saultsports 
Studio Dance Arts is proud to announce the remarkable achievements of its dancers at the 2025 KARV Dance Challenge in Burlington. SDA competitive dancers delivered inspiring performances across all divisions, earning top overall placements, special awards, and scholarships, while showcasing their dedication, artistry, and team spirit.
NOVICE DIVISION OVERALLS
- Junior Solo Winner: Maliah Arbour – Tap, “Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah”
- Senior Solo Winner: Lily Miskiw – Lyrical, “Blue”
- Senior Solo 2nd Overall: Emma Hiddleston – Jazz, “Where I Wanna Be”
- Overall Novice Highest Mark (95.69): Maliah Arbour – Tap, “Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah”
PRE-COMPETITIVE DIVISION OVERALLS
- Senior Solo 3rd Overall: Michaela Yannia – Tap, “Here Comes The Sun”
- Petite Small Group 3rd Overall: Bowser’s Army – Hiphop
Junior Large Groups/Lines
- Winner: “Be Our Guest” – Jazz
- 2nd Overall: “Party Girls” – Jazz
- 3rd Overall: “Rockin Robin” – Tap
Intermediate Large Groups/Lines
- Winner: “That Walk”
- 2nd Overall: “Destination Unknown” – Hiphop
- 3rd Overall: “You Say” – Lyrical
Senior Small Groups
- Winner: “When It’s Time” – Lyrical
- 2nd Overall: “Mr. Sandman” – Tap
- 3rd Overall: “Come Out and Play” – Lyrical
Senior Large Groups/Lines
- Winner: “A Little Party” – Jazz
- 2nd Overall: “A Mind Full” – Contemporary
Highest Scores In Dance Genres
- Top Lyrical: “When It’s Time”
- Top HipHop: “Destination Unknown”
- Top Musical Theatre: “We Got The Beat”
- Overall Pre-Competitive Choreography Award: “That Walk” (by Katlyn Williamson)
COMPETITIVE DIVISION OVERALLS
Intermediate Solos
- 2nd Overall: Madeline Tonon – Tap, “Mr. Rhythm”
- 4th Overall: Aliyah Flammia – Jazz, “Blah Blah Cha Cha”
Senior Solos
- Winner: Kirsten Dubien – Tap, “Rockin In Rhythm”
- 2nd Overall: Alexis Guzzo – Jazz, “Oops”
Junior Small Groups
- Winner: “Sisters” – Jazz
- 2nd Overall: “Bathing Beauties” – Jazz
- 3rd Overall: “Whispers in A Minor” – Ballet
Junior Large Groups/Lines
- 2nd Overall: “The Cave” – Contemporary
- 3rd Overall: “One” – Jazz
- 4th Overall: “The Jacksons” – Hiphop
- 5th Overall: “The Case” – Jazz
Intermediate Small Groups
- 3rd Overall: “Havana” – Jazz
Intermediate Large Groups/Lines
- Winner: “Thataway” – Jazz
- 2nd Overall: “You Are Me” – Contemporary
- 3rd Overall: “Slow Down” – Lyrical
- 4th Overall: “Sing Sing Sing” – Tap
Senior Small Groups
- Winner: “Feelin Good” – Jazz
- 2nd Overall: “The People & I” – Lyrical
- 4th Overall: “Oh Courage” – Contemporary
Highest Scores In Dance Genres
- Top Jazz: “Thataway”
- Top Lyrical: “Slow Down”
Top Tap: Kirsten Dubien – “Rockin in Rhythm” - Top Contemporary: “You Are Me”
- Top Hiphop: “The Jacksons”
Top Musical Theatre: “Happily Never After” - Overall Competitive Choreography Award: “Thataway” – Jazz (by Kristin DeAmorim)
- Overall Competitive Highest Mark (97.01): “Thataway” – Jazz
- Overall Highest Scoring Soloist (96.23): Kirsten Dubien “Rockin In Rhythm” – Tap
- Senior Stand Out Solo Performer: Kirsten Dubien – Tap, “Rockin In Rhythm”
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
- Tap: Michaela Yanni
- Five-Star Dance Company: Alexis Guzzo
- KARV Artistry Workshop: Aliyah Flammia, Sophie Flammia, Daniella Greco, Charlee Mizzi
SESSION ENTERTAINMENT WINNERS
- “The Jacksons” – Competitive Hiphop Group
SESSION CHOREOGRAPHY WINNERS
- “Zip-Be-Dee-Doo-Dah” – Novice Tap Solo (by Tania Castellani-Greco)
- “About That Walk” – Pre-Competitive Jazz Group (by Katlyn Williamson)
- “The People & I” – Competitive Lyrical Group (by Rebecca Zizek)
- “Oh Courage” – Competitive Contemporary Group (by Emily Spearing)
- “Sing Sing Sing” – Competitive Tap Group (by Sarra Freedman)
- “You Are Me” – Competitive Contemporary Group (by Emily Spearing)
FINAL GRAND AWARDS
- WINNER: TOP PRE-COMPETITIVE STUDIO
- WINNER: 13 & OVER DANCE-OFF “Thataway”
- WINNER: TOP COMPETITIVE STUDIO
“We are incredibly proud of our dancers, families, teachers and choreographers for their hard work, artistry, and team spirit,” said Richard Kim, Founder and Executive Director of Studio Dance Arts. “These results are a testament to their dedication and the supportive SDA community.”
As Studio Dance Arts looks ahead to the 2025/2026 season, the studio is excited to announce that competitive assessments are now being scheduled for aspiring dancers interested in joining the award-winning competitive team. Assessments take place on June 10-11. Online registration is available on their website.
In addition, Studio Dance Arts spectacular year end show runs June 7-8, 2025 at the GFL Memorial Gardens. Tickets on sale now at the GFL Box Office.
With 22 years of serving the community and three studio locations in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Marquette, Michigan, and Munising, Michigan, Studio Dance Arts continues to be a leading provider of dance education for the beginner to advanced level dance student.
For more information about Studio Dance Arts and upcoming Summer and Fall programs, please visit www.studiodancearts.com or email: [email protected].
Source: Studio Dance Arts
About The Author
