Courtesy photo Blair Dance Company’s National Champions “Barbie Girls” include (from left) : first row — Callie Dick, Kandace Peppetti, Natalie Lattieri, Ava Kent and Claire Mentzer; second row — Ava Barnes, Ava Reese, Kaitlyn Hazlett, Maggie Beck, Isabell Burchfield and Isla Parrish; third row — Aura Batten, Lanie Yerty, Addison Massaro, Judith Walk and Greer McCaulley.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — The Blair Dance Company of Altoona traveled to Sandusky, Ohio, from June 24 to 29 to compete at the NexStar National Talent Competition’s National event.

There were more than 1,600 dancers from across the United States in attendance making this the largest Star Dance Alliance National of the season.

The Blair Dance Company was awarded Primary Big Show National Champions for its routine “Barbie Girls.” This dance also received an Excellence in Entertainment Award.

“River Of Dreams” placed second in the Premier Big Show Finals, “Keep Breathing” placed third, and “Temple,” “Taylor” and “Roxanne” were Big Show Finalists.

In total, the group dances was awarded seven Platinum Plus, 16 Platinum and two High Gold Adjudications; 16 Divisional First Place Awards; one Second Place Overall Highest Score; three Third Place Overall Highest Scores; and 11 additional Top 10 Overall High Score placements.

“How You’ll Be Remembered,” choreographed by BDA Owner and Director Rebecca Reese, was awarded an Excellence in Choreography Award.

Addison Massaro and Greer McCaulley’s duet “Alright, Alright, Okay” won First Place National Champions at the competition.

“Girls Night Out” performed by Ava Barnes and Isabell Burchfield placed Second Overall in the Nation.

Nora Beecham and Elise Trimmer were awarded an Excellence in Entertainment for their duet “80’s Sweat.”

The remaining duet/trios earned seven Platinum Plus, two Platinum adjudications, seven divisional First place banners and seven Top 10 placements.

The national title of Teen Miss NexStar was awarded to Gianna Fiore of Altoona. She is the daughter of Kary and Joe Fiore.

Kayla Pappal placed Second Runner-Up to Gianna in the Teen Division.

Ella Beecham was a finalist for the title of Senior Miss NexStar and Isabell Burchfield was selected as a finalist for the title of Junior Miss NexStar.

All BDC soloists earned numerous awards including 16 Platinum Plus, two Platinum adjudications as well as 10 Top 10 placements.

BDC Soloists Gianna Fiore, Chloe Jabbour, Giavanna Miller, Kara Pappal and Kayla Pappal received recognition for being “The Best In Jazz.”

“Best In Lyrical” distinctions were given to Isabell Burchfield and Kayla Pappal and Ella Beecham and Gianna Fiore were awarded “Best In Contemporary.”

The Blair Dance Company came home with more than $2,000 in scholarships.

Ella Beecham, Isabell Burchfield, Chloe Jabbour, Natalie Lattieri and Kayla Pappal were awarded scholarships to the DancerPalooza in Los Angeles. The entire studio was awarded $300 to attend Wild Dance Intensive this fall. “Temple,” its production, was awarded $600 toward the “Battle of the Seas” competition on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this January, and BDC was named the Most Spirited Dance Troupe of the competition and was given a $500 SDA Scholarship.

During the week, NexStar also held intensive workshops. Five Blair Dance Academy dancers were selected to participate in this honor and were asked to perform at the opening number of the Big Show.

Those dancers were Ella Beecham of Altoona and Gianna Fiore, Chloe Jabbour, Kara Pappal and Kayla Pappal of Hollidaysburg.

The Blair Dance Company is the competition team from the Blair Dance Academy in Altoona.

For more information about the company or academy, email becky@blairdanceacademy.com or call 814-943-7174.