JandJ’s Teen Contemporary Group took first place overall against 24 other group routines in the recent Encore Competition held in Reno, Nevada. Photos submitted

JandJ dancers compete at Encore Performing Arts Regional Competition

The JandJ Performing Arts Competitive Dance team took 28 students to Carson City, Nevada to compete at Encore Performing Arts, Regional Competition. Here the team competed in 19 different routines, including solos, trios, small groups and large groups.

They brought jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro dance and hip hop styles to the stage. They competed in multiple levels and received multiple awards.

Izzy Norwood, Sally Tiffany and senior Hailey Gregor pose with their top awards.

Parker Foreman was the first place overall winner for the junior soloists. She performed a jazz piece to Lady Gaga’s “Applause.” She was ecstatic to place first and receive the highest award of Platinum.

New junior soloist Kate Neuenschwander took an acro dance solo and placed fifth in the overall and also a Platinum Award. “She was nervous at first but her acro tricks were spot on,” said director Jessica Wade.

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The group’s teen contemporary piece, “Party’s Over,” received first overall against 24 other group routines and also a Platinum Award. The junior hip hop, “Babidoo,” took third overall and a Platinum Award.

Many Platinums were awarded to the team along with some Ultra High Golds, Spirit Awards and overall placements.

Sixteen of the 19 routines were accepted into the National Encore Competition to be held in June. JandJ Competed against 21 of the best dance studios around Northern Nevada and Northern California.

“Dancers on the competitive team at JandJ train at least five hours a week in various dance classes, and some dancers are training up to 12 hours per week. Our acro dance has been a highlight for JandJ the last two seasons, and we cannot wait to see where our acro training takes our dancers,” Wade said.