Victoria’s Dance Studio students recently took top honors for their performances at the Axis Dance Competition and Convention in Billings, Montana. Three dancers garnered six first place awards in the dance competition held April 8-10.  

“The competition level was strong,” instructor Victoria Danovsky said. “It was good to see where the dancers stand against good competition.”

Students Makenzie Reidinger, Anna Smith and Demi Danovsky attended, along with Victoria Danovsky.  The students were given the opportunity to perform at one of three competition levels: novice, intermediate and axis.

Reidinger competed at the novice level, earning first place and a platinum rating in the teen division for her solo performance  “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Reidinger also earned the overall title for novice in the solo division.

At the intermediate level, Demi Danovsky took first in the junior division for solo jazz while earning a platinum rating for “Fabulous.” Demi Danovsky was also recognized for her precision in her jazz performance. She earned a platinum rating and the overall high score in the junior division for her lyrical performance of “Never Enough.”

Smith and Demi Danovsky then joined together to perform in the jazz duo category. They placed first, received a platinum rating and earned the overall high score for their performance “Do It Like This.”

They also earned a platinum rating, placed first for teens and earned third overall in lyrical duo for their performance “Hold On.”

Smith performed solo in the senior division for the first time, placing first for lyrical solo and second overall for her routine “Angel By The Wings.”

“The time and the effort that they put in technically at the studio helped,” Victoria Danovsky said. “They are very dedicated in their time and effort.”

The competitors also participated in different classes that allowed them to gain a better understanding of how the audition process works in a professional setting.

Victoria Danovsky said that this is the first time that Axis has brought a competition to the region. Her dance studio will be attending the Big Sky Games on April 30 in Billings. 

Locals will have the opportunity to see the dancers perform at a recital at Powell High School on June 4 at 6 p.m.