PHILIPSBURG:--- On May 2nd Co-Director of National institute of Arts Arlene Halley and dancers Dashaun Prince, Jeremiah David, Keona Inguenaud, Kiara Vanterpool, and Naomi Warsop left for France to join NIA teacher Peggy Oulerich and Team mates Lian Borsje and Zoe van Zadelhoff for the National Confederation de Danse, May 4 to 7, 2016 in Dijon France.
The trip was made possible through generous donations from the private sector and the Government of St.Maarten, Department of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. NIA would like to extend profound gratitude to GEBE, St.Maarten Development Fund, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), Dow Musical Foundation, Henderson Insurance, Marlene Mingo, Seven Seas Water Corp., Meredith Boekhoudt, Norman and Sue Wathey, Island Gems, Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sports Affairs, Travel planners and Winair for lending their financial support.
Getting to this point was not an easy task. Beginning with St.Barths the dancers and their parents worked diligently to raise donations close to $10,000. 00 of the total $28,000.00 dollars needed to compete in both the Regionals in St.Barths and at the National level in France.
In total 7 students qualified to compete in the National Competition In France. The competition will take place on May 4th to 7th in Dijon France. NIA students will be competing in the 4-day event that features over 2500 entries from French Federation.
Judged by international Dance professionals, Carl Portal in modern contemporary, Oliver Coste in Classical Ballet and Bruno Vandelli in Jazz, NIA students were awarded to following prizes in March during the competition in St.Barths.
10 gold medals, 1 silver, 1 bronze, 7 students qualified for National competition In France Please find under the results of all the categories:
Contemporary solo category 3: Lian Borsje, Gold Medal-1st Prize National Level
Contemporary duet category 2: Lian Borsje & Zoe van Zadelhoff, Gold medal-1st Prize National Level
Mandatory Jazz solo category 2: Zoe van Zadelhoff, Gold medal-1st Prize National Level
Contemporary Group Category 2: Gold Medal-1st Prize National Level
Naomi Janelle Warsop, Dashaun Prince, Jeremiah David, Kiara Vanterpool, Lian Borsje
Ballet mandatory solo category 1: Zoe van Zadelhoff, Gold Medal, 1st Prize National Level
Jazz mandatory category 2: Jeremiah David, Gold Medal-1st Prize National Level
Other style category preparatory: Keona Inguenaud, Gold Medal-1st Prize National Level
Ballet mandatory on pointe category Moyen 2: Lian Borsje, Gold Medal
Other style Group category 2: Gold Medal
Naomi Warsop, Ray- Angel Boasman, Dashaun Prince, Kiara Vanterpool
Contemporary duet category preparatory: Lia - Sofyiah Lake and Keona Inguenaud, Gold Medal
Other style solo category 2: Jeremiah David, Silver Medal
Ballet mandatory solo category preparatory: Jasentha James, Bronze Medal
NIA extends hearty congratulations to the Team of Teachers Peggy Oulerich, Eolia Ada, Arlene Halley and Clara Reyes for preparing the dancers for the competitions.
