Dance team finishes strong in Colorado competition

Spotlight Studios dance team members celebrate several strong performances, Monday evening, that occurred during a Colorado competition earlier this month. (Photo credit: Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Spotlight Studios dance team returned from a Denver, Colorado, competition earlier this month with top three finishes for three of their five competing routines. The strong showing came against more than 20 competing dance studios, during a three day Starquest Competition at Pinnacle Charter High School, and despite the team only having seven weeks preparation time with their new dance director.

The three honored performances included a ballet duo featuring 13-year-old Jadyn Reynolds and 16-year-old Weston Richards, which claimed second place in the ballet catagory. Twelve-year-old Macy Hill won third place with her lyrical solo and the group placed third in the jazz category with their "Grease" performance.

Although the team did not place with either of their junior and senior team hip-hop performances, they did recieve high gold rankings in all their dances from the judges, the second highest award. They also ranked first in awards in the best costumes catagory. Director Lauren Phillips said she was very pleased with their performances, especially considering teams usually spend seven months on their routines before competing.

Dancers from left, front row, 8-year-old Josslyn Claflin, 8-year-old Brynn Hill and 10-year-old Kaitlyn Guy. Middle row, 12-year-old Ryan Guy, 10-year-old Brylee Rupp, 12-year-old Macy Hill, and 11-year-old Kimmie Neises. Back row, 12-year-old Heather Neises, 13-year-old Jadyn Reynolds, 16-year-old Weston Richards, 11-year-old Emily Loker, 12-year-old Jayden Claflin, and Director Lauren Phillips. Not pictured, 15-year-old Rhiannon Tallent and 14-year-old Brenna Erdman. (Photo credit: Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

Phillips brings 23 years experience to the McCook dance studio and has spent the majority of her dance career in an instructor capacity. She is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and relocated to McCook with her husband from Central Illinois. Lauren's husband, Mark Phillips, took over as the owner/manager of Brown's Shoe Fit recently.

Phillips said her Spotlight Studios dance teams will now focus their attention on preparing for the annual dance recital at Memorial Auditorium, which features all 86 dancers. The recital is open to the public and scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 2013.