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat
• Diamond and 1st in division
• 1st teen MegaStar large group
• 2nd on VIP list
 
Studio owner and dance instructor Lauren Holley said “Our girls left VIP Dance with the biggest smiles! Being awarded several Judges choice awards, Most Entertaining awards, Standout Award and every dance earning a high overall score is the icing on the cake of our 2023 competition season! Up next is recital and our Dollywood performance in Pigeon Forge!”
The 11th annual Studio 88 dance recital is scheduled for June 17 at Tallahassee Community College. All dancers, both recreational and competitive, will light up the stage and show off all the new dances they have worked so hard on this season. There will be 3 different shows at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.  
Studio 88 is again offering summer dance classes beginning in July. Summer classes will include options for Ballet, Tap and Jazz for ages 18 months to 8 years and Hip Hop for dancers 5 to 18 years old.
Studio 88 Dance Productions is a platinum award-winning dance studio that helps young dancers discover their full potential and develop their love for dance. Contact the studio at (850)926-6088 or visit their website www.dancestudio88.com for more information or to register for summer dance classes.