Z Dance Troupe members win awards

Ziegler Dance Centre’s Z Dance Troupe recently took part in the That’s Entertainment performing arts competition in Whippany.

The dancers competed in all genres: ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, musical theatre and acrobatics.

The troupe is made up of dancers from age 5 to 18.

Ziegler Dance Centre of McAfee was awarded the “ADCC” Studio Of Excellence Award, which goes to a studio that exemplifies working together and striving for excellence on and off stage from technique, performance and sportsmanship.

In the Senior Advance Division:

• Natalia Arroyo of Vernon won first overall and Platinum Plus for her lyrical dance “Hold my Hand” as well as the highest score of the entire competition.

• Diego Rojas of Ogdensburg won second overall for his tap dance “If I Ever Get You Back” and was named Most Valuable Performer.

• Arabella DeJager of Vernon won third overall for her jazz dance “Something New.”

• Makayla Snyder of Franklin won first runner-up Miss That’s Entertainment for her jazz dance “Fever” as well as fifth overall. She choreographed her lyrical dance “There You’ll Be” and won highest score for student choreography with a Platinum Plus.

• Sadie Smaldino of Vernon won first overall for her vocal number “On My Own” in the Vocal, Musical Theatre, Instrumental Performance Division.

• Arianna Rojas of Ogdensburg won second overall for her musical theatre number “Friends on the Other Side.” She also won the Best Supporting Actress award.

• Ava Berner of Hardyston won third overall for her musical theatre number “Life of the Party.”

• “Makin’ it Hot,” performed by Natalia Arroyo and Mason Shirhall, both of Vernon, won first overall in hip hop duet.

• Owen Baez of Vernon and Diego Rojas won third overall with “Reee-wind” in hip hop duet.

• “Ex-Wives” won first overall in small group musical theatre.

• “Body Language” won second overall in small group jazz.

• “This Will be the Day” won third overall in small group lyrical.

In the Teen Advance Division:

• Emma Casper of Vernon won third overall for her jazz dance “Cover Girl.”

• Emma Casper and Addyson Molette, both of Vernon won first overall for their jazz dance “Glam.”

• Sadie Smaldino and Kailey Vogel of Vernon won third overall for their hip hop dance “Black Widow.”

• “Welcome to the Madhouse” won first overall in small group jazz.

• “Born to Hand Jive” won second overall in large group musical theatre and Entertainers of the Year.

• “Black Betty” won third overall in large group tap.

• “Chicago” won first overall in production musical theatre.

In the Junior Advance Division:

• Audrey Bertagno of Vernon won first overall for her jazz dance “Lone Digger.”

• Alondra Sybesma of Vernon won second overall for her lyrical dance “The Rose.”

• Willow Robinson of Hardyston won third overall for her jazz dance “Baby That’s Rock and Roll.”

• Emilia Smaldino of Vernon won first overall for her vocal number “Waiting on a Miracle” in the Vocal, Musical Theatre, Instrumental Performance Division.

• Alondra Sybesma and Brooklynn Sybesma of Vernon won first overall for their lyrical duet “Foot Prints.”

• “I Believe” won second overall in small group lyrical.

In the Petite Intermediate Division:

• “Outta the Park” won third overall in large group hip hop.

In the Mini Novice Division:

• “God Help the Outcast” won first overall in ballet small group.

• “Fam Jam” won third overall in hip hop small group.

• “Aloha” won fifth overall in tap small group.

That’s Entertainment Elite Team dancer nominees were Brooklynn Sybesma, Natalia Arroyo, Diego Rojas, Arianna Rojas, Makayla Snyder, Arabella DeJager, Ella Casper, Caroline Perry, Willow Robinson,, Aubree Admits and Alondra Sybesma.

For information, go online to www.zieglerdancecentre.com or call 973-209-7709.