Competition Season

This weekend marks our competitive teams first competition of the season. The value of competition is more than just going on stage and dancing. So with this upcoming weekends competition ahead of us, we wanted to let our dancers and dance families know what Competitive Dance means to us (just in case your dancer is interested in it for the future).

Competition Team 2010-2011

• Performance: It gives dancers the opportunity to perform. This helps them become more comfortable on stage and in front of an audience. Which, can carry through later in life when doing presentations in school, work, and even events. Performance is also something we can't fully teach in the classroom, being on stage is a whole different feeling. This is why we have a winter showcase and spring gala, these moments on stage are important for the growth of a dancer and their confidence. Competition dance gives these dancers more opportunities to become comfortable on stage and in front of people.

• Team Work: Throughout the season, the dancers become close, they learn how to work as a team, work through problem solving and learning from one another. They have to trust in one another to be there for each other on and off stage.

• Space Awareness: In the competitive dance world, there is no stage "dress rehearsal". The moment you hit the stage you are performing the number. Because of this our dancers learn to be aware of spacing, the space in general, and how to correct themselves to the space. As a group you have to feel where each other are, without always looking at each other.

• Growth: The growth we see in these dancers is huge. Having the extra time to work on group numbers, to work on solos, duos, trios, and to work with other dancers really helps elevate their training. These dancers also perform in many styles of dance, giving them more versatility as a dancer.

• Sportsmanship: As with any sport, we encourage our dancers to be supportive of not only their teammates but other dancers in attendance. This is one of the most important things at a competition, supporting & encouraging others. It makes us better humans. Our team has been recognized on several occasions at competitions for their sportsmanship & support.

• Responsibility: Our teams rehearsal less than 5 hours a week. We believe in them and their training outside of competition. We recommend these dancers put in time outside competition rehearsal, take notes of corrections and write down their choreography, so that each time they come back to practice we can move forward and make them even better. It is a responsibility of being on the team to do the homework and work outside practice. This helps build a stronger dynamic and gives the coaches the ability to make each dance better.

For us, competition is not about a trophy or the next competition. We have a bigger picture in mind for our dancers overall training, their future, and the opportunity to be able to perform. This helps build their confidence for future auditions, presentations, interviews, and so much more.

Premiere Team 2016-2017

Currently at Gasper's School of Dance, we have an advance level group, intermediate level, and G Crew (open level). The future of our competition team will actually be named the Gasper's School of Dance Performance Team, with more community performance opportunities in addition to three competitions.

If you are interested in our competition / performance teams, you can watch them online this weekend at Triple S (link at the top of the page -- Schedule Below). Or join and support our dancers in town:

• April 13-15, 2018 at Ovation Dance Challenge at the Civic Center (Schedule release to of April)

• May 3-6, 2018 at Midwest Starz at The Civic Center (Schedule released in April)

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Triple S Dance Competition (Grand Forks, ND -- Watch Online)

All times are approximate, it could run ahead or behind. Try tuning in 20 minutes before time listed below. We will post results after the weekend.

Friday, February 16, 2018

#46 6:47pm Business of Love (Jazz / Solo) - Alex K

Saturday, February 17, 2018

#94 8:45am Nocturne (Lyrical / Duo) - Drew N, James K (Premiere Team)

#103 9:17am Breathe (Lyrical / Duo) - Elisabeth E, Tegan L

#119 10:13am Sophisticated Lady (Jazz / Duo) - Drew N, James K (Premiere Team)

#123 10:27am Hiccup (Jazz / Trio) - Elisabeth E, Tegan L, Camille M

#133 11:02am A Lovely Night (Musical Theatre / Duo) - Emma K, Camille M

#138 11:29am King Kong (Hip Hop / Duo) - Drew N, James K (Premiere Team)

#147 12:01pm La La Land (Open / Duo) - Emma K, Mateo L

#198 4:01pm Glory (Lyrical / Small Group) - Prima Team

#211 4:53pm Kung Fu (Ballet / Small Group) - Prima Team

#221 5:35pm No Church in the Wild (Jazz / Small Group) - Prima Team #240 7:01pm Jelly's Last Jam (Musical Theatre / Small Group) - Prima & Premiere Team

#245 7:21pm Chainz (Hip Hop / Small Group) - Prima Team

Prima Team: Elisabeth E, Emma K, Tegan L, Mateo L, Camille M (Grace T - injured)

Premiere Team: James K, Drew N

Sunday, February 18, 2018

#268 8:10am Dying to Live (Lyrical / Solo) - James K

#272 8:24am Distance (Lyrical / Solo) - Sofia A

#287 9:17am Variation from Paquita (Ballet / Solo) - Sofia A

#291 9:31am Talisman Variation (Pointe / Solo) - Dylan J

#292 9:34am Bluebird Variation (Pointe / Solo) - Sofia A

#304 10:16am Sitting on Top of the World (Tap / Solo) - James K

#308 10:30am Make It Rain (Open / Solo) - Dylan J

#315 11:30am Gracie's Theme (Lyrical / Solo) - Emma K

#319 11:44am No Sacrifice, No Victory (Lyrical / Solo) - Mateo L

#328 12:15pm Save Myself (Lyrical / Solo) - Tegan L

#332 12:29pm Sleeping Beauty Variation (Pointe / Solo) - Emma K

#334 12:36pm Coppelia Varation (Pointe / Solo) - Camille M

#335 12:40pm Black Swan (Pointe / Solo) - Sara D

#338 12:50pm Incomplete (Lyrical / Solo) - Elisabeth E

#352 1:39pm Nutcracker Prince Variation (Ballet / Solo) - Mateo L

#353 1:43pm Finger Fairy (Pointe / Solo) - Emma K

#354 1:46pm Paquita Variation (Pointe / Solo) - Camille M

#355 1:50pm Gamzatti Variation (Pointe / Solo) - Tegan L #356 1:53pm Grand Pas Classique (Pointe / Solo) - Sara D

#362 2:24pm Devil in the Deep Blue Sea (Jazz / Solo) - Camille M

#363 2:28pm Take Five (Jazz / Solo) - Emma K

#367 2:42pm Desperado (Jazz / Solo) - Elisabeth E

#375 3:10pm This is It (Tap / Solo) - Mateo L

#383 3:38pm Don Quixote Variation (Open / Solo) - Mateo L

#391 4:06pm Hearing (Open / Solo) - Tegan L

Senior Team Trio 2014-2015

Full Team 2016-2017

Master Class Series

Coming this winter to Gasper's School of Dance, the first Master Class Series. We have invited Mariaelena Ruiz & Krista King-Doherty to come teach for this winter class series. This Master Class series is open to all dancers in the Fargo-Moorhead community and beyond.

Master Classes for Beginning, Intermediate, & Advance Levels. Private lessons available on a first come, first serve basis.

You can register in person, by phone or email.

Deadline for registration & payment is due DECEMBER 15, 2017.

Note: There is a minimum that we need to meet other wise we will have to cancel the master class series.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29

4:30pm - 7:30pm // Master Class — Beginning Level (8+) -- COST: $100.00

The beginning level master class is for beginning dancers age 8+. Included in this master class is 1.5 hours of ballet and 1.5 hours of contemporary.

5pm - 9pm // Private Lessons * -- COST $125.00 / hour

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30

10am - 2:30pm // Master Class - Intermediate & Advance -- COST: $200.00

This master class section is for intermediate & advanced level dancers and the session includes 2 Hours of Ballet and 2 Hours of Contemporary

There will be a 30 Minute Lunch Break. We will offer a lunch box option which will cost $12.00 and is a Panera Lunch Box

3pm - 7pm // Private Lessons * -- COST: $125.00 / hour

* Private lessons are on a first come first serve basis, please sign-up on registration form. Up to 2 people can share a private. All Privates are 1 Hour.

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Mariaelena Ruiz

Mariaelena began her studies at Ballet Clasico Nina Novak, in Caracas Venezuela. There she was trained and coached by Prima Ballerina of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Nina Novak. She received Cuban, Russian, and American training by teachers from Kirov, and Bolshoi, including Olga Kostrizky, Kaleria Fedicheva, and Magaly Suarez. Mariaelena performed an extensive part of the classical repertoire and at age 14 became the youngest member of the Ballet Nacional de Caracas, under the direction of Vicente Nebrada. Soon after, she won 3rd place Junior Division at the Jackson USA International Ballet Competition and received a full scholarship to continue her studies at the School of American Ballet in New York. There she studied under Stanley Williams, Peter Martins, Andrei Kramarevski, Alexandra Danilova, Antonina Tumkovski, Suki Schorer, and Susan Pillare. She won the Best Couple award and 3rd Place Senior Division at the Varna International Ballet Competition and also won at the Prix Volinine in Paris.

Over the next seven years, Mariaelena performed principal roles at Bay Ballet Theater, Cleveland San Jose Ballet, and Ballet Hispanico. She also performed as a guest artist for many other companies in the US and Europe. From 2000 to 2006 Mariaelena danced an all Balanchine repertoire in the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and extensively toured the US. In collaboration with the National Ballet of Canada, Mariaelena danced in the revival of George Balanchine’s Don Quijote, which was also presented at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland. In 2000 she also began teaching part-time at The Rock School for Dance Education and became full-time Ballet Master at The Rock School in 2006. In 2015 Mariaelena started building and directing her new Professional Training Program at CBC where she continues to coach and train the next generation of outstanding dancers.

Mariaelena has been a judge and guest teacher for YAGP and has also worked with the New York International Ballet Competition. She was featured in the award winning Documentary First Position and in the WHYY Philadelphia documentary made about the first Curtis Institute of Music and Rock School Collaboration in 2009. In 2016 Mariaelena was named outstanding teacher at the ADC International Ballet Competition and was a judge at the Danzamérica Competition in Villa Carlos Paz, Argentina. The Outstanding School Award was earned in 2017 at YAGP and ADC. In April 2017, Mariaelena was featured in the cover story Mariaelena RUIZ works her magic at Cary Ballet Conservatory in Dance Teacher Magazine. She has coached medalists for major competitions including Moscow IBC, Jackson USA IBC, Boston IBC, Prix de Lausanne, Youth America Grand Prix, and American Dance Competition. Her former students have taken jobs at companies such as National Ballet of Canada, American Ballet Theater, Het National Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Washington Ballet, New York City Ballet, Houston Ballet, Ballet West, American National Ballet, and on Broadway. In 2016 three of Mariaelena’s students went on directly to dance company jobs before the PTP was even one year old and her students continue to excell. Mariaelena is now looking forward to even greater success as a teacher and coach.

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Krista King-Doherty

Krista King-Doherty is an internationally recognized and award winning teacher and choreographer. She received her training at Ballet la Jeunesse in Los Angeles, CA and with her mother, Kathie Fishback Anthony. Krista worked as a fashion model in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia modeling for top designers in magazines, on runways and television for a decade prior to returning to her roots of dance. For over 20 years, she has taught ballet, pointe, jazz, and contemporary dance. Krista coaches and choreographs for national and international level competitors, acquiring numerous overall high score, technical and choreography awards. For the past 12 years, Krista's students have qualified in both the solo and ensemble divisions for the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City. Her students and choreography have repeatedly won the Youth Grand Prix award, the Hope Award, and overall awards at YAGP. In 2012 and 2014, her student and daughter, Juliet Doherty, won the Gold Medal in the Junior Women’s and Senior Women’s Division at the YAGP Finals. Juliet performed in the “Stars of Tomorrow Gala” at Lincoln Center with a piece Krista choreographed. Her work has won top awards, recognized at World Ballet Competition, ADC/IBC, Vail International Dance Festival, the Beijing International Ballet and Choreography Competition, Varna International Ballet Competition, “Gala de Danza” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Cancun International Ballet Festival. Her students have been awarded scholarships to programs including San Francisco Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, The Ailey School, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and several universities. Krista’s students are performing on Broadway, with the Radio City Rockettes, and with professional dance companies in the USA and abroad. Krista is currently on faculty at Master Ballet Academy in Arizona, and is a nationally sought after guest teacher and choreographer.

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

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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.