Dance troupe brings home first-place trophies

McAfee — The Ziegler Dance Centre Dance Troupe started its competition season at the Star Power Regional Talent Competition in Hackensack. The Z Troupe dancers brought home over 20 first-place trophies for many competition categories. The troupe also earned several overall awards. The hip hop group in the 7-8 age division “Leave It Up To Me,” showed everyone they are small but mighty, and received a first place overall. In the 15-16 age division, hip hop group “Wind It Up” placed second overall, lyrical group “Red Football” third overall, and tap group “Hardly Working” fifth overall. Lindsay Dunn brought home a ninth place overall award for her musical theatre solo in the 13 -15 age division. Dunn also received an “Excellent Acting Award” from the judges. Danielle Berado performed her vocal solo “I Am What I Am” and earned “Top Vocalist Award.” Other special awards given to Z Troupe performers were, “Fabulous Feet Award” to Danielle Marushan, “Personality Plus Award” to Amanda Losco and Brianna O’Loughlin, “Emotion Award” to the lyrical group “Red Football.” The troupe’s musical theater production “Hunchback of Notre Dame” earned an “Entertainment Award” and a “Broadway Bound Award.” The judges chose performers from the Z Troupe to join their Power Pak. The Power Pak is an elite group of performers selected from across the country and Canada, that come together to participate in an intense dance tour. The performers chosen were: Jen Baxter Richard Baxter, Matt Tiberi, Mike Van Vliet, Tara Bailey, Courtney Cholminski, Lauren Ruggiero, Cara Kelly, and Savannah Ross. Judges also chose the members of the group’s “Wind It Up,” Stephanie Bahamonde, Leia Campbell, Caitlin Dean, Charissa Hom, Brittany Piela, Danielle Zaremba, Lauren Dittmeier, Danielle Marushan, Kaitlin Rago, Brittany Crispino, Michelle Hemberger, Sarah McIlvaine, Jennifer Ruchalski, Samantha Weiner; and members of “Big Noise from Winnetka,” Brittany Dassatti, Elisabeth Montanaro, Amanda Losco, Ansley Stuart, Juliette DiBartolo, Lindsay Dunn, Alyssa Morrissey, Marisa Walker, Ashley Maggio, Tara Kolakoski, Brianna O’Loughlin; and “Leave It Up To Me,” Matthew Losco, Mackenzie Bolt, Cynthia Huhn, Christine Papa, Adriana Purcell, Ryan Sullivan, Samantha Dassatti, Chassidy Pappas, Ryan Shinall, Brianna White, Chelsey Devens, Miranda Marzorati, Amber Pulison and Mackenzie Skounakis. The creative instructors and choreographers of the troupe are Peggy Ziegler, Renee Ziegler, Doreen Ziegler and Bonnie O’Brien. The other members are: Hannah Alford, Codi Beauvais, Courtney Berado, Amber Blanchard, Rebecca Boutillette, Jamie Campbell, Gabrielle Conte, Laura Coppolla, Jared Crispino, Gabriella DiMartino, Isabella DiMartino, Allyson Doyle, Casey Doyle, Jennifer Dupre, Darianne Fischer, Emilee Fischer, Heather Fuduli, Gabrielle Garcia, Victoria Gonzalez, Aubry Hablitz, Alexsis Hipper, Brianna Keller, Stephanie Keller, Tristan Krause, Brian Losco, Sarah Lund, Macayla Mack, Kelsey Maggio, Janie Mengersen, Emily Moreno, Larissa Oakley, Sydney Panaccione, Ashley Papa, Brittany Papa, Shelby Parrish, Joey Perez, Emma Perez, Amanda Peslak, Noelle Roberts, Jillian Ross, Savannah Ross, Jessica Rueger, Allison Smith, Carly Smith, Brooke Stanton, Sierra Struble, Lindsey Sumpman, Emily Tanis, Kayla Tlatelpa, Ryan VanVliet, Emily Vanderhoff and Adrianna Vicino.