Dance Workshop shines at national competition

Dance Workshop students Elaina Rogers and Eve Miller proudly raise their trophy from the StarQuest National Dance Competition.

Courtesy photo

In early July, Dance Workshop’s competition team competed at the StarQuest National Dance Competition in French Lick and came away with a personal best with six routines called back to compete in the National Finals.

Their team consisted of nine returning members, including Chloe Gardner, Jocelyn Gardner, Samantha Morgan, Raylee O’Connor, Morgan Peters, Callee Smith, Torie Smith, Sydney Wagoner and Taylor Wagoner. In 2022 the team added three new members, Eve Miller, Elaina Rogers and Cece Wells, to bring the team to 12 total members.

The team had multiple solos and duets place well in overalls and the finals. Raylee O’Connor finished first overall in the title division with her contemporary solo and was named Junior Miss StarQuest. She also placed second with her Jazz solo. Samantha Morgan placed eighth overall, and in her first Nationals, Cece Wells placed fourth overall in their respective divisions.

Placing third in its group at the StarQuest National Dance Competition was the Dance Workshop team of (front from left) Sydney Wagoner, Samantha Morgan, Raylee O’Connor, (middle) Morgan Peters, Jocelyn Gardner, Chloe Gardner, (back) Torie Smith, Taylor Wagoner and Callee Smith.

Courtesy photo

The duet of Chloe Gardner and Raylee O’Connor placed fourth in the finals, with Callee Smith and Taylor Wagoner placing fifth in the finals. O’Connor and Sydney Wagoner placed fifth overall, and Samantha Morgan and Morgan Peters placed third overall in their respective divisions.

The groups were also big winners, with two placing in the finals. Placing third in the finals were “On Broadway” (Chloe Gardner, Jocelyn Gardner, Callee Smith, Taylor Wagoner, Sydney Wagoner, Raylee O’Connor) and “Somewhere” (Callee Smith, Taylor Wagoner, Sydney Wagoner, Raylee O’Connor, Jocelyn Gardner, Chloe Gardner, Morgan Peters, Samantha Morgan). “Electric Youth” (Morgan Peters, Jocelyn Gardner, Samantha Morgan, Sydney Wagoner, Raylee O’Connor) placed sixth overall.

“We are so proud of our team and want to thank them for their dedication and hard work and their parents for their continued love and support of our small business and their children,” Dance Workshop owner Tara Gardner said.

Representing Dance Workshop, Cece Wells placed fourth in her division at the StarQuest National Dance Competition.

Courtesy photo

Dance Workshop is celebrating its 50th season in 2022, with its doors opening in 1972 in Cloverdale, under the ownership of Lita Sandy. In 2000, after 28 years, the baton was passed to Lita’s daughter Tara Gardner who has continued to grow the studio. In addition to providing quality dance instruction and instilling a love of the performing arts in young people, Dance Workshop has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the community through numerous benefits over the years.

Gardner would like to thank all of the instructors and students who have called Dance Workshop home throughout the years. She would also like to thank students’ families, including her own family, for helping make Dance Workshop a staple in Putnam County for the past 50 years.