Pizazz Troupe attends dance convention

Donna Mueller’s School of Dance Pizazz Competition Troupe recently attended Dupree Dance Expo, a three day dance convention and competition held in Oak Brook.

Roland Dupree, founder of this convention, has been a choreographer to many celebrities. Peggy Flemming, Juliet Prowse, Barbara Eden and The Bobby Darin Show. Richard Chamberlain, Goldie Hawn, Cher, Drew Barrymore, Mary Hart and Kirk Douglas are among the stars that attended his classes. Dupree himself has appeared in eight musicals along with Donald O’Connor.

The dancers started the day with hour long classes in Hip Hop, Lyrical, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theater and Leaps and Turns. Classes for teachers and “Mommy and Me” were also offered.

During this time, an audition class is held to teach a routine to the dancers to try out for “scholarships.” These classes are taught by well known choreographers, such as Mark Schell, Kristianne Anthon, Kari Anderson and J. Cooper.

A competition is held at the end of the first day. The awards are as follows: “Play It Cool” Tap Duet — Jacie Punke and Kimberly Feiden: Platinum; “Darkside” — Senior Jazz Large Group: Gold; “Life of the Party” Junior Jazz Solo — Karys Olsen: Gold; “Here’s Johnny” Senior Tap Duet — Carson Shannon and Kelsey Feiden: Gold; “Angel” Junior Ballet Solo — Kylie Severson: Gold; “Rock This Town” Junior Tap Large Group: Gold; “Colors of the Wind” Junior Lyrical solo — Jacie Punke: Gold; “Fire” Junior Jazz Large Group: Gold; “Ordinary Miracle” Mini Lyrical Solo — Adi Beeler: Gold; “Miss Otis Regrets” Junior Tap Solo — Carrington Herman: Gold; “Faith I Do Believe” Senior Modern Lyrical Solo — Haley Musgrave: Gold; “Magic” Mini Jazz Duet — Bailey Severson and Mara Punke: Gold; “Still Rock and Roll” Mini Jazz Solo — Haileigh Farrero: Silver; “Mambo #5” Mini Jazz Large Group: Silver; and “Strut” Mini Jazz Small Group: Silver.

To close the convention, the dancers enjoyed a faculty performance and the scholarship presentation.
“Audition Scholarships” were awarded to Carrington Herman, Kennedy Kunz and Jenna Simotes.

Donna Mueller’s School of Dance is located at 114-1/2 W. Washington St., Morris. Call 815-942-6141 or visit the Web site www.donnamuellersschoolofdance.com for more information.