Denise’s Dance Studio rakes in awards

TERRIFIC TROUPE: These are just some of the many students at Denise’s Dance Studio who won honors in the recent That’s Entertainment Dance Competition at Foxwoods Casino. The group includes, kneeling in front from left: Kendall Bernier and Giandra Belliard. Standing: Isabela Eason, Leah Spirito and Alexis Manfredo, Missing is Tori Viau and Gianna Carroll.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

DANCE DYNAMOS: Angelina Rubio and Aubree Allen (kneeling in front) and Mercedes Manfredo, Kaylie Allen, Elise Connors and James Anderson were among the Denise’s Dance Studio students who recently won high honors at the Connecticut-based competition.

SUPER STUDENTS: These are yet more of the Denise Dance Studio students who put on impressive and award-winning performances during the recent competition at Foxwoods Casino and Resort. They are, in front from left; Kianna Allen and Savannah Collins; Standing; Neilah Martinez, Skyla Almeida, Ella Butterfield, Giada Pellegrino and Isabela Martinez.

Johnston Sun Rise · Thursday, August 24, 2017 2:38 pm

By Pete Fontaine

Denise DiPippo, who owns and operates Denise’s Dance Studio at 80 Greenville Avenue in Johnston, might need to change her business card information.

For example, the popular proprietor lists “specializing in pre-school hip hop, jazz and ballet classes – and other instructions – for children of all ages as well as competitive teams.”

Judging from the excitement that filled the jam-packed studio last week, DiPippo needs to add the words “award-winning” to her list of competitive team events.

Nearly two dozen students from Denise’s Dance Studio recently traveled to Foxwoods Casino and Resort in Ledyard, Conn. and returned to Johnston with a host of impressive honors.

“One of our numbers,” Director Robin Ruzzo said, “was Speaking French choreographed by Brieanna Tellier and it won the Judge’s Choice Award.”

That accomplishment was just one of many that students from Denise’s Dance Studio staked claim to during the highly competitive event that Ruzzo noted “won Solid Gold Plus and Platinum Awards during the event that was entitled That’s Entertainment Dance Competition.”

Denise’s troupers scored highly in various other categories with I’m a Good Girl and Nothing’s Going to Stop Us Now taking third place and a number called Big Bad Wolf finishing fourth.

Two other numbers – Tragedy and Beautiful People – placed seventh and ninth respectively and added some special hardware to Denise’s already impressive collection.

Meanwhile, Jai Ho choreographed by Shaina Walton, won fifth place overall high and Aubree Allen’s solo earned the Denise’s student a Special Entertainer Award.

Skyla Almeida’s solo and Neilah Martinez’s solos received sixth and fifth places respectively in overall high scores while Isabel Eason and Kendall Bernier’s solos – which were choreographed by Leah Spirito – landed fifth and seventh places respectively.

Yet another number – “In his shirt” – received the All Around Amazing special Judge’s Award.