TORRINGTON – The world of contemporary, or even classical interpretive dance is a captivating form of art. Even more so, every moment in time when a dancer steps on stage to perform, they are not merely moving to the melodic sounds of the music. Quite truthfully, they are expressing something deep down within their own minds, hearts, and souls; and are reaching out to share them with us.

Through the use of poetic physical interpretation, there is a story to be told in the presence of their audience. Not all stories are told with words or pictures. In the world of artistic expression, entire tales and emotions can be shared with a bit of grace, beauty, and imagination.

In this regard, the same applies to the tears and pain of losing a loved one. Perhaps there is no better or healthier way to share, express, or most specifically face our own grief than turning to one of the world’s oldest art forms.

Dance.

Torrington’s 28th Dance Studio is well known for bringing this particular approach and discipline to its pupils.

Just recently, the studio brought a total of 46 dancers to compete in the BravO! National Dance and Talent Competition in Longmont, Colorado. The event took place on March 16 and 17 with Torrington’s own dance studio receiving a total of 14 placings overall, five judge’s choice awards, and three category winners.

No doubt, Torrington dancers under the direction of owner/instructor, Stephanie Kath, once again proved their worth, talent, and dedication before a broad audience.

In the world of the arts, there is no better feeling than to have the approval of your experienced peers.

On top of yet another masterful showing of Torrington’s dancers, one particular duet made its mark not only in the eyes of the judges: but far more importantly in the minds and hearts of themselves and their families.

The performance was not so much a showing for the judges, or perhaps even the hundreds of audience members in attendance. The dance itself was a brief but eternal moment in time where performers could sincerely express their feelings of love, and loss to a motherly angel who now flies in Heaven.

Briella Wolfe of Torrington (14), along with cousin and dance partner, Marley Yaden (14), stood before an audience of hundreds thinking of just one person who truly mattered in their hearts and minds in those proceeding moments.

This one person being none-other than Marley’s mother and Briella’s aunt, Torrington’s remembered friend, daughter, and neighbor, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Yaden Vanderpeol who sadly passed away on October 31, 2022, in Lakewood, Colorado.

When asked about her initial feelings in paying tribute to her late mother, Marley understandably at first was a bit hesitant.

“At first I remember when I was asked to do this dance, I was a little skeptical,” Marley began. “When I’m in a good mood, I’ll say yes to anything. But when I’m in a bad mood it’s, ‘Meh, I really don’t want to do a dance.” I am very happy though I did the dance and committed to it. It was such a good experience and I loved hanging out with my cousin to practice, even though we had some difficult nights.”

Despite the routine being choreographed gracefully by Kath, Marley humbly shared although her experience in modern dance isn’t entirely lengthy, the time and effort paid off enormously when the routine earned both platinum and first-place standings at the competition.

“It was nice to show off how much we had learned,” Marley continued. “I have only danced twice in my whole life. I honestly didn’t practice as much at home, but when I was up in Wyoming, we would practice all the time and as much as we could. The fact we placed first is something we certainly weren’t expecting. It was such a fun experience knowing it was for my mom, and for her to see me and my cousin do something for her.”

“As far as winning overall and getting platinum I was pretty pumped, but it was mostly about contributing to Lizzie,” Briella added. “We showed the story of it and used our own emotions through it. Doing it with my cousin Marley was great, and we had a real connection on stage.”

Additionally, Briella’s mother and Lizzie’s sister, Melanie Wolfe, noted the extensive effort required by both girls to practice and stay focused, especially with such a delicate backstory for a creative dance routine.

According to Wolfe, the sincere courage each girl showed during the process leading up to performance time was something many could attempt to understand, but few probably ever will.

“We lost Lizzie, but Bri and Marley always have been very close,” Wolfe said. “I work at the dance studio, and Bri dances there every day. Marley is in Denver, so it’s very hard to get them together to do things like this. We talked to Stephanie, and she agreed graciously to choreograph a duet for them. We worked on weekends and did whatever we needed to do to make it happen. We started talking about music and songs, and Steph found a song that was called Hanging in the Sky. So, the girls just started working. I was just trying to keep it together every time we went to practice and not cry. When you watch the dance and hear the song, it makes you try not to cry.”

In regard to such immaculate standings at the end of the competition, Wolfe further added, “You have to get so much to get a platinum ranking or even a high gold ranking. We were so excited when they got first overall. They really just danced so in sync and so well with emotion together. Everyone understood the story I think.”

When it came to the discussion of paying tribute to the memory of her mother, Marley spoke with a soft but daring authenticity in expressing pain and grief through art. According to Marley such expression is almost essential in her own healing, as well as extending a compassionate hand to others perhaps coping with their own feelings of loss.

“Being able to go on stage with emotions we needed to let out and being able to do our dance just opened it up,” Marley said. “I just remember breathing as I got on the stage and thought, ‘I don’t need fake tears. I could already cry.’ It was being able to see how much Bri and I have such a connection. It was so amazingly weird how we always did everything perfectly and in sync. We were so shocked and speechless when we were announced, my mind completely blanked in the moment.”

“The biggest challenges were admitting what happened is real, and now moving on to show our emotions through a dance,” Marley added. “I wanted to do this at first just to dance, and to do a fun little duet with my cousin. It’s fun family time, but there’s also a backstory leading up to my mom. It isn’t in a bad way, but there is always a feeling of, ‘yeah this is about something that happened to you’, and it can be hard to accept. It was a way to show our emotions, and just express our feelings in different ways. It was definitely a challenge, but also I’m so happy I did it. It was a very hard challenge knowing we didn’t get to show her this dance, but it was made about her.”

Five Judge’s Choice Awards-Junior Company- “Super Style and Fun Unique Choreography!” Adult Jazz- “Pure Fun” and showing dance is a lifelong activity!” Nora Jespersen- “They Rhythm Section Award!” Star Weglin-Kelley- “Total Confidence!” Star Weglin-Kelley and Teagan Muilenburg- “Clear Connection!”

Petite Company Age Group (6-8): Aspyn Aragon, Peyton Bullington, Evi Courtney, Kadence Fisher, Melissa Graham-Brown, Berklee Kistler, Alexis Martin, Caislyn Ogburn-5th Overall Elite High Gold.

Junior Company Age Group (Age 9-11)-Sophia Emigh, Teagan Muilenberg, Kambry Novotny, Kelsey Otten, Mallory Roth, Sarah Snarr, Star Weglin-Kelley, Sadie Mae Winebrenner- “Super Style and Fun Unique Choreography” Judges Choice Award-Elite High Gold

Teen Company Age Group (average age 12)-Sophie Barker, Elanor Cross, Paizley Ewald, Payton Matthews, Halle Oestman, Madison Solberg-Elite High Gold

Senior Company Age Group (average age 14)-Lyrical-Madyson Banister, Madyn Clarke, Avery Firkins, Tessa Larkin, Rosa Munoz, Alyssa Shade, Tashara Sinner, Briella Wolfe-Overall High Score, 1st Place Winner, Category Winner Platinum

Senior Company Age Group (14)-Jazz-Madyson Banister, Madyn Clarke, Avery Firkins, Tessa Larkin, Rosa Munoz Alyssa Shade, Tashara Sinner, Briella Wolfe-5th Place Overall, Platinum, Choreography Award-Taylor Bartel

Adult Groups (Ages 20+)-1st Overall Small Group, 1st Overall Large Group, Double Platinum! Tap and Jazz Judge’s Choice for “Pure Fun!” and showing that dance is a lifelong activity.

Junior Age Group (9-11)-Overture! Duos/Solos-Star Weglin-Kelley and Teagan Muilenberg- “Clear Connection” Judges Choice Award-Elite High Gold, Star Weglin-Kelley-4th Place Overall, Judge’s Choice Award “Total Confidence,” Seana Li-8th Place Overall, Elite High Gold, Sophia Emigh-9th Place Overall, High Elite Gold, Kelsey Otten-10th Place Overall, Elite High Gold, Mallory Roth-Elite High Gold, Sadie Mae Winebrenner-High Gold

Teen Age Group (12-14)-Encore! Duos/Solos-Marley and Briella Wolfe-1st Place Overall, Platinum, Madyn Clarke-4th Place Overall, Category Winner, Platinum, Nora Jespersen-6th Place Overall, Judge’s Choice Award “The Rhythm Section Award,” Category Winner, Platinum, Rosa Munoz-9th Place Overall, Platinum, Briella Wolfe-Elite High Gold

Senior Age Group (15-19) Overture! Solos-Taylor Cushman-Elite High Gold-Alyssa Shade-Elite High Gold

Senior Age Group (15-19) Encore! Duos/Solos-Madyn Clarke and Madyson Banister-Elite High Gold, Madyson Banister-High Gold

**All routines are adjudicated and received 8 Platinum, 15 Elite High Gold, 2 High Gold Awards. The rankings are as follows: Platinum, Elite High Gold, High Gold, Gold, Silver, Bronze