Lakeside Dance Academy student Ollie Sherrer captures the attention of younger dancers while preparing her Pointe shoes for dress rehearsal Thursday, April 3. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
RANGELEY — Lakeside Dance Academy Spring Dance Concert took place at the Rangeley Friends of the Arts Lakeside Theater Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5. The back-to-back sold out shows were packed with energy and entertainment.
From the opening act to the final bows, dancers moved to the music of Queen.
Instructors Pam Ellis and Lily Webber choreographed the show which featured Tap, Jazz, Pointe and Ballet disciplines.
Ellis, a graduate of Rangeley Lakes Regional School, has lead the dance academy since 1987. The first Dance Concert was in 1989, she said.
Lakeside Dance Academy creative movement dancers are (front row) Charlotte Richards, Ivy Bacon, Loretta Watkin, Bella Bacon, (back row) Bode Loud, Mia Dutile, Mandy Morton, Mia Sutherland, Cece Grierson, Dylynne Gage, Violette Clinch and Eva Gurney. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
The academy offers two 10-week sessions each year leading up to the annual performance.
“We learn the skills and some basis combinations in the fall session. Then we learn the choreography in earnest beginning in January,” she explained.
The set included a special performance to “Dreamer’s Ball” featuring Ellis, Webber and guest dancers Raina Eustis and Angelica Woodward. Eustis is an academy graduate and past instructor. Woodward graduated the academy last year.
Ellis said it is a love for dance that inspires her to continue teaching academy students.
Lakeside Dance Academy dancers are (front row) Delaney Gage, Lydia O’Neil, Emma Haley, Tenley Philbrick, Scarlet Garner, Elizabeth Cameron, Olive Clinch, Clara Gurney, Claire Hayden, Emma Cameron, Seamus Loud, Ellis Phadungchai, Pippa Farrar, Abigail Kay. Middle row: Aliyah Reinholt, Ollie Sherrer, Addie Knieser, Sarah Murphy, Mia Bella Lynch, Charlotte Wright, Anah Sutherland, Sasha Hines, Skyler Thompson. Back row: Joslyn Kennett, Abby Grant, Audrey Sutherland, Mya Gellman, Ana Orazi, Stella MacFawn, Morghan Webber, Harper Wright, Madilyn Charrette, and Sarita Chavaree. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
“My mom put me in the Academy of Performing Arts in Orleans, MA when I was 6,” she said. “I studied there under John Kelly until we moved to Rangeley. Then I did gymnastics and cheerleading as a substitute, and danced intensively at Colby College under C.M. Wentzel.”
The Spring Dance Concert program and performers included:
Opening: “God Save the Queen” (My Country ‘Tis of Thee) /”Let Me Entertain You”: Company
“Love of My Life” danced by the upper level Pointe Class: Mya Gellman, Joslyn Kennett, Abby Grant, Sarah Murphy, Ollie Sherrer, Addie Knieser and Mia Bella Lynch.
Lily Webber, Raina Eustis, Pam Eliis and Angelica Woodword strike a pose during the Lakeside Dance Academy Spring Dance Concert dress rehearsal Thursday, April 3. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
“Flash” danced by the Creative Movement Class directed by Lily Webber: Isabelle Bacon, Ivy Bacon, Violet Clinch, Mia Dutile, Dylynn Gage, Celia Grierson, Eva Gurney, Bode Loud, Mandy Morton, Charlotte Richards, Mia Sweeney and Loretta Watkin.
“I Want to Break Free” danced by the Tap I Class: Sarita Chavaree, Madilyn Charette, Harper Wright, Pippa Farrar, Abigail Kay, Anah Sutherland, Sasha Hines and Skyler Thompson.
“Now I’m Here” danced by the Jazz II Class: Stella MacFawn, Audrey Sutherland, Mya Gellman and Morghan Webber.
“Funny How Love Is” danced by the Ballet I Class: Seamus Loud, Claire Hayden, Clara Gurney, Tenley Philbrick, Elizabeth Cameron, Olive Clinch, Emma Cameron and Scarlet Garner.
Stella MacFawn, front, Audrey Sutherland and Mya Gellman perform a tap dance to Queen’s “Fun It” during a dress rehearsal Thursday, April 3 for the Lakeside Dance Academy Spring Dance Concert. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
“Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)” danced by the Ballet II Class: Ellie Phadungchai, Charlotte Wright, Anah Sutherland, Pippa Farrar, Abigail Kay, Lydia O’Neil, Delaney Gage, Emma Haley, Bella Dutile and Lilliana Hjelmstad.
Pointe Demonstration presented by first year Pointe Student Aliyah Reinholt.
“Fun It “danced by the Tap II Class: Stella MacFawn, Mia Bella Lynch, Addie Knieser, Ana Orazi, Sarah Murphy, Audrey Sutherland and Mya Gellman.
“Dreamer’s Ball” danced by Lily Webber, Raina Eustis, Pam Ellis, Angelica Woodward.
Lakeside Dance Academy Ballet III class moves to the music of “Millionaire Waltz” by Queen. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
“Don’t Stop Me Now” danced by the Jazz I Class: Sasha Hines, Harper Wright, Anah Sutherland and Charlotte Wright.
“Millionaire Waltz” danced by the Ballet III Class: Mia Bella Lynch, Aliyah Reinholt, Abby Grant, Sarah Murphy, Ollie Sherrer, Addie Knieser, Audrey Sutherland, Joslyn Kennett and Mya Gellman.
Bows: “Killer Queen”: Company.
Ellis said the next dance academy session will begin in September.
Pam Ellis, Lakeside Dance Academy director and choreographer, explains movements as Aliyah Reinholt gives a Pointe demonstration Thursday, April 3. Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander
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