Small town talent takes 1st overall at national dance competition

Out of the 3,333 performers entered at the Starpower National Talent Competition in Las Vegas, the competition team from Minden’s All About Dance took first overall grand champions for the ages 12-14 division and most entertaining for their routine “Mary Poppins” during the competition in June.

“Half these kids competed for the first time this season and being from a small town their talent went far,” said All About Dance Owner and Coach Sarah Palamar.

Starpower is a worldwide dance competition where performers of all ages and levels showcase their talent.

Palamar said no one knew whether there would be competitions this year due to the coronavirus, but despite it all most of the girls on the team were in classes 6-10 hours a week, taking core dance classes, ballet, jazz, lyrical, acrobatics in preparation for their high achieving performances.

“This was our hardest working team we ever had,” said Palamar. “They had a real fight in them. I’m just so proud of how hard they worked even not knowing they were going to compete, they stayed driven. They’re a great team and they’re strong together.”

Emily Meier, 18, received Senior Miss Encore award which means she received the competition’s title award.

Ten-year-old Anna Jones received the National Junior Miss Starpower premier award for her solo routine “Over the Rainbow” and the Miss Junior Revolution Award. It was her first solo routine ever, said Palamar.

Kiarra Depaz, 15, received the Senior Miss Premier Revolution award.

Gracie Guvman,13, received the teen Miss Revolution Award and an invite to Joffrey Ballet School.

Meier and Depaz won the revolutionary award with an almost perfect score for their duet routine “The Scientist.”

First time soloist and competitor Abby Radach received two first overall consecutive awards at Revolution and Rainbow.

Palamar received a choreography award for a lyrical routine to the song “Start Over,” by Hope Darst.

The team also received various awards throughout the season with multiple title holders, choreography awards, best costume, Pre professional Joffrey ballet invitee, golden tickets to New York, scholarships to the World Dance Pageant, and a solid top scoring adjudication awards for every routine brought at Rainbow Regional Talent. They received 16 Platinum awards and seven power pack invites.

“I’m proud of their hard work. Especially those who never experienced it before and how well they did,” said Palamar. “I’m excited to see how far they go. If they did well this season, I can only imagine what they’re going to do in their future.”

All About Dance Competition Team is under the direction of Owner and Coach, Sarah Palamar, professional teachers and former Cirque Du Soleil Acrobat Joseph Guzman and Antoine Lashua.

All About Dance is a performance arts studio in Minden Nevada offering professional dance training and guidance in personal self-worth and talent.

All About Dance is located at 178 Highway 395 Suit D in Minden. For more information visit allaboutdancenevada.com or call 775-782-3425.