The Show Stoppers from Renee’s Dance Studio in Natchitoches traveled to Gatlinburg, Tenn. July 5-10 to compete at the Nexstar Talent Competition. Under the direction of Renee’ Oates, the team competed against 36 other studios during a four-day National competition. All 14 routines RDS brought to competition placed 1st or 2nd in their category and placed Overall for their division. Special Judges Awards, Choreography Awards, and Golden Ticket invitations to The World Dance Championship in New Jersey were also received by RDS routines. The highest scoring dance for RDS at Nationals was a Large Group Clogging Number, “Round Table Rival.” They received a Platinum rating, 1st Overall in the division, 2017 National Champions Title, invitation to The Big Show, Golden Ticket invitation to The World Dance Championship, and the “Energy Plus” Special Judges Award.

On the last day of Nationals, the dancers attended a Master Class hosted by Nexstar. The final day was The Big Show! During the week, 800 acts competed and 99 dances were selected by Nexstar judges as the highest scoring dances of the week. These 99 dances were invited to compete in The Big Show finals; a competition for the best of the best! Two of the dances selected were RDS Grand Line number “Me Too” (comprised of all 40 team members) and Large Group Clogging number “Round Table Rival.” At The Big Show, “Round Table Rival” scored 3rd Overall and “Me Too” scored 2nd Overall in the 11 and under age division.

The boys and girls of the Show Stopper team prepared for the national competition and their hard work showed as they dominated at Nexstar, wowing the judges, and bringing home a number of awards! RDS also awarded a few of their own awards at the competition to some outstanding dancers with a great passion for dance who excelled during the year in technique and performance. Recipients of the RDS Excellence Scholarship for the 2017-2018 season are Makenzie Davidson and Genesis Syse. Also recognized was our first Scholarship recipient, Maddie Hendon, who received her award for the 2015-2016 dance season.

Awards for each routine are listed below by dance:

“Round Table Rival” – Clogging Large Group – Platinum Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #1 in Division Overall, “Energy Plus” Special Judges Award, invitation to the “Nexstar Big Show” Finals, Golden Ticket Invitation to the World Dance Championship, 2017 Clogging NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

“Me Too” – Grand Line Production – High Gold Placement, 2nd Place Category Award, #2 in Division Overall, “So Much Fun” Special Judges Award, invitation to the “Nexstar Big Show” Finals, Golden Ticket invitation to the World Dance Championship.

“Lose My Breath” – Hip Hop Duet – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #3 in Divison Overall.

“La Cumbia” – Clogging Small Group – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #9 in Divison Overall.

“Destiny” – Jazz Small Group – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #10 in Division Overall.

“The River” – Tap Small Group – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, “Outstanding Choreography” Award.

“Bruh” – Hip Hop Small Group – High Gold Placement, #7 in Division Overall.

“Mad Hatter” – Ava Errington Musical Theatre Solo – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #11 in Division Overall.

“Long Live The Queen” – Maddie Hendon Contemporary Solo – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #13 in Division Overall, “Intesity” Special Judges Award.

“Diva” – Trissa Terrell Hip Hop Solo – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #16 in Division Overall.

“The Walker” – Avery Summerlin Clogging Solo – Platinum Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #6 in Division Overall.

“Breath of Life” – Makenzie Davidson Contemporary Solo – Platinum Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #5 in Division Overall.

“Believer” – Katherine Callender Clogging Solo – High Gold Placement, 2nd Place Category Award, #13 in Division Overall.

“Werk” – Kennedi Revels Hip Hop Solo – High Gold Placement, 1st Place Category Award, #18 in Division Overall.