Girls from the Dance Fusion dance studio are off to a great start to their competition season, including a group of dancers from Bellwood-Antis who are hitting their stride.
Recently, over the first weekend in February, the studio competed at Platinum National Dance Competition at the Pullo Performing Arts Center at Penn State York and came away with a number of accolades, both individual and as a studio.
The group then continued that momentum with a strong showing at the All Out National Dance competition the following weekend at the Altoona Convention Center.
Last weekend, Dance Fusion starred once again at Ticket to Broadway in Pittsburgh.
B-A students Sophia Pullara, Aria DelMastro, Alina Wise, Vivian Loupe, and Finley McClellan have been frequent platinum level performers and top award winners.
“We keep improving our scores across the whole team and moving up with our dances in the overall placements,” said Dance Fusion owner Lindsay Pullara. “We are officially at the halfway point of the season and I feel we are in a good place. We are pushing technique and making corrections to stay on top.”
In York, Pullara, an eighth graders, placed first overall in contemporary teen solo, earned a judges choice award, won champion of her category, platinum plus, and garnered a Teen Elite Artist of the Year nomination.
It was a thrilling competition for Sophia, who is the daughter of Dance Fusion owner Lindsay Pullara. The studio is located in Tyrone.
”Dancing has helped me by giving me a family of friends, and it allows me to express myself without using words,” Sophia said.
Aria DelMastro won third overall for a lyrical junior solo, platinum plus, and was nominated for Junior Artist of the Year.
Alina Wise and Finley McClellan earned a gold in the duo division.
Finley said dancing has benefitted her greatly.
“Dancing has helped me in many ways, but dance is definitely a confidence booster and also a way to express myself,” she said. “When I’m angry or frustrated from school, I can always look forward to dance forward.”
Individually, Alina placed platinum, 2nd overall junior solo style, central judges choice. Vivian Loupe earned a platinum and third overall.
Sophia was sixth overall, won the judges choice award, fluid footwork, and earned platinum for her solo.
“I feel that we have done very good over the past two weekends, getting lots of first places and other awards,” Sophia said.
As a unit, Dance Fusion dancers were presented the Studio of Excellence Award, given by participating ADCC member competitions to a studio of their choice that best exemplifies the values of the ADCC, which include working together and striving for excellence.
“For the first time in 23 years, we won a pretty big award as a studio,” noted Mrs. Pullara.“This past weekend we did very well.”
A week later in Altoona, Dance Fusion’s Bellwood Bunch continued to shine. Sophia earned Platinum sixth Place overall and the Judges Choice Award Fluid Floor Work. She also had a Platinum Solo.
Alina earned Platinum second overall Junior Solo Style and a Central Judges Choice Award.
Vivian earned Platinum third overall, and Finley had a platinum ninth overall.
Aria earned Platinum seventh Overall with her “For My Help” Duo.
Last weekend in Pittsburgh, there were 40 overall top finishes, including 8 that were first place overall.
Alina got High Gold and seventh overall. Vivian placed High Gold and sixth overall.
Aria Delmastrio got High Gold and fifth overall.
For My Help Duo Sophia Pullara and Sydney Zlupko placed third overall.
Sophia Pullara placed Platinum, second overall, earned a Disney experience Scholarship, and a Circle of Stars invitation solo.
