Last weekend, Center Stage School of Dance owner Tonya Barnum took her dance team to a national competition in Biloxi, where the dancers earned national honors.
Barnum, who is a Picayune native and Dance USA certified, has taught dance for the past 15 years in Picayune.
“It’s just something I always wanted to do,” she said. “When the instructor who trained me retired I took over. I’m passionate about what I do and seeing the outcome. Every year we improve.”
Earlier this year, the team competed at the regional Kids Artistic Revue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where they earned their bid to participate in the national Kids Artistic Revue, which was held in Biloxi this year, Barnum said.
The dancers competed in three different categories, including solo, duo/trio and group and danced to jazz, hip-hop and lyrical music, Barnum said.
At the beginning of each year, Barnum holds tryouts for the competition team. About every other year since 2006, Barnum said the group has performed in Disney World, after officials review the dancer’s submitted video.
Barnum said it’s been a while since the team competed in a national competition.
“This was the first time some of the dancers competed at a national level,” Barnum said. “I’m very proud. They nailed it. They did what I asked and did great. As a team, they are wonderful. I love the kids and parents. We have a great group of parents who are dedicated to our team.”
The CCSD Competition Team includes Kieleigh Antoine, Adrienne Crowe, Ana Emelia, Lauren Magehee, Olivia Crowe, Kailee Spiers, Holden Dodd, Sarah Lecompte, Savannah Seal, Destiney Jones, Amber Newton, Madison Gilless, Colton Guidry, Straley Reiter, Lauren Lecompte, Heidi Wide, Brandi Mixan, Hanna Kellar, Rebecca Barrett, Hayden Dodd, Hudson Barnum and Samantha English.
Dance members won the following awards.
The solo performances of “What Real People Do” and “Words” both placed national top first place.
The small group performance “Bang Bang” placed national first place and won the 100 percent Energy Judges award.
The duo/trio performance of “Cruisin For a Bruisin” placed national top first place, top in category and second overall in primary duo/trio ages 12 to 14.
The large group, who performed a Michael Jackson mix, took home national first place and the Work Judges awards.
Small groups performances of “Stay With Me” and “Come With Me Now” both placed national first place and the latter performance won the Pride and Passion Judge award.
The small group who performed “Break the Silence” placed national top first place, second place in their division and third overall in the small group of secondary ages 15 to 19.
The small group performance of “Nerd Mix” took home national elite top first place and were the overall national champions in the adult group.
Centerstage School of Dance is located at 510 Hwy. 11 S. This weekend Barnum will be holding registration on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.