Accolades for UMLY Dance Companies
Congratulations to UMLY dancers - Mackenzie Wry, Maira Nunez and Hannah Gupta – for recent honors and accolades from dance competitions across the Philadelphia region. Regional dance competitions allow dancers to gain pre-professional experience and provide an opportunity to learn about the performance process - while refining their skills and techniques.
Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival | Drexel University
The annual Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival, held at the Mandell Theater, is not a dance competition. It is a three-day celebration of dance that provides pre-professional dancers the opportunity to learn through educational, performance and networking opportunities. Each dancer attends a series of Master Classes, is invited to perform in a professional environment and has the opportunity to earn one of several scholarships to further their dance education.
With over 450 dancers in attendance, earning one of the 70 scholarships is no easy task. We’re pleased to announce that high-school junior, Hannah Gupta, received a scholarship to study world cultural dance this summer with the Youth Dance Festival. She also auditioned for and was accepted into Drexel University's Summer Dance Intensive. Gupta is a member of UMLY’s Senior dance company.
Elite Dance Challenge | King of Prussia
This spring, UMLY’s Senior and Junior dance companies performed in the Elite Dance Challenge in King of Prussia. More than 700 dances are performed in this competition and only 20 dances are honored with awards. UMLY’s Dance Companies were recognized with five awards in total.
12-year-old Mackenzie Wry and 11-year-old Maira Nunez from UMLY Senior Dance Company received several honors at the competition. Wry placed first overall and received a Platinum award, a special judge’s award and was awarded a scholarship to attend nationals in Long Island.
Nunez earned a Platinum award and a special judge's award. As a team, the Senior Dance Company received a special judge's award for senior group dance. The Junior Company placed eighth overall, which is notable considering this was the team’s first time competing at the Elite Dance Challenge.
Wild About Dance | King of Prussia
Wry earned more honors this spring at the Wild About Dance Competition, placing second overall. Wry also won three High Platinum awards, the second highest award of the competition.
Starpower Dance Competition | Oaks
At the Starpower Dance Competition in Oaks, UMLY’s dance companies earned eight first place awards, two first place overall awards and three special judge's awards.
Aspire Performing Arts Challenge | King of Prussia
Wry again earned top honors at the Aspire Performing Arts Challenge in early May. In addition to Wry's first-place performance, Nunez placed third for her solo and the UMLY Senior Dance Company earned second place awards for their duet and group dance.
Congratulations to all of our dancers for your hard work and dedication.