Nancy Senner 1st place
Emerald Ball

1st place; Nancy Senner with instructor Eddie Ares, Kennesaw, GA. I guess what you've got here is the "full package!" Everything was moving and evolving and then it shifted to gentle, smooth and supple and then "BAM!" They hit a strong, commanding line! Nancy shows she can create the kind of variety a champion needs in order to be on top. Her performance was gutsy and daring, yet she was very feminine and she and Eddie were able to show a man/woman relationship in each dance as though the choreography was secondary. Congratulations, Nancy Senner!

2nd place Pam Butler with instructor Jonathan Roberts, Campbell, CA. Pam gave another outstanding performance here. She did particularly well at sustaining length in her movements and incorporating additional body actions, highlighting and giving dimension to her dancing.

3rd place; Heather Fields with instructor Jason Kaye., Houston, TX. The first time I saw Heather dance was last Fall and I couldn't take my eyes off of her! She is a wonderful dancer and she gives so much in her performances. I thought it would be better to refrain from too many "avant-garde" movements because I wanted to appreciate Heather's dancing in a more simple manner. I didn't think she needed so much. Sometimes there can be more maturity in simplicity and controlled movements.

4th place; Pamela Parker with instructor Eddie Stutts, Houston, TX. Pamela stands out because she moves so powerfully. Her dancing has ever evolving moves and she handles them with ease. When she isn't sure of something it tends to show in her upper body because it becomes too relaxed and her focus drops.

5th place; Leah Turner with instructor John Berry, Scottsdale, AZ. I noticed Leah early on, and was impressed with her suppleness and good movement. Some of the "tricks" were getting crowded because she needs to remain stretched and not let her weight rest onto John. She has a beautiful neck, but needed to stretch her upper back more, especially when going from open position to closed frame.

6th place; Barbara Moore with instructor Donald Johnson, Campbell, CA. Barbara has great control and finesse in her dancing. I felt she could handle more varied choreography to create the kind of dynamics and expression that may garner higher placements in the future.

7th place Shannessy Hakola with instructor Jim Maranto, Phoenix, AZ. This is a lady with presence! Her choreography was not overly complicated, but she really covered the floor and moved in sync with Jim. With each round she became more expressive and confident.

8th place; Heather Pfisterer with instructor Jeffrey Garza, Orange, CA. Heather is a soft, elegant dancer who was not as "showy" as many of the others. She may need more contrast in her actions and choreography to be in a higher contention

Author - Jennifer Foster

Open Pro-Am 'A2' Scholarship Emerald Ball
This quarter final originally began with 16 competitors.