From left, Karielys Rivera, Thea Cosgrove, Madisyn Vasquez and Paige Bordeau will represent Dazzle Studio of Dance in Feeding Hills in an international dance competition in Poland this November.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
AGAWAM — Four local teenagers from a Feeding Hills dance studio soon will be making a trip to Poland to perform before an international audience as members of a U.S. dance team.
In November, they will compete in a week-long competition run by the International Dance Organization, a nonprofit world dance and dance sport federation. It consists of more than 90 member nations representing more than 500,000 dancers from all six continents.
Lisa Attanasio, who has owned Dazzle Studio of Dance for 37 years, said she’s worked with three of the dancers since they were toddlers, while the fourth dancer has been at the studio for the past three years.
“I feel very honored that my staff and myself were able to work with these girls and prepare them for any dreams they want to achieve. It’s great to contribute to the art of dance and to their dreams,” she said.
To participate at the IDO, Attanasio said dancers go through an audition process usually held at a national competition level. Dancers are grouped at auditions, learning different combinations — known as tricks — across the floor.
“There was a separate audition process for each genre, including jazz, lyrical, modern contemporary and acrobatics. It’s a very exciting — yet stressful — experience, but a great opportunity,” said Attanasio.
Paige Bordeau will compete on four dance teams in the genres of lyrical, modern contemporary, jazz and acrobatic.
“Acro is my favorite because I like to tumble and flip — it’s just really fun,” said the 14-year-old from Chicopee, who has been dancing at the studio since she was 3.
Karielys Rivera, 16, has been dancing since she was 2. This will be the Springfield teen’s second time at the IDO, as she danced in the 2019 competition in Germany. In Poland, she will compete in lyrical, modern contemporary and jazz.
“My most favorite genre is definitely lyrical. It’s elegant and soft, and I can really express my myself on the dance floor,” she said.
Madisyn Vasquez, also from Springfield, will compete on the lyrical, jazz and acrobatic teams. The 16-year-old has been dancing since she was 2 and has two genres that are her favorites to perform.
“I’ve liked acro ever since I was little, because it involves jumping around and flipping around, and it’s really fun. I also like lyrical because of how I can express my emotions through the movements of the dance,” she said.
Thea Cosgrove of Suffield started dancing when she was 3, following in the footsteps of her older sister. She was selected to compete at the IDO for the lyrical team.
“Dance has been something that has been a constant in my life — it just lets me be free and it has given me my best friends. It’s been the best like opportunity for me,” said the 16-year-old.
All said they’re excited for the opportunity to perform on an international stage after auditioning at the United States Tournament of Dance championships.
“I’m definitely super-excited. It’s like a dream come true,” said Bordeau. “It’s my first time abroad, so that makes it extra exciting. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how everything in Poland is different from Massachusetts.”
Rivera went alone for her first IDO competition, and expects this time will be much different: “I’m going with my friends and teammates from my studio. So, it’s going to be even more exciting and an even better opportunity and experience for me.”
Cosgrove said the IDO competition is a “big honor and opportunity” for her.
“This is the biggest thing I’ve probably ever been able to be a part of as a dancer. I’m super excited to go and meet everyone from all the different countries,” she said.
“I’m very excited just to see dancers from other countries and how they perform their styles of dance and how it differs from ours,” said Vazquez. “I especially like that I’m going to be in a different country doing like what I love.”
Attanasio, whose studio has had dancers represented at the IDO five times since 2005, said it takes a lot of hard work, commitment and dedication to the art of dance. She said dancers spend 10 to 12 hours a week, sacrificing time with friends and family, to work on their dance skills.
“These dancers strive every day to be the best that they can be. They are true athletes. I’m glad that my instructors and myself are able to help them in any way that we can in the dance studio and out of it. These kids are truly family to us and we’re always there to help them,” said Attanasio.
While their primary goal at IDO is to bring home a gold medal, the four dancers have other goals, too.
“In addition to bringing home a gold medal, I want to meet new people and bond with my team from the studio as well as with the other members of the USA team,” said Bordeau.
Cosgrove said it would be “very cool and exciting” to win a gold medal, but “my strategy to do that will be to stay calm and remember what I’m there for and just have fun.”
Vazquez said while the team will work together in group dances, her goal in solo performance is to try not to compare herself to everyone else.
“I need to remember that I’m also good and can also perform just like them. To accomplish that, I’ll keep reassuring myself and try not to get nervous,” she said.
There will be several fundraising events to help cover travel expenses to Poland. For more information on how to support the Dazzle Studio of Dance team, email Christina Bourdeau at cbordeau19@gmail.com.
