Bradenton Dancers Win National Dance Championships

Students of That's Dancing! Dance Education for Adults won top honors at the Starpower National Talent Championships July 1-3. The event was held at Disney's Dolphin Resort in Orlando. The `"Starfire Dancers"   are adult students of Bonnie Gray, and study at the Historic Manatee Central Building in Bradenton.  Their tap routine "Thoroughly Modern Millie" earned a Platinum Medal, the High Score award in the Small Group Tap division, and The National Championship Title for Adult Small Groups.  Their Character Jazz routine to "King Of The Road" also won a Platinum medal, the High Score Character Award, and The runner-up to the National Title. A very competitive category, all of the Top 5 finalists in the Adult Small Group division earned "Platinum Medal " status- the level above  "Gold."

Tap soloist Suzy Berinsky also won top honors as the National Champion Adult Soloist. Her winning routine to "It's Sandman!" scored a Platinum Medal, and the High Score for Adult Tap Dance as well as the Solo Title.  The 3 wins bring the total for this group to 4 titles- This group won the National Champion Small Group title on 2008 as well.  All routines are choreographed by Ms. Gray, a working professional stage performer, and award winning choreographer.

The group performs locally, and their next scheduled performance is August 19, for the Manatee Central Open House (515 - 9^th Street E, Bradenton). They are currently working on a show to be performed aboard the Royal Caribbean Ship  "Grandeur Of The Seas" in January 2010.  The new class session will begin in August.  For more info on this group or the adult dance program, visit www.bonniegray.com