Studio Dance Arts competitors posted "remarkable achievements" at the 2025 KARV Dance Challenge in Burlington, a news release said.
The local dancers delivered "inspiring performances across all divisions" by earning top overall placements, special awards, and scholarships in addition to "showcasing their dedication, artistry, and team spirit," the release added.
“We are incredibly proud of our dancers, families, teachers and choreographers for their hard work, artistry, and team spirit,” said Richard Kim, founder and executive director of Studio Dance Arts.
“These results are a testament to their dedication and the supportive SDA community.”
Following is a list of results provided by SDA:
NOVICE DIVISION OVERALLS:
Junior Solo Winner: Maliah Arbour – Tap, “Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah”
Senior Solo Winner: Lily Miskiw – Lyrical, “Blue”
Senior Solo 2nd Overall: Emma Hiddleston – Jazz, “Where I Wanna Be”
Overall Novice Highest Mark (95.69): Maliah Arbour – Tap, “Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah”
PRE-COMPETITIVE DIVISION OVERALLS:
Senior Solo 3rd Overall: Michaela Yannia – Tap, “Here Comes The Sun”
Petite Small Group 3rd Overall: Bowser’s Army – Hip-hop
Junior Large Groups/Lines:
Winner: “Be Our Guest” – Jazz
2nd Overall: “Party Girls” – Jazz
3rd Overall: “Rockin Robin” – Tap
Intermediate Large Groups/Lines:
Winner: “That Walk”
2nd Overall: “Destination Unknown” – Hip-hop
3rd Overall: “You Say” – Lyrical
Senior Small Groups:
Winner: “When It’s Time” – Lyrical
2nd Overall: “Mr. Sandman” – Tap
3rd Overall: “Come Out and Play” – Lyrical
Senior Large Groups/Lines:
Winner: “A Little Party” – Jazz
2nd Overall: “A Mind Full” – Contemporary
Highest Scores In Dance Genres:
Top Lyrical: “When It’s Time”
Top Hip-hop: “Destination Unknown”
Top Musical Theatre: “We Got The Beat”
Overall Pre-Competitive Choreography Award: “That Walk” (by Katlyn Williamson)
COMPETITIVE DIVISION OVERALLS:
Junior Solos:
4th Overall: Charlee Mizzi – Jazz, “Ain’t Nobody’s Business”
Intermediate Solos:
2nd Overall: Madeline Tonon – Tap, “Mr. Rhythm”
4th Overall: Aliyah Flammia – Jazz, “Blah Blah Cha Cha”
Senior Solos:
Winner: Kirsten Dubien – Tap, “Rockin In Rhythm”
2nd Overall: Alexis Guzzo – Jazz, “Oops”
Junior Small Groups:
Winner: “Sisters” – Jazz
2nd Overall: “Bathing Beauties” – Jazz
3rd Overall: “Whispers in A Minor” – Ballet
Junior Large Groups/Lines:
2nd Overall: “The Cave” – Contemporary
3rd Overall: “One” – Jazz
4th Overall: “The Jacksons” – Hip-hop
5th Overall: “The Case” – Jazz
Intermediate Small Groups:
3rd Overall: “Havana” – Jazz
Intermediate Large Groups/Lines:
Winner: “Thataway” – Jazz
2nd Overall: “You Are Me” – Contemporary
3rd Overall: “Slow Down” – Lyrical
4th Overall: “Sing Sing Sing” – Tap
Senior Small Groups:
Winner: “Feelin Good” – Jazz
2nd Overall: “The People & I” – Lyrical
4th Overall: “Oh Courage” – Contemporary
Highest Scores In Dance Genres:
Top Jazz: “Thataway”
Top Lyrical: “Slow Down”
Top Tap: Kirsten Dubien – “Rockin in Rhythm”
Top Contemporary: “You Are Me”
Top Hiphop: “The Jacksons”
Top Musical Theatre: “Happily Never After”
Overall Competitive Choreography Award: “Thataway” – Jazz (by Kristin DeAmorim)
Overall Competitive Highest Mark (97.01): “Thataway” – Jazz
Overall Highest Scoring Soloist (96.23): Kirsten Dubien “Rockin In Rhythm” – Tap
Senior Stand Out Solo Performer: Kirsten Dubien – Tap, “Rockin In Rhythm”
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS:
Tap: Michaela Yanni
Five-Star Dance Company: Alexis Guzzo
KARV Artistry Workshop: Aliyah Flammia, Sophie Flammia, Daniella Greco, Charlee Mizzi
SESSION ENTERTAINMENT WINNERS:
“The Jacksons” – Competitive Hip-hop Group
SESSION CHOREOGRAPHY WINNERS:
“Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah” – Novice Tap Solo (by Tania Castellani-Greco)
“About That Walk” – Pre-Competitive Jazz Group (by Katlyn Williamson)
“The People & I” – Competitive Lyrical Group (by Rebecca Zizek)
“Oh Courage” – Competitive Contemporary Group (by Emily Spearing)
“Sing Sing Sing” – Competitive Tap Group (by Sarra Freedman)
“You Are Me” – Competitive Contemporary Group (by Emily Spearing)
FINAL GRAND AWARDS:
WINNER: TOP PRE-COMPETITIVE STUDIO
WINNER: 13 & OVER DANCE-OFF “Thataway”
WINNER: TOP COMPETITIVE STUDIO
As Studio Dance Arts looks ahead to the 2025-26 season, the studio says that competitive assessments are now being scheduled for aspiring dancers interested in joining the award-winning competitive team. Assessments take place on June 10-11. Online registration is available here.
The Studio Dance Arts year-end show runs June 7-8, at the GFL Memorial Gardens. Tickets on sale now at the GFL box office.
With 22 years of serving the community and 3 studio locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, Mich., and Munising, Mich., Studio Dance Arts continues to be a leading provider of dance education for the beginner to advanced level student.