Chickasaw Nation Dance Team tops at first competition of the season

This article appeared in the March 2020 edition of the Chickasaw Times

Months of classes and practice have paid off for 48 dancers on the Chickasaw Nation competitive dance team. The team performed Feb. 7-9 during their first competition of the season.

The dancers competed in the Encore Performing Arts Showcase dance competition at Rose State College in Midwest City, Okla. The team took overall high score at the event.

Dancers also garnered 14 platinum and eight ultra high gold scoring awards. They also took home two out of the three judges’ choice awards, association of dance competition and convention award and dance ambassador of Oklahoma award. This is the first time for a studio to win all three awards in the Encore showcase.

Individual honors included Addalee Dedmon, who was named Oklahoma Miss Encore and National Dance Convention Scholarship. Weslyn Romines received the photogenic award (mini) and Abigail Stanberry received the photogenic award (junior).

Dance team students range in age from four to 18. In addition to the regular dance classes, team members work on competition routines at practices.

Dance classes are open to citizens, Chickasaw Nation employee families and the general public. Auditions take place during the application period in the summer. Classes are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings from May to September.

Students can learn ballet, clogging, acrobatic, modern, lyrical, tap and hip hop dance.

Classes work toward recital performances along with the competitions. Competitive teams consist of 48 dancers out of the 250 students who participate in classes.

The Chickasaw Nation Dance Studio is at 832 Arlington Center in Ada, Okla. Find more information at Chickasaw.net/Dance.