July Summer Intensive 2017 | Mrs. Kathy Gasper

Happy Monday to you all. Today we want to introduce our first Summer Intensive instructor and founder of Gasper's School of Dance, Mrs. Kathy Gasper (Mrs. Gasper or Mrs. G to majority of us). Mrs. Gasper is a master instructor taking time out of her retirement in Florida to teach at our 2017 July Summer Intensive.

Currently Mrs. G resides in Florida, where she is enjoying the beach and choreographing at a local equity theatre, Florida Studio Theatre. She has just completed choreographing her 2nd show and will be back this fall for her 3rd production with the company. We are so glad they love her as much as we do!

We are just ecstatic that she will be back teaching this summer and bringing her knowledge of dance back to the area. To find out more about out founder and this talented woman, please read below.

KATHRYN GASPER

Kathy Gasper has an impressive classical background complimenting her appearances on the Broadway stage, television, cabarets, regional theaters, and summer stock productions. Kathy has been a soloist and principal dancer with the Milwaukee Ballet, Weisbaden Ballet, Illinois and Chicago Ballets, the Florentine Opera, the Chicago Opera Ballet and the Merion Cole Ballet.

Kathy’s professional musical comedy roles includes Damn Yankees, Pajama Game, Bye Bye Birdie, Gypsy, Oklahoma, and Annie.

She has been privileged to have studied and performed under outstanding choreographers Lupe Surrano, Luigi, Jamie Rogers, Madame Clistove, Ellis DeBoulay, Peter Genaro, and Ron Fields. She was assistant choreographer for the Doc Severinson & Brothers and Sisters night club act at the Plaza Hotel in New York and Hawaii.

Kathy was the Founder and former artistic director of the Red River Dance and Performing Company 1979—1995 in Fargo, ND, and choreographed and was the director of the dance department at Trollwood Performing Arts School from 1981—1993.

Leap National Dance Competition 2017

This weekend was our final competition of the season. What a great year of growth our dancers have had. We are so proud of the accomplishments on and off the stage.

This past weekend we attended Leap National Dance Competition in Minneapolis, MN; as well as a soloist compete at In10sity in Minneapolis. Leap had 19 studios attending and around 515 numbers competing.

Congratulations to all GSD dancers as well as those who also competed through the weekend. It is so great to watch each of the dances, see our dancers interact with others and how they support each other.

LEAP DANCE COMPETITION - RESULTS

Leap has two levels of competition (Leap - higher competitive level, Skip - lower recreational level).

They use a star rating system: 5 stars being the highest, 2 stars the lowest.

Below are the results for the weekend.

Overall Awards

Small Group Teen, Leap Level

• 3rd Overall - Choreography (Musical Theatre) (Dancers: Dylan Johnson, Emma Kulla, Tegan Lancaster, Mateo Leslie, Camille Miller, Lauren Philbrick; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

• 10th Overall - Lost Boy (Lyrical) (Dancers: Dylan Johnson, Emma Kulla, Tegan Lancaster, Mateo Leslie, Camille Miller, Lauren Philbrick; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

Large Group Teen, Leap Level

• 3rd Overall - Cello Wars (Ballet) (Dancers: Kyla Andvik, Sofia Astolfi, Emma Hetland, Dylan Johnson, Ava Jung, Alex Kirch, Isabella Kirch, James Kirch, Emma Kulla, Tegan Lancaster, Mateo Leslie, Camille Miller, Drew Noah, Lauren Philbrick, Grace Tuton; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

• 7th Overall - Bicycle Race (Jazz) (Dancers: Kyla Andvik, Sofia Astolfi, Emma Hetland, Dylan Johnson, Ava Jung, Alex Kirch, Isabella Kirch, James Kirch, Emma Kulla, Tegan Lancaster, Mateo Leslie, Camille Miller, Drew Noah, Lauren Philbrick, Grace Tuton; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

Small Group Junior, Leap Level

• 8th Overall - Soldier (Lyrical) (Dancers: Kyla Andvik, Sofia Astolfi, Ava Jung, James Kirch, Drew Noah; Choreographed by Liz Brandenburg)

Duo/Trio Teen, Skip Level

• 9th Overall - Waterfall (Ballet) (Dancers: Emma Hetland, Isabella Kirch, Grace Tuton; Choreographed by: Matt Gasper)

• 10th Overall - Sail (Contemporary / Modern) (Dancers: Emma Hetland, Isabella Kirch, Grace Tuton; Choreographed by: Stacey Downs)

Duo/Trio Junior, Leap Level

• 5th Overall - Gold Watch (Jazz) (Dancers: Kyla Andvik, Sofia Astolfi, Drew Noah; Choreographed by: Liz Brandenburg)

Solo Teen, Leap Level

• 1st Overall - Perm (Tap) (Dancer: Mateo Leslie; Choreographed by Patrick Kasper)

• 7th Overall - War Child (Lyrical) (Dancer: Dylan Johnson; Choreographed by Kayla Morgan)

• 10th Overall - Hanging Tree (Contemporary/ Modern) (Dancer: Emma Kulla; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

Solo Junior, Leap Level

• 6th Overall - Together Again (Tap) (Dancer: James Kirch; Choreographed by Patrick Kasper)

Solo Petite, Skip Level

• 2nd Overall - Wipe Out (Jazz) (Dancer: Alex Kirch; Choreographed by Matt Gasper)

---

Specialty Awards

• Broadway Tour - Lost Boy (Dylan J, Emma K, Tegan L, Mateo L, Camille M, Lauren P) This award is given to 1 group number of the entire weekend. These dancers have been invited to attend a 4 day trip to NYC to take classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps, as well as attend Broadway shows, tour Radio City Music Hall and more!

• Leap! Above (Awarded for highest showmanship score) Teen Solos Mateo Leslie; Perm (Tap)

• Leap! Above (Awarded for highest showmanship score) Junior Solos James Kirch; Together Again (Tap)

• Judges Award: "Picture Perfect" Tegan Lancaster; End of Story

• Judges Award: "Style" Camille Miller; Dancin' Dan

• Judges Award: "Character" Emma Kulla; He Loves Me

• Senior Leap! For the Stars Contest Finalists (2 of 4): Dylan J, Mateo L

---

Adjudicated Awards

Note: High Point Medallion winner is given to someone who has the highest score in the same level, category, age group and only if there is more then one 5 star.

TEAMS

Prima Wing: Dylan, Emma K, Tegan, Mateo, Camille, Lauren

Premiere Wing: Kyla, Sofia, Ava, James, Drew

Demi Wing: Emma H, Isabella, Grace

Mini: Alex

TEEN LARGE GROUP - LEAP LEVEL

• Bicycle Race (Jazz) | All Teams | 4.5 Stars

• Cell Wars (Ballet) | All Teams | 5 Stars

TEEN SMALL GROUP - LEAP LEVEL

• Eight Easy Steps (Jazz) | Prima Wing | 5 Stars

• Choreography (Musical Theatre) | Prima Wing | 5 Stars - High Score Medallion

• Money (Hip Hop) | Prima Wing | 5 Stars

• Lost Boy (Lyrical) | Prima Wing | 5 Stars

• Autobots (Ballet) | Prima Wing | 4.5 Stars

JUNIOR SMALL GROUP - LEAP LEVEL

• Schools Out (Jazz) | Premiere Wing | 4.5 Stars

• Kramer Vs Kramer (Ballet) | Premiere Wing | 4.5 Stars

• Soldier (Lyrical) | Premiere Wing | 4.5 Stars

• Go All Night (Hip Hop) Premiere Wing | 4.5 Stars

TEEN DUO/TRIO - SKIP LEVEL

• Waterfall (Ballet) | Demi Wing | 4 Stars

• Sail (Lyrical) | Demi Wing | 4 Stars

JUNIOR DUO/TRIO - LEAP LEVEL

• Gold Watch (Jazz) | Sofia, Kyla, Drew | 4.5 Stars

TEEN SOLOS - LEAP LEVEL

• Perm (Tap) | Mateo L | 5 Stars

• Dancin’ Dan (Jazz) | Camille M | 5 Stars

• Voodoo Child (Jazz) | Dylan J | 5 Stars - High Point Medallion

• He Loves Me (Character) | Emma K | 5 Stars

• Diana & Action Variation (Ballet) | Mateo L | 5 Stars

• Sleeping Beauty Variation (Pointe) | Sofia A | 4.5 Stars

• La Fille Mal Gardée (Pointe) | Tegan L | 4 Stars

• Shade Variation (Pointe) | Lauren P | 4.5 Stars

• Swan Lake Variation (Pointe) | Emma K | 5 Stars

• Girl with One Eye (Open) | Camille M | 5 Stars

• End of Story (Open) | Tegan L | 5 Stars - High Point Medallion

• War Child (Lyrical) | Dylan J | 5 Stars

• Silvership (Lyrical) | Sofia A | 4.5 Stars

• Without A Word (Lyrical) | Tegan L | 5 Stars

• Rule the World (Lyrical) | Lauren P | 5 Stars - High Point Medallion

• Lux (Modern / Contemporary) | Dylan J | 5 Stars

• Phoenix Rising (Modern / Contemporary) | Mateo L | 5 Stars

• Hanging Tree (Modern / Contemporary) | Emma K | 5 Stars

TEEN SOLOS - SKIP LEVEL

• The Greatest (Jazz) | Kyla A | 4.5 Stars

• Your Song (Lyrical) | Grace T | 4.5 Stars

JUNIOR SOLOS - LEAP LEVEL

• Together Again (Tap) | James K | 5 Stars

PETITE SOLOS - SKIP LEVEL

• Wipe out (Jazz) | Alex K | 5 Stars

• Barber of Seville (Ballet) | Alex K | 4 Stars

---

In10sity

Our dancer, Elisabeth E, attended In10sity this weekend in Minneapolis, performing her solos. We are so proud of her this weekend and her representation of Gasper’s School of Dance. It takes a lot for a dancer to put themselves out there, and even harder when her supporters were unable to attend and cheer her on. We are also so excited that she put herself out there and entered the Improv Contest. Congratulations, Elisabeth on an awesome weekend!

SPECIALTY AWARDS

Elisabeth was the Runner-up in the Improv Contest

ADJUDICATED AWARDS

In10sity has 3 levels of dance: Elite (highest), Premiere (middle), Debut (lowest)

SENIOR SOLOS - ELITE LEVEL

• New Dorp, New York (Jazz) | Elisabeth | High Gold

• I Was Here (Lyrical) | Elisabeth | Platinum

Triple S Dance Competition 2017

First and foremost we are super proud of all the dancers who competed in Triple S Dance competition this weekend in Grand Forks. It was our first competition of the 2017 season and the energy and excitement these dancers brought to the stage was contagious! Congratulations to all.

Regardless of score, at GSD we believe that overcoming obstacles, finding ones voice through dance, supporting teammates and other dancers, and sharing their passion and artistry is the most important part of why we do competitive dance.

Each competition is a win for us when the dancers

• continue to share their art form with an audience and grow more confident as a performing artists;

• when they continue to grow not only as a dancer, but as a person;

• when they are inspired by others;

• when they make friends and continue to blossom current friendships;

• when they lean on each other when one is ill, injured, having a bad day, or overcoming struggles;

• when they feel proud of themselves and their hard work;

• when they know a trophy and winning isn’t everything and that there are greater plans and goals for them as a dancer;

• when you are recognized for supporting others, even if they are not your own teammates.

To say we are proud of them seems like an understatement. These are just a few important lessons. We learn from each competition, rehearsal, and time spent together. We continue to grow and encourage our dancers to work hard, not for the next competition but for themselves to grow as a dancer, and to continue to challenge themselves and to share their passion through dance on the stage.

Also, thank you to the GSD staff that attended competition this weekend and those who have worked with these dancers this season.

Below is a list of adjudicated results, as well as any specialty awards GSD dancers / studio received.

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Triple S 2017

Congratulations to all studios that competed this weekend. You all did a fantastic job and it’s great to see the growth and changes each season in your dancers. Thank you to Triple S Dance Competition!

Triple S Competition Results

3 star rating (3 Star holding the higher scores)

2 Divisions (Triple S - Advance dancers; Double S - Beginning Level or first year competition dancer / soloist)

OVERALL RESULTS

Spirit Award

A secret award giving out this season was the Triple S Dance Competition Spirit Award. GSD was awarded this by the way we treated others whether they were our own teammates or a dancer from another studio. Our dancers & staff cheered everyone on and wished them luck.

Petite Solo (Double S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Figaro / Ballet (Alex K)

Junior Solo (Double S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Together Again / Tap (James K)

Teen Solo (Double S) Overall High Score

2nd Place - Your Song / Lyrical (Grace T)

Pre-Teen Solo (Triple S) Overall High Score

7th Place - Perm / Tap (Mateo L)

Teen Solo (Triple S) Overall High Score

5th Place - Hanging Tree / Lyrical (Emma K)

Senior Solo (Triple S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Spirit Rising / Open (Teah P)

Junior Duo/Trio (Double S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Power Puff Girls / Jazz (G Crew)

Teen Duo/Trio (Double S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Waterfall / Ballet (Demi-Wing)

3rd Place - Sail / Lyrical (Demi-Wing)

Pre-Teen Small Group (Triple S) Overall High Score

2nd Place - Lost Boy / Lyrical (Prima-Wing)

3rd Place - Money / Hip Hop (Prima-Wing)

Pre-Teen Large Group (Triple S) Overall High Score

1st Place - Cello Wars / Ballet (Prima / Premiere / Demi / Mini)

2nd Place - Bicycle Race / Jazz (Prima / Premiere / Demi / Mini)

ADJUDICATION RESULTS

SOLOS

Petite Soloist (Double S)

Figaro

Ballet / Danced by Alex K

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

• 1st Overall High Score in Double S Petite Division

Wipe Out

Jazz / Danced by Alex K

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Jazz Category (Jazz)

Junior Soloist (Double S)

Together Again

Tap / Danced by James K

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Tap)

• 1st Overall High Score in Double S Junior Division

• Judges Award - Best Presentation

Junior Soloist (Triple S)

The Sound of Silence

Lyrical / ArieAnna C

• 2 Stars

Coppelia Variation

Pointe / ArieAnna C

• 2 Stars

Pre-Teen Soloist (Double S)

The Greatest

Jazz / Danced by Kyla A

• 2 Stars

Pre-Teen Soloist (Triple S)

Phoenix Rising

Lyrical / Mateo L

• 3 Stars

War Child

Lyrical / Dylan J

• 3 Stars

Silvership

Lyrical / Sofia A

• 2 Stars

Girl With One Eye

Lyrical / Camille M

• 2 Stars

Rule The World

Lyrical / Lauren P

• 2 Stars

Diana & Acteon Variation

Ballet / Mateo L

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

Shade Variation

Pointe / Lauren P

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Pointe)

Voodoo Child

Jazz / Dylan J

• 2 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Jazz)

Dancin’ Dan

Jazz / Camille M

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Jazz)

Perm

Tap / Mateo L

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Tap)

• Encore Callback (re-perform for a special award)

Lux

Open / Dylan J

• 3 Stars

• 3rd in Category (Open Group 2)

Teen Soloist (Double S)

Your Song

Lyrical / Grace T

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Lyrical)

• 2nd Overall High Score Double S Teen Solo Division

Teen Soloists (Triple S)

Without A Word

Lyrical / Tegan L

• 2 Stars

I Can Save Her

Lyrical / Sara D

• 2 Stars

Hanging Tree

Lyrical / Emma K

• 3 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Lyrical Group 2)

• 5th Overall High Score Teen Solo

Swan Lake Peasant Variation

Pointe / Emma K

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Pointe)

Odalisque

Pointe / Sara D

• 2 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Pointe)

He Loves Me

Jazz / Emma K

• 2 Stars

Senior Soloist (Triple S)

Teah’s Empire

Lyrical / Teah P

• 3 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Lyrical Group 1)

I Was Here

Lyrical / Elisabeth E

• 2 Stars

• 3rd in Category (Lyrical Group 2)

Giselle Variation

Pointe / Teah P

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Pointe)

• Judges Award: Musicality

New Dorp New York

Jazz / Elisabeth E

• 2 Stars

Spirit Rising

Open / Teah P

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Open Group 2)

• 1st Overall High Score Triple S Senior Solo

DUOS/TRIOS

Junior Duos/Trios (Double S)

Power Puff Girls

Jazz / G Crew (Marybeth P, Lily S, Madeleine T)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Jazz)

• 1st Overall High Score in Double S Junior Duo / Trio

You Got a Friend in Me

Tap / G Crew (Marybeth P, Lily S, Madeleine T)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Tap)

Sit Still

Hip Hop / G Crew (Marybeth P, Lily S, Madeleine T)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Hip Hop)

Teen Duos/Trios (Double S)

Sail

Lyrical / Demi-Wing (Grace T, Emma H, Isabella K)

• 2 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Lyrical)

• 3rd Overall High Score Double S Teen Duo / Trio

Waterfall

Ballet / Demi-Wing (Grace T, Emma H, Isabella K)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

• 1st Overall High Score Double S Teen Duo / Trio

SMALL GROUPS

Junior (Triple S)

Soldier

Lyrical / Premiere-Wing (Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N)

• 2 Stars

• 3rd in Category (Lyrical)

Kramer vs Kramer

Ballet / Premiere-Wing (Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

Schools Out

Jazz / Premiere-Wing (Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N)

• 2 Stars

Go All Night

Hip Hop / Premiere-Wing (Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N)

• 2 Stars

• 2nd in Category (Hip Hop)

Pre-Teen (Triple S)

Lost Boy

Lyrical / Prima-Wing (Emma K, Dylan J, Tegan L, Camille M, Mateo L, Lauren P)

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Lyrical)

• 2nd Overall High Score Triple S Pre-Teen Small Group

Autobots

Ballet / Prima-Wing (Emma K, Dylan J, Tegan L, Camille M, Mateo L, Lauren P)

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

Choreography

Musical Theatre / Prima-Wing (Emma K, Dylan J, Tegan L, Camille M, Mateo L, Lauren P)

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Musical Theatre)

Money

Hip Hop / Prima-Wing (Emma K, Dylan J, Tegan L, Camille M, Mateo L, Lauren P)

• 3 Stars

• 1st in Category (Hip Hop)

• 3rd Overall High Score Triple S Pre-Teen Small Group

Eight Easy Steps

Jazz / Prima-Wing (Emma K, Dylan J, Tegan L, Camille M, Mateo L, Lauren P)

• 2 Stars

LARGE GROUPS

Pre-Teen (Triple S)

Cello Wars

Ballet / All Teams (Emma K, Mateo L, Camille M, Dylan J, Tegan L, Lauren P, Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N, Alex K, Grace T, Emma H, Isabella K)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

• 1st Overall High Score Triple S Pre-Teen Large Group

• Judges Award: Best Presentation

Bicycle Race

Jazz / All Teams (Emma K, Mateo L, Camille M, Dylan J, Tegan L, Lauren P, Kyla A, Sofia A, James K, ArieAnna C, Ava J, Drew N, Alex K, Grace T, Emma H, Isabella K)

• 2 Stars

• 1st in Category (Ballet)

• 2nd Overall High Score Triple S Pre-Teen Large Group

OTHER

DanceWorx Summer Intensive Scholarship

ArieAnna C

Mateo L

Ash Convention Scholarship

Teah P

Super Star Showcase at Nationals

ArieAnna C

Mateo L

Teah P

Emma K

If you see a star amount above that is incorrect, please let us know. We do our best to keep our ears open during awards ceremony to document the stars and awards as best as we can.