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CenterStage Performing Arts Studios of Orem has landed two couples on the four-couple National Junior Ballroom team that will represent the U.S. in the British Junior Dance Festival in Blackpool, England.
Jacob Murillo, 14, and Sydney Tormey, 14, along with Carter Williams, 11, and Anika Baker, 10, will lead the American contingent to compete against several other countries in a team match.This event is arguably the most prestigious and largest ballroom dance competition in the world, according to Alex Murillo, who runs CenterStage.Sasha Altukhov, a faculty member at Centerstage and a world latin ballroom champion and coach for the young dancers, commented in a press release: "These couples were carefully selected by the National Dance Council of America (NDCA), who is the US representative for the World Dance Council (WDC), who sanctions many of the major ballroom dance events in the U.S. These young dancers are some of the most talented ballroom dancers this country has to offer. It is a great honor to be chosen and to compete for America. I truly believe they will perform well in England.Jacob and Sydney reside in Mapleton where they attend Mapleton Junior High. They have been partners for several years.Carter resides in Sandy and attends Quail Hollow elementary and Anika lives in Orem and attends Lindon Elementary. This will be their first international ballroom competition.
The Dance Festival began its long tradition of ballroom dancing in 1947. It is held at the Winter Gardens in the Empress Ballroom. The event runs for a week beginning on April 1 and concluding on April 7.