The Performing Arts Academy (Pompton Lakes) recently participated in the United States Tournament of Dance (USTD) in Atlantic City that hosted over 1500 routines and 20 dance studios. The PAA dance company once again earned top honors during the week-long event, winning awards and recognition for individual and group dances, as well as choreography. The PAA Dance company took home the awards for the highest scoring Hip Hop, Tap & Acro routines of the week! PAA Choreographers Devon Smith, Jolie Schaub and KC Castellano were awarded choreography awards for their brilliant routines! PAA also had 4 students who were a part of the Top 12 finalists for the Miss Dance of the United States competition. Congratulations to Angelina Franco, Morgan Riley, Emma Schneider & Kristina Zajac!

 

2021 Hip Hop National Champions 

“Top Crew” Award Winner – Highest Scoring Hip Hop Routine

 “The Playground”

 Choreographed by Victoria Gonsalves

 

Dancers: Lily Corbett, Taylor Gioia, Bella Grossberg, Delaina Hentschel, Jayden Kasperzak,

 Harlow King, Yeva Krylova, Breckin Norton, Shaila Patel, Suriya Patel, Rylli Regan, 

Bridget Stager, Charlotte Tone & Julianna Weachock

 

2021 Tap National Champions 

Ruby Award Winner- Highest Scoring Tap Routine

“Funky D”

Choreographed by Alicia Monaco

 

Dancers: Delaney DeStefano, Neena Ganjawala, Maddie McCabe

Sophia Miguel, & Morgan Riley

 

2021 Acrobatic National Champions

Emerald Award Winner- Highest Scoring Acro Routine

“After Dark”

Choreographed by Meghan Frayne

 

Dancers: Alexandrea Corrado, Brianna D’Aversa, Alexandra DeBlieck,  Delaney DeStefano, Angelina Franco, Emerson Focht,  Neena Ganjawala, Gianna Gianforte, Brooke Goodstadt, Emerson Goodstadt, Kaitlyn, Kispert, Irene Lignos, Maddie McCabe, Heidi Michalowicz, Sophia Miguel, Hayden Norton, Lauren Sahu,  Emma Schneider, Lily Schneider, Tessa Sieber, Alina Tulino & Kristina Zajac

 

2021 Junior Diamond Dance Off

3rd Place “Smile”

Choreographed by Jolie Schaub

 

Dancers: Nicole Chavez, Alexandrea Corrado, Gianna Gianforte, Kaitlyn Kispert, Heidi Michalowicz, Hayden Norton & Alina Tulino

 

Judge’s Award of Excellence: Sydney Heltzer

Perfect Precision: Neena Ganjawala & Morgan Riley

Contortion & Flexibility Award: Emma Schneider & Adrianna Vespi

Best Technical Acro Execution: “101 Dalmations” & “Not No Animal”

Best Acrobatic Choreography (Junior & Senior): Meghan Frayne

Miss Dance of the US Popular Vote Winner: Morgan Riley

 

High Score Awards

 

9-10 Solo

1st Place “My Name in Lights”- Breckin Norton

 

11-12 Solo

3rd Place – “The Girl I Mean to Be”- Jayden Kasperzak

 

13-15 Solo

2nd Place- “That’s Life” – Sophia Miguel

 

6-8 Duet/Trio

 1st Place “Calling All the Monsters”- 

Victoria Califano, Gianna Casillo & Avery Gioia

 

9-10 Duet/Trio

1st Place “Something There”

Jayden Kasperzak & Breckin Norton

 

13-15 Duet/Trio

2nd Place “Fix You”

Delaney DeStefano, Maddie McCabe, Sophia Miguel

 

6-8 Small Group

2nd Place “School Days”

 

9-10 Small Group

1st Place “It”

3rd Place “Baby Face”

 

6-8 Large Group

1st Place “Bathing Beauties”

 

13-15 Large Group

1st Place “You Could Have Stopped It”

 

9-10 Line

2nd Place “Explosions”

3rd Place “Speaking French”

 

13-15 Line

2nd Place “Everest”

 

16-19 Line

2nd Place “Wait For Me”

 

2022 National Title Winners

 

Petite Miss Dance of the United States – Kaitlyn Schnaars

Petite Miss Dance of the United States ,1st Runner-up Gianna Casillo

Young Mr. Dance of the United States – Christian Jarquin

International Princess of Dance, 2nd Runner-Up- Jayden Kasperzak

International Queen of Dance, 2nd Runner-Up- Maddie McCabe

International Queen of Dance, 3rd Runner -Up- Delaney DeStefano

Miss Dance of the United States, Third Runner-Up – Angelina Franco

 

Junior Miss Acrobat of the United States, 1st Runner -Up – Taylor Gioia

Junior Miss Acrobat of the United States, 2nd Runner-Up- Hayden Norton

Junior Mr. Acrobat of the United States – Breckin Norton

Teen Miss Acrobat of the United States – Kaitlyn Kispert

Miss Acrobat of the United States, 1st Runner-Up- Emma Schneider

Miss Acrobat of the United States, 2nd Runner-Up- Lauren Sahu

 

Under the artistic direction of Dawn Laviola-Schaub, PAA is entering its 31st year of exceptional dance instruction this fall. For many members of the Performing Arts Academy company, their love of dance can be traced to their very first pre-k ballet and tap classes. Pre-k classes are offered at a variety of times to suit your schedule, which makes it easy to find a time that works for you and your little one. In addition to our award-winning competitive dance group, PAA also has an extensive and impressive recreational program, so you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for!

For more information about this award-winning studio, please contact us at (973) 839-7800, or visit www.thepaa.com. We are extremely proud of our students and teachers, and we look forward to hearing from you!