Studio Dance Arts is no. 1
Studio Dance Arts of Sault Ste. Marie has confirmed that it has been awarded Top Studio at the Breaking Bounds Dance Competition, which was recently held in Toronto.
This achievement is determined based on the highest average group scores across all competing studio entries. This prestigious award highlights the studio’s excellence in performance, but also the strength, focus, and unity of its dancers, families, and faculty.
Following a temporary disruption to its home facility earlier this spring, Studio Dance Arts has continued to operate successfully across multiple locations throughout the city while repairs are underway. The studio looks forward to returning to its home base once restoration is complete.
Throughout this time, SDA has remained fully operational thanks to the support of community partners, including John Rhodes Community Centre, Bay Street Active Living Centre, Aline Wellness Studio, St. Mary’s High School (Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board), and the Delta Waterfront Hotel. The studio also extends heartfelt appreciation to the Marconi Event Centre and Mane St. Company for their generosity in opening their doors and donating space during this time.
“Our focus has always been that dance training is life training, in addition to excellence in dance education” relayed Richard Kim, owner and director of Studio Dance Arts. “This season has reinforced that more than ever. Our dancers have stayed focused, adaptable, and determined, and our Assistant Director Tania Castellani and faculty/staff have shown incredible leadership through this situation. I couldn’t be more proud of our entire team. We truly have an amazing group here in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Competition directors noted the professionalism and performance quality of SDA dancers, recognizing that the team delivered with confidence and excellence throughout the event.
Breaking Bounds Competition featured 14 studios and over 900 routines, making SDA’s Top Studio win a significant accomplishment.
Competition Highlights – Breaking Bounds,Toronto 2026
Top Studio Award
Top Studio Overall
Novice Division (1st Year Competitive)
Solo Results
2nd Overall Mini Soloist, Highest Scoring Jazz Routine of the Competition, Special Award “Superstar” – See Me Now (jazz) – Claire Haddy
7th Overall Junior Soloist – Top Hat White Tie & Tails (tap) – Emalynn Horne)
8th Overall Junior Soloist – Microphone (jazz) – Alicja Scott
1st Overall Senior Soloist – Hit Me With Your Best Shot (jazz) – Mya Stoneman-Finck
Duo/Trio Results
1st Overall Junior Duo/Trio, Top 12 & Under Duo/Trio – That’s Life (jazz) – Elise Hopper, Breanna Perrin, Ella Schmitt
Group Results
1st Overall Petite Large Group, Top Scoring Novice Group – Mambo #5 (jazz)
Special Award “Timing and Clarity” – Shoo-Be-Do-Be (tap)
Part-Time Competitive Division (6 Hours of Training Per Week or Less)
Group Results
2nd Overall Junior Small Group – New York, New York (jazz)
3rd Overall Junior Large Group, Choreography Award (Christine Cloutier), Special Award “Teamwork” – Girls (lyrical)
3rd Overall Teen Small Group – H.A.P.P.Y (jazz)
Special Award “Clean as a Whistle” – Sailors (ballet)
Competitive Division (6-10 Hours of Training Per Week)
Solo Results
1st Overall Mini Soloist, Special Award “You Light Up the Stage” – Sunny Side of the Street (tap) – Malia Arbour
2nd Overall Mini Soloist – Shy (jazz) – Kendall Hanchuk
4th Overall Mini Soloist – Lemonade Song (tap) – Amelia Malone
5th Overall Junior Soloist, Special Award “Complete Performer” – Ghosts That We Knew (contemporary) – Daniella Greco
6th Overall Junior Soloist – The Girl From Ipanema (tap) – Madeline Tonon
8th Overall Junior Soloist – Le Jazz Hot (jazz) – Charlie Mizzi
6th Overall Teen Soloist – Doomed (contemporary) – Aliyah Flammia
7th Overall Teen Soloist – Your Eyes Are Closed (contemporary) – Amia Guzzo
1st Overall Senior Soloist, Special Award “Powerful Performer” – For You Are Like The Moon (contemporary) – Lillian Cochrane
2nd Overall Senior Soloist – Child of Sun (contemporary) – Teija Lappalainen
Special Award “Broadway Bound” – Maybe This Time (jazz) – Lucy Giordano
Duo/Trio Results
1st Overall Junior Duo/Trio, Top 12 & Under Duo/Trio, Special Award “Fabulous Stage Presence” – After Dark (contemporary) – Lyra Bilodeau, Alicja Scott, Madeline Tonon
Group Results
1st Overall Mini Small Group – Conga (jazz)
2nd Overall Mini Small Group – Forget About the Boy (tap)
1st Overall Junior Large Group – Proud Mary (jazz)
3rd Overall Junior Small Group – Black & Gold (jazz)
1st Overall Teen Small Group – No Roses (contemporary)
Line / Extended Line Results
· 1st Overall Mini Extended Line, Top 12 & Under Extended Line – Cabaret (jazz)
2nd Overall Mini Extended Line – Coffee Song (tap)
1st Overall Junior Extended Line – Dog Days Are Over (contemporary)
2nd Overall Junior Extended Line, Special Award “Energy Explosion” – Big Noise (jazz)
1st Overall Teen Extended Line, Highest Scoring Open Routine, Highest Scoring SDA Routine – Somebody That I Used to Know (open)
2nd Overall Teen Extended Line – Dust Bowl Dance (contemporary)
3rd Overall Teen Extended Line – The Mad Hatter (jazz)
Special Award “Moving Art” – Surfing Life (lyrical)
Special Award “Gave Me All the Feels” – Singin in the Rain (tap)
Production
1st Overall Junior Production, Judges’ Choice 12 & Under Costume Award, Special Award “Outstanding Production” – The World of Dr. Seuss
Choreography Awards
Imagine (lyrical) – Tania Castellani-Greco
Scholarship Recipients
Malia Arbour
Kendall Hanchuk
Amelia Malone
Maila Sdao
Aliyah Flammia
Ava Sdao
Director’s Choice Scholarship
Emma Turgeon
VIP Scholarships
Charlee Mizzi
Arianna Comegna
NYC Ambassador Scholarships
Violet Piner
Teija Lappalainen
World Dance Scholarship
Lillian Cochrane
Studio Dance Arts now looks ahead to its upcoming Year-End Recital at the Community Theatre Centre:
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Competitive Solo/Trio Showcase – 10:00 AM
Competitive Group Showcase – 2:00 PM
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Recreational Show 1 – 10:00 AM
Recreational Show 2 – 1:00 PM
Tickets are available through the Station Mall Box Office in person or online.
Registration for the 2026–2027 season will open later this month at www.studiodancearts.com, as the studio prepares to celebrate its 24th season serving the Sault Ste. Marie community.
For more information, please visit www.studiodancearts.com or email info@studiodancearts.com
