1 Dear Teachers, Dancers, Families and Friends, Welcome to Tribute National Talent in Davenport, Iowa. This year we are celebrating our 3rd year and we are so blessed to have the honor and privilege of seeing some of the most talented teachers and dancers in the country. Each event is very special to us as we treasure the time that we share with so many wonderful people who truly are important to us. The art of dance is something that touches our lives as it allows our hearts and minds to focus on something that is such a gift. We all have the opportunity to witness the hard work that each and every dance teacher and choreographer shares as they dedicate so much of their heart and soul into their work. Seeing the dancers perform each and every piece gives a sense of pride and joy not only for the teacher and choreographers, but also for the family members who see the dancers doing what they love. One of the most powerful rewards of dance is not the trophy or award earned, rather it is having those moments on stage to inspire and to make an impact on others. So we say thank you to all of the teachers, choreographers and their dancers for your dedication and determination to make a difference through dance that we will all cherish for many years to come. I have always wanted Tribute to stand for more than just a dance competition. I wanted to share a visible appreciation and gratitude with everyone in attendance. This year we are once again inviting dancers to share personal stories about their parents. The Tribute to my Parents Award has become a trademark of Tribute National Talent and has definitely touched others in a way that you would not expect at a dance competition. The sharing of love, appreciation and respect gives a behind the scenes story of how dance families live their lives and the memories that are made. Dancers pour their hearts into the essays they write and for me personally it is a strong reminder of the importance of family. This award has given me a way to honor my late father and I know if he were here today he would absolutely love this award and what it stands for. We all know there is love, respect and appreciation at home, but it is also in every dance studio. A dance teacher is more than someone who teaches dance, they are part of the family and can make a huge difference in the lives of dancers. The hugs that are shared, the joy from the smiles on faces, and above all the admiration that is felt is so wonderful. Dance has truly given children a very positive atmosphere to learn, love and live out their dreams. When I was deciding to create Tribute 3 years ago I did some research and I realized that there were over 150 different competitions and conventions to select from. In that decision process, I followed my heart and I knew that if I believed in myself and did my part to make a difference then everything would be just fine. There are times when you take risks in your life and looking back over the last 2 years I am very humbled to be in the position I am in and to see Tribute grow each year in a way that I am very grateful. I want everyone to know that your selection to attend Tribute this weekend means so much to me and my family. We know you have so many choices on which events to select and we are so appreciative that Tribute was on your calendar this year. With a loving and caring staff we will do our best working together to make sure you leave this weekend feeling appreciated and loved. Many Blessings to you and yours in this new year of dance, 2 On behalf of the staff we welcome you to Tribute Darin Troglia Adam Penney Spencer Ralston CEO Master of Ceremonies Backstage Manager Duffy Johnson Vince Sylvester Gil Mata Backstage Merchandise & Host Auditor & Judges Host Brittney Smith Lois Troglia My Family Merchandise & Host My Mom Jonah, Olivia Karen & I 3 Introducing your Judges Johnette Rutledge – California As a third generation dancer, Johnette Rutledge knew from a young age she wanted a life filled with dance. After graduating from the Perpich center for Arts Education, and Summit School of Dance, she began performing anywhere she could! She enjoyed many years of touring with the tap percussive company, The Flying Foot Forum, as well as performances ranging from the MN Opera to AT&T industrial shows. She has a great love for choreography, receiving top awards for her work at the regional and national level. In 2005, she was awarded the Silver Leo's award for dance excellence at the Jazz Dance World Congress. Johnette has spent the last 20 years of her life as an instructor/choreographer with Summit Dance Shoppe in Plymouth MN, but has recently made a move to the west coast! She enjoys being a freelance choreographer and instructor which gives her the opportunity to share her love for dance to aspiring dancers around the country. She spends her weekends judging for various national dance competitions, teaching workshops and conventions, and choreographing for studios and University dance teams around the country. Most recently, Johnette was featured in Dance Teacher Magazine, speaking on a dance teachers life after childbirth. 4 Jennifer Loy Jenny began dancing at the age of 3. She began formal ballet training at age 8 and upon completion of her training in 1994 she attended Western Michigan University and received her BA in Dance & Business in 1998. While attending WMU she began teaching at Center Stage Dance Studio of Battle Creek, MI in 1996 and choreographing for their competitive teams in 1997. Upon graduating Jenny helped open a second Center Stage studio in Kalamazoo, MI and became the Assistant Director of Center Stage Kalamazoo and the Ballet Director of both studios. Miss Jenny taught for Center Stage for 16 years, her choreography has been awarded both regionally and nationally, the Center Stage competitive teams are both regional and national champions and her former students can be seen dancing in New York, Los Angeles, on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and at numerous University dance programs across the country. From 2000-2003 she was a part-time faculty member at the WMU Dept. of Dance teaching ballet and jazz. In 2001 Jenny began her judging career and has sat on judging panels for regional and national events ever since. In 2010 Jenny began directing the competitive dance program at Dance Arts in Stevensville MI. In 2012 she and her husband and 3 children moved to the beautiful Lake Michigan area allowing her to work full time with the Dance Arts competitive teams. In her 3 seasons with the new team they have grown as a competitive studio and last season the DAPC team had an outstanding year bringing home top ten & overall placements at every competition. Jenny loves sharing her knowledge and love of dance with dancers of all ages and abilities. She is a seasoned competition judge and loves watching the dancers learn, grow and find personal success. 5 Shannon Heintz Fortenberry Shannon is the predominant choreographer at Helena Hosch School of Dance located in Louisiana. This award winning studio was founded by her mother Helena and they are celebrating their 58th year of teaching dance. Shannon is a member of Dance Masters of America and Louisiana Association of Dance Masters, Chapter 6. She currently serves on the board as immediate past President, and has served as LADM's 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, 4th Vice President, and Representative. Shannon has choreographed numerous opening productions for the LADM Scholarship Competitions and National Dance Competitions. She has won many regional and national choreography awards and Shannon is also an adjudicator of many major regional and national dance competitions and has choreographed and danced professionally. 6 PARTICIPATING STUDIOS 1. Art In Motion Dance Studio - Champaign, Illinois 2. Centerstage - Dixon, Illinois 3. Dance Works - Davenport, Iowa 4. DanceNation - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5. Donna's Dance Place - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 6. Evolve Dance Company - Rockford, Illinois 7. Forte Arts Center - Morris, Illinois 8. National Dance Academy - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 9. Prestige Dance Studio - Cedar Rapids, Iowa 10. Tina's Dance Studio, Inc. - Eldridge, Iowa 11. Xtreme Dance - Dubuque, Iowa 7 Friday, January 24, 2014 AGE 16 17 Deana Henson (11) Doors Open at 3:15pm AGE 17 All Honor Level Solos 18 Caitlyn McCoy (11) Character Honor Level Hip Hop Honor Level AGE 7 AGE 6 1 Kyra Howieson (11) 19 Alice Hanselman (11) AGE 8 AGE 11 2 Mariah Lake (4) 20 Bailee Wenzel (11) AGE 11 AGE 14 3 Jacquelyn Peckosh (11) 21 Maddilyn Boche (3) Tap Honor Level Lyrical Honor Level AGE 9 (Ages 12 & Under) 4 Cayla Purvis (6) AGE 9 5 Kaedyn Burkey (3) 22 Abigail Powers (7) AGE 10 AGE 10 6 Abigail Coats (11) 23 Cameron Schultz (7) 7 Serena Arguello (3) AGE 11 8 Madison Juricic (7) 24 Olivia Jones (11) AGE 11 25 Madison Mangels (3) 9 Emma Follis (3) AGE 12 10 Laura Stineman (3) 26 Hannah Doane (6) AGE 14 27 Rosalind Carey (5) 11 Kaitlyn Collins (3) 28 Kaylee Hogan (11) AGE 15 29 Olivia Otto (4) 12 Savannah Roseman (3) 30 Cassidy Purvis (6) 13 Tristan Blumer (3) 31 Imani Bush (11) AGE 17 32 Addison Flynn (3) 14 Chelsea Milke (3) 10 MINUTE INTERMISSION Contemporary Honor Level Lyrical Honor Level AGE 10 (Ages 13 & Over) 15 Abigail Coats (11) AGE 13 AGE 13 33 Hannah Carr (4) 16 Rachel Petersen (4) 8 34 Kate Flaherty (4) Jazz Honor Level (Ages 8 & Under) 35 Camille Ray (4) AGE 14 AGE 5 55 Adalyn Pins (9) 36 Lauren Cordes (11) 56 Miley Medinger (11) 37 Allie Mersch (5) 38 Catherine White (8) AGE 6 AGE 15 57 Alice Hanselman (11) 58 Laila Schmidt