MetDance Takes Over Capital

Metropolitan Dance Center has done it again, and this time at one of the biggest, most coveted competitions of the year: Capital Dancesport 2013. A great number of students from MetDance competed, as well as performed. 

Pro/Am competitor Robin Kencel, with her teacher Sergey Vasilyev, ranked number one in the Open Smooth Pro-Am Scholarship and was a finalist in the Closed Silver Rhythm Scholarship. Pro/Am competitor Barbara Knowles, also with Vasilyev, placed 3rd in the Closed Bronze Rhythm Scholarship. Amateur Joanne Chin, also Vasilyev’s student, placed 2nd in the Closed Silver International Latin Scholarship. Pro/Am competitor Annette van Ommeren won the Closed Silver American Smooth Championship, and made the finals in the Closed Silver American Smooth Scholarship.

Amateur Barbara Tormondsen, with her teacher John Campbell, placed 4th in both the Closed Bronze Smooth Championship and the Closed Bronze Smooth Scholarship. Barbara Knowles, also with Campbell, placed 3rd in the Closed Bronze Smooth Championship and 4th in the Closed Bronze Smooth Scholarship.  Amateur April Haims, also with Campbell for International Standard, ranked 1st in the Open Gold Dancesport Series Championships, and 1st in the T.A.P. Charity Championship.

First time Pro-Am competitor Iskah Singh, with teacher Shane Jensen, made the semi-finals in both the Closed Bronze Rhythm and American Smooth Scholarships. Barbara Tormondsen, also with Jensen, placed 4th in the Closed Bronze Rhythm Championship, and made the semi-finals in the Closed Bronze Rhythm Scholarship. April Haims, also Jensen’s student, was a finalist in both the Closed Silver Rhythm Championship and in the Closed Silver Rhythm Scholarship.

Pro/Am competitor Dan Haims, with teacher Shannon Jensen, ranked 3rd in the Gold American 9-Dance Championship (Rhythm) and placed 1st in the Gold Night Club Championship. He also placed 4th in the Gold Dancesport Series for American Rhythm, and made the semi-finals for the Gold Dancesport Series in American Smooth. He was a finalist for the Open Gold American Smooth Scholarship, and made semi-finals in the Open Gold American Rhythm Scholarship.

MetDance was also represented by non-competing students who performed beautiful solos. Seema Dasani, with teacher Sergey Vasilyev, performed a Rumba to the song, “Girl on Fire.” Jane Price, also with Vasilyev, performed a Viennese Waltz to “A Thousand Years,” while Susan Cavanaugh did a Tango with Vasilyev to the song, “I’d Be Surprisingly Good for You.” Robin Redniss performed a Bolero to “Cuando Pienso en Ti,” and was invited to take part in a best of three Solo performance scholarship, where she ranked 2nd.  

MetDance’s professional competitors Shane and Shannon Jensen surged once again with their showdance routines, placing first in Cabaret, and 2nd in Compulsory Theater Arts. They also placed 2nd in both Rising Star American Rhythm and in Pro Rhythm Basics, and made the semi-finals in Open Professional American Rhythm. 

The Capital Dancesport Championships was a huge success, with over 7,000 entries.  Held in a grand ballroom at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, the event was well hosted by John DePalma and Marianne Nicole. The Motown inspired finale, as well as its participation in The Alzheimer’s Project (T.A.P.) made the comp extra special.