Solo Ensemble Competition Raises Over $9,000

Photo by Estefani Rios

While performing her solo “Champion,” freshman Lexi Hall moves across the stage in a powerful stance. “My jazz solo is mainly about being confident in myself, my ability and rising above my insecurities,” Hall said. “My contemporary solo was focused more towards improving and growing in my movement.

Estefani Rios, Reporter
March 7, 2019

To raise money for the Stacy Kaye Danielson scholarship, the Celebrities dance team hosted the Stacy K. Danielson Solo Ensemble Competition (SEC) on Feb. 2. The Celebrities organization gained full control of the competition this year and renamed the competition in honor of their former dance director, Stacy Danielson, who passed away this past summer. In previous years, Müv Dance & Fitness Studio oversaw the competition with the help of the Celebrities and the booster club.

Preparation began in the summer, and because the Celebrities were the only hosts, more support from the volunteers was needed. Director Nikki Evans said that although she did not have clear expectations at the beginning, she believes the event was successful.

“Most participants were happy with everything, we ran into some scheduling issues, but were able to make adjustments and make up time,” Evans said. “We received lots of great feedback, but we couldn’t have done any of it without the help of our amazing booster club. It was great to have so many studios around the area involved.”

Ten public schools and three private studio students participated, including Cedar Park Middle School to the Texas Academy of Ballet. Entries for solos were $65, and according to senior Celebrity Sydney Polishook, the diversity of the dancers was recognizable. Polishook said that her main reason for participating was its connection to Danielson.

“I knew it would be very special to perform at this competition as another way to celebrate her life,” Polishook said. “And as a senior, I am taking every opportunity to dance as much as I can before my time on the team ends.”

Freshman Rising Star Lexi Hall began the choreography process for her two solos over the summer. She performed a jazz solo to the song “Champion,” by Barnes Courtney, and a contemporary solo to the song “All that I Want,” by Dawn Golden.

“My jazz solo is mainly about being confident in myself, my ability and rising above my insecurities,” Hall said. “My contemporary solo was focused more towards improving and growing in my movement.”

Similarly, sophomore Celebrity Lauren Ficke began choreographing her open solo, a category which consisted of several dance genres, to the song “Seaside” by Haux last summer with the help of former Müv teammate, Lydia Parnell.

“[The solo] is about being at [the] seaside and letting all your emotions go,” Ficke said. “It was a very freeing solo for me.”

All three dancers received first place in their division, but Ficke and Hall weren’t able to receive the news in real-time, as they were competing in San Antonio. The highest scoring solo and winner of the Stacy K. Danielson Award was Texas Academy Ballet dancer, Ella Harper.

“I was getting ready for my second dance and my directory announced it,” Hall said. “I was very excited and happy, it’s just a really nice feeling after all the work I’ve put into it.”

The money raised will be put towards the scholarship, booster club, and celebrities dance team. There is no additional information about the scholarship and the distribution of the scholarship at this time.