When the 15 members of the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy of Tamaqua took the stage in the Concert Hall of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., it was just another step in a journey that began about eight years ago.
The team was part of the American Alliance of Performing Arts Educators American World Stage Invitational held Feb. 19 through 21.
Team directors and members believe the team's closeness and dedication to the group and each other brings success.
"Even though we draw from other schools for our dance team, these girls have been dancing so long together, they are like one body moving across the stage," academy Director Philomena Huesgen said. "They are so close, and are so professional, we are so proud of this group."
The dancers received rave reviews from fans as well as organizers.
"Matt Straub (AAPAE producer) complimented our girls on their professionalism and the fact that we seem like a fun studio," Huesgen said.
Dance team member Paige Nebistinsky, Schuylkill Haven, said she believes the closeness of the group is one reason for its success.
"We are different than most studios," Nebistinsky said. "We are more like a family than a dance team. We have been dancing together so long, we are just used to each other and we are truly best friends."
Huesgen said the older members mentor the younger members and they truly get along well.
"There is no cattiness or egos," she said. "There is no competition among them, but they all try their best to compete as a team."
Crista Behr, Tamaqua, agrees.
"Dancing together for so long gives us a huge advantage," Behr said. "We are all so close and we feed off of each other. We know each other and we know how we dance. I think that shows on stage."
Members include Behr, Courtney McCarroll and Rachel Rega, both of Tamaqua; Christina Scheeler, Mahanoy City; Alexandra Kurek, Hometown; Lauren Haupt, McKeansburg; Vanessa Wagner, Quakake; Emily Romberger, Brianne Morgan and Nebistinsky, all of Schuylkill Haven; Anna Cannon and Virginia Rivera, both of Coaldale; Caitlin Metzger, West Penn Township; Alesia Casler, Barnesville, and Sarah Bair, New Ringgold.
The girls range in age from 13 to 23 and represent many local high schools, as well as Kutztown and Wilkes universities and Lehigh Carbon Community College.
The group, under the direction of Robin Dominick and Taryn Heisler, performed its "Royalty of Music" routine featuring music by the "king of rock" Elvis Presley, the "king of pop" Michael Jackson and the "king of hip-hop" Usher. The dance was choreographed by Dominick.
Aside from the World Invitationals, the dance team competes within the Tournament Indoor Association organization, including a recent showing at Blue Mountain High School, and has been the East Coast champion in its class several times.
The academy also presents its competitive program and donations to the American Cancer Society telethon each year.
Practices begin in November and end after the final event of the season that culminates in Wildwood, N.J., in May.
Behr said the goal of each competition is to improve their score.
"The teams with the best scores go to Chapters, which is like districts in sports," she said. "The finals, in Wildwood, are like states."
Huesgen said because each invitational has different requirements, the team usually does a new show each year.
"Some of the older girls have some input into the routine and I think that is good because if you have a say in the music you know you are going to love doing it," Behr said.
The Washington event was international and the Tamaqua-based troupe performed with teams from across the United States and other countries.
This is not the first time the academy's team performed on the world stage. Last year, the team traveled to New York City's Carnegie Hall.
Because the team performed at the Kennedy Center, it automatically qualifies to participate in future invitationals at Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall.
The group also has passed the audition process to appear in London for the 2012 Invitational that will take place at the Summer Olympics.
"The group has the entertainment savvy, the depth and stability to plan, plus the organizational maturity for any necessary fundraising," Straub said.
Huesgen said the group will make a decision soon on London. "We need 40 people, including dancers and fans, to book the trip," she said.
lrichardson@republicanherald.com
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