The Divine Dance Center, located in Southwest Roanoke County, attended the Dance Machine National Finals in Wilkesboro, North Carolina June 26-28. Nine Divine Dancers were selected at regionals in Roanoke to compete for America’s Mister and Miss Dance, including five from Southwest Roanoke County. Others from Southwest Roanoke County competed in separate competitions.

Tony d’Alelio of Cave Spring High School took home the biggest prize of all -- America’s Teen Mister Dance 2009. That's him at left with his trophy. And Divine Dance Center’s director and owner, Riley Fitzgerald was awarded America’s Dance Teacher of the Year.

Others from Southwest Roanoke County who won honors included:

* Kaitlynn Walters was awarded the most-talented non-finalist for America’s Mini Miss Dance with her solo, "Baby I’m a Star". Kaitlynn is a rising fourth grader at Green Valley Elementary.

* Jessi Buckley was a photogenic winner and 3rd runner up for America’s Teen Miss Dance; she is a rising ninth grader at Cave Spring High School.

* Christina Lauria of Hidden Valley Middle School and Brittany Zeller of High Valley High School were also semi-finalists.

In addition: The junior tap group won the petite grand national small group division with their dance, "Jungle Book." Members from Southwest Roanoke County include Joey d'Alelio (Penn Forest and Katie Walters (Green Valley.)

The junior jazz group won the petite grand national large group division with their dance, "Do Your Thing". Junior company members from Southwest Roanoke County include:
Katie Walters (Green Valley), Christina Lauria (Hidden Valley Middle) and Joey d’Alelio (Penn Forest).

The teen dance company’s modern dance to "I Tried" received 1st place overall teen/senior small group and was chosen for the Showdown of the Stars. Teen dance company members from Southwest Roanoke County include:Jessi Buckley (Cave Spring), Brittany Zeller (Hidden Valley High), Tony d’Alelio (Cave Spring High) and Lucy Mason (Hidden Valley High).

We have a photo gallery from the show. And the full list of winners from the Divine Dance Center is below:

June 26 - 28th, 2008, Divine Dance Center of Roanoke, Virginia attended
the Dance Machine National Finals in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Nine
Divine Dancers were selected at regionals in Roanoke to compete for
America’s Mister and Miss Dance.

Semi-Finalists were Kaitlynn Walters, Abbie Hoback, Allie Hoback, Christina Lauria, Kai W. Brown, Kameron W.Brown, Jessi Buckley, Brittany Zeller, and Tony d’Alelio. All did
extremely well and Divine Dance Center brought home several 2009 title holders.

Kameron W. Brown was crowned America’s Mini Miss Dance 2009, she is a rising first grader at Fairview Elementary and won her title with her solo, "I Like to Fuss".

Kaitlynn Walters was awarded the most-talented non-finalist for America’s Mini Miss Dance with her solo, "Baby I’m a Star". Kaitlynn is a rising fourth grader at Green Valley Elementary.

Abbie Hoback was a photogenic winner for America’s Petite Miss Dance and was the winner of the Dance Spirit award. Abbie is a student at G.W. Carver Elementary.

Kai W. Brown was 1st runner up for the title of America’s Petite Miss Dance and was the winner of America’s Junior Dancer of the year, she is a rising fourth grader at Fairview Elementary and won her title with her solo, "Hit Me With a Hot Note."

Allie Hoback was a photogenic winner for America’s Junior Miss Dance; she is a rising sixth grader at Andrew Lewis Middle School.

Jessi Buckley was a photogenic winner and 3rd runner up for America’s Teen Miss Dance; she is a rising ninth grader at Cave Spring High School.

Tony d’Alelio was the overall interview and audition class winner for America’s Teen Mister Dance and won the title with his solo, "A Quitter Never Wins.. Tony is a rising ninth grader at Cave Spring High School.

Aside from the titles, Divine Dance Center brought home one X-Treme Platinum, fifteen Awesome Platinums, sixteen Awesome Golds, and 5 Grand Champion Awards.

Kai W. Brown’s jazz solo to, "Hit Me With a Hot Note" was the petite grand national solo champion and she was awarded a six foot trophy.

Tony d’Alelio’s contemporary solo, "A Quitter Never Wins" was the teen grand national solo champion and he was awarded a six foot trophy.

Margo Greenawald and Abbie Hoback won the petite grand national competitive duet division with their musical theatre routine to "Popular".

Divine Dance Center’s junior tap group won the petite grand national small group division with their dance, "Jungle Book." Members are:

Joey d'Alelio (Penn Forest)
Courtney Boyd (GW Carver)
Margo Greenawald (Raleigh Court)
Abbie Hoback(GW Carver)
Kai W. Brown (Fairview)
Bryn Burns (GW Carver)
Brooke Frye (Glen Cove)
Elizabeth Patterson (Roanoke Catholic)
Marilyn Steinbach (Roanoke Catholic)
Elizabeth Brown (Huff Lane)
Katie Walters (Green Valley)

Their junior jazz group won the petite grand national large group division with their dance, "Do Your Thing".

Junior company members are:
Katie Walters (Green Valley)
Christina Lauria (Hidden Valley Middle)
Marilyn Steinbach (Roanoke Catholic)
Elizabeth Patterson (Roanoke Catholic)
Elizabeth Brown (Huff Lane Elementary)
Kai W. Brown (Fairview)
Courtney Boyd (G.W. Carver Elementary)
Margo Greenawald (Raleigh Court Elementary)
Allie Hoback (Andrew Lewis Middle)
Abbie Hoback (G.W. Carver Elementary)
Brooke Frye (Glen Cove Elementary)
Bryn Burns (G.W. Carver Elementary)
Joey d’Alelio (Penn Forest)
Canyon Carroll (Fort Lewis Elementary)
Mariah Gill (Burlington Elementary)

The teen dance company’s modern dance to "I Tried" received 1st
place overall teen/senior small group and was chosen for the Showdown of
the Stars.

Teen dance company members are
Jessi Buckley (Cave Spring)
Brittany Zeller (Hidden Valley High)
Brittany Martin (William Byrd High)
Tony d’Alelio (Cave Spring High)
Lucy Mason (Hidden Valley High)
Hannah Goodson (Staunton River High)
Morgan Jessee (Roanoke Catholic)
Taylor Giles (Northside High)
Sarah Wilkie (Andrew Lewis Middle)
Allie Hoback (G.W. Carver Elementary)
Erin Greenawald (Patrick Henry High)

Divine Dance Center’s director and owner, Riley Fitzgerald was awarded America’s Dance Teacher of the Year for her work with the students of Divine Dance Center. She was nominated by a teacher from a competing studio for her skills as a dance teacher as well as her
compassion for her students and the caring environment she has established and maintains within her dance studio. Ms. Fitzgerald was chosen out of hundreds of dance teachers through out the United States for this title and she is very honored to be chosen.

Divine Dance Center is located in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County.

For more on the Divine Dance winners, see this item on our Salem community news site.

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