| ,

Four CityDance Conservatory Dancers attended the New York City Dance Alliance (NYCDA) regional convention in Lansing, Michigan. Avani Agrawal, Ela Sevillia, Simon Tischler and Ellie Oken spent the weekend performing solos, taking classes with the NYCDA faculty, and participating in Outstanding Dancer auditions.In the competition, Ellie Oken performed a classical variation from Fairy Doll, for which she received a Platinum score.

Avani Agrawal competed earlier this year at the NYCDA Pittsburgh regional, where she won the Outstanding Dancer Award with a contemporary solo created for her by Choreographer-in-Residence Robert J. Priore. In Lansing, she performed a new hip hop solo titled “Miss Independent”. Avani received a Platinum score and placed in the top 20 Junior solos! Ela Sevillia performed a classical variation from “Grand Pas Classique”, staged and coached by Ballet Master Stanislav Issaev, which earned her a Platinum award and the highest score for a Junior soloist. She also received a Faculty Rising Star Award from NYCDA faculty member Kenny Easter.

Simon Tischler performed his contemporary solo “Cobalt”, choreographed by School & Conservatory Founding Artistic Director Lorraine Spiegler, and received a Platinum score. He was also specially recognized by NYCDA faculty member Jared Grimes with a Faculty Rising Star Award.At every regional convention, NYCDA hosts an audition for their Outstanding Dancer Awards, in which students learn both a ballet and a jazz combination and perform for multiple judges. Students presented with the Outstanding Dancer Award receive special scholarships to New York-based dance studios like Peridance Center, Steps on Broadway, and Broadway Dance Center, as well as year-long NYCDA regional scholarships for the following season and invitations to the 2021 NYCDA Finals. Ela Sevillia was selected as a Junior winner in Lansing, and Simon Tishler was selected as a Teen runner up! Both of these dancers are heading to finals later this summer.

Congratulations to all on a fantastic weekend and thank you as always to NYCDA!