Sarah trains at least 20  hours each week in classes, rehearsals and practice at home. She trains in Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro and Hip Hop. She loves how dance allows her to be creative and express herself. 

She has a grateful heart and believes in 'sprinkling kindness like confetti.'  Dance has taught her that every person is unique and special. At dance conventions, she loves to meet new dancers from other studios and she soaks up all of the inspiring messages from the teachers. 

Sarah has received several first place overall awards for her solos. Most recently she was awarded a NUVO Breakout Artist Award at NUVO Calgary.

"This was a goal I had set for myself and I am thrilled to have achieved it," she said. 

Sarah chooses to be kind and humble as she reaches her goals and works towards new ones. She encourages others to take as many dance classes as possible and to say 'yes' to opportunities that may come your way.

"Some of my best dance experiences have come from finding the courage to try new things," she said. 

She has many people who have helped or inspired her in dance. Her mom, who used to be a dancer, helps her practice and work on the little things that make her performance better.

"I am thankful for all the driving she does, the hair, the make up and all those early mornings when she gets me where I need to be," Sarah said. "She is so kind and I love her very much."

Her dance teachers at Airborne Dance Centre help her every day with technique and exam preparation.

"They give me the most beautiful choreography and are so supportive and caring," Sarah said. "They help me grow and push me to try new things."

Her dance friends inspire her and are always there to support and encourage her. 

"My dance friends are my best friends," Sarah said. "They understand me like no one else can."

Sarah hopes to be a dance teacher one day and inspire others in the same way they have inspired her.

Featured Dancers share their top dance picks. 

Conventions/Competitions/Programs
Dancerpalooza
NUVO
JUMP
Candance
PURE

Instructors/Choreographers
Candice Moseley
Caralee Lamoureux
Katherine Mandolidis
Chaela Houston
Mark Meismer
Charlotte & Rachel Lowe

Dancewear 
Five Dancewear
Second Skin
Oh La La Dancewear
Details Dancewear
Jo & Jax

Dance photographers 
Kaylee Kintz
Collette Mruk
Christian Moore
Stephanie Stahl
Jordan Matter

Dance-related products 
Apolla Performance Socks
Official Turn Board
​Ivivva 

"I’m so inspired by my team and our ability to work hard and support each other," she said. "Some of my best friends are my fiercest competition."

Bella has always loved dancing. It gives her confidence and she enjoys mastering new things. She loves to perform on stage, at the studio or at home for family.

"I love being able to express myself in different ways by showing different emotions or styles of dance," Bella said.

Bella loves to watch and learn from the older girls at her dance studio. She avidly watches dance shows on TV and hopes to audition for one some day. She loves musicals and 'Hamilton' is her favorite. She recalls her favorite 'Hamilton' line: "There's a million things I haven't done - just you wait!"

That line holds true for Bella's passion for dance and her hopes for the future.

This past summer, Bella came in second place overall at the Shake the Ground Nationals, where she also received a scholarship. After attending 'Titans of Dance' for the first time, she was awarded a scholarship. Most recently, she was awarded third place at Radix for her solo in which she competed in the Mini Division (8-10 year olds) for the first time.

"I was very excited and proud of that," she said.

Bella encourages others to believe in themselves and never give up.

"You will be amazed at what you can do!" Bella said.

She adds: "Always support your team and other dancers. Dance is a confusing sport with solos where you compete against your teammates and friends. Always congratulate others on their success! Don’t compare yourself to others — it doesn’t matter what others can do or not do — focus on what you want to be doing."

Conventions/Competitions/Programs
Titans of Dance 
Jump 
Nuvo 
Radix

Instructors/Choreographers
Ashley Massicotte 
Ashley Grimes 
Alex Tirado
CJ Houck-Cox 
Trinity Morgan 

Dancewear 
Five Dancewear 
Jo & Jax 
Oh La La Dancewear
Details Dancewear
LA Dance Designs 
Tiger Friday

Dance photographers 
Collette Mruk
Kaylee Kintz
Clay Morgan 
Julia Rose Photography 
Julian Peeples

Dance-related products 
KNK Miami 
Flexi Foot 

​"No matter what, we all are supportive and have each other’s backs," Stella said. "They continuously motivate me and push me to be better than I was before. I love them all and am very grateful to have them in my life."

Stella trains 15 or more hours each week in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyric, Contemporary, Acrobatics and Hip Hop. Her titles include Miss Teen Starquest and the American Dance Awards Dancer of the Year. 

The camaraderie extends to her dance teachers — Miss Erica, Miss Lisa and Miss Jackie, who have greatly impacted Stella's journey through dance. 

"They have always made sure that I’m giving my best -- whether I am going across the floor, on stage, or in a rehearsal. They are the reason why I have improved so much over the past years physically and mentally," Stella said. "They are like second mothers to me, teaching me about not only dance, but life as well. I am forever grateful for the support, encouragement and love that they continually give me."

Stella has found her art through dance. It takes away her stress from everyday life.

"I get to do what I love each day," Stella said. "Dance makes me ... me, and nothing can ever change that."

Stella is grateful for the gift of dance and loves to share that by being a role model to others. She's able to do that through a positive studio environment and support and encouragement from her parents. 

Stella wants others just starting out in dance to know that 'comparison is the thief of joy.'  She thinks all dancers should embrace being perfectly you. 

"The more you compare yourself to others, the less happiness you will get from dancing," Stella said. "It gets easier when you get older and realize that you are a perfect dancer just the way you are."

She also advises to always work hard.  

"Nothing ever gets accomplished if you don’t put your mind and commitment to it," Stella said. "Understand that your goal as a dancer is not out of reach if you put your heart and soul into it."

Her Picks
Featured dancers to share their top picks in dance-related categories.

Conventions/Competitions/Programs
Tremaine, @tremainedance
StarQuest, @starquestdance

Instructors/Choreographers
JoJo Gomez, @jojogomezxo
Lexi Colvin, @focuslexi

Dancewear 
Five Dancewear, @FiveDancewear

Dance-related products 
Superior Band, @superiorband

"The time and money they have to spend for me to do what I love makes me appreciate them and work hard," Rachel said. 

She advises dancers to choose an instructor who sees your full potential and pushes you to do your best. 

"Also, always go in with a smile on your face and positive attitude, try your best and have fun," she said. 

From dance, Rachel has learned self-confidence, teamwork and that every 'loss' presents important lessons to help her grow as a dancer and person. 

"Each one of us is special in our own way," Rachel said. "I'm the type that has to work daily on my flexibility as I'm not naturally flexible. However, I've come to realize that is just part of my dance journey. I try to remind myself of the things that I'm good at — body movement and performance — and I work as hard as I can on the things I want to improve!"

RACHEL'S PICKS: Featured dancers share some of their top dance-related picks.

Conventions/Competitions/Programs
Nuvo, Titans of Dance, Radix, 24/7
​Instructors/Choreographers
Ashley Massicotte, Ashley Grimes, Alex Tirado and CJ Houck-Cox
Dancewear 
Oh La La dancewear, LA Dance Designs, AA Dance Costumes, Chelsea B Dancewear, Cosi G dancewear
Dance Photographers 
Kaylee Kintz, Clay Morgan, Stacey K
Dance-related products 
Stretch it out stretch ladder

"I started by doing ballet, jazz, tap, acrobatics and choreography hip hop. Now I have learned that there is more styles like popping, locking, house, krump and breakdance," Lexi said. "I still train in the traditional forms but I love to experience new styles and look forward to becoming better every time."

Evan and Lexi are grateful to their parents, Michelle and Alberto, for their dance training and for giving them extra opportunities to audition and attend workshops. 

"My family is definitely the most supportive and I really appreciate them," Lexi said. 

Whether it's with a stage crew or dance peers, both have learned the importance of teamwork.

"Showing support and in return receiving that same support goes a long way and will carry over to more than just dance," Evan said. 

Lexi is inspired by Evan's freestyle, tricks and breakdance moves. Evan is inspired by his little sisters ability to pick up dance choreography. 

In 2017, Evan won an all-styles dance battle and Lexi performed on Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards. Evan has danced in commercials for Old Navy, Adidas, Target, Verizon and Kohl's. Lexi has appeared in music videos and was on "Dance Off Juniors," a 10-show web series where dancers learn choreography from Matt Steffanina while also being able to showcase their freestyle talents. 

Still, it comes back to family.

"Aside from being on TV it was just a great feeling knowing that my grandparents felt so proud of me," Lexi said. "I will never forget that experience and look forward to doing more performances like that again."

" It was very hard, but humbling at the same time. It grew my character, and it gave me a unique perspective to help dancers in the future going through similar circumstances," she said. "After my injury, i realized and understood that dance is not all about winning sashes and crowns, but about telling a story through my movement and never taking it for granted."

Last season, she was asked to assist with teaching tap to younger students at Spisak Dance Academy, where she trains. She loved having the opportunity to inspire them and become a role model. 

"I know that God gave me a gift. I hope to always honor Him through my dancing, and to never take my talent for granted," Annabelle said. "I hope to always point people to Him, on stage and in life."

Sara says that one of her greatest lessons learned from dance is humility. 

"We can all learn from each other and no one is perfect," she says.

She encourages others to always work hard and to never give up. 

In 2018, Sara won first overall as a junior soloist at two competitions and earned a National title with NRG Dance Project.

​"Do what you love. Love what you do," Sara said. 

Besides teaching her many life lessons, it's also introduced Trisha to many unique opportunities. 

"I have been fortunate to model dancewear for the United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) Dance Resource and Costume Show, America's largest gathering of dance vendors and industry leaders," Trisha said. "I recently was filmed in soon-to-be-released Sugarlulu videos where I was one of the principal dancers."

Because of dance, Trisha also developed awareness of the "I'm a Dancer Against Cancer" campaign. In  lieu of birthday gifts, she asked her friends and family to donate to various cancer organizations.

"Also, I feel that dance has fostered my kindness. It angers me when people are critical of others when they are doing something that they love," Trisha said. "We should be supportive of each other. Personal growth requires giving."

She is grateful, not only for her physical strength, but also her emotional strength.

"Emotional success has given me the power of compassion and pride," she said. 

Dance has allowed Kayla to become more confident and independent. She has had opportunities to meet many new friends, and has been inspired by countless professionals along the way. As opportunities come her way, she is learning to embrace them even though they may make her nervous.

Her talent and bravery shines. This past dance season as a new soloist in the Junior Division at Showstoppers East Coast, Kayla placed 8th overall out of 115 other dancers.

As she continues to work on her dance goals, she dreams of being able to help those with special needs have the opportunity to dance. 

Dance has also taught her to never give up. She's grateful for every opportunity, because she learns and grows from them. She was able to audition for a Tiffany & Co. commercial with Elle Fanning. Even though she didn't book the commercial, she cherishes the opportunity she had to audition. 

Emmie is a part of an award-winning competition team and RAVE Dance Complex. This past dance season, her solo, trio and four team dances won first place overall in several competitions.