APA Middle School Dance Ensemble wins State Championship
After "superior" rankings for their performances at the East Regional, Arendell Parrott
Academy's Upper and Middle School Dance Ensembles competed in the State level of the
"Just for Kix North Carolina Dance Ensemble Competition" on Saturday, December 5th at
Wakefield High School in Raleigh. Both ensembles received excellent ratings from the
three judges, with Upper School placing third and Middle School placing first and taking
title of Middle School State Dance Champions, in the first ever state dance competition
for North Carolina sponsored by Just for Kix and the NCASA (NC Association for
Scholastic Activities).
The Middle School Dance Ensemble took the title of 2015-2016 State Champions placing
first in the state contemporary/lyrical division with a beautiful work entitled, "Once and
for All." The religious themed dance was choreographed by APA dance instructor,
Amanda Oakley Hort. The dance incorporated several sections of choreography which
highlighted each of the dancer's abilities, including individual solo work, a partnering
section, a group lift and a unison section. APA 8th grader, Olivia Grubb, was
the featured soloist in the piece; she learned the role in just two and a half weeks with
the help of Caroline Kypson (APA 8th grader) who served as the soloist at the regional
level. The Middle School Dance Ensemble received individual medals and a State
Championship banner and team trophy that will now be displayed in the Nelson-Williams
Fine Arts building of the school.
Middle School Dance Ensemble Photo
top row (left to right): Abby Turner (Pink Hill), Rylee McKenrick (Kinston), Sophia Melk
(Washington), Olivia Grubb (Greenville), Alexandra Melk (Washington), Eryn McKenrick
(Kinston), Elyse Measamer (Greenville)
bottom row (left to right): Whitley Anderson (Winterville), Bailey Bunn (Greenville),
Kelli Melvin (Greenville), Lucy Peacock (New Bern)
not pictured: Caroline Kypson (Greenville)