Local Dancers Rocked the 2014 Orange Bowl!

Before last Friday night the largest audience Junior dancer of Studio A Dance Company, Victoria Ryan, has ever performed in front of was at the Performing Arts Center Auditorium for her studio's dance recital in Chelmsford, MA.

But after last Friday night, that stage will seem very small the next time she stands on it. Extremely small.

Ryan and 9 other students from Studio A Dance Company performed in front of nearly 78,000 spectators and a national television audience during halftime of last Friday's Discover Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. The performance was broadcasted by ESPN.

The two small teams of female students still aren't sure exactly how they ended up in Miami, where they performed alongside country music star Dierks Bentley and approximately 500 other young dancers.

Amanda Garvey, Studio A's Director, received an email this past fall from a group that helps organize trips for student music groups and cheer and dance teams.

They told Garvey that Studio A had been referred to them as an outstanding studio deserving recognition.

Garvey nearly fell out of her seat when she read this. Seeing how her studio was only entering their second year of business. She quickly organized a meeting for her company students, and the wheels began to turn when all her dance moms put their heads together to collaborate all the necessary fundraising efforts. 

For 10 students to make the trip to Miami, it would cost $15,000. Garvey suggested the students have fundraisers to cover the entire amount, or at least half of their individual cost.

So they held 3 big local events: Roll for the Bowl, Rock n' Roll for the Bowl, and Breakfast with Santa! They also sold Christmas Wreaths and went canning 2 nights a week at their local Walmart. After bake sales and sponsorships the team successfully raised over $6,000.

"When Miss Amanda told me that my daughter could go to Miami and perform for the nation I made sure I did my best to fundraise," Team Mom, Karen McElrath.

The students received help from local businesses that donated to their group and in return they earned a sponsorship level with the team. As the teams practiced, they kept a thermometer in the studio to track how much money they earned.

The teams arrived in Miami last Monday. They immediately began working with professional choreographers in 6-8 hour rehearsals throughout the week. But they also had some time for fun, like a New Years Eve dance party and a BBQ Pool party with the other dancers from across the nation.

The fun continued Friday night when the second quarter came to a close and Ohio State and Clemson players left the field for halftime. 10 kids from Studio A Dance Company then danced in the national spotlight.

"I couldn't hold the tears back as I watched my students dance in the front row on the 25 yard line in front of almost 80,000 people," Garvey said. "It's extremely rewarding to know that my girls made it and that I was the one to help them get there!"

www.studioachelmsford.com
978.502.7845

Enroll now for our new Spring Semester! Contact the director Amanda@studioachelmsford.com