Ovation Dance Challenge - Results

This past weekend our competitive teams attended Ovation Dance Challenge in Fargo, ND. We are so proud of all their accomplishments with the busy weekend, late nights and early mornings and some even had FMBallet rehearsal for Aladdin throughout as well. Congratulations to dancers and studios who took to the stage this weekend. It is always a pleasure to see everyone grow and perform.

• There are 3 levels of Competition: Elite (highest level), Intermediate, Novice

• Scoring: Standing "O" (highest score), Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver, Silver

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SPECIAL AWARDS

HIGHEST SCORE

Intermediate Age 11 and under, Highest score of the weekend

Santa Hats (G Crew - Sm. Group Jazz)

JUDGES AWARDS

• "Too Cool" - Business of Love (Alex K - Saturday Session 1 | Intermediate Jazz Solo)

• "Costume / Entertainment" - Santa Hats (G Crew - Saturday Session 2 | Intermediate Jazz Sm. Group)

• "Name" - Devil in the Deep Blue Sea (Camille M - Sunday Session 1| Elite Jazz Solo)

• "Showstopper" - This is It (Mateo L - Sunday Session 1 | Elite Tap Solo)

• "Perfection" - Kung Fu (Prima Team - Elite Ballet Sm. Group)

TOP OVERALLS

Friday Session 1 (Elite Senior Solos)

• 13th Overall: Gracie's Theme (Emma K - Elite Lyrical Solo)

Saturday Session 3 (Intermediate Junior Solos)

• 2nd Overall: DNA (Drew N - Intermediate Lyrical Solo)

• 4th Overall: Business of Love (Alex K - Intermediate Jazz Solo)

Saturday Session 4 (Intermediate Junior Small Groups)

• 1st Overall: Santa Hats (G Crew - Intermediate Character/ Musical Theatre Sm. Group)

Saturday Session 5 (Elite Teen Duos/Trios)

• 1st Overall: La La Land (Emma K & Mateo L - Elite Character / Musical Theatre Duo)

• 9th Overall: A Lovely Night (Emma K & Camille M - Elite Character / Musical Theatre Duo)

Sunday Session 6 (Elite Teen Solos)

• 1st Overall: This Is It (Mateo L - Elite Tap Solo)

• 4th Overall: Devil in the Deep Blue Sea (Camille M - Elite Jazz Solo)

• 8th Overall: Hearing (Tegan L - Elite Contemporary Solo)

Sunday Session 6 (Elite Senior Duo/Trios)

• 5th Overall: Breathe (Elisabeth E & Tegan L - Elite Lyrical Duo)

Sunday Session 7 (Elite Teen Small Group)

• 3rd Overall: Glory (Prima Team - Elite Lyrical Small Group)

• 4th Overall: No Church in the Wild (Prima Team - Elite Jazz Small Group)

• 6th Overall: Kung Fu (Prima Team - Elite Ballet Small Group)

• 7th Overall: Jelly's Last Jam (All Teams - Elite Character / Musical Theatre Small Group)

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ADJUDICATED AWARDS

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

• #170 - Gracie's Theme | Emma K, Elite Senior Lyrical Solo -- Platinum

• #198 - Take Five | Emma K, Elite Senior Jazz Solo -- Platinum

• #205 - Desperado | Elisabeth E, Elite Senior Jazz Solo -- Platinum

• #221 - Incomplete | Elisabeth E, Elite Senior Lyrical Solo -- Platinum

• #234 - Sleeping Beauty | Emma K, Elite Senior Pointe Solo -- Platinum

SATURDAY, APRIL 14

• #349 - Business of Love | Alex K, Intermediate Junior Jazz Solo -- Platinum

• #353 - DNA | Drew N, Intermediate Junior Lyrical Solo -- Platinum

• #394 - King Kong | Drew & James, Elite Junior Hip Hop Duo -- High Gold

• #400 - Sophisticated Lady | Drew & James, Elite Junior Jazz Duo -- High Gold

• #408 - Nocturne | Drew & James, Elite Junior Lyrical Duo -- High Gold

• #414 - Eye To Eye | G Crew, Intermediate Junior Jazz Sm. Group -- High Gold

• #444 - Santa Hats | G Crew, Intermediate Junior Musical Theatre Sm. Group -- Platinum

• #449 - I Got A Man | G Crew, Intermediate Junior Hip Hop Sm. Group -- High Gold

• #491 - A Lovely Night | Emma & Camille, Elite Teen Musical Theatre Duo -- Platinum

• #504 - La La Land | Emma & Mateo, Elite Teen Musical Theatre Duo -- Standing "O"

SUNDAY, APRIL 15

• #525 - Paquita | Camille M, Elite Teen Ballet Solo -- Platinum

• #526 - Don Quixote | Mateo L, Elite Teen Ballet Solo -- Platinum

• #544 - No Sacrifice, No Victory | Mateo L, Elite Teen Contemporary Solo -- Platinum

• #546 - Hearing | Tegan L, Elite Teen Contemporary Solo -- Platinum

• #565 - Devil in the Deep Blue Sea | Camille M, Elite Teen Jazz Solo -- Standing "O"

• #569 - Dying to Live | James K, Elite Teen Lyrical Solo -- High Gold

• #576 - Save Myself | Tegan L, Elite Teen Lyrical Solo -- Platinum

• #582 - Coppelia Variation | Camille M, Elite Teen Pointe Solo -- Platinum

• #584 - Gamzatti Variation | Tegan L, Elite Teen Pointe Solo -- Platinum

• #585 - Sitting on Top of the World | James K, Elite Teen Tap Solo -- Platinum

• #587 - This Is It | Mateo L, Elite Teen Tap Solo -- Standing "O"

• #601 - Hiccup | Elisabeth, Tegan, Camille, Elite Senior Jazz Trio -- High Gold

• #606 - Breathe | Elisabeth, Tegan, Elite Senior Lyrical Duo -- Platinum

• #648 - Kung Fu | Prima Team, Elite Teen Ballet Sm. Group -- Platinum

• #660 - Jelly's Last Jam | Prima & Premiere Team, Elite Teen Musical Theatre Sm. Group -- Platinum

• #664 - Chainz | Prima Team, Elite Teen Hip Hop Sm. Group -- Platinum

• #673 - No Church in the Wild | Prima Team, Elite Teen Jazz Sm. Group -- Platinum

• #681 - Glory | Prima Team, Elite Teen Lyrical Sm. Group -- Platinum

Youth America Grand Prix

A week ago 7 GSD dancers and owner, Matt Gasper traveled to Kansas City, MO for Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) ballet competition. We are so proud of these dancers dedication and hard work prepping for this competition and going on the Folly Theatre stage and sharing their passion with the judges and the audience.

YAGP is different than other competitions. There are only 2 categories: Variations and Contemporary. There are 3 age groupings: Pre-Competitive, Junior and Senior. And only the top 12 are recognized at the awards ceremony, which takes place the last day of the competition. This is a difficult competition with amazing dancers from all over the country. The dancers just getting to that stage and performing at their best is all we can ask.

This season Sofia Astolfi made top 12 for her Variation (as well as recognized for her 2nd variation in the top 24. 24 were recognized due to the mass amount of variations in the Junior age group). We are delighted for her recognization!

Mateo Leslie made the top 6 for male dancers in variations. He really commanded the stage this season and we are excited for his accomplishments.

But just because our other competitors were not recognized, doesn't mean they didn't give it their all. We are proud of each and every one of them, whether they were recognized or not. So Congratulation dancers, you work this season doesn't go unrecognized and each and every one of you have improved and continue to improve on and off stage. Your confidence level this season is also something we have been striving for and it is a pleasure to see how you feel about your abilities, and performances.

Below is a slideshow of images from the weekend. Enjoy!

YAGP 2018

YAGP 2018

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YAPG 2018

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YAGP 2018

YAGP 2018

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)

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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

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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

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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