Fryburg Teen Has Unique Las Vegas Dance Awards Opportunity

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published July 2, 2017 4:32 am
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LAS VEGAS, Nevada (EYT) — Thirteen year old Abbey Barron, of Fryburg, is currently attending The Dance Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she will be competing to win the title of Junior Best Dancer of the Year.

In order to compete for a Best Dancer Title, she had to win a scholarship at either JUMP Dance Convention, NUVO Dance Convention, or 24-Seven Dance Convention. At those regional conventions, she had to audition for the scholarship that would allow her to compete at the Dance Awards. At JUMP, she won a VIP scholarship and at 24-Seven, a Breakout Winner scholarship.

At Las Vegas, she will be competing against 158 dancers in her age category for the title. These are some of the best dancers in the country. The competition includes audition classes where she will learn a short jazz and ballet combination and perform it for the judges.

On Sunday, July 2, she will perform her solo. The scores from the audition classes and the solo will be combined to determine the Top 10 Best Dancers in her age division, which will be announced on Wednesday, July 5. The top 10 will participate in the Best Dancer Dance–Off by being asked to Improv. That score will be combined to determine the top three dancers, and they will have to compete their solos again. The judges will then determine from those three the 2017 Junior Best Dancer of the year.

Winners from all age divisions will be presented with an award and a cash award. They also receive the opportunity to perform their solo at closing shows at JUMP, NUVO, or 24-Seven regional cities during the 2017-18 season. Dancers can be a demonstrator at those conventions, too. They get Lifetime Workshop Scholarships, as well, and receive an invitation to perform at next year’s Dance Awards in Las Vegas and/or Orlando, Florida.

The chance to compete for the title is only one part of The Dance Awards. While at the competition, she will also be attending numerous classes taught by the best dancers and choreographers in the world.

Abbey, the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Barron, is an 8th grade student at North Clarion High School.

Abbey told exploreClarion.com, “Even though I dance sometimes more than 11 hours each week, it is important to me to also find time to spend with my best friends at North Clarion and especially find time to spend with my family. My social life is dance because I absolutely love to dance.”

She has been dancing since she was three-years-old.

“My sister, Ashley, inspired me to dance. She is six years older than I am. From the moment I could walk, I mimicked her dancing and wanted to be a dancer just like her. She was my very first teacher. She continues to dance at Slippery Rock University. I wouldn’t be dancing competitively without my teacher, A-Jo Gallagher, believing in me and giving me the best foundation in dance,” Abbey explained.

“I am only 13, but I have received many amazing opportunities to travel and dance with and for some of the most incredible choreographers and dancers in the world. These opportunities would not have been possible without the encouragement and support from A-Jo Gallagher and all the teachers at Dancer’s Studio. They truly deserve my thanks. I am also lucky to have been and continue to be surrounded by dancers at the studio who encourage, support, and challenge me to be the best dancer and person I can be.”

According to Abbey, A-Jo Gallagher has made Dancer’s Studio her second home.

Abbey explained that being able to portray an emotion that she can relate to is the easiest part of dancing for her; however, she said that dancing is not easy.

“It takes hours and hours of practice, and even though I have learned many skills, they are never perfect. I can always do them better.”

Abbey has attended the Broadway Dance Center in New York City and the Millennium Dance Complex in Pittsburgh to explore different styles and to work on technique. She has also attended conventions and intensives in numerous cities where she has been able to take classes from top dancers and choreographers.

This year, Abbey was third runner-up for the title of 2017 Junior Miss Dance of Pennsylvania. At Fierce National Dance Competition in Pittsburgh, she earned the title 2017 Junior Miss Fierce of Pittsburgh. She also won a 2017 national title at Fierce National Dance Competition in California. Her solo placed in the top seven at all dance competitions.

She was awarded scholarships from NUVO, Fierce, JUMP, and 24-Seven dance conventions. She also earned a partial scholarship from Joffrey Ballet Company and was accepted into their trainee program. At Broadway Dance Center’s Winter Intensive, she was awarded a scholarship from famous choreographers, Sheila Barker and Lane Napper. Dancer’s Studio awarded her the Dedication Award.

Over the years, she has won numerous scholarships. She also won the 2014 Petite Miss Dance of Pennsylvania title.

Abbey and her solo choreographer Channing Cooke.

Abbey and her solo choreographer Channing Cooke.

“Channing Cooke, Rory Freeman, Travis Wall, Francisco Gella, Kathryn McCormick, Jason Marquette, Mandy Moore, Kyle Robinson, Kate Harpootlian, and Nick Lazzarini are just a few of the many dancers I admire,” said Abbey.

“They are all successful choreographers and dancers, and I have had the privilege to learn from each of them.”

“Dancing everyday has taught me to use my time wisely. Every chance I get in school to work on homework I take it, which has earned me straight A’s. Dance has also taught me that if you have a good work ethic and work hard at something, you will succeed. I remember this every day at school. My goal in school is to be valedictorian. I know working hard and staying committed now will help me to achieve my goal.”

Abbey’s said that her dream would be to go to Juilliard School in New York City for dance.

When she graduates, she want to be a professional dancer and “inspire kids to dance.”

Abbey with her invitation to the Dance Awards.

Abbey with her invitation to the Dance Awards.

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