The first weekend of May marked a highlight for Lake Area Dance Center (LADC) as we participated in our final regional competition of the year: Masquerade Dance. Held at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Masquerade has consistently been a favorite, thanks to its fantastic location and vibrant atmosphere. This year was no exception, drawing in incredible talent and studios, making it a truly memorable Dancing Masquerade experience.
Teen Company dancers practicing lyrical dance outside in the nice weather.
What Makes Masquerade Dance Competition Special?
Masquerade Dance isn’t just another competition; it’s an event that stands out for several reasons. Beyond the exceptional talent showcased by studios like Music General, Woodbury Dance Center, Premiere Dance Academy, and Summit Dance Shoppe, Masquerade offers a unique blend of organization, dancer focus, and a genuinely enjoyable atmosphere. Here’s what made this dancing masquerade competition so impressive:
The User-Friendly Masquerade Dance App: Stay Connected and Informed
In today’s digital age, staying informed at a busy dance competition is crucial. Masquerade excels in this area with their incredibly helpful mobile app. Finally, after a few years of trying, the app worked seamlessly on my phone this year, and it was a game-changer! The app provided real-time updates on stage numbers, upcoming performances, and the entire program schedule. While I still opted for the printed program as a keepsake and for handwritten notes, the app’s functionality was invaluable.
One of the app’s standout features was the Audience Choice voting. After each dance category, audience members could vote for their favorites – naturally, LADC dances got my enthusiastic vote whenever they were nominated! Beyond voting, the app offered direct links to the Ames Center venue website, directions, and even a list of nearby dining options. It was incredibly convenient for navigating the weekend. For a small annual fee, the Masquerade app proved to be an essential tool, and the bonus? It’s reportedly usable at Nationals too!
The Program: A Detailed and Affordable Keepsake
For those who appreciate a tangible guide, Masquerade’s printed program is a steal at just $8. It’s comprehensive, listing all dance names, dancers, and studio affiliations, just like programs at larger events. Crucially, and a detail I greatly appreciate, the program includes dedicated space to record overall awards. In past competitions, the lack of this space has been a minor frustration, so thank you, Masquerade, for thinking of the details!
Judge Sarah Jo Fazio known for her high heels at a dance competition.
The Judges: Positive Reinforcement and Personal Interaction
One of the most significant reasons Masquerade is a favorite is the judging panel, particularly Sarah Jo Fazio. She’s truly the face of Masquerade, instantly recognizable and beloved by dancers. Sarah’s influence is incredibly positive, and her approach to awards is genuinely inspiring.
Sarah’s Judges’ Award speeches always emphasize that awards are not the defining factor of a dancer’s worth or talent. She frames placements as a snapshot of a single day’s performance, not an ultimate judgment. Her message, adapted for different age groups, consistently revolves around growth and learning. One memorable quote I jotted down from her, attributed to her father, was: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. If you don’t learn, you don’t win.” This resonated deeply and highlights the positive ethos of Masquerade.
Adding to the personal touch, the judges themselves hand out all adjudication awards. This direct interaction makes the awards feel more meaningful for the dancers. My daughter Grace experienced this firsthand when Sarah, while presenting her High Gold award for her solo, complimented her unique prop. This extra effort from the judges to connect with the dancers is truly appreciated. A personal highlight of the entire competition was during Grace’s solo when her prop box lit up, prompting all three judges to cheer – a moment of pure, shared excitement!
Understanding the Judging System at Masquerade Dance
Masquerade’s judging system utilizes unique terminology, which can initially be a bit confusing. While age groups (Petite, Junior, Teen, and Senior) are standard, the competition levels are categorized by color: Green (recreational), Gold (intermediate), and Purple (advanced/elite). This color scheme, inspired by the Mardi Gras theme, adds to the fun, dancing masquerade atmosphere. This Mardi Gras influence is also seen in the boutique masks and the celebratory bead throws throughout the event.
The scoring breakdown, as detailed in their Parent FAQ, helps clarify the adjudication levels:
- Bronze, Silver, and High Silver: Below 266 points (rarely observed)
- Gold: 267-275 points (awarded occasionally)
- High Gold: 276-284 points (the most common, especially in the Purple division)
- Platinum: 285-300 points (achieved by many intermediate and some purple division dances, including my daughter’s lyrical piece)
Masquerade Dance “Extras”: Special Awards and Recognition
Masquerade goes beyond standard awards with several “extras” that create excitement and recognize outstanding talent. The Encore Award call-back is always a highlight, where judges select their favorite and most entertaining dances to compete again for a grand trophy. In the Teen/Senior awards, the judges faced a tough decision, ultimately choosing one dance from each studio for the Encore performance. LADC’s Teen Company Jazz Small Group, Vogue, was selected – a fantastic honor and a thrilling encore performance!
The Steven Boyd Award, recognizing dancers who demonstrate a deep passion for dance, is another special accolade. This year, Libby Butters, one of our younger dancers, received this award in the Petite division. Libby is the youngest dancer from our studio to receive this honor and to be selected for the Parade of Stars at Nationals. Joining Libby in the Parade of Stars from LADC were Bella Butters, Emilia Skjegstad, Emilee Tapani, Sage Neal, and Liv Johnson – we’re all excited to see them in the opening number at Nationals!
Spirit Line awards are given to studios at each age level, recognizing team spirit and sportsmanship. Lake Area Dance Center proudly received the Spirit Award at the Senior Level – YAY LADC!
The Best in Show award recognizes the highest-scoring dance in each age category, while the Miss Masquerade title is awarded to an outstanding dancer in each age group. Liv Johnson, one of LADC’s incredibly talented dancers, was crowned Junior Miss Masquerade – congratulations, Liv!
Finally, the Top Studio award recognizes overall studio excellence. While Lake Area Dance Center wasn’t in the Top 3 this year, Woodbury Dance Center took the top spot, followed by Summit Dance Shoppe in 2nd, and Spotlight Productions Dance Studio in 3rd. Congratulations to all these exceptional studios!
A Successful Dance Competition and Looking Ahead
Overall, it was a fantastic competition year. Our younger dancers continued their success at the recreational and intermediate levels, while our older dancers embraced the challenge of the elite level. It was a season of growth and learning, setting the stage for even greater achievements next year. Thank you to Miss Maria Pomerleau, Mike Dietz, and Madelyn Lee for their incredible choreography and dedication to our dancers. And congratulations to all the dancers for their hard work and a truly fun season!
Now, we eagerly anticipate recitals and Nationals! Masquerade Dance provided a positive, well-organized, and truly enjoyable dancing masquerade experience, and we look forward to future events.
