Adell's School of Dance students to hold fundraiser in support of 'Olympics of Dance' opportunity in Poland

Event set for Sunday at BBC

What began as an occasion for experience has turned into an opportunity for excellence for five students from Adell’s School of Dance. These performers will represent the U.S. in what’s called “the Olympics of Dance.” On Thanksgiving night, five youth (and five parents) will travel to Poland to join the United States Dance and Sport Competition Federation team.

Taking a spot on Team USA was unexpected, but not unearned.

In July – having just spent a week competing in the Empire Dance Challenge national competition event in Niagara Falls – studio owner Adell Manarino and the group of students decided to take a road trip to Atlantic City.

“We left our national event on Friday at like 6 o'clock, drove all the way to Atlantic City, through the night, and the kids had to audition Saturday morning, once we got there,” Adell said. “We took five. It was a pretty large audition. So, we just kind of told them it was more for the experience of it, and we just wanted them to do the best that they can.”

She explained, “A few we knew in the industry suggested that I should open it up to my students. It was kind of one of those things that … we just said, ‘All right, who's in?’ We opened it up to whomever wanted to go, and there was five of them. I said, ‘All right, I'll go,’ because it was 11 hours to get to Atlantic City after being at a dance competition for five days.”

Before nationals, “It was just kind of, ‘Are we going to do this?’ And then it was just kind of like, ‘You know what? It's a great opportunity for the kids,’ just even to go to an audition like this for a team that's going to represent the U.S.,’ ” Adell said. “So, it was kind of almost a, ‘No-pressure; we love you; do the best that you can; dance the best that you can; and just enjoy the experience.’ ”

So, “We're sitting there, and they all did the best that they could,” Adell said. “Some of it was a little frustrating and overwhelming, but then when they made the announcements, they just posted (the results) on a screen. We were out there, all huddled together watching. And then all of a sudden, there was one number – one of the kids' numbers. And then you get excited, and you're like, ‘Oh my god.’ So, you see all the kids congratulating one other – you know, happy for them – and then there's another number, and then, all of a sudden, it was all five of us were going – and all of us parents looked at each other, and (laughs), ‘Oh, here we go. We're going to Poland!’

“They’re really hard-working kids, and the family there (at ASD), the dynamic, the rest of the kids at the studio are being so supportive and amazing. It's all camaraderie.”

(Photos by Chelsie Muldowney // courtesy of ASD)

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At the International Dance Organization event in Kielce, Poland, (Nov. 26 through Dec. 4), students will participate in acro, jazz and modern/contemporary championships, competing against 2,500 others from approximately 40 nations.

Those going on the trip include dancer Montana and mom Adell Manarino, plus Brooklyn and Kristen Casero, Eliana and Erin Higgins, Mackenzie and Molly Kennedy, and Julia and Michelle Sciuk.

Between now and then, the dancers and parents are going back and forth to Manalapan.

“When we travel to New Jersey, we're dancing with all of the other kids that got picked,” Adell said. “So, it's kind of cool. There's kids from Florida, there's kids from Texas, there's kids from New York City. There's kids that travel to these places. We're literally there to learn a piece for a couple hours, and then we go home.”

To help offset the travel costs, a fundraiser will be held from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at the Brickyard Brewing Company on Center Street in Lewiston. The $20 entry fee includes a chicken dinner. The event will also offer a photo booth, and 50/50 and basket raffles. Tickets are available at the door, or at Adell’s School of Dance, 2420 Military Road, Niagara Falls.

“I have really good kids,” Adell stressed about her entire student body. “They all work really, really hard. They're really dedicated.

“And these five, fortunately enough, they took the chance and just said, ‘You know, let's take the trip.’

“Next year, I think they're going to try to hold worlds here in Atlantic City. So, I would definitely push for more of the kids from the studio to try it, just for the opportunity – regardless of if you make the audition or not. Just to get the audition feel for it, and then, you know, hopefully, if they make it, being a part of a team like this.

“They're all beautiful dancers. I'm so proud. They're all hard-working.”

For more information, call 716-283-1078.